CA2308917A1 - Quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and method of coupling an implement to an arm - Google Patents
Quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and method of coupling an implement to an arm Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2308917A1 CA2308917A1 CA002308917A CA2308917A CA2308917A1 CA 2308917 A1 CA2308917 A1 CA 2308917A1 CA 002308917 A CA002308917 A CA 002308917A CA 2308917 A CA2308917 A CA 2308917A CA 2308917 A1 CA2308917 A1 CA 2308917A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coupling
- bracket
- locking member
- coupling member
- implement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 77
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 76
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 76
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000599 Cr alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000760 Hardened steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910001182 Mo alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013598 vector Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
- E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
- E02F3/3631—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a transversal locking element
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
- E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
- E02F3/3668—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat where engagement is effected by a mechanical lever or handle
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
- E02F3/36—Component parts
- E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
- E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
- E02F3/3672—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat where disengagement is effected by a mechanical lever or handle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
- F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
- F16B2/18—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening using cams, levers, eccentrics, or toggles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Shovels (AREA)
Abstract
The mechanical coupling assembly allows quick and easy clamping of an implement to an arm. The implement carries a bracket which can be received in a coupling member along a given insertion direction. A locking member is rotatably supported on the coupling member and guided transversely to the given insertion direction between an open position, in which said bracket can be freely inserted into the space of the coupling member, and a locked position, in which the bracket is locked to the coupling member. In the locked position, the locking member projects through the bracket.
Fewer than three revolutions, preferably only one and one half revolutions suffice to completely lock and unlock the coupling. The coupling assembly has a cam guide on the coupling member and the locking member is formed with a cam groove. The implement, such as an excavator bucket, can be very quickly clamped to the loader arm, in that the arm is first lowered onto the bucket, the attachment bracket is aligned into the coupling member, and the locking member is rotated through about one and one half revolutions.
Fewer than three revolutions, preferably only one and one half revolutions suffice to completely lock and unlock the coupling. The coupling assembly has a cam guide on the coupling member and the locking member is formed with a cam groove. The implement, such as an excavator bucket, can be very quickly clamped to the loader arm, in that the arm is first lowered onto the bucket, the attachment bracket is aligned into the coupling member, and the locking member is rotated through about one and one half revolutions.
Description
QUICK-CLAMPING MECHANICAL COUPLING FOR A TOOL IMPLEMENT
AND METHOD OF COUPLING AN IMPLEMENT TO AN ARM
Background of the Invention:
Field of the Invention:
The invention lies in the mechanical arts and relates, more specifically, to a mechanical coupling for heavy machinery implements and attachments. In particular, the invention pertains to a quick-clamping coupling assembly for excavator booms, backhoe sticks, or other hydraulic arms and to a quick-coupling method.
Heavy machinery typically utilizes various implements that attach to a hydraulically or electrically driven boom. For example, earth-moving excavators and backhoes use various size buckets, plows, rollers, and the like implements that attach to the free end of a stick. It is thereby often necessary change the repeatedly exchange the implement for different work cycles of the operation.
Simple attachment mechanisms typically include bolts with which the implement is attached to the stick. In order to exchange one tool for another tool, the operator must first lower the arm to place the tool on a support surface and the bolt must subsequently be released by engaging one or more wrenches and turning the bolt or the attachment nut through a multiplicity of rotations. This, of course, is a very time consuming and labor-intensive manual process.
Certain hydraulically actuated adapters and complex couplings are known as well which may shorten the exchange process and/or make it less labor-intensive and time consuming.
However, those systems are quite expensive and error prone.
A quick-disconnect coupling device for attaching implements to the stick of an excavator or backhoe is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,634,736 to Brown et al.. There, the tool carries a pair of brackets. A frame assembly is attached to a power device and an actuator which has several linkage members. The power device locks when the power device is attached to the attachment and it is open when it is not attached. The device has a linkage with a latch that forces two latch ends sideways into two brackets attached to the tool.
A quick coupler for attaching a work tool to the stick of an excavator or a backhoe is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,890,871 to Woerman. The latching mechanism of the quick coupler is driven by a cylinder to open the coupler. The coupler is latched to the bucket with a spring system and with a gas charged accumulator.
