EP0626024A1 - Masterhitch excavator bucket coupling system. - Google Patents

Masterhitch excavator bucket coupling system.

Info

Publication number
EP0626024A1
EP0626024A1 EP93923014A EP93923014A EP0626024A1 EP 0626024 A1 EP0626024 A1 EP 0626024A1 EP 93923014 A EP93923014 A EP 93923014A EP 93923014 A EP93923014 A EP 93923014A EP 0626024 A1 EP0626024 A1 EP 0626024A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bucket
hitch
excavator
coupling system
locking
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP93923014A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0626024B1 (en
Inventor
Hugh Robert Edeleanu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0626024A1 publication Critical patent/EP0626024A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0626024B1 publication Critical patent/EP0626024B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • E02F3/3627—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 longitudinal 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
    • E02F3/364—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat using wedges
    • 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
    • E02F3/365—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
    • 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
    • E02F3/3663—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat hydraulically-operated

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a coupling system for attaching different digging buckets and accessories on to an excavator.
  • this changing process could be carried out up to 10 times in any one day.
  • buckets manufactured to fit one make and size of excavator will not usually fit any others (this is due to different bucket pin sizes and widths and geometry of the bucket rotation mechanism).
  • a “Bucket coupling system” once this has been fitted to the excavator, all sizes of bucket can be fitted to all makes of excavator, (provided that it is in the same weight class). This is of considerable assistance and saves stocking many different sizes and type of buckets.
  • the MASTERHITCH excavator bucket coupling system as described is a simple, quick and easy method of attaching and removing different buckets to the same excavator.
  • the MASTERHITCH works by having the main top chassis member of the bucket or attachment made in the form of a tubular section. There is a back plate welded to this tube, forming the back of the bucket. There is a slot of fixed dimensions cut into the back plate in the centre of the bucket and adjacent to the tube.
  • the hitch part attached to the excavator has a fixed length of steel tube, cut in half down its length fixed to it. It is mounted between two hook sections, which locate in to the fixed slot in the back plate of the bucket.
  • This half steel tube is rotated around the steel tubular section of the bucket until the hitch lays flat on the back plate of the bucket.
  • a steel end plate with two locking pins mounted therein comes in to line with another steel locking plate mounted on the back plate.
  • the two locking pins are activated, which lock in to this locking plate.
  • the hitch which is totally sealed is permanently secured to the bucket until such time as the locking pins are withdrawn.
  • This invention provides a secure fastening between the hitch and the bucket (or any other attachment) of an excavator, whereby a half tube section of the hitch is rotated around the tubular section which forms the main chassis of an excavator bucket until the end plate on the hitch comes into line with the locking plate mounted on the back plate of the bucket. At this time the two locking pins in the hitch are powered out through the two locking holes in the locking plate. This rotating and locking action jams the hitch between the tubular section of the bucket and the locking plate mounted on the bucket.
  • Fig: 1 shows a typical bucket with the hitch half hooked on.
  • Fig: 2 is a cross section through the hitch and bucket in the locked
  • Fig: 3 is a plan view of the two locking pins showing the hydraulic ram and the moving, guide, end and locking plates in the unlocked
  • Fig: 4 is a plan view of the two locking pins showing the hydraulic ram and the moving, guide, end and locking plates in the locked position.
  • the bucket or attachment to be mounted on the excavator consists of a main tubular chassis section 1. To this there is fixed the back plate 2. To attach the hitch to the bucket, the hitch body 4 is lined up with the bucket or attachment. To facilitate this, two "wings" are fixed to either side of the rectangular hole at an angle of 45°. The hook section 3 of the hitch is hooked in to the rectangular hole cut into the back plate of the bucket. The hitch is then rotated until the end plate 7 lines up with the locking plate 6 (which is fixed to the bucket or attachment).
  • the two locking pins 9, linked together by the moving plate 15, guided by the two guide plates 11 are then powered hydraulically by the hydraulic ram 12 from the excavator's hydraulics until they pass fully through the locking plate 6, guided by the tapers on the ends of the pins.
  • the hitch is then securely wedged between tine tubular chassis section of the bucket and the locking plate
  • a locking bqr is inserted through the locking bar hole 14, and spans the full width of the hitch. With this locking bar in place even should the hydraulics be operated accidentally, the locking pins could not be withdrawn.
  • An electronic switch inside the hitch body senses any movement of either the locking pins or the moving plate 15. This operates a warning light and a buzzer inside the cab of the excavator, to draw to the attention of the operator the fact that the locking pins are being withdrawn (either accidentally or deliberately). There is an integral tested lif ting hook built into the hitch body.
  • the locking bar is removed and the locking pins are hydraulically withdrawn.
  • the hitch can then be rolled of f the bucket, and moved to the new bucket or attachment and t he above process repeated.

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)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, consisting of a hitch body 4 which is locked onto the bucket or accessory 5. This is carried out by means of the locking of a section 3 and the end plate 7 against and between the tubular chassis section of the bucket 1, and the locking plate 6. Two locking pins 9 are powered through the two holes in the locking plate 6 to lock the hitch body to the bucket. Subsequent different buckets can be easily fitted to the same excavator by unlocking the hitch from the bucket and then locking the hitch on to the new bucket. A pin 14 is inserted to prevent the locking pins 9 from being inadvertently removed. <IMAGE>

Description

MASTERHITCH EXCAVATOR BUCKET COUPLING SYSTEM
This invention relates to a coupling system for attaching different digging buckets and accessories on to an excavator.
On all excavators there is a requirement to attach different sizes and shapes of digging buckets and other attachments. Usually only one of these is attached to the machine at any time. The traditional method of attaching these excavator buckets is by removing the main two connecting pins ("Bucket pins"), and re-positioning the arm of the excavator in line with the new attachment or bucket, and re-fitting and securing these bucket pins.
Depending upon the nature of the work that the excavator is involved with, this changing process could be carried out up to 10 times in any one day.
This process is awkward, time consuming and often results in damage to that part of the excavator and bucket.
In addition, buckets manufactured to fit one make and size of excavator will not usually fit any others (this is due to different bucket pin sizes and widths and geometry of the bucket rotation mechanism). With a "Bucket coupling system", once this has been fitted to the excavator, all sizes of bucket can be fitted to all makes of excavator, (provided that it is in the same weight class). This is of considerable assistance and saves stocking many different sizes and type of buckets.
There is therefore a requirement for a quick and easy method of changing excavator buckets, or 'bucket hitch'. Other types of coupling systems have been designed and produced in the past, in an attempt to find a solution to this problem. The MASTERHITCH excavator bucket coupling system as described is a simple, quick and easy method of attaching and removing different buckets to the same excavator. The MASTERHITCH works by having the main top chassis member of the bucket or attachment made in the form of a tubular section. There is a back plate welded to this tube, forming the back of the bucket. There is a slot of fixed dimensions cut into the back plate in the centre of the bucket and adjacent to the tube. The hitch part attached to the excavator has a fixed length of steel tube, cut in half down its length fixed to it. It is mounted between two hook sections, which locate in to the fixed slot in the back plate of the bucket.
This half steel tube is rotated around the steel tubular section of the bucket until the hitch lays flat on the back plate of the bucket. At this time, a steel end plate with two locking pins mounted therein, comes in to line with another steel locking plate mounted on the back plate. This has two locking holes drilled in it. The two locking pins are activated, which lock in to this locking plate. The hitch which is totally sealed is permanently secured to the bucket until such time as the locking pins are withdrawn.
This invention provides a secure fastening between the hitch and the bucket (or any other attachment) of an excavator, whereby a half tube section of the hitch is rotated around the tubular section which forms the main chassis of an excavator bucket until the end plate on the hitch comes into line with the locking plate mounted on the back plate of the bucket. At this time the two locking pins in the hitch are powered out through the two locking holes in the locking plate. This rotating and locking action jams the hitch between the tubular section of the bucket and the locking plate mounted on the bucket. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig: 1 shows a typical bucket with the hitch half hooked on.
Fig: 2 is a cross section through the hitch and bucket in the locked
position showing the key parts.
Fig: 3 is a plan view of the two locking pins showing the hydraulic ram and the moving, guide, end and locking plates in the unlocked
position.
Fig: 4 is a plan view of the two locking pins showing the hydraulic ram and the moving, guide, end and locking plates in the locked position.
With reference to the drawings, the bucket or attachment to be mounted on the excavator consists of a main tubular chassis section 1. To this there is fixed the back plate 2. To attach the hitch to the bucket, the hitch body 4 is lined up with the bucket or attachment. To facilitate this, two "wings" are fixed to either side of the rectangular hole at an angle of 45°. The hook section 3 of the hitch is hooked in to the rectangular hole cut into the back plate of the bucket. The hitch is then rotated until the end plate 7 lines up with the locking plate 6 (which is fixed to the bucket or attachment). The two locking pins 9, linked together by the moving plate 15, guided by the two guide plates 11 are then powered hydraulically by the hydraulic ram 12 from the excavator's hydraulics until they pass fully through the locking plate 6, guided by the tapers on the ends of the pins. The hitch is then securely wedged between tine tubular chassis section of the bucket and the locking plate For additional safety, a locking bqr is inserted through the locking bar hole 14, and spans the full width of the hitch. With this locking bar in place even should the hydraulics be operated accidentally, the locking pins could not be withdrawn.
An electronic switch inside the hitch body senses any movement of either the locking pins or the moving plate 15. This operates a warning light and a buzzer inside the cab of the excavator, to draw to the attention of the operator the fact that the locking pins are being withdrawn (either accidentally or deliberately). There is an integral tested lif ting hook built into the hitch body.
To remove or change the bucket or attachment, the locking bar is removed and the locking pins are hydraulically withdrawn. The hitch can then be rolled of f the bucket, and moved to the new bucket or attachment and t he above process repeated.

Claims

1. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, where the hitch part, incorporating a steel tube cut in half down its length, locates over the main tubular chassis of the bucket. Two hook sections of the hitch locate into a rectangular hole of fixed dimensions on the bucket. The hitch is locked into place by rotating the hitch around the tubular chassis until the end plate of the hitch lines up with the locking plate fixed to the bucket or attachment. Two locking pins are then powered through holes in the end plate and locking plate. This wedges the hitch between the locking plate and the tubular chassis.
2. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where the hitch is guided on to the bucket by two tapered curved hooks which locate into a slot in the bucket.
3. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where the locking pins are powered hydraulically by a self contained hydraulic ram, fed from the hydraulics of the excavator.
4. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where the locking pins are prevented from accidental withdrawal by a locking bar inserted manually.
5. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where the whole mechanism is totally sealed against all ingress of dirt, water and the like.
6. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where the hitch has an integral tested hook for the attachment of lifting chains and slings.
7. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where there are two guiding "Wings" fixed to the tubular section of the bucket to enable simple location of the hooks on the hitch body into the rectangular hole in the bucket.
8. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where location and sideways movement of the hitch body against the bucket is prevented by the extension of the hitch body on either side of the locking plate.
9. An excavator bucket and attachment coupling system, as claimed in claim 1, where an electronic switch senses the movement of the locking pins and moving plate, and sends an electric signal to the instruments mounted in the cab of the excavator.
EP93923014A 1992-10-20 1993-10-18 Masterhitch excavator bucket coupling system Expired - Lifetime EP0626024B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9222000 1992-10-20
GB9222000A GB2259293B (en) 1992-10-20 1992-10-20 Excavator Bucket Coupling System
PCT/GB1993/002147 WO1994009215A1 (en) 1992-10-20 1993-10-18 Masterhitch excavator bucket coupling system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0626024A1 true EP0626024A1 (en) 1994-11-30
EP0626024B1 EP0626024B1 (en) 1997-04-02

Family

ID=10723741

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93923014A Expired - Lifetime EP0626024B1 (en) 1992-10-20 1993-10-18 Masterhitch excavator bucket coupling system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0626024B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE151136T1 (en)
AU (1) AU5284693A (en)
DE (1) DE69309447T2 (en)
GB (1) GB2259293B (en)
WO (1) WO1994009215A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH687775A5 (en) * 1994-01-11 1997-02-14 Grand Pierre Le Quick-change system for Loeffelbagger.
GB2286382A (en) * 1994-02-04 1995-08-16 Bamford Excavators Ltd Device for releasably mounting a working implement
GB2331064B (en) * 1997-11-06 2000-06-28 Hydro Plant Limited Improved quick hitch coupling device
EP1137851A1 (en) * 1998-12-10 2001-10-04 Ove Hammarstrand Tool arrangement
SE525388C2 (en) * 2003-04-16 2005-02-08 Volvo Constr Equip Holding Se Work machine, including an implement holder, and implement locking elements
EP1948874A1 (en) * 2005-11-15 2008-07-30 J B Sales International Limited Bucket fabrication
CN108895104B (en) * 2018-09-22 2024-05-28 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Portable brake locking device of oil field pumping unit and use method thereof

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3934738A (en) * 1974-04-01 1976-01-27 Wain-Roy, Inc. Tool connecting
NZ199611A (en) * 1981-02-05 1984-09-28 Maroochy Shire Council Quick release and attachment assembly for construction equipment tools
FR2609075B1 (en) * 1986-12-26 1991-08-30 Poncin Gilles QUICK COUPLING DEVICE FOR EQUIPMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT
EP0353454B1 (en) * 1988-07-20 1993-05-12 V.T.N. BENNE S.r.l. Quick mount particularly for fixing buckets to earth-moving machines
GB2239445A (en) * 1989-12-22 1991-07-03 Trevor Frederick Frank Hodges Coupling for excavator arm
EP0506604A1 (en) * 1991-01-10 1992-09-30 Metallbau Und Spezialkonstruktionen In Metall, Michael Hand Quick-acting coupling for temporarily connecting implements to an excavator boom
DE4214569C2 (en) * 1992-05-08 2001-12-20 Lehnhoff Hartstahl Gmbh & Co Quick change device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9409215A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1994009215A1 (en) 1994-04-28
DE69309447T2 (en) 1997-10-23
EP0626024B1 (en) 1997-04-02
GB9222000D0 (en) 1992-12-02
ATE151136T1 (en) 1997-04-15
GB2259293A (en) 1993-03-10
AU5284693A (en) 1994-05-09
GB2259293B (en) 1996-01-10
DE69309447D1 (en) 1997-05-07

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