NZ220557A - Connector for attaching implements to vehicle boom - Google Patents

Description

.r/iosrw :»9oxva This Invention relates to a connector and has been devised particularly though not necessarily for use in providing a connector to enable implements or tools such as digging attachments to be connected to a boon or the like mounted on a vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly the invention consists in a connector cosiprising a body, first connection means enabling said body to be mounted on a carrying device, second connection means to enable an implement to be engaged with said body, said second connection means comprising spaced apart first and second recesses, at least said first recess being closeable by a closure member, a piston and cylinder assembly to move said closure member either towards or away from a position wherein said closure member substantially covers the entrance to said first recess and, in addition to said piston and cylinder assembly, biasing means to move said closure member either towards or away from a position wherein said first recess is not substantially closed by said closure amber.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves within departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely 2C0557 222864 illustrative and are not intended to Le in <»ny £>'iise 1imiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a connector according to one preferred form of the invention, and Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a connector ' according to an alternative form of the invention.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 1 a connector is provided which has a body 1 which may be formed by a pair of side plates interconnected by end plates.

In the construction shown each side plate is formed by an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3 which plates 2 and 3 may be engaged one with the other for example by welding. The plates 2 and 3 are shown in Figure 1 with part 4 of plate 3 overlapping part 5 of plate 3.

The pairs of plates 2 and 3 may be interconnected at one end by a transverse plate 6 and at the other end by a further transverse plate 7 which in the embodiment shown in the figure is substantially "C" shaped in cross section for reasons that will be described further hereinafter. 220557 222864 The body 1 carries first connection mejj.s enabljn; tho connector to be engaged, for exorrple, with a boom (not shown) mounted on a vehicle. The first connection me.ir; may take the form of a pair of spaced apart apertures 8 ind 9, the apertures 8 and 9 being provided in each plate 2 lor example. Thus the connector 1 may be mounted the boom or the like by pins (not shown) passing through the apertures 8 and 9 and aligned apertures on the boom or otherwise as desired. A reinforcing and/or spacing annular member 10 may be provided about each aperture 8 and 9 if desired or required.

The construction also includes second connection means and these may be formed by a pair of recesses for example in the plate 3. Thus for example an outwardly facing recess 11 may be provided which is continued between the plates by the "C" shaped end plate 7. A downwardly directed recess 12 is also provided. The orientation of these recesses may of course differ if desired.

At least one of the recesses and preferably the rec6ss 12 is associated with a closure member which is able to at least partly close the entrance to the recess 12. Thus in the embodiment of Figure 1 the closure member may comprise for exanple a hook member 13 which is pivotally mounted between the side plates for example on a pivot pin 14.

Alignable apertures 15 in the hook member 13 and the side plates allow a lock pin (not shown) to be placed through the apertures to hold the hook member 13 or closure 220557 222864 n-.».-nibor .in its substantially closed icsition.

The hook ir.tnfcer 13 is urged towards its subst.mtial 1 y closed position for example ty a biasing device such as a compression spiing IS one end of which bears against the 5 hook member 10 and the other end of which bears against the body 1 for example a plate 17 positioned between the side plates. The plate 17 may have upper and lower or a rim members 18 so as to provide a socket for the compression spring 16.

The outward leading edge 19 of the hook member 10 may be champhered or tapered as can be seen in Figure 1 to allow a member (not shown) which is to be held therein to be snapped thereinto by overcoming the pressure of the spring 16. The inner surface 20 of the hook member is 15 shaped such that the bar or the like positioned therein when the hook member 13 is closed cannot easily push the hook member 13 aside even when there is no pin in the apertures IS. A suitable shape is shown in Figure 1.

In order to allow the hook member 13 to be forced aside 20 when required a piston 21 and cylinder 22 assembly is provided, for example, a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly fed through hoseline 23 the controls for which may, for example, be positioned in the cab or otherwise of the vehicle from which the boom extends. Of course a 25 suitable pump (not shown) is provided. The iistal end of the piston 21 may bear against the plate 6 for example into a recess or socket formed by walls 24. Suitable seals such 220557 222864 as seaLs 25 are provided in tho cylinder 22 or piston 21 wall. The cylinder 22 nay bo pivotal ly counted to i.ho hcck member 13 for example at a point 26.

