EP1730357B1 - Removable attachment for a rock breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

The accessory has a flange (18) with a projecting part (19) that acts against an edge of a base, so that the rotation of the accessory around an axis of a body (15) of a stone crusher is prevented. The part (19) acts against a maintenance bar, so that the translation of the accessory along the body axis is prevented. Pins and the bar are removed for demounting the accessory. An independent claim is also included for a machine including a stone crusher having an accessory.

Description

The present invention relates to a bucket type accessory, claw, scraper blade or compaction device, intended to equip an arm of a machine to which is connected a breaker.

Hydraulic breakers with a tool are used during the operation of destroying coatings or layers of hard ground, as well as popping blocks of rock or concrete during earthworks or demolition.

The use of such a machine leads to a large production of rubble and earth which eventually hinder the destruction operation. This waste must be regularly removed or compacted. It may also be necessary to remove the soil covering the rock prior to the use of the breaker.

Therefore, the use of a breaker involves the regular use of one or more accessories, such as a rubble disposal device or compaction apparatus. Generally each accessory is mechanically fixed to the end of the articulated arm of a separate earthmover, such as a digger or hydraulic. However, it is possible to use only one earthmover on which is attached, depending on the current operation a breaker equipped with a tool or an evacuation device.

On the currently known machines, when the articulated arm is equipped with the breaker and it is desired to evacuate the rubble produced, it is necessary to remove the breaker before setting up the desired evacuation device. When dismantling the breaker, it must be disconnected from its supply circuit, usually hydraulic.

These assembly and disassembly operations of the breaker and the accessory that one wishes to use are long and greatly reduce the availability of the carrier.

There are already some devices that aim to limit these disassembly and disconnection operations.

The document EP 0 717 154 for example, discloses a hydraulic breaker having a tool connected to an end of an articulated arm and to which is attached a discharge bucket which is pivotable and retractable when the rock breaker is used. However, this bucket is not removable. Certainly, a machine according to this document avoids the assembly and disassembly of the bucket when the breaker is used, but it remains however it is necessary to disassemble the tool when the user wishes to use the bucket. In addition, the presence of the bucket at the end of the articulated arm of the carrier during the use of the hydraulic breaker is detrimental to the workability of the assembly and reduces the use to limited areas because of the clutter of the bucket.

The documents JP 11 117344 and US 4,602,821 each describe an accessory according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, and consists of an accessory type bucket, claw, scraper blade or compaction device, provided to equip an end of a breaker equipped with a tool , comprising means for positioning it correctly relative to the breaker and its tool, means for its temporary and removable attachment to the end of the breaker, without disassembly of the tool, the accessory comprising a wall bottom having an outer face equipped with a guide tube, intended to be engaged on the tool.

When the operator of the machine wishes to use the accessory instead of the tool, he places the accessory at the end of the breaker, the means allowing the positioning of the accessory relative to the tool a clearance in which the tool can be inserted and housed. Once the positioning has been achieved, the fastening means make it possible to block the accessory in translation and in rotation. Therefore, the disconnection of the tool is unnecessary, and the accessory can be used even when the tool is in place. The interventions needed to change the tool are thereby greatly minimized and do not disturb the proper use of the breaker.

The tube is intended to receive the tool which then acts as a post, serving as reinforcement and support. The stability of the accessory is increased.

Preferably, the tube has a funnel-shaped flared end. As a result, the insertion of the tool into the tube is greatly facilitated.

Preferably, the insertion end is surmounted by a base equipped with at least one positioning finger.

According to a first embodiment, the tube has two orifices facing each other and allowing the passage of a fastening key, intended to be engaged in a recess or a through hole of the key.

According to another embodiment of this accessory, the means for fixing it comprise at least two fixing lugs mounted on the upper wall of the accessory and each provided with an eyelet and through which can be inserted and then fixed, a holding bar, passing over a collar or the like belonging to the body of the breaker.

According to yet another embodiment, this accessory comprises an upper wall surmounted by a lock which can pass alternately from a locking position, in which it is able to block a part of the body of the breaker, to a position of unlocking, in which he is able to release this body.

Advantageously in this case, the accessory comprises an elastic means tending to automatically place the lock in its locking position, and a jack or a mechanism adapted to act on the lock to tilt it into the open position. This allows the operator to connect and disconnect the accessory remotely, without direct action on it.

According to one embodiment, this accessory comprises an elastic means tending to automatically place the lock in its locking position, and an unlocking mechanism comprising a plate slidably mounted vis-à-vis the upper wall of the accessory, transversely to the axis of the tool, such that in the locked position of the tool, one end of the plate bears against a cam-shaped surface of the lock and its other end bears against an inclined surface of a flange of the tool, and that during a movement of the tool, the flange thereof moves the plate to the latch, which carries the pivoting thereof in an opening direction.