AND METHOD OF COUPLING AN IMPLEMENT TO AN ARM
Background of the Invention:
Field of the Invention:
The invention lies in the mechanical arts and relates, more specifically, to a mechanical coupling for heavy machinery implements and attachments. In particular, the invention pertains to a quick-clamping coupling assembly for excavator booms, backhoe sticks, or other hydraulic arms and to a quick-coupling method.
Heavy machinery typically utilizes various implements that attach to a hydraulically or electrically driven boom. For example, earth-moving excavators and backhoes use various size buckets, plows, rollers, and the like implements that attach to the free end of a stick. It is thereby often necessary change the repeatedly exchange the implement for different work cycles of the operation.
Simple attachment mechanisms typically include bolts with which the implement is attached to the stick. In order to exchange one tool for another tool, the operator must first lower the arm to place the tool on a support surface and the bolt must subsequently be released by engaging one or more wrenches and turning the bolt or the attachment nut through a multiplicity of rotations. This, of course, is a very time consuming and labor-intensive manual process.
Certain hydraulically actuated adapters and complex couplings are known as well which may shorten the exchange process and/or make it less labor-intensive and time consuming.
However, those systems are quite expensive and error prone.
A quick-disconnect coupling device for attaching implements to the stick of an excavator or backhoe is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 5,634,736 to Brown et al.. There, the tool carries a pair of brackets. A frame assembly is attached to a power device and an actuator which has several linkage members. The power device locks when the power device is attached to the attachment and it is open when it is not attached. The device has a linkage with a latch that forces two latch ends sideways into two brackets attached to the tool.
A quick coupler for attaching a work tool to the stick of an excavator or a backhoe is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,890,871 to Woerman. The latching mechanism of the quick coupler is driven by a cylinder to open the coupler. The coupler is latched to the bucket with a spring system and with a gas charged accumulator.
wAw ~s18 Summary of the Invention:
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which enables quick and easy exchange of the implement and which is simple and inexpensive.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a quick-clamping mechanical coupling assembly for attaching an implement, comprising:
a bracket fixedly attached to an implement, the bracket having an opening formed therein;
a coupling member formed with a space for receiving therein the bracket along a given insertion direction;
a locking member rotatably supported on the coupling member and guided, upon a rotation thereof by no more than three revolutions, transversely to the given insertion direction between an open position in which the bracket can be freely inserted into the space of the coupling member and a locked position in which the bracket is locked in the space with the locking member projecting through the opening in the bracket.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which enables quick and easy exchange of the implement and which is simple and inexpensive.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a quick-clamping mechanical coupling assembly for attaching an implement, comprising:
a bracket fixedly attached to an implement, the bracket having an opening formed therein;
a coupling member formed with a space for receiving therein the bracket along a given insertion direction;
a locking member rotatably supported on the coupling member and guided, upon a rotation thereof by no more than three revolutions, transversely to the given insertion direction between an open position in which the bracket can be freely inserted into the space of the coupling member and a locked position in which the bracket is locked in the space with the locking member projecting through the opening in the bracket.
' WAw 7818 In accordance with an added feature of the invention, a cam guide is rigidly connected to the coupling member, the locking member having a peripheral surface formed with a cam groove, and the cam guide including a cam pin projecting into and ramming with the cam groove.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the cam groove is a helical groove circumscribing the locking member less than three times. In the preferred embodiment, the helical groove circumscribes the locking member one and one half times.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the locking member is formed with a thread having a lead greater than one third the distance required to move the locking member between the open and the locked positions. In the preferred embodiment, the lead of the thread is approximately two thirds the given distance. The latter parameter translates into one and one half revolutions to move the locking member between the open and the locked positions.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the thread is a helical cam groove formed in the locking member and the coupling member carries a cam engaging in the helical cam groove.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the cam groove is a helical groove circumscribing the locking member less than three times. In the preferred embodiment, the helical groove circumscribes the locking member one and one half times.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the locking member is formed with a thread having a lead greater than one third the distance required to move the locking member between the open and the locked positions. In the preferred embodiment, the lead of the thread is approximately two thirds the given distance. The latter parameter translates into one and one half revolutions to move the locking member between the open and the locked positions.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the thread is a helical cam groove formed in the locking member and the coupling member carries a cam engaging in the helical cam groove.
wAw gala In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, a lever, which may have a handle, is attached to the locking member for manually actuating the locking member.
