EP0398110A2 - Attachment device for loader tools - Google Patents

Abstract

An attachment device for attaching supplementary tools (50) in a tiltable manner to at least one boom (22) of a loader (10), in which means for a permanent attachment by assembly or means for rapid coupling can alternatively be exchanged one for the other, has a tilting axis, formed by a pivot (32), between boom (22) and supplementary tool (50), the relative position of which is roughly maintained irrespective of the choice between a permanent attachment or quick coupling. Irrespective of the type of attachment, certain points of the supplementary tool (50) thus maintain their position relative to the boom (22) so that the effective dimensions and characterising constructional features of loader (10) and supplementary tool (50) remain unchanged. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a fastening device for the tiltable attachment of additional devices to at least one cantilever arm of a loader, in which means for permanent fastening by assembly or means for a quick coupling are optionally interchangeable.

A number of different devices are known, by means of which a shovel or other device can be attached to the front end of a loader arm. The device usually contains either a normal semi-permanent mounting structure, in which pins or screws are inserted by hand between the loader arm and the auxiliary device, or a relatively complex and expensive quick coupling, which is attached to the loader arm and can be locked automatically during the installation of the additional device. The production of the required connections or separations during assembly and disassembly can be time-consuming and uncomfortable with such mounting structures. In order to accelerate the assembly and disassembly of the additional devices, various types of quick-locking devices have been proposed, by means of which the frequency with which the operator has to leave the vehicle cabin during the assembly process is to be reduced. Examples of such devices which include locking devices mounted on the cantilever arm are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,545,720, U.S. Patent 3,876,091, U.S. Patent 3,672,521 and U.S. Patent 3,204,793.

A disadvantage of such devices attached to the boom is that usually the locking device direction is locked by tipping or rolling the boom linkage. Therefore, the lock can be erroneously placed in the locked position without an attachment being attached. Once the lock is in the locked position, it does not allow the installation of an additional device. Such erroneous interlocks are time consuming and frustrating for the operator, and if they fail to notice the locked condition, they can even damage parts of the loader or attachments during an unsuccessful attempt to assemble. Furthermore, the state of the lock is often not easily discernible from the vehicle cabin, so that the operator does not notice an inaccurate connection before attempting to move the attachment.

Another disadvantage of most quick connectors is that they are relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture. Most of them are also not easy to adapt to existing additional devices. Some of the users who mainly use the vehicle with the attachment attached are unwilling to pay the additional price for a quick connector that they rarely use. In order to meet all customer requirements, two similar but different additional devices must be provided, one with an ordinary coupling and a second with a quick coupling. This leads to higher manufacturing and storage costs.

Finally, another disadvantage of most quick couplings is that the standard pivot point for the additional device is shifted by 12 to 23 cm, with the result of changes in the operating dimensions of devices with an attached additional device that are contrary to the standard. For example, the bucket range, the tilt angle and the back swing angle can disadvantageously differ from the ideal con structural training deviate if a quick coupling is attached to the extension arm. The bucket tilt freedom, the maximum lifting height, the excavator depth, the distance between the bucket and the front wheel hub of the vehicle and the overall length of the vehicle with the bucket attached are also influenced.

The object to be achieved with the invention is seen in providing an improved fastening device for loader accessories of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the disadvantages described can be avoided. In particular, a reliable connection between the boom and the additional device is to be ensured during assembly. The device should be simple and inexpensive and should be easily observable from the vehicle cabin. It should enable a close connection between the additional device and the loader arm.

The object is achieved in that the relative position of the tilt axis between the boom arm and additional device, regardless of the choice of permanent attachment or the quick coupling, remains approximately unchanged. This is to ensure that regardless of the type of attachment certain points of the attachment maintain their position relative to the cantilever arm, so that the effective dimensions and characteristic design features of the loader and attachment remain the same.

Further advantageous refinements and developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

The fastening device according to the invention facilitates the incorporation of a quick coupling without changing the pivot points or other characteristic structural dimensions of the loader. The existing ones Additional devices can be converted into those with a quick coupling, so that the need to keep separate additional devices (with and without quick coupling) available. The fastener may include an automatic lock that ensures that when no attachment is attached to the boom, the locked position is not erroneously adjustable.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the loader arrangement contains a relatively simple quick-locking arrangement with an additional device carrier that can be fastened to the boom and a releasable, spring-preloaded locking bolt on the additional device, which is suitable for securing the released additional device against the additional device carrier. The locking pin is in an easily visible location, and once the attachment is properly aligned with the boom, an extension on the boom contacts and locks the locking pin so that it assumes its locking position. This avoids problems that can result from an imprecise connection between the auxiliary device and the boom. The coupling construction is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, but reliable in operation. Provisions have also been made to attach attachments directly to brackets and attachment cylinders without a quick coupling. The attachment points remain the same and the same additional device can be used, regardless of whether a quick coupling is provided or not. The operator therefore has the choice between the less expensive type of fastening, which is more suitable for a permanent fastening structure, and a quick locking device. The manufacturer and the dealer do not need to keep two different additional devices in stock (one with and a second without quick locking device). Since ensured by the arrangement according to the invention is that the attachment points are not changed, the operating dimensions and characteristics of the attached attachment remain essentially.

On the basis of the drawing, which shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the invention and further advantages and advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are to be described and explained in more detail.

• Fig. 1 die Seitenansicht eines an einem Schlepper mon­tierten Laders, an dem ein Zusatzgerät befestigt ist,
• Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte perspektivische Darstellung des vorderen Endes eines der Auslegerarme und einen Teil des Zusatzgerätes, an dem eine Schnell­kupplung befestigt ist, wobei das Zusatzgerät in abgebautem Zustand und die Schnellkupplung in ihrer unverriegelten Lage dargestellt sind,
• Fig. 3 die Seitenansicht des in Fig. 2 dargestellten Aufbaus,
• Fig. 4 eine ähnliche Ansicht, wie sie Fig. 3 zeigt, in der der Zusatzgeräteträger aus der Befestigungs­stellung herausgedreht ist,
• Fig. 5 eine ähnliche Ansicht, wie sie Fig. 4 zeigt, in der der Zusatzgeräteträger mit der Schnellkupp­lung ausgerichtet ist,
• Fig. 6 eine ähnliche Ansicht, wie sie Fig. 5 zeigt, in der jedoch das Zusatzgerät zurückgekippt ist und aus der die Verriegelungsanordnung in ihre Ver­riegelungslage einschnappen kann,
• Fig. 7 eine ähnliche Ansicht, wie sie Fig. 5 zeigt, in der jedoch eine manuell montierbare Befesti­gungsanordnung an die Stelle der Schnellverrie­gelungsanordnung tritt, und
• Fig. 8 eine vergrößerte Seitenansicht der Verrie­gelungsanordnung in eingeschnappter Lage.

It shows:

• 1 is a side view of a loader mounted on a tractor, to which an additional device is attached,
• 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the front end of one of the cantilever arms and a part of the additional device to which a quick coupling is attached, the additional device being shown in the disassembled state and the quick coupling in its unlocked position,
• 3 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 2,
• 4 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 3, in which the auxiliary device carrier is turned out of the fastening position,
• 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, in which the auxiliary device carrier is aligned with the quick coupling,
• Fig. 6 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but in which the attachment is tilted back and from which the locking arrangement can snap into its locking position,
• Fig. 7 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but in which a manually mountable mounting arrangement takes the place of the quick locking arrangement, and
• Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of the locking arrangement in the snapped position.

1 shows a tractor 10 with a loader 12 attached to it. The loader 12 contains a mast 16 which is rotatably attached to upright mast stands 18 and can be pivoted in the usual way about a transverse axis by means of boom cylinders 20. The mast 16 has a pair of transversely spaced cantilever arms 22 which extend forward from the mast stands 18 to a knee joint 24. The cantilever arms 22 extend further downward from the knee joint 24 to a lower, front fastening end 26. A holder 28 for additional devices is rotatably connected to each fastening end 26 and forms an additional device carrier which has been given the entire reference number 30. A transversely extending pivot 32 projects beyond both sides of the cantilever arm 22. The holder 28 is channel-shaped and has a lower end 34, which opens in the region of the fastening end 26 of the extension arm 22 and is rotatably connected to the pivot 32. The holder 28 extends upwards from the rotary connection at the fastening end 26 to an upper holding area 38. The rod end of the corresponding auxiliary device cylinder 40 is rotatably connected to the holding area 38 at a pivot point 42 which lies above the pivot pin 32. By actuating the accessory cylinder 40, the holder 28 for the accessory can be pivoted to Adjust the position of the holder 28 and any attached device.

As can be seen from the drawing, the loader 12 is a front loader and the attachment is a loader bucket 50. However, it should be understood that the present invention can also be used in conjunction with other attachments that are attachable to a cantilever arm can.

The additional device or the loader shovel 50 contains a fastening device, which has been designated 52 overall and is adapted to the additional device holder 28 in such a way that a stable mounting on the extension arm 22 can be produced. As will be described in more detail below, the extension arms 22 and the auxiliary device cylinders 40 can also be connected directly to the fastening device 52 of the auxiliary device (FIG. 7). This connection is suitable for more permanent fastening arrangements which do not require a holder 28.

The fastener 52 includes a pair of transversely spaced, upright mounting brackets 56 attached to the rear wall of the loader bucket 50. Each mounting bracket 56 comprises two transversely spaced plates 58 and 62 and is open to the rear to accommodate the corresponding accessory holder 28. A transverse bolt 64 extends between plates 58 and 62 near the upper end of mounting posts 56. The upper portion of each accessory holder 28 has an upwardly opening U-shaped support surface 66 which is engaged during assembly (FIG. 4 ) is able to receive the lower part of the bolt 64. The surface 66 widens upward, so that the bolt when mounting the additional devices holder 28 can be easily inserted into the correct position on the mounting supports 56.

Backwardly open slots 68 and 72, which are located in the lower portions of plates 58 and 62, are configured to receive the corresponding transverse portions of lower pivot 32 when accessory brackets 28 are shown in FIG. 4 Position can be pivoted back into the position shown in Fig. 5. A holding arrangement, which has been provided with the reference symbol 80 in FIG. 3, is attached to the fastening supports 56 and is used for the automatic locking of the additional device on the boom, provided that the pivot pins 32 have moved into the slots 68 and 72 of the fastening supports 56.

Alternatively, FIG. 7 shows a securing arrangement 82 for a more permanent attachment of the additional device, which includes attachment plates 84 which are attached to the plates 58 and 62 by screws 86. The plates 84 have openings 88. The extensions of the trunnions 32 extend through the openings 88 when the attachment is set in its mounting position. As a comparison of FIGS. 5 and 7 shows, the positions of the pivots 32 and 42 are identical for both fasteners, so that the effective dimensions and the special features of the attachable additional device can remain the same, regardless of which type of fastening is selected . In the arrangement according to FIG. 7, no additional device holders 28 are provided, and the rod ends of each additional device cylinder 40 are fixed directly to the fastening supports 56, as will be described later.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 6 and 8, the holding arrangement 80 contains a quick locking device 90, which is screwed to the inner plate 58 of the mounting supports 56 by screws 92. The quick locking device 90 has an upper holding part 94, a middle holding part 96 and a lower holding part 98, which are connected to a base plate 102. The base plate 102 in turn is connected to the plate 58 by the screws 92. The middle and lower holding members 96 and 98 protrude from the base plate 102 on opposite sides of the slot 68 and the associated slot 104 (FIG. 2). The location of the holes for the lowermost two screws 92 corresponds to the location of the holes for the screws 86, through which the plate 84 is fastened in the more permanent fastening arrangement according to FIG. 7. Another hole is provided in the vicinity of the upper holding part 94 for a third screw 92.

The holding parts 94, 96 and 98 are arranged one above the other and have mutually aligned, square or rectangular openings which receive a displaceable square locking bolt 106, which is located in the vertical direction between a release position (FIGS. 2 to 4) and a snap-in or lower Lock position (Fig. 8 and dashed lines of Fig. 5) can move. In its central region, the locking bolt 106 contains a notch 110 (FIG. 8) which opens towards the rear and which engages in the upper holding part 94 when the locking bolt 106 assumes its release position. A coil spring 114 surrounds the locking pin 106 and is clamped between a spring retaining pin 116 and the lower surface of the upper holding part 94 in order to bias the locking pin 106 towards the locking position. By slightly moving the locking bolt 106 forward, the upper holding part 94 emerges from the notch 110, so that the locking bolt 106 due to the biasing force the spring 114 moves down to the locking position in which it slides between the middle and lower holding members 96 and 98 and catches the pivot 32 in the slots 68 and 72 (Fig. 8). A handle 118 is attached to the upper end of the locking bolt 106 to provide a convenient grip for an operator who can pull the locking bolt 106 upward into the release position using the handle 118 to release the attachment 50. The handle 118 also serves as part of the snap-in mechanism by which the locking pin 106 can be automatically moved to its locking position when the attachment 50 is connected to the boom arms 22. The locking bolt 106 is arranged on the inside of the mounting bracket 56 such that the operator has a clear view to determine whether the locking bolt 106 is in its release position or in the locking position.

For automatic snap-in of the locking pin 106 during assembly, a lug 120 is attached to the lower end 34 of the cantilever arm 22 and carries an adjustable part 122 which contacts the locking pin 106. This part 122 engages with the handle 118 of the locking pin 106 when the additional device is pivoted back, as shown in Fig. 6. The part 122 comprises a screw 126 which is screwed into a nut 127 (FIG. 4), which in turn is fastened to the front end of the extension 120. The position of the screw head is adjustable (by turning the screw 126 in the nut 127) that when the corresponding pivot 32 is in the slots 68 and 72 and the attachment 50 is pivoted forward (Fig. 6), the Screw head touches the handle 118 and moves the locking bolt 106 to the rear, the upper holding part 94 no longer entering the notch 110 snaps. The locking pin 106 then moves down to the locking position and holds the pivot 32 in the slots 68 and 72 (Fig. 8).

Bushings 128 and 132 (FIG. 2) are mounted in the plates 58 and 62 of the fastening supports 56. 7, each attachment cylinder 40 is directly connected to the corresponding attachment bracket 56 by using a longer pivot bolt 42 through bushings 128 and 132 and a recess in the rod end of the attachment cylinder 40. The additional device 50 is then carried directly by the additional device cylinders 40 and the pivots 32 without the aid of additional device holders 28. If the quick-locking arrangement according to FIGS. 2 to 6 is used, the bolts 64 are received by the U-shaped support surfaces 66 of the additional device holders 28, and the securing arrangement provides good support for the additional device.

When installing the additional devices 50 with the quick locking arrangement according to Figures 2 to 6, each locking bolt 106 is first brought up into the release position. The operator moves the auxiliary device carrier 30 in the direction of the additional device 50 (FIG. 3) and hangs the upper parts of the additional device holder 28 into the corresponding bolts 64 (FIG. 4). The attachment bracket 30 is then pivoted back (FIG. 5) by retracting the attachment cylinder 40, with the pivot pins 32 moving into the slots 68 and 72. After pivots 32 are fully received in slots 68, 72, the operator continues to pivot the attachment back (FIG. 6) until the head of screw 126 abuts handle 128 and disengages locking bolt 106 (FIG. 8), causing the pivot 32 is fixed to the mounting supports 56 and the additional device is secured to the boom in a closely coupled manner. In order to release the additional device again, the operator pulls the locking bolt 106 into the release position and brings the upper holding part 94 into the notch 110. Then he pivots the pivot pins 32 backwards, away from the mounting supports 56 (FIG. 4). Then it lowers the cantilever arms 22 and moves the attachment holder 28 backwards (FIG. 3) in order to free it from the attachment 50.

Even if the invention has only been described with the aid of a preferred exemplary embodiment, many different alternatives, modifications and variants which fall under the present invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art in the light of the above description.

Claims (20)

1. Fastening device for tilting attachment of additional devices (50) to at least one cantilever arm (22) of a loader (10), in which means for permanent attachment by assembly or means for a quick coupling are interchangeable, characterized in that the relative position the tilting axis (32) between the extension arm (22) and the additional device (50) remains unchanged, regardless of the choice of the permanent attachment or the quick coupling. 2. Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cantilever arm (22) contains a transversely extending pivot pin (32) which serves the attachment between the cantilever arm (22) and additional device (50) and is designed as a tilting axis. 3. Fastening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the additional device (50) has fastening means (52) to which the pivot pin (32) can be fastened. 4. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an additional implement carrier (30) is provided which can be fastened on the one hand to the extension arm (22) and on the other hand to the extendable part of a hydraulic auxiliary unit cylinder (40). 5. Fastening device according to claim 4, characterized in that the additional equipment carrier (30) in we is oriented upright and is pivotally connected to at least one cantilever arm (22) about the tilt axis (32). 6. Fastening device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the additional device carrier (30) by the additional device cylinder (40) about the tilt axis (32) is tiltable and that the detachably attached to the additional device carrier (30) additional device (50) takes part in the tilting movement . 7. Fastening device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the fastening means (52) of the additional device (50) have at least one slot (68, 72) into which the pivot (32) can be inserted. 8. Fastening device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at the upper end of the auxiliary device carrier (30) is formed a fillet-shaped support surface (66) which is arranged in a bolt-shaped between two fastening supports (58, 62) of the auxiliary device (50) Connecting member (64) engages, and that at the lower end of the auxiliary device carrier (30) there is the transversely extending pivot (32) which, when the auxiliary device carrier (30) is pivoted about the connecting member (64), into at least one slot (68, 72) Fastening supports (58, 62) engages. 9. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the means for a quick coupling contain locking means (90) which serve the releasable attachment of an additional device (50) on the extension arm (22). 10. Fastening device according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking means (90) on fastening supports (58, 62) of the additional device (50) can be fastened. 11. Fastening device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the locking means (90) of the pivot pin (32) in the slot (68, 72) of the fastening supports (58, 62) is held. 12. Fastening device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the locking means (90) contain an observable from the operator's position of the loader, biased into its locking position locking bolt (106) which the pivot (32) in the slot (68, 72) captures. 13. Fastening device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the locking means (90) can be held in their unlocked position by holding means. 14. Fastening device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a prestressed locking bolt (106) is guided in holding parts (94, 96, 98) connected to the additional device (50) and that the locking bolt (106) has at least one notch (110). has, in which at least a part of a holding part (94) can engage in order to fix the locking bolt (106) in its unlocked position. 15. Fastening device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that trigger means for automatic release of the holding means are provided and that the release means are connected to the cantilever arm (22) in such a way that the holding means are released when the cantilever arm (22) is in a predefinable position, as a result of which an automatic locking between the auxiliary device (50) and the cantilever arm (22) he follows. 16. Fastening device according to claim 15, characterized in that for automatic locking, the release means act on the holding means, so that the locking bolt (106) moves from its unlocked position into its locking position. 17. Fastening device according to claim 16, characterized in that an extension (120) is attached to at least one cantilever arm (22) which, when the pivot (32) is completely received by slots (68, 72) of the additional device (50) , bumps against the locking bolt (106) and pushes it out of its holding position so that it moves into a locking position as a result of a pretension. 18. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that for permanent fastening a pivot pin (32) attached to the extension arm (22) directly and without using an additional device carrier (30) on fastening supports (58, 62) of the additional device (50 ) can be attached. 19. Fastening device according to claim 18, characterized in that the pivot pin (32) in at least one slot (68, 72) on the additional device (50) or its mounting supports (58, 62) can be inserted and can be fixed by mountable holding means (82). 20. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the extendable end of an additional device cylinder (40) can be attached directly to the additional device (50) or to fastening supports (58, 62) connected to it and that the point of attack of the additional device cylinder ( 40) occupies the same position as when using a quick coupling.

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