According to another characteristic of the invention, this accessory comprises means for locking in rotation on the breaker, comprising a base of non-circular shape intended to cooperate by interlocking with a complementary surface of the lower end of the body of the breaker. rock.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un accessoire et d'un brise-roche, vus en position démontée.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'accessoire de la figure 1, fixé sur le brise-roche.
• La figure 3 est une vue partielle, en coupe longitudinale, de l'accessoire et de l'engin de terrassement représentés à la figure 2.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne transversale IV-IV de la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 3.
• La figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un accessoire et d'un brise-roche selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, en position démontée.
• La figure 7 est une vue en perspective de l'accessoire de la figure 6, fixé sur le brise-roche.
• La figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'un accessoire selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention rattaché à un outil perforant.
• La figure 9 est une vue en coupe d'un accessoire selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention, fixé à un brise-roche.
• Les figures 10 et 11 représentent, vue en coupe longitudinale, une variante du dispositif de figure 9.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing, representing several embodiments of this accessory:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of an accessory and a breaker, seen in disassembled position.
• The figure 2 is a perspective view of the accessory of the figure 1 , fixed on the breaker.
• The figure 3 is a partial view, in longitudinal section, of the attachment and the earth-moving machine represented at figure 2 .
• The figure 4 is a sectional view along the transverse line IV-IV of the figure 3 .
• The figure 5 is a sectional view along line VV of the figure 3 .
• The figure 6 is a perspective view of an accessory and a breaker according to a second embodiment of the invention, in disassembled position.
• The figure 7 is a perspective view of the accessory of the figure 6 , fixed on the breaker.
• The figure 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an accessory according to a third embodiment of the invention attached to a perforating tool.
• The figure 9 is a sectional view of an accessory according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, attached to a breaker.
• The Figures 10 and 11 represent, in longitudinal section, a variant of the device of figure 9 .

An accessory 1 according to the invention, as represented on the Figures 1 to 5 , is a bucket-type rubble disposal apparatus. Like any conventional bucket, it has a structure comprising a bottom wall 2 and a horizontal top wall 3 connected by means of two parallel side walls 4 and a bottom wall 5.

The bucket 1 also comprises, on the one hand, a horizontal base 6 extending in the extension of the upper wall 3 towards the rear of the bucket 1, and on the other hand, a substantially vertical tube 7 extending along the outer wall of the bottom wall 5. The latter also has an opening 8, having a section slightly greater than the section of the tube 7 and located in the axis thereof.

More specifically, the tube 7 has a funnel-shaped, flared end-end supporting the base 6.

Furthermore, the upper face of the base 6 has a substantially annular peripheral rim 9 delimiting a substantially ovoid bearing surface 10 having a non-circular projection 11 partially overhanging the upper wall 3 of the bucket 1. Positioning teeth 12 are provided on the border 9, at regular intervals, and each have an inclined surface converging towards the opening 8.

The upper wall 3 has, on the outside of the border 9, two fastening lugs 13 directed upwards, and placed opposite one another on either side of the bearing surface 10 at the its level of advance 11. Each fastening lug 13 has an eyelet 14 which opens just above the edge 9 and which is situated opposite the eyelet 14 of the other fastening lug 13.

This bucket 1 is intended to equip a hydraulic breaker, partially shown on the Figures 1 to 5 , comprising a body 15 of substantially circular section and having an end 16 to which is connected a tool 17. In addition, the end 16 of the body 15 is provided with a collar 18 having, on the one hand, a complementary cross section of the bearing surface 10 of the bucket 1, and secondly, a thickness substantially equal to the height of the border 9. Due to the ovoid section of the flange 18, a portion 19 thereof is therefore in protruding body 15.

A user wishing to connect a bucket 1 according to the invention to the end of the body 15 of the breaker proceeds as follows.

The bucket 1 is positioned so that the tube 7 and the opening 8 are aligned with the tool 17. The latter is inserted through the opening 8 and into the tube 7 which plays a sliding role. bucket 1 fixed relative to the axis of the body 15. The funnel formed by the insertion end of the tube 7 facilitates the insertion of the tool 17 into the tube 7.

The bucket 1 is thus moved until the collar 18 is introduced inside the edge 9 and comes into contact with the bearing surface 10, the projecting portion 19 of the collar 18 then being in contact with the advanced 11 of the bearing surface 10.

Thus positioned, the bucket 1 can be fixed to the body 15. To do this a retaining bar 20 is introduced through the eyelets 14 of the fastening lugs 13 and locked, for example by means of pins 20a. The Figures 2 to 5 , show the bucket 1 thus attached to the body 15 of the breaker.