In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, a trunnion is rigidly attached to the implement at a spacing distance from the bracket and extends along an axis that is transverse to the given insertion direction. There is further provided a hook formed on the coupling member for engaging the trunnion upon an insertion of the bracket in the space of the coupling member.
With the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of coupling an implement to an arm carrying a coupling member, which comprises:
lowering a coupling member towards an implement provided with a transverse trunnion and a locking bracket;
engaging a hook of the coupling member behind the trunnion and lowering the coupling member onto the locking bracket;
manually turning a locking member of the coupling member to move the locking member transversely into a locked position _5_ wherein the locking member locks the locking bracket of the implement to the coupling member.
In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the turning step noted above comprises rotating the locking member through one and one half revolutions. Preferably, the locking member is rotated by manually pivoting a lever that is attached to the locking member.
As noted above, the invention is specifically adapted to coupling an excavator attachment, such as a bucket, hydraulic breakers, pulverizer, shears, clam shells, drilling units, and the like, to an excavator stick.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and a method, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
wAw ~sls The construction of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawing:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an excavator bucket and a stick coupling member on its approach towards the bucket;
Fig. 2 is a partial rear view of the bucket and the coupling member prior to its being clamped to the bucket;
Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic plan view of the coupling member with a locking lever and a locking pin in place;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a locking pin with a cam groove; and Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the quick coupler attached to the excavator bucket.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments:
Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to Fig. 1 thereof, there is seen an excavator bucket with a bowl 1, a number of teeth 2 aligned at a forward edge of the bucket, and reinforcement strips 3 protecting the bottom and the back of the bucket. The top of the bucket carries two paired brackets 4 and a single blade bracket 5. The blade bracket 5 is formed with a cylindrical opening 6 and the two paired brackets 4 each have a trunnion 7 which extends crosswise across the top surface of the bucket.
A stick coupling member 10 is used to clamp the bucket to a non-illustrated stick or boom of an excavator. A double-hook 11 thereby engages behind the trunnion 7 in the paired brackets 4, and an opening 12 is aligned with the opening 6.
Openings 13 and 14 allow the clamping of the coupling member 10 to the stick of the excavator.
With reference to Fig. 2, the trunnion 7 is protected in between the two paired brackets 4 by a sheath 15 which is welded to the two inner brackets of the paired brackets 4. One of the outer sidewalls of the coupling member 10 carries a cam guide 16.
The cam guide 16 and its function are more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. A locking pin 17 projects through the openings 12 of the coupling member 10 and through the cam guide 16. The latter is aligned with the openings 12 for that purpose. The locking pin 17 locks the coupling member 10 to the bracket 5 when the pin 17 commonly projects through all of the openings _g_ 12, 6, and 16. The diameters of the openings are adapted to the diameter of the locking pin 17.
The coupling member 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 is slightly different from the coupling member illustrated in Fig. 3. In Fig. 2, the coupling member has two outer sidewalls 18 and inner sidewalls 19 which form a space 23 in between them for receiving the bracket 5. In Fig. 3, the coupling member 10 is formed with only two sidewalls 20. It should be understood that, in Fig. 2, the cam guide 16 may be installed between the outer sidewall 18 and the inner sidewall 19.
The cam guide 16 has a cam pin 21 which projects transversely to the rotational axis of the locking pin 17 and into the opening in which the locking pin 17 is received. The locking pin 17 is formed with a corresponding cam 22 in the form of a groove formed in the peripheral surface of the locking pin 17.
The cam groove 22 has a lead which allows the locking pin 17 to completely release the coupling member 10 from the bracket 5 on one and one half revolutions. In other words, 1~ times the lead of the cam groove 22 corresponds to a distance S -see Fig. 3 - required to move the locking pin 17 completely out of locking engagement in the space 23 in which the bracket 5 is received.
The locking pin 17 may be turned via a lever 24, which is expeditiously provided with a handle 25. The lever 24 is articulated at the locking pin 17 about an axis 26 that is transverse to the axis of the locking pin 17. Accordingly, when the rotation of the lever 24 is restricted, the lever 24 may be pivoted by 180° about the axis 26 so as to further rotate the pin 17. In an advantageous embodiment, the lever 24 should thereby be provided with a rotational freedom of at least 180°. In order to prevent the lever 24 from accidentally rotating, the coupling member 10 carries a locking mechanism 27 with which the lever 24 is secured against rotation. In the spirit of the inventive concept of quick and easy manual coupling and decoupling, the locking mechanism 27 is advantageously a manually actuated, spring-loaded ratched lock.