Thus as the piston 21 is extended it will tear against the plate 6 forcing the hook member 13 to move, in Figure 1 antl clockwise, so that the recess 12 is in effect opened. When pressure on the piston 21 is removed the spring 16 will return the hook member 13 to a position wherein the hook member 13 at least partially closes the recess 12.

The use of the invention in the embodiment of Figure 1 is as follows.

In use where it is desired to attach an implement to a boom the connector 1 is mounted on the boom and the boom moved so that a bar (not shown) on the implement enters the recess 11. The recess 12 may then be forced over another bar (not shown) by pressure of the bar on face 19 or the piston 20 can be extended to open the recess 12 to allow the bar (not shown) to enter. When pressure is released from the piston 21 the compression spring 16 will urge the hook member 13 back to the position shown in Figure 1. A pin may be placed in the aligned apertures 15 at that time if desired or necessary.

The implement is then used as desired.

When it is desired to remove the implement the pin through aperture 15 if in place is removed and the piston 21 again extended thereby opening the recess 12 so that the connector can be removed from the implement by removingthe bars from recesses 12 and 11. 220557 222864 In.tKa embodiment of the invention shewn in Fiyure 2 tho construction is similar save that a piston and cylinder assembly 30 bears on hook member 13 to move the hcok member 13 at least partly across the recess 12. when fluid pressure is removed tension spring 31 operates to withdraw the hook member 13 to open recess 12. Piston and cylinder assembly 30 is pivotally mounted on the hook member 13 at 32 and to the body 1 at 33. In use, with hook member 13 initially withdrawn, bars (not shown) are positioned in recesses 11 and 12, then the piston 34 of piston and cylinder assembly 30 is extended so that the foot 35 of the hook member 13 closes recess 12 sufficiently to prevent removal of the bar then positioned in recess 12.

To remove the bar from recess 12 pressure .8 released from the piston 34 and spring 31 withdraws the hook member 13 allowing the bar to fall or be removed from recess 12.

Thus it can be seen that at least in the preferred forms of the invention a connector is provided which will enable an implement to be connected to the connector in a simple yet effective manner and in which control of the operation can be achieved from for example the cab of a vehicle or another selected position. This is of course advantageous.

Claims (9)

1. f* _2 2 c s 7;WHAT IS CLAIMED XSt;1. A connector comprising a body, first connection means enabling said body to be mounted on a carrying device, second connection Beans to enable an implement to be engaged with said body, said second connection means comprising spaced apart first and second recesses, at least said first recess being closeable by a closure member, a piston and cylinder assembly to move said closure member either towards or away from a position wherein said closure member substantially covers the entrance to said first recess and, in addition to said piston and cylinder assembly, biasing means to move said closure member either towards or away from a position wherein said first recess is substantially closed by said closure member.;
2. 2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a compression spring between said closure member and said body and said piston and cylinder assembly moves said closure member to a position wherein said closure member substantially closes said first recess.;
3. 3. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a tension spring between said closure nmtber and said body.;c
4. 4. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said closure member is substantially hooked shaped and pivotally mounted to said body.;- 8 -;• V,;--v..;. * - ^ ^ V- \ 2 20 0^7 2.2.2 -4
5. 5. A connector as claimed in Claim 4 wherein alignable apertures are provided in said hook and said body to receive a lock pin when said closure member is in the substantially closed position with respect to said first recess.
6. 6. A connector as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said first connection means comprises apertures in said body.
7. 7. A connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said body has a pair of spaced apart side plates and said closure meaner, piston and cylinder assembly and means to move said closure member are positioned between said plates.
8. 8. A connector as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said plates are interconnected by end plates.
9. 9. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. -5 DEC 1990°