The section of the flange 18 and the bearing surface 10 being non-circular, the rotation of the bucket 1 about the axis of the body 15 is impossible because the projecting portion 19 of the flange 18 would abut against the border 9. The translation of the bucket 1 along the axis of the articulated arm 15 is also blocked by the holding bar 20 against which abuts the projecting portion 19 of the flange 18. The holding bar 20 also prevents the deflection of the bucket 1 by relative to the axis of the tool 17 when using the bucket 1. The tube 7 also blocks such a deviation and allows to reduce the efforts in this direction on the support bar 20 and on the projecting portion 19 of the collar 18.

To proceed with the disassembly of the bucket 1, it is sufficient to undo without tools the pins and remove the holding bar 20. Thus released, the bucket can be slid along the axis of the tool 17 to extract the- ci of the tube 7 and the base 6.

As is apparent from the description, the assembly and disassembly operations of the bucket 1 do not require disassembly of the tool 17.

In order to better distribute the forces and to allow a safer attachment of a bucket 22 to a rock breaker body 23, it is possible to provide, as shown in FIGS. Figures 6 and 7 , a collar of oval section with two opposite projecting parts.

The bucket 22 differs from the bucket 1 in that it comprises a horizontal base 24 extending in the extension of the upper wall 3 toward the rear of the bucket 22 and having an opening 25. More precisely, the upper face of the base 24 has a peripheral rim 26 delimiting a bearing surface 27 substantially oval, complementary to the flange of the body 23, and having a front end 28 and a rear end 29. Positioning teeth 30 are provided on the edge 26 at regular intervals .

In addition, the base 24 has, outside the edge 26, a first pair of fastening lugs 31 and a second pair of fastening lugs 32; the tabs 31, 32 of each pair being placed opposite one another on either side of the bearing surface 27, respectively at its front end 28 and its rear end 29. Each leg fixing 31, 32 is provided with an eyelet which opens just above the edge 26 and is located opposite the eyelet of the other bracket 31, 32 of the corresponding pair. The tube 7 disposed along the bucket is then no longer necessary.

The attachment of the bucket 22 is as for the bucket 1. The perforating tool 17 is inserted into the opening 25 until the flange is introduced inside the edge 26 and is in contact with the surface 27, the projecting portions of the flange then being in contact with the front end 28 and the rear end 29 of the bearing surface 27.

Thus positioned, the bucket 22 can be fixed to the body 23. To do this, a retaining bar 33 is introduced through the eyelets of the legs of the fixing 31 and locked by means of pins. Likewise, a retaining bar 34 is inserted through the eyelets of the fixing lugs 32, and is also locked in this position.

The figure 8 shows a bucket 35 fitted to a tool 36. This bucket 35 differs from the bucket 1 in that it comprises neither pedestal nor insertion end, and in that the tube 7 has two orifices (not shown) in look at each other. The tool 36 differs from the tool 17 only in that it comprises a recess 37 for the passage of a fastening key 38.

To fix the bucket 35 on the tool 36, simply insert the tool 36 into the tube 7 until the recess 37 is aligned with the orifices of the tube 7. The key 38 is then introduced successively through a first orifice of the tube 7, the recess 37, and the second orifice of the tube 7, and is locked in this position.

The key 37 blocks the bucket 35 in rotation and in translation. In addition, the tube 7 stabilizes the bucket 35 and prevents any deviation thereof from the axis of the perforating tool 36.

Of course, this method of attachment can be cumulated with the other modes of attachment described.

The figure 9 shows a bucket 39 adapted to a breaker 40.

The bucket 39 comprises a horizontal base 41 extending in the extension of the upper wall 3 toward the rear of the bucket 39 and having an opening 42. This base 41 differs from the base 6 of the bucket 1 in that it comprises a border 43 partial device, open at the front, which defines a contact surface 48 for receiving the breaker 40. Positioning teeth 44 are formed on the edge 43 at regular intervals.

The front of the base 41 comprises, on the one hand, an ear 45 on which is mounted a pivoting latch 46 which has an orthogonal return 47, and on the other hand, a heel 49 shaped so as to have sufficient clearance to allow the rotation of the lock 46. A spring 52 connects the heel 49 to the base 41 so that the latter is automatically pushed into its locking position.

The breaker 40 has a substantially circular section and has an end 54 to which is connected a tool 17. A bearing pad 55 is fixed outside the breaker 40, at the end 54, of way to be directed forward of the bucket 39 when it is logged. Above the support pad 55, is fixed a jack 56 which exceeds a rod 57. This jack 56 is fixed at a height sufficient for the rod 57 can come to press the return 47 of the latch 46 when the bucket is mounted.

Before mounting the bucket 39 on the breaker 40, the latch 46 is pushed by the spring 52 in the locking position. The rod 57 is retracted into the cylinder of the cylinder.

To connect the bucket 39, the perforating tool 17 is introduced into the tube 7 until, on the one hand, the end 54 is in contact with the bearing surface 44 inside the edge 43 and on the other hand, the bearing pad 55 is opposite the lock 46. During the insertion, the end 54 of the breaker 40 returns, via its support pad 55, the lock 46 towards its unlocking position, and against the spring 52 associated with it. As a result, the end 54 of the breaker 40 is engaged in a vice between the lock 46, which bears against the support pad 55, and the rear part of the edge 43.

To dismount the bucket 39, it is necessary to actuate the jack 56 in an output direction of the rod so that it comes to press the return 47 of the latch 46. In doing so, the latter pivots counterclockwise towards its position unlocking in which it no longer squeezes the breaker 40 against the edge 43. It is then possible to extract the breaker 40 and the piercing tool 17, respectively from the edge 43 and the tube 7, to remove the bucket.

The Figures 10 and 11 represent a variant of the device of figure 9 in which the same elements are designated by the same references as before. This embodiment differs from the previous one by the mechanism of unlocking the accessory. This mechanism comprises a plate 58 slidably mounted vis-à-vis the upper wall 3 of the accessory, perpendicular to the axis of the tool 17. This plate 58 is supported by one end against a surface 59 in form the cam 46 of the latch 46 and its opposite end against an inclined surface 60 of a collar 61 of the tool 17. This plate is subjected to the action of a tension spring 62 which acts on it in a direction of move to the collar. In the locking position, shown in figure 10 the plate 58 is supported under the flange 61.

To unlock and disconnect the accessory, it is necessary to operate, even punctually breaker to move the tool 17 down, movement in which the inclined surface 60 of the collar 61 pushes the plate 58 which acts on the cam 59 to tilt the latch 46 towards the outside, as shown figure 11 , and release the bottom wall 54 of the breaker. Unlocking is thus achieved using the same energy of the breaker, and without requiring manual intervention of the operator, who can remain at his control station.

Although the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is obvious that it includes all the technical equivalents of the described means and their combinations, within the limits of the claims.

Claims (10)

1. Bucket-, claw-, scraper blade- or compacting-type attachment (1, 22, 35, 39) intended to be fitted to one end (18) of a rock breaker equipped with a tool (17, 36), comprising means allowing it to be correctly positioned with respect to the rock breaker and its tool and comprising means (13, 14, 20, 31 to 34, 38, 46) allowing it to be temporarily fixed at the end of the rock breaker and to be removable without dismantling the tool, characterized in that the attachment comprises a back wall (5) with an external face fitted with a guide tube (7) intended to be engaged on the tool.
2. Attachment (1, 39) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guide tube (7) has an insertion end widened into the shape of a funnel.
3. Attachment (1, 39) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the insertion end of the tube (7) is surmounted by an open socket (6, 41) fitted with at least one positioning pin (12, 44).
4. Attachment (35) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tube (7) comprises two orifices facing each other, allowing a fixing key (38) intended to be engaged in a recess (37) in, or a hole through, the tool (36).
5. Attachment (1, 22) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means allowing it to be fixed include at least two fixing lugs (13, 31, 32) mounted on the top wall of the attachment, each incorporating an eye (14), and through which a retaining bar (20, 33, 34) can be inserted and fixed, passing over a collar or similar (18, 19) belonging to the rock breaker body.
6. Attachment (39) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a top wall (3) surmounted by a lock-bolt (46), which can pass alternately from a locked position, in which it is capable of locking a part (40) of the rock breaker body, to an unlocked position, in which it is capable of releasing this body.
7. Attachment (39) according to Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (52) tending to place automatically the lock-bolt in its locked position and a pressure cylinder (56) capable of acting on the lock-bolt (46) to throw it into the open position.
8. Attachment (39) according to Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises elastic means (52) tending to place automatically the lock-bolt in its locked position and a release mechanism comprising a plate (56), mounted to slide with respect to the top wall (3) of the attachment and transversely to the axis of the tool (17), such that, in the locked position of the tool (17), one end of the plate (56) bears on a cam-shaped surface (57) of the lock-bolt (46) and its other end bears on an inclined surface (58) of a collar (59) of the tool (17), and that during movement of the tool (17), its collar (59) displaces the plate (56) toward the lock-bolt (46), which causes the latter to pivot in an opening direction.
9. Attachment according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises means of rotational locking onto the rock breaker comprising a noncircular-shaped socket (6) intended to co-operate by interlocking with a complementary surface (18, 19) of the bottom end of the rock breaker body.
10. Mobile machine comprising a rock breaker fitted with an attachment according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

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