With reference to Fig. 4, the cam groove 22 in the locking pin 17 surrounds the locking pin 17 one and one half times. The lead is such that the groove extends, from its first end to its second end, along the distance S. As noted with reference to Fig. 3, the distance S corresponds to the displacement of the locking pin 17 that is necessary to move it between the completely locked position and a completely open position. The cam groove 22, furthermore, is terminated at its two ends with sharp steps, which assure that the pin cannot be moved beyond wAw 7818 its respective terminal position. The end 29 of the locking pin 17 at which the lever 24 is articulated about the axis 26 is machined down to a flat bracket flange 29. In order to assure the mechanical stability of the pin 17, it is formed of a hardened steel or of a similarly hard alloy, such as a chromium/molybdenum alloy and/or a vanadium-hardened alloy.
with reference to Fig. 5, the lever 24 is locked in its position with the spring-loaded lock 27. In order to release the bucket 1 from the excavator arm, i.e., from the coupling element 10 that is attached to the excavator arm, the operator would first lower the bucket onto a support surface. Then, the lock 27 is unlatched and the lever 24 is rotated counter-clockwise by about 180°. Then the lever 24 is swung back horizontally, about the axis 26, and it is once more rotated counter-clockwise about 180°. After one more swing-back and a further counter-clockwise rotation by a one-half revolution, the locking pin 17 is sufficiently withdrawn to unlatch the bracket 5 of the bucket 1. At this point, the excavator arm is lifted and the coupling member 10 is released from the bucket 1.
The main locking forces between the coupling member 10 and the tool implement 1 are carried by the trunnion 7 and the locking pin 17, which both extend transversly to the main force vectors acting on the tool implement. The locking pin 17 is therefore subject only to minor loosening forces. In case the lock 27 is not properly in place, it would be very unlikely for the locking pin 17 to come loose, because the lever 24 and the handle 25 would have to swing about one and one half complete revolutions. This is further unlikely, because the operator would quickly notice the opening of the lever 24.
In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, a trunnion is rigidly attached to the implement at a spacing distance from the bracket and extends along an axis that is transverse to the given insertion direction. There is further provided a hook formed on the coupling member for engaging the trunnion upon an insertion of the bracket in the space of the coupling member.
With the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of coupling an implement to an arm carrying a coupling member, which comprises:
lowering a coupling member towards an implement provided with a transverse trunnion and a locking bracket;
engaging a hook of the coupling member behind the trunnion and lowering the coupling member onto the locking bracket;
manually turning a locking member of the coupling member to move the locking member transversely into a locked position _5_ wherein the locking member locks the locking bracket of the implement to the coupling member.
In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the turning step noted above comprises rotating the locking member through one and one half revolutions. Preferably, the locking member is rotated by manually pivoting a lever that is attached to the locking member.
As noted above, the invention is specifically adapted to coupling an excavator attachment, such as a bucket, hydraulic breakers, pulverizer, shears, clam shells, drilling units, and the like, to an excavator stick.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and a method, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
wAw ~sls The construction of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawing:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an excavator bucket and a stick coupling member on its approach towards the bucket;
Fig. 2 is a partial rear view of the bucket and the coupling member prior to its being clamped to the bucket;
Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic plan view of the coupling member with a locking lever and a locking pin in place;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a locking pin with a cam groove; and Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the quick coupler attached to the excavator bucket.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments:
Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to Fig. 1 thereof, there is seen an excavator bucket with a bowl 1, a number of teeth 2 aligned at a forward edge of the bucket, and reinforcement strips 3 protecting the bottom and the back of the bucket. The top of the bucket carries two paired brackets 4 and a single blade bracket 5. The blade bracket 5 is formed with a cylindrical opening 6 and the two paired brackets 4 each have a trunnion 7 which extends crosswise across the top surface of the bucket.
A stick coupling member 10 is used to clamp the bucket to a non-illustrated stick or boom of an excavator. A double-hook 11 thereby engages behind the trunnion 7 in the paired brackets 4, and an opening 12 is aligned with the opening 6.
Openings 13 and 14 allow the clamping of the coupling member 10 to the stick of the excavator.
With reference to Fig. 2, the trunnion 7 is protected in between the two paired brackets 4 by a sheath 15 which is welded to the two inner brackets of the paired brackets 4. One of the outer sidewalls of the coupling member 10 carries a cam guide 16.
