Excavator arm assembly with integral quick coupler

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6438875
  • Patent Number
    6,438,875
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, July 11, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 27, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
An arm assembly for an excavator or the like includes a quick coupler integrated into an arm member and an implement link member, thus eliminating the need to connect a separate quick coupler to the arm. The arm member includes: (i) a proximal end adapted for connection to an associated boom for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis; (ii) a distal end, spaced from the proximal end along a first longitudinal axis; and, (iii) a first recess defined in the distal end. The first recess is defined about a first transverse axis that lies parallel to the transverse pivot axis and includes an open mouth and a closed inner end. The implement link member includes: (i) a first end; and, (ii) a second end spaced from the first end along a second longitudinal axis and defining a second recess about a second transverse axis parallel to the first transverse axis. The second recess has an open mouth and a closed inner end, and the first and second recesses are adapted for respective receipt of first and second associated pins of an associated implement. One or more dude links maintain a fixed spacing between the recesses and capture at least one of the pins of the associated implement in its respective recess at all times. An additional lock member closes the mouth of at least one of the recesses after an associated pin is received therein.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to coupling devices used by equipment to facilitate selective, secure, and convenient attachment of various implements to the equipment as required to perform certain operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arm assembly for an excavator or the like, wherein the arm includes an integral quick coupler mechanism on its distal end adapted for attachment to any of a wide variety of implements without requiring attachment and use of a separate, conventional quick coupler mechanism intermediate the arm and the implement. For simplicity, the present invention is described primarily for use with excavator-type construction machinery. However, the term “excavator” as used herein is not intended to limit the type of vehicles or machines with which the present invention can be used. Specifically, the present invention can be used in connection with excavators, backhoes, tractors, skid-steer vehicles, fixed pedestal-mounted machines, or any other similar or related device.




Excavators are well known and widely used in various industries. Typically, such excavators include a boom extending from a base of the excavator to an outwardly and upwardly extending distal end, at which end an arm is attached. The arm pivots relative to the boom, and the distal end of the arm is adapted for operative securement of an attachment or implement such as a shovel or bucket for removing and depositing earth or the like. Other industries, such as the materials handling or demolition industries, employ shears, grapples, magnets, and other such devices at the distal end of the arm. Regardless of the type of implement employed at the end of the arm, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that an excavator employs fluid cylinders and the like for raising and lowering the boom, the arm, for moving the implement relative to the arm, and for operating any mechanisms of the implement, itself.




To improve the utility and versatility of excavators, it is most desirable that various implements be conveniently and reliably coupled to the arm. This, then, allows a single excavator to be employed with any one of a wide variety of implements as desired. However, given the size and weight of the implements, and the close tolerances of all connection points, changing of implements at the end of the arm of an excavator has been found to be time-consuming, difficult, labor-intensive, and can be dangerous.




In a most basic arrangement, the implements are manually pinned to the excavator arm and any associated fluid cylinders. Such operation necessarily requires manual removal and replacement of multiple pins to achieve the desired engagement. The removal and placement of such pins involves manually and hydraulically manipulating the heavy and cumbersome arm, a fluid cylinder, and/or the implement.




More recently, quick couplings have been developed and have enjoyed widespread commercial success. One suitable coupling is commercially available from JRB Company, Inc., Akron, Ohio under the trademark SLIDE-LOCO®. Such quick couplings are pivotably pinned to the distal end of the arm and also to the distal end of an implement or “bucket link member. Once a quick-coupler is operatively pinned in position, first and second recesses thereof are adapted for selective connection to first and second pins of any of a wide variety of associated implements as desired in a convenient and secure manner without removal of the first and second pins.




Although highly effective and convenient, these prior quick couplings add some weight to the excavator arm, and also elongate the arm, the combination of which can lead to a decrease in excavator performance in certain circumstances. The additional weight of the quick coupling can decrease the lifting capacity of the excavator. Further, the additional arm length and weight can lead to instability of the excavator when the boom and arm are extended. To compensate, some operators have been known to use smaller implements than required.




In light of the foregoing, a need has been identified for an arm assembly integrally incorporating a quick coupling mechanism adapted for selectively mating with and retaining an associated implement in a convenient and secure manner, without requiring attachment of a separate quick coupling device.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an arm assembly for an excavator or the like includes a quick coupler integrated into an arm member and an implement link member, thus eliminating the need to connect a separate quick coupler to the arm.




In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the arm member includes: (i) a proximal end adapted for connection to an associated boom for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis; (ii) a distal end, spaced from the proximal end along a first longitudinal axis; and, (iii) a first recess defined in the distal end. The first recess is defined about a first transverse axis that lies parallel to the transverse pivot axis and includes an open mouth and a closed inner end.




In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the implement link member includes: (i) a first end; and, (ii) a second end spaced from the first end along a second longitudinal axis and defining a second recess about a second transverse axis parallel to the first transverse axis. The second recess has an open mouth and a closed inner end.




In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, one or more dude links maintain a fixed spacing between the recesses and capture at least one of the pins of the associated implement in its respective recess at all times.




In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an additional lock member closes the mouth of at least one of the recesses after an associated pin is received therein.




One advantage of the present invention is the provision of an arm assembly for an excavator or other apparatus that incorporates an integral quick coupler.




Another advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of an arm assembly adapted for quick coupling with an associated implement without requiring use of a separate quick coupling mechanism.




A further advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of an arm assembly for an excavator or other apparatus, wherein the arm assembly is not significantly lengthened and wherein no significant additional weight is added relative to a conventional arm assembly.




Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an arm assembly with an integral quick coupler mechanism wherein one or more dude links ensure that at least one attachment pin of an associated implement is fully captured at all times.




Still another advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of an arm assembly with an integral quick coupler mechanism including an implement lock mechanism for selectively capturing at least one attachment pin of an associated implement.




A yet further advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of an arm for an excavator or the like, wherein the distal end of the arm defines a pinreceiving recess that is fixed relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm.




A still further advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of an implement link member having a proximal end adapted for pivotable connection to a fluid cylinder and a distal end defining a recess that is fixed relative to the longitudinal axis of the link member.




Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading and understanding the following specification.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention takes form from various components and arrangements of components, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and wherein:





FIG. 1A

illustrates a conventional excavation device and associated implement or attachment;





FIG. 1B

is a side elevational view of another conventional excavator attachment or implement;





FIG. 1C

is a side elevational view of a prior art arm for an excavator or the like and an associated bucket implement operatively pinned thereto in a conventional manner;





FIG. 1D

is a side elevational view of the prior art arm of

FIG. 1C

including an associated separate prior art quick coupler mechanism;





FIG. 2A

is a right side elevational view of an arm for an excavator or the like with integral quick coupler formed in accordance with the present invention in a first operative position, and showing the implement lock in the disengaged condition (the left side being a mirror image);





FIG. 2B

is a partial side elevational view of the arm of

FIG. 2A

in a second operative position and showing the implement lock in its engaged condition;





FIG. 3A

is a perspective illustration of an arm with integral quick coupler formed in accordance with the present invention (with the dude links removed for clarity);





FIG. 3B

is similar to

FIG. 3A

, but also shows the dude links;





FIG. 4A

is a side elevational view of the arm assembly of

FIG. 2A

in its first position including a bucket implement operatively secured thereto;





FIG. 4B

is similar to

FIG. 4A

, but shows the arm and bucket implement in a second operative position;





FIGS. 5A

is a left side elevational view of a distal end of an arm formed in accordance with the present invention (the right side being a mirror image);





FIG. 5B

is a top plan view taken along line B—B of

FIG. 5A

;





FIG. 5C

is a sectional view taken along line C—C of

FIG. 5A

;





FIG. 6A

is a side elevational view of a dude link retainer formed in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 6B

is a front elevational view of the dude link retainer of

FIG. 6A

;





FIG. 7

is similar to

FIG. 5C

, but shows operative connection of the dude link retainer of

FIG. 6A

to the distal end of the arm;





FIG. 8A

is a top plan view of an implement link formed in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 8B

is a side elevational view of the implement link of

FIG. 8A

; and,





FIG. 8C

is a sectional view taken along lines C—C of

FIG. 8B

; and,





FIG. 9

is a side view of the implement link of

FIG. 8B

, and further illustrating an implement lock secured thereto.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,

FIG. 1A

illustrates an excavator of the type in connection with which an excavator arm formed in accordance with the present invention may be advantageously employed. As noted above, the invention can be used in connection with any other excavation, construction, materials handling, demolition, or like apparatus having a boom to which an arm formed in accordance with the present invention can be operatively attached, and it is intended that the term excavator as used herein encompass all of same. The illustrated excavator


10


is movable upon tractor or roller chain treads


12


in standard fashion. An engine or power unit


14


. such as a diesel engine or the like is operative to drive the treads


12


and the various hydraulic pumps, generators, and systems employed in the operation of the excavator as is well known. A cab


16


is maintained upon a base


20


for accommodating an operator controlling the excavator


10


.




A boom


18


extends upwardly from the base


20


and is movable in elevation by means of hydraulic pistons


22


. At the distal end


19


of the boom


18


, the proximal end


23


of an arm or “dipper stick”


24


is pivotally attached for movement about a transverse pivot axis. In the embodiment shown, a shovel, bucket, or other implement


26




a


is maintained at the distal end


25


of the arm


24


. An implement fluid cylinder


30


is operatively connected to the arm


24


, and an implement or “bucket” link member


28


connects a piston


32


of the cylinder


30


to the bucket


26


or other implement to control operation of same as is well known and understood by those skilled in the art. A pair of guide links


29


(only one visible in

FIG. 1A

) are located on opposite lateral sides of the arm


24


and are pivotally connected to both the arm


24


and the implement link


28


to pivot about respective transverse axes. The guide links


29


maintain proper spacing between the implement link member


28


and the arm


24


during extension/retraction of the cylinder piston


32


. In similar fashion, a fluid cylinder


33


is interposed between the boom


18


and arm


24


for achieving pivotal movement between these two members, again in a fashion well known and understood in the art.





FIG. 1B

illustrates a conventional excavator bucket implement


26




b


. The implement


26




b


comprises first and second parallel and spaced-apart attachment pins


37


,


38


by which the implement


26




b


is pinned or quick-coupled to the excavator arm


24


and link


28


.




With reference now also to

FIG. 1C

, the implement


26




b


is directly pinned or otherwise coupled to closed eyelets or apertures


31


,


33


located at the distal end


25


of the arm


24


and to the distal end


28




b


of the link


28


using the implement attachment pins


37


,


38


. This arrangement is undesirable when the implement


26




b


must be changed frequently given the inconvenience and time involved in switching implements. Specifically, the pins


37


,


38


must be removed and then axially inserted through the eyelets


31


,


33


and aligned apertures of the implement. The proximal end


23


of the arm


24


includes a first transverse cylindrical bore


21




a


, or a plurality of aligned transverse bores, centered on a first transverse pivot axis


27




a


and adapted for pivotable connection to an associated boom


18


so that the arm pivots relative to the boom about the first transverse pivot axis


27




a


. The proximal end


23


of the arm


24


also includes a second transverse cylindrical bore


21




b


, or a plurality of aligned transverse bores, centered on a second transverse pivot axis


27




b


that is parallel to the first transverse pivot axis. The bore


21




b


is used to pivotably couple the piston of the associated fluid cylinder


33


so that the piston and arm


24


pivot relative each other about the second transverse pivot axis


27




b.






Another prior art arrangement is illustrated in

FIG. 1D

where the arm


24


comprises a separate quick coupler mechanism


34


pinned (by pins


37


′,


38


′) to the distal end


25


of the arm


24


and the distal end


28




b


of the link


28


. The quick coupler


34


, in turn, is adapted for selective and convenient interconnection with an associated implement, such as the bucket


26




b


. Specifically, the quick coupler


34


includes first and second recesses


40


,


50


adapted for respective direct receipt of the first and second implement pins


37


,


38


without these pins being removed from an associated implement such as the implement


26




b


. A lock


60


is selectively extensible into the second recess


50


to capture the second pin


38


therein. The first recess


40


is formed so that, when the second pin


38


is captured in the second recess


50


by the lock


60


, the first pin


37


cannot escape from the first recess


40


. This type of quick coupler is highly effective and has enjoyed widespread commercial success. However, as is readily apparent, it extends the overall length of the arm


24


and add weight thereto and, thus, can limit performance under certain circumstances.




Referring now to

FIGS. 2A-3B

, an arm assembly


124


formed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Unless otherwise shown and/or described, like components relative to the arm


24


are identified with like reference numerals that are


100


greater than those used in connection with

FIGS. 1A-1D

.




The arm


124


comprises a proximal end


123


adapted for connection to a distal end


19


of an excavator boom


18


in a conventional manner. Unlike the arm


24


, the distal end


125


of the arm


124


comprises a first integral implement attachment pin receiving area or recess


140


adapted for mating receipt of the first implement attachment pin


37


of an associated bucket or other implement without removal of the pin


37


from the implement. The recess


140


is preferably formed as a one-piece construction with the arm


124


or is otherwise permanently integral with the remainder of the arm


124


through, for example, a welding operation. Alternatively, the recess


140


is defined in a separate member secured to the arm via bolts or like fasteners. In either case, the first recess


140


is defined transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the longitudinal axis L of the arm


124


and defines an open mouth


142


and a closed inner end


144


, with at least a portion of the inner end defining an arcuate, preferably partially (e.g., semi) cylindrical, surface. The mouth


142


is defined at a fixed angle relative to the axis L (in a plane parallel to the planes in which the guide links


129


respectively move) and preferably opens downwardly, i.e., generally away from the fluid cylinder


130


and link member


128


, although it can open in other directions without departing from the overall scope and intent of the invention. Although illustrated as a single recess, the recess


140


can be provided or defined by one or more aligned recesses without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present invention.




The fluid cylinder


130


includes a piston


132


that reciprocates along a path that extends in the general direction of the axis L. A bucket link or implement link


128


formed in accordance with the present invention is connected at its proximal end


128




a


to the piston


132


to reciprocate therewith and to pivot about a transverse axis relative thereto. The pair of guide links


129


are located on opposite lateral sides of the arm


124


and are pivotally connected at a first end to the proximal end


128




a


of the implement link (at a common pivot point relative to the piston


132


) and at an opposite second end to the arm


124


. The guide links


129


pivot about transverse axes and maintain proper spacing between the proximal end


128




a


of the implement link member


128


and the arm


124


during extension/retraction of the piston


132


.




The distal end


128




b


of the implement link member


128


is spaced from the proximal end


128




a


on an axis L′ and includes a second integral implement attachment pin receiving area or recess


150


adapted for mating receipt of the second implement attachment pin


38


of an associated bucket or other implement


26




b


without the pin


38


being removed from the implement. The recess


150


is preferably formed as a one-piece construction with the implement link


128


or is otherwise permanently integral with the remainder of the link


128


via welding or the like. Alternatively, the second recess


150


is defined in a separate member secured to the link


128


using bolts or like fasteners. In either case, the second recess


150


is defined transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the longitudinal axis L′ of the link member


128


and defines an open mouth


152


and a closed inner end.


154


, with at least a portion of the inner end


154


defining an arcuate, preferably partially (e.g., semi) cylindrical, surface. Owing to the fact that the first and second pins


37


,


38


of an associated attachment are typically parallel, the recesses


140


,


150


are preferably defined to lie parallel to each other on respective first and second transverse axes T


1


,T


2


(FIGS.


3


A,


3


B), wherein the associated pins


37


,


38


fully received in the recesses


140


,


150


(i.e., abutting the recess inner ends


144


,


154


) are preferably positioned with their longitudinal axes aligned with the axes T


1


,T


2


, respectively. The axes T


1


,T


2


are defined parallel to the transverse axes


127




a


,


127




b


. Like the mouth


142


of the recess


140


, the mouth


152


of the recess


150


is fixed angularly in a plane that lies perpendicular to the axes T


1


,T


2


and preferably opens generally downwardly, i.e., toward the distal end


125


of the arm


124


, although it can open in other directions without departing from the overall scope and intent of the invention. As noted with respect to the first recess, the second recess


150


can be defined by a single recess in a single member or by multiple aligned recesses in different members without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention.




As noted, the recesses


140


,


150


are preferably defined about and extend along respective axes T


1


and T


2


. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these axes T


1


,T


2


are preferably both parallel with the axes


127




a


,


127




b


about which the arm


124


pivots relative to an associated boom and cylinder-piston of an excavator or like apparatus. Furthermore, as noted, the closed inner regions


144


,


154


of the recesses


140


,


150


are defined by arcuate surfaces preferably defined by radii R


1


,R


2


centered on the axes T


1


,T


2


, respectively (see FIGS.


5


A and


8


B). Also, it is most preferred that the arcuate inner ends


144


,


154


of the recesses


140


,


150


lie diametrically opposed to the mouths


142


,


152


, respectively.




With continuing reference to

FIGS. 2A through 3B

, the arm assembly


124


formed in accordance with the present invention also comprises an implement lock assembly


160


. As shown, the lock assembly


160


is connected to the implement link


128


and includes a lock member


162


that moves between a first, unlocked or retracted position (

FIG. 2A

) and a second, locked or extended position (FIG.


2


B). More particularly, the lock assembly


160


includes electric, hydraulic, manual, or other suitable means connected to the lock member


162


and adapted for moving same between the unlocked and locked positions as desired and as indicated by the arrow A in

FIGS. 3A and 3B

. In the unlocked or retracted position, the lock member


162


is retracted relative to and does not interfere with the second recess


150


so that the second attachment pin


38


of an associated implement is freely received in and removable from the recess


150


by way of the mouth


152


. On the other hand, when the lock member


162


is moved into its second, locked or extended position as illustrated in

FIG. 2A

, it at least partially closes the mouth


152


of the second recess


150


or otherwise captures a second implement attachment pin


38


of an associated implement in the recess


150


. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the arm


124


, itself, may alternatively or additionally comprise a similar or identical lock assembly with a lock member movable between an unlocked and a locked position to selectively capture an implement attachment pin


37


in the first recess


140


.




For clarity and ease of understanding the present invention, the arm assembly illustrated in

FIG. 3A

does not include the preferred first and second dude links


170




a


,


170




b


(shown in

FIGS. 2A

,


2


B, and


3


B) mounted on opposite lateral sides of the arm


124


and pivotably connected at a first end to the distal end


125


of the arm


124


and pivotably connected at a second end to the distal end


128




b


of the implement link


128


. The dude link


170




a


(FIGS.


2


A,


2


B) includes first and second recesses


180




a


,


182




a


defined at its opposite first and second ends that open in opposite directions relative to each other and that are adapted for receipt of the pins


37


,


38


, respectively. The dude link


170




b


(

FIG. 3B

) is a mirror image of the dude link


170




a


and, thus, includes first and second recesses


180




b


,


182




b


defined at its opposite first and second ends that open in opposite directions relative to each other. The first recesses


180




a


,


180




b


and the second recesses


182




a


,


182




b


open in the same direction relative to each other. As illustrated, it is most preferred that the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


pivot relative to the distal end


125


of the arm


124


about the axis T


1


, and pivot relative to the distal end


128




b


of the implement link


128


about the axis T


2


.




The dude links


170




a


,


170




b


perform multiple functions. Specifically, the dude links maintain a fixed spacing between the distal end


125


of the arm


124


and the distal end


128




b


of the implement link


128


so that the spacing between the axes T


1


,T


2


of the recesses


140


,


150


always equals the spacing between the longitudinal axes of the pins


37


,


38


of an associated implement


26




b


. Secondly, as described below, the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


always close or block the mouth


142


,


152


of at least one of the recesses


140


,


150


so that at least one pin


37


,


38


of an associated implement is always captured in its respective recess


140


,


150


.




The dude links


170




a


,


170




b


are conformed and oriented so that when the cylinder piston


132


is retracted (as shown in

FIGS. 2A

,


3


B, and


4


A) the second recesses


182




a


,


182




b


thereof lie opposed to or open in a direction generally opposite and non-registered with the mouth


152


of the second recess


150


. Accordingly, when a pin


38


of an associated implement is located in the recess


150


, the second recesses


182




a


,


182




b


of the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


capture the associated pin


38


. At the same time, the first recesses


180




a


,


180




b


of the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


register with or are open in the same general direction as the mouth


142


of the first recess


140


. Thus, the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


do not capture the first attachment pin


37


of an associated implement in the recess


140


when the cylinder piston is retracted. This is important because, in this position, the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


also do not block insertion of the associated pin


37


directly into the recess


140


as required to effect quick coupling, i.e., direct coupling without axial insertion/removal of the pin


37


.




In contrast, referring now to

FIGS. 2B and 4B

, the cylinder piston


132


and implement link


128


are extended. When the implement link


128


is in this extended position, the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


pivot so that the second recesses


182




a


,


182




b


thereof open in the same direction or register with and do not block the mouth


152


of the second recess


150


. Accordingly, in this position, the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


do not oppose the second recess


150


and do not capture the second attachment pin


38


of an associated implement


26




b


therein. Also, in this position, the pin


38


is freely received in the recess


150


during quick coupling operations. However, when the implement lock


160


is engaged as shown in

FIG. 2B

, the lock member


162


will still capture and prevent escape of the attachment pin


38


of an associated implement


26




b


. At the same time, the first recess


180




a


,


180




b


of each dude link


170




a


,


170




b


is now oriented opposite the first recess


140


of the arm


124


so as to capture the first associated implement attachment pin


37


therein. Thus, even in the unlikely event that the implement lock


160


is inadvertently disengaged and the lock member


162


retracted, the first recesses


180




a


,


180




b


of the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


prevent complete detachment of the associated implement


26




b


from the arm


124


.




From the foregoing, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


ensure that at least one of the pins


37


,


38


of an associated implement


26




b


is fully captured in its respective recess


140


,


150


of the arm


124


and implement link


128


at all times, regardless of whether the cylinder piston


132


is extended, retracted, or at some intermediate position between fully extended and fully retracted. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dude links perform this safety task without interfering with quick coupling operations as described in further detail below.




In use, to quick couple an implement


26




b


to the arm


124


, the arm is placed in the condition illustrated in FIG.


2


A. This moves the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


to a first position where the associated implement attachment pin


37


is freely received directly in the arm recess


140


by way of the mouth


142


. The arm


124


is then lifted so that the implement


26




b


is lifted by the pin


37


in the recess


140


, and the piston


132


is fully extended. This causes the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


to pivot to a second operative position, thus capturing the implement pin


37


in the recess


140


while opening the recess


150


of the link member


128


(FIG.


4


B). At the same time, the second recess


150


pivots relative to the first recess


140


about the axis T


1


so that the second associated implement attachment pin


38


is received directly in the second recess


150


of the implement link


128


through the mouth


152


as illustrated in FIG.


4


B. Finally, the lock


160


is engaged (

FIG. 2B

) so that the lock member


162


captures the second associated pin


38


in the recess


150


. Detachment of the implement


26




b


is simply the reverse of the attachment operation.





FIGS. 5A-5C

illustrate a preferred construction of the distal end


125


of the arm


124


. The distal end


125


can be a separate assembly or construction that is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the remainder of the arm


124


. The distal end


125


defines first and second circular grooves


202




a


,


202




b


in first and second opposite lateral faces


200




a


,


200




b


. The grooves


202




a


,


202




b


are preferably concentric about the axis Ti and circumscribe the recess


140


as shown. Of course, the grooves


202




a


,


202




b


are interrupted by the mouth


142


of the recess


140


. A plurality of threaded bores


204


are also defined in each opposite lateral side


200




a


,


200




b


of the arm distal end


125


, preferably spaced radially outwardly from the grooves


202




a


,


202




b


and extending parallel to the axis T


1


.




Referring now also to

FIGS. 6A-7

, a preferred construction for pivotable connection of the dude link


170




b


to the arm assembly


124


is disclosed. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that connection of the dude link


170




a


to the distal end


125


of the arm is identical. The arm assembly comprises a C-shaped retainer


210


including an inner face defining an arcuate projection


212


adapted for close, sliding receipt in the groove


202




a


(see FIG.


7


). A keeper ring


220


(or a plurality of separate keeper elements), preferably C-shaped so as to overlie the bores


204


without obstructing the mouth


142


of the recess


140


, is fixedly secured to the distal end


125


of the arm


124


using bolts or other fasteners (not shown) that are threadably received in bores


222


of the keeper ring


220


and an aligned one of the bores


204


. The keeper ring


220


engages a shoulder


218


on the retainer


210


and, thus, holds the retainer


210


in the groove without inhibiting its sliding movement in the groove


202




a.






The retainer


210


, itself, defines a plurality of threaded bores


216


that open in an outer face thereof and to which the dude link


170




b


is fixedly secured. Specifically, with reference also to

FIG. 3B

, the dude link


170




b


defines a plurality of bores


176


that receive fasteners that are, in turn, threadably secured in respective aligned bores


216


of the retainer


210


. The dude link


170




b


and the retainer


210


are fixedly secured together and move as a unit relative to the groove


202




a


so that an open portion


211


of the retainer is aligned or registered with the open portion or mouth


181




b


(

FIG. 3B

) of the dude link recess


180




b


. Furthermore, the retainer


210


is of a sufficient arcuate length so that it can bridge and move through the mouth


142


of the recess


140


without becoming dislodged from the groove


202




a


. The opposite dude link


170




a


is connected to the distal end


125


of the arm


124


in a corresponding manner as will be readily appreciated by one or ordinary skill in the art. It is preferred that, when the various components are assembled as described, an inner arcuate surface portion


230


of the retainer


210


is centered on an rotates about the relevant axis T


1


,T


2


and closely abuts the outer cylindrical surface of an associated pin


37


,


38


held in the relevant recess


140


,


150


.





FIGS. 8A-8C

illustrate a preferred construction of an implement link


128


formed in accordance with the present invention. The proximal end


128




a


is conventional and defines a transverse bore


305


for receipt of a pin to operably and pivotably couple the link


128


to a piston of the fluid cylinder


130


so that the link and piston pivot relative to each other about a transverse axis. The distal end


128




b


is defined similarly to the distal end


125


of the arm


124


in that it includes first and second circular. grooves


302




a


,


302




b


defined in first and second opposite lateral faces


300




a


,


300




b


. The grooves


302




a


,


302




b


are preferably concentric about the axis T


2


and circumscribe the recess


150


as shown, but are interrupted by the mouth


152


thereof. A plurality of threaded bores


304


are also defined in each opposite lateral side


300




a


,


300




b


of the distal end


128




b


, preferably spaced radially outwardly from the grooves


302




a


,


302




b


, and extending parallel to the axis T


2


.




The pivotable connection of the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


to the distal end


128




b


of the implement link member is preferably identical to the pivotable connection of the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


to the distal end


125


of the arm


124


, using retainers such as the retainer


210


and keepers such as the keeper ring


220


, although the grooves


302




a


,


302




b


and the noted components can be dimensioned differently than those used to pivotably connected the dude links


170




a


,


170




b


to the arm


124


, if desired, without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present invention.




With reference to

FIG. 8C

, the implement link


128


defines a support


400


adapted for supporting the lock assembly


160


. As shown in

FIG. 9

, the lock assembly


160


is placed on the support


400


and fasteners


410


are passed through apertures


402


defined in the support


400


and threadably connected to a mating portion of the lock assembly


160


to secure the lock assembly


160


in its operative position, with the lock member


162


adapted for selective reciprocal movement as indicated by the arrow A. A shroud


420


is preferably placed in spaced covering relation with the lock assembly to protect same from debris.




The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Of course, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they are encompassed by the following claims and equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. An arm assembly comprising:an arm member comprising: (i) a proximal end adapted for connection to an associated boom for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis; (ii) a distal end, spaced from said proximal end along a first longitudinal axis; and, (iii) a first recess defined in said distal end, said first recess defined about a first transverse axis that lies parallel to said transverse pivot axis and including an open mouth and a closed inner end; an implement link member comprising: (i) a first end; and, (ii) a second end spaced from said first end along a second longitudinal axis and defining a second recess about a second transverse axis parallel to said first transverse axis, said second recess having an open mouth and a closed inner end, said first and second recesses adapted for respective receipt of first and second associated pins of an associated implement; and, at least one dude link member having a first end pivotably connected to said distal end of said arm member adjacent said first recess and a second end pivotably connected to said distal end of said implement link member adjacent said second recess, said first end of said dude link member defining a third recess having a mouth that opens in a first direction and said second end of said dude link member defining a fourth recess having a mouth that opens in a second direction that is generally opposite said first direction, said at least one dude link member movable between first and second operative positions in response to movement of said implement link member relative to said arm member wherein: (i) in said first operative position, said mouth of said third recess of said dude link member is at least partially registered with said mouth of said first recess so that said first and third recesses are adapted for receipt of a first pin of an associated implement, and said mouth of said fourth recess is non-registered with said mouth of said second recess; and, (ii) in said second operative position, said mouth of said third recess is non-registered with said mouth of said first recess, and said mouth of said fourth recess is at least partially registered with said mouth of said second recess so that said second and fourth recesses are adapted for receipt of a second pin of an associated implement.
  • 2. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein open mouths of said first and second recesses are fixed in position relative to said first and second longitudinal axes, respectively.
  • 3. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:a lock member secured to said implement link member and movable between a first position, wherein said lock member is non-interfering with said open mouth of said second recess, and a second position wherein said lock member at least partially closes said open mouth of said second recess.
  • 4. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second recess is movable relative to said first recess on an arc centered at said first transverse axis.
  • 5. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one dude link member pivots relative to said arm about said first transverse axis and pivots relative to said implement link member about said second transverse axis.
  • 6. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 1 comprising:first and second dude link members located on opposite lateral sides of said arm assembly.
  • 7. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:a first retainer slidably secured to said arm assembly for movement on a circular arc about said first transverse axis; a second retainer slidably secured to said implement link member for movement on a circular arc about said second transverse axis, wherein a first end of said dude link member is fixedly secured to said first retainer and an opposite second end of said dude link is fixedly secured to said second retainer.
  • 8. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said closed inner ends of said first and second recesses are at least partially defined by partially cylindrical surfaces centered on said first and second transverse axes, respectively.
  • 9. The arm assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said open mouths of said first and second recess are positioned diametrically opposed to said closed inner ends of said first and second recesses, respectively.
  • 10. An arm assembly comprising:an arm member comprising: (i) a proximal end adapted for connection to an associated boom for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis; (ii) a distal end, spaced from said proximal end along a first longitudinal axis; and, (iii) a first recess defined in said distal end, said first recess defined about a first transverse axis that lies parallel to said transverse pivot axis and including an open mouth and a closed inner end; an implement link member comprising: (i) a first end; and, (ii) a second end spaced from said first end along a second longitudinal axis and defining a second recess about a second transverse axis parallel to said first transverse axis, said second recess having an open mouth and a closed inner end, said first and second recesses adapted for respective receipt of first and second associated pins of an associated implement; and, at least one dude link member having a first end pivotably connected to said distal end of said arm member adjacent said first recess and a second end pivotably connected to said distal end of said implement link member adjacent said second recess, said first end of said dude link member defining a third recess having a mouth that opens in a first direction and said second end of said dude link member defining a fourth recess having a mouth that opens in a second direction that is generally opposite said first direction, said at least one dude link member movable between first and second operative positions, wherein in said first operative position, said dude link at least partially blocks only a first one of said first and second recesses and in said second operative position said dude link at least partially blocks only a second one of said first and second recesses.
  • 11. An arm assembly for an excavation apparatus, said arm assembly comprising:an arm member comprising: (i) a proximal end adapted for operative connection to an associated boom for pivoting movement about a transverse pivot axis; (ii) a distal end, spaced from said proximal end along a first longitudinal axis; and, (iii) a first recess defined in said distal end, said first recess defined about a first transverse axis that lies parallel to said transverse pivot axis and including an open mouth and a closed inner end; an implement link member comprising: (i) a first end adapted for operative connection to an associated fluid cylinder; and, (ii) a second end spaced from said first end along a second longitudinal axis and defining a second recess about a second transverse axis parallel to said first transverse axis, said second recess having an open mouth and a closed inner end, said first and second recesses adapted for respective receipt of first and second associated pins of an associated implement; and, at least one pin capturing link member including a first end pivotably connected to said distal end of said arm member adjacent said first recess, and a second end pivotably connected to said second end of said implement link member adjacent said second recess, said at least one pin capturing link member at all times, depending upon the relative location of said implement link member to said arm member, at least partially blocking said open mouth of at least one of said first recess and said open mouth of said second recess.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and hereby expressly incorporates by reference commonly owned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/143,345 filed Jul. 12, 1999.

US Referenced Citations (5)
Number Name Date Kind
5581917 Barden Dec 1996 A
5692325 Kuzutani Dec 1997 A
6058633 Barden May 2000 A
6074120 Williams Jun 2000 A
6158950 Wilt et al. Dec 2000 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number Date Country
B-1860283 Mar 1984 AU
0184282 Jun 1986 EP
0468771 Jan 1992 EP
2330568 Apr 1999 GB
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/143345 Jul 1999 US