The cam guide 16 and its function are more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. A locking pin 17 projects through the openings 12 of the coupling member 10 and through the cam guide 16. The latter is aligned with the openings 12 for that purpose. The locking pin 17 locks the coupling member 10 to the bracket 5 when the pin 17 commonly projects through all of the openings _g_ 12, 6, and 16. The diameters of the openings are adapted to the diameter of the locking pin 17.
The coupling member 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 is slightly different from the coupling member illustrated in Fig. 3. In Fig. 2, the coupling member has two outer sidewalls 18 and inner sidewalls 19 which form a space 23 in between them for receiving the bracket 5. In Fig. 3, the coupling member 10 is formed with only two sidewalls 20. It should be understood that, in Fig. 2, the cam guide 16 may be installed between the outer sidewall 18 and the inner sidewall 19.
The cam guide 16 has a cam pin 21 which projects transversely to the rotational axis of the locking pin 17 and into the opening in which the locking pin 17 is received. The locking pin 17 is formed with a corresponding cam 22 in the form of a groove formed in the peripheral surface of the locking pin 17.
The cam groove 22 has a lead which allows the locking pin 17 to completely release the coupling member 10 from the bracket 5 on one and one half revolutions. In other words, 1~ times the lead of the cam groove 22 corresponds to a distance S -see Fig. 3 - required to move the locking pin 17 completely out of locking engagement in the space 23 in which the bracket 5 is received.
The locking pin 17 may be turned via a lever 24, which is expeditiously provided with a handle 25. The lever 24 is articulated at the locking pin 17 about an axis 26 that is transverse to the axis of the locking pin 17. Accordingly, when the rotation of the lever 24 is restricted, the lever 24 may be pivoted by 180° about the axis 26 so as to further rotate the pin 17. In an advantageous embodiment, the lever 24 should thereby be provided with a rotational freedom of at least 180°. In order to prevent the lever 24 from accidentally rotating, the coupling member 10 carries a locking mechanism 27 with which the lever 24 is secured against rotation. In the spirit of the inventive concept of quick and easy manual coupling and decoupling, the locking mechanism 27 is advantageously a manually actuated, spring-loaded ratched lock.
With reference to Fig. 4, the cam groove 22 in the locking pin 17 surrounds the locking pin 17 one and one half times. The lead is such that the groove extends, from its first end to its second end, along the distance S. As noted with reference to Fig. 3, the distance S corresponds to the displacement of the locking pin 17 that is necessary to move it between the completely locked position and a completely open position. The cam groove 22, furthermore, is terminated at its two ends with sharp steps, which assure that the pin cannot be moved beyond wAw 7818 its respective terminal position. The end 29 of the locking pin 17 at which the lever 24 is articulated about the axis 26 is machined down to a flat bracket flange 29. In order to assure the mechanical stability of the pin 17, it is formed of a hardened steel or of a similarly hard alloy, such as a chromium/molybdenum alloy and/or a vanadium-hardened alloy.
with reference to Fig. 5, the lever 24 is locked in its position with the spring-loaded lock 27. In order to release the bucket 1 from the excavator arm, i.e., from the coupling element 10 that is attached to the excavator arm, the operator would first lower the bucket onto a support surface. Then, the lock 27 is unlatched and the lever 24 is rotated counter-clockwise by about 180°. Then the lever 24 is swung back horizontally, about the axis 26, and it is once more rotated counter-clockwise about 180°. After one more swing-back and a further counter-clockwise rotation by a one-half revolution, the locking pin 17 is sufficiently withdrawn to unlatch the bracket 5 of the bucket 1. At this point, the excavator arm is lifted and the coupling member 10 is released from the bucket 1.
The main locking forces between the coupling member 10 and the tool implement 1 are carried by the trunnion 7 and the locking pin 17, which both extend transversly to the main force vectors acting on the tool implement. The locking pin 17 is therefore subject only to minor loosening forces. In case the lock 27 is not properly in place, it would be very unlikely for the locking pin 17 to come loose, because the lever 24 and the handle 25 would have to swing about one and one half complete revolutions. This is further unlikely, because the operator would quickly notice the opening of the lever 24.
Claims (13)
1. A quick-clamping mechanical coupling assembly for attaching an implement, comprising:
a bracket fixedly attached to an implement, said bracket having an opening formed therein;
a coupling member formed with a space for receiving therein said bracket along a given insertion direction;
a locking member rotatably supported on said coupling member and guided, upon a rotation thereof by no more than three revolutions, transversely to the given insertion direction between an open position in which said bracket can be freely inserted into said space of said coupling member and a locked position in which said bracket is locked in said space with said locking member projecting through said opening in said bracket.
a bracket fixedly attached to an implement, said bracket having an opening formed therein;
a coupling member formed with a space for receiving therein said bracket along a given insertion direction;
a locking member rotatably supported on said coupling member and guided, upon a rotation thereof by no more than three revolutions, transversely to the given insertion direction between an open position in which said bracket can be freely inserted into said space of said coupling member and a locked position in which said bracket is locked in said space with said locking member projecting through said opening in said bracket.
2. The coupling assembly according to claim 1, which comprises a cam guide rigidly connected to said coupling member, said locking member having a peripheral surface formed with a cam groove, and said cam guide including a cam pin projecting into and camming with said cam groove.
3. The coupling assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cam groove is a helical groove circumscribing said locking member less than three times.
4. The coupling assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cam groove is a helical groove circumscribing said locking member one and one half times.
5. The coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein said locking member moves a given distance between said locked position and said open position, and said locking member is formed with a thread having a lead greater than one third the given distance.
6. The coupling assembly according to claim 5, wherein said lead of said thread is approximately two thirds said given distance.
7. The coupling assembly according to claim 5, wherein said thread is a helical cam groove formed in said locking member and said coupling member carries a cam engaging in said helical cam groove.
8. The coupling assembly according to claim 1, which further comprises a lever attached to said locking member for manually actuating said locking member.
9. The coupling assembly according to claim 1, which further comprises a trunnion rigidly attached to the implement at a spacing distance from said bracket and extending along an axis transverse to the given insertion direction, and a hook formed on said coupling member for engaging said trunnion upon an insertion of said bracket in said space of said coupling member.
10. A method of coupling an implement to an arm carrying a coupling member, which comprises:
lowering a coupling member towards an implement provided with a transverse trunnion and a locking bracket;
engaging a hook of the coupling member behind the trunnion and lowering the coupling member onto the locking bracket;
manually turning a locking member of the coupling member to move the locking member transversely into a locked position wherein the locking member locks the locking bracket of the implement to the coupling member.
lowering a coupling member towards an implement provided with a transverse trunnion and a locking bracket;
engaging a hook of the coupling member behind the trunnion and lowering the coupling member onto the locking bracket;
manually turning a locking member of the coupling member to move the locking member transversely into a locked position wherein the locking member locks the locking bracket of the implement to the coupling member.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the manually turning step comprises rotating the locking member through one and one half revolutions.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the manually turning step comprises engaging a lever attached to the locking member and pivoting the lever.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the lowering step comprises hydraulically lowering an excavator stick towards an excavator bucket.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002308917A CA2308917A1 (en) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-05-19 | Quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and method of coupling an implement to an arm |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002308917A CA2308917A1 (en) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-05-19 | Quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and method of coupling an implement to an arm |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2308917A1 true CA2308917A1 (en) | 2001-11-19 |
Family
ID=4166194
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002308917A Abandoned CA2308917A1 (en) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-05-19 | Quick-clamping mechanical coupling for a tool implement and method of coupling an implement to an arm |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2308917A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8038106B2 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2011-10-18 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Fast beam clamp |
| EP3409839A3 (en) * | 2017-05-29 | 2019-03-06 | Lehnhoff Hartstahl GmbH | Quick changer |
| EP3502355A1 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2019-06-26 | OilQuick Deutschland GmbH | Adapter, quick coupling and quick coupling system |
-
2000
- 2000-05-19 CA CA002308917A patent/CA2308917A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8038106B2 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2011-10-18 | Thomas & Betts International, Inc. | Fast beam clamp |
| USRE45825E1 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2015-12-22 | Thomas & Betts International Llc | Fast beam clamp |
| EP3409839A3 (en) * | 2017-05-29 | 2019-03-06 | Lehnhoff Hartstahl GmbH | Quick changer |
| EP3502355A1 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2019-06-26 | OilQuick Deutschland GmbH | Adapter, quick coupling and quick coupling system |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |