US3556323A

US3556323A - Quick-connect coupler for bucket on excavating machine

Info

Publication number: US3556323A
Application number: US785943A
Authority: US
Inventors: Damian M Heimmermann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-12-23
Filing date: 1968-12-23
Publication date: 1971-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-19

Abstract

A quick-connect coupling means for effecting a rapid change over from a one size bucket to a different size bucket on the dipper stick of an excavating machine such as a backhoe, or the like, comprising a pair of superimposable complementary parts hookedly engageable, and lockable by means of a lock bar operatively movable laterally of said coupling means.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Damian M. Heimmermann Greeuville, Wis. (108 Ridgeway Drive, Rte. 1, Appleton, Wis., 54911) [21 Appl. No. 785,943 [22] Filed Dec. 23, 1968 [4S] Patented Jan. 19, 1971 [54] QUICK-CONNECT COUPLER FOR BUCKET ON EXCAVATING MACHINE 5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 214/145, 2 14/ l 3 8 [51] Int. Cl E021 3/81 [50] FieldofSearch 214/145,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,963,183 12/1960 Przybylski Primary Examinerl-lugo 0. Schulz Attorney-Stanley E. Binish ABSTRACT: A quick-connect coupling means for effecting a rapid change over from a one size bucket to a different size bucket on the dipper stick of an excavating machine such as a backhoe, or the like, comprising a pair of superimposable complementary parts hookedly engageable, and lockable by means of a lock bar operatively movable laterally of said coupling means.

designate like parts throughout .wherein:

taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1';

reluctant to do so because of the prolonged time and difficulty involved in atta'chingand detaching'buckets coupled to the dipper stick ,by the conventional pin coupling means. Many of such conventional coupling means requirebruised pins to be driven out,and bores to be patiently aligned. The present invention provides coupling means whe reby a bucket can be changed quickly and easily, there being no .pins to be driven,

no bores to be aligned, and the operator can initially seat and mate the complementary parts of the coupling from his station at the operating controls of the excavating machine. 1

Somecharacteristic features of this invention are the provision of coupler means, for coupling an excavating bucket to the dipper stick of .an excavatingmach'ine, comprising a pair of superimposable and hookedly 'engageable mating parts mounted on. said'bucket and dipperstickythe provision of coupling means for detachably securing an excavating bucket Y to the dipper stick of anexcavating machine. and locking said coupling means by ,me ans of a lock bar operatively movable laterally of said coupling means; and the provision of coupling means mounted on the dipper stick of an excavating machine,

said saddle and yoke means being detachably engaged by means of a lock bar. operatively movable sidewise and laterally of said coupling means.

. 2 A control link '15 is pivotally mounted at one end on ram pin 13'. Said control link 15 comprises an intermediate I-l-section "member having sleeve bearings such as indicated at l5'- welded on each end thereof to receive yoke pin 18 therethrough. I v

A frame or yoke means, generally indicated at l6, ,'is pivotally mounted at its rearward end to the end portion of the dipper stick, by means of transverse pin 17. The forward end portion of the yoke means is pivotally mounted to the free end of control line 15 by means of pin I8. Normally,' saidyoke means is disposed at right angle to said dipper stick, and is pivotal upwardly and downwardly therefrom, about pin 17, by means of ram 1'1 and control link 15. V

Said yoke means comprises a p'aii'of parallel side links. I9 and:2l disposed on opposite sides of the dipper stick l0 and of the control link 1 15, and are" pivotally connected to the

aforesaid yoke pins

17 and 18, respectively.

Yoke pin 17 extends transversely through the end portion of the dipper stick and extends beyond the sides thereof to pivotally engage the

side links

19 and 21 adjacent thereto, and extends further therebeyond into and through

collar trunnions

22 and 23 mounted on the outside facesof said side links as by welding. Obviously, said collar trunnionsrnay be mounted on 2 meanscomprising saddle means on an excavating bucket for hookedly .receivingyfrom: above, a complementary yoke Other specific features and many of .the attendant adaccompanying drawingsin which like reference numerals the FIGS. thereof and vantages of thisinventio'n will be readily'appreciated as the a same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the said pin as'an enlargement or journal thereof, in lieu of being 'mo'untedon saidlinks. In the alternative. said pin may be of a larger more suitable diameter.

' I Yoke pin 18, parallel to yoke pin 17, islikewise extended to pivotally-engage the other ends of said

side links

19 and 21,

and further extended into and

throughcollar trunnions

24 and 25 mounted on the outside faces of said side links as by weldmay be of alarger more suitable diameter. V V

'I'riangular'cross-brace means 26' is welded across the side links 19 and 2l,'intennediate the ends thereof, to strengthen and provide rigidity to the yoke structure.

FIG. I .is a side elevation view of the present invention showing the dipper stickand attached. yoke poised above the yoke means in the saddle means;

- FIG. 2' is a side elevation view showing declined relative to the saddle, and the lower forward portion of the yoke being received in the forward hook portion of the saddle; J FIG. '3 is a side-elevation view-showing the horizontally disposed yoke fully seated in the saddle, fore and aft; r FIG. 4is a plan view of the bucket and saddle taken on line 4-4of'FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the bucket and saddle taken on line 5-5 of FIG. I;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section view of the yoke onthe dipper stick taken on line 6-6 of FIG; I, and showing a lock bar space related thereto;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation view of theyoke FIG. 8 is a plan view taken on line of FIG. 3, and showing the inclusion of the lock barsecuring'the yoke to the sad- H i FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section view taken on line 99 of several views, there is shown inFIG. I a dipper stick '10 of an excavating machine'such as a back hoe, not shown. While the present invention is applicable to excavating machines of the v bucket type generally, the following describes its application the yoke disposed bucket and saddle thereon in readinessfor the seating of the To engageably receive said frame or yoke I6, there is pro vided, on thetop plate 27 of associated excavating bucket 28, a twin'saddle means generally indicated at'29;

Said saddle means comprises a pair of upstanding parallel runner or saddle shaped elements 31 and 32 secured to the top plate 27 of bucket 28 as by welding. Said saddle elements are substantially identical in size and shape and are oppositely disposed and 'spaced to receive the

side plates

19 and 21 of yoke 16, nested adjacently therebetween in a working fit.

Said runners or .saddle 3 elements. comprise elongatedv horizontal barlike

central body portions

33 and 34, see FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, having upwardly bent-back, hooked or recurved

head end portions

35 and 36 as extensions of said barlike central body portions, to snugly receive and seat said journals or

collar trunnions

22 and 23 in said book ends or cradles respectively. Said recurvate portions are recurved 180 and provided with

small tangent extensions

37 and 38, respectively.

The other ends of said barlike body portions terminate in

upstanding tail portions

39 and 41, see FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, hav-- respectively. Said'upwardly curved seats also serve as abutto a back hoe in particular, Pivotallymounted on the front face of said dipper stick is a reciprocable bucket tilt ram means ll. Spacer link me ans I2 is pivotally connected to the free end of said hydraulic ram means II by pin 13, and to the dipper stick by pin I4. I

ments to resist any thrust or lateral pressure thereagainst by said

collar trunnions

24 and 25.

' Said runner or saddle elements are disposed, on the top of thebucket, symmetrically-about thelongitudinal centerline, front to back, of the bucket; the rccurve'd portions of said saddle elements being disposed at thefront or open face of the bucket.

Reinforcing

plates

46 and 47, see FIGS 4 and 5, are welded to the outer faces of

saddle elements

33 and 34 to strengthen the

book ends

35 and 36, respectively.

Said reinforcing plates are further buttressed by means of

gusset brackets

48 and 49, and 51 and 52, at the outer faces of said plates, respectively, and secured to the top of said bucket and to said reinforcing plates as by welding.

A lock bar, generally indicated at 53, see FIGS. 9 and 10, is provided to link, lock, or join the yoke to the saddle means and thereby couple the bucket to the dipper stick.

Said lock bar is slightly wedge shaped, as by inclined surface 54, and is seatably received, sidewise or laterally, see FlGS. l and 4, in corresponding and oppositely disposed

slots

55 and 56 in the tail end edge portions of

saddle elements

33 and 34, respectively, said slots being laterally aligned and in registry when the yoke is fully seated in the saddle means as hereinafter described.

Said lock bar is provided with a central bore 59 to receive a threaded stud 61 fixed to a crossbar 62 welded across yoke side links 19 and 21 forwardly of said slots. The lock bar is drawn seated tightly in said slots by means of nut 63 threadedly engaged with said stud.

Operation:

Assuming that an operator desires to disconnect a bucket from the excavating machine, he rests the bucket on the ground and may support it in an upright position, such as shown in FIG. 3, by means of blocks or the like. He then manually backs off the nut 63 from stud 61 and laterally withdraws the lock bar 53 from

slots

55, 56, and 57, 58. This unlocks the yoke from the saddle means.

The operator then mounts the machine and returns to his operating station at the machine controls.

He then manipulates the controls to actuate ram 11 upwardly, which through connecting link communicates an upward rotative motion to yoke 16, said yoke pivoting about pin 17. Such movement unseats

collar trunnions

24 and 25 from corresponding

arcuate seats

42 and 43, respectively, and otherwise raises such trunnions sufficiently to clear the tail end portions of the saddle elements, as shown in FIG. 2.

The operator then manipulates the controls to actuate the dipper stick to withdraw the journals or

collar trunnions

22 and 23 sidewise or laterally out of engagement with cradle or hook

elements

36 and 35, respectively, and further lifts the yoke upwardly to fully disengage the yoke from the saddle means and dispose it free and clear above the saddle means as shown in FIG. 1.

To couple a bucket to the excavating machine, the above operative steps are reversed. That is, assuming the dipper stick and yoke are poised above the bucket and saddle means thereon, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator then manipulates the controls to actuate ram 11 to pivot the yoke angularly upwardly and then lowers the dipper stick and moves the journals or collar trunions 22 and 23 sidewise or laterally into seating engagement with saddle hook elements or craddles 36 and 35, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2.

The operator then manipulates the controls to actuate the ram downwardly which causes

collar trunnions

24 and 25 to seat on corresponding

arcuate seats

42 and 43, respectively. In the event such trunnions initially engage the

tangent extensions

44 and 45, such engagement and downward movement tends to force and cam the collar trunnions 22 and 23 positively into their associated

hook elements

36 and 35, respectively, and guide trunnions 24 and 25 into their associated seats.

The lock bar 53 is then manually inserted onto stud 61, and advanced laterally into aligned and registered

slots

55, 56 and 57, 58 and drawn tightly therein by means of nut 63, thereby coupling and locking the bucket on the dipper stick.

Among the novel features of this invention is the provision of a coupler means for quick-connecting a bucket to a dipper stick of an excavating machine said coupler comprising a frame or yoke means on said dipper stick directly superimposable and seatable from above on saddle means mounted on said bucket, said yoke and saddle means being locked together by a lock bar operatively movable sidewise and laterally of said coupler means.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

lclaim:

1. In a backhoe excavating machine having-a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said coupling means comprising:

a. a first yoke pin mounted on and disposed transversely across the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first yoke pin extending beyond the side faces of said dipper stick;

b. side links pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin exten sions, respectively, said side links being spaced from the ends of said first yoke pin thereby defining first pin free end portions, and said side links being normally disposed substantially at right angle to said dipper stick and extending forwardly thereof;

. first collar trunions on said first pin free end portions,

respectively;

d. means for fixing said first collar trunnions on the adjacent faces of said side links, respectively;

a second yoke pin mounted on and across the free end portions of said side links, said second yoke pin being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin, and said second yoke pin extending beyond the side faces of said side links thereby defining second pin free end portions;

f. second collar trunions on said second pin free end portions, respectively;

g. means for fixing said second collar trunions on the adjacent faces of said side links, respectively;

h. first oppositely disposed slots in the end edge portions of said free end portions of said side links, respectively, for laterally receiving a lock bar;

i. cross-brace means for rigidly interconnecting said side links;

j. control link means pivotally mounted, at one end, on said second yoke pin, intermediate said side links, and extending normally upwardly and substantially parallel to said dipper stick;

k. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link being normally substantially at right angle to said dipper stick;

1. ram means on said dipper stick pivotally connected to said control link for actuating said control link;

in. a pair of similar spaced parallel saddle elements mounted longitudinally on the top side of said bucket, said saddle elements having barlike central body portions terminating at one end in upstanding oppositely disposed substantially 180 recurved hook ends to receive and snugly seat said first collar trunnions, respectively, said hook ends being disposed at the open end of the rearwardly facing bucket, and the other end of said barlike central body portions terminating in substantially upwardly curved seats to snugly receive said second collar trunnions, respectively, when said first collar trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends, said 90 curved seats being formed in upstanding tail portions extending from said barlike body portions, respectively, and said saddle elements being spaced apart a distance to receive said side links therebetween in a working fit;

n. second oppositely disposed slots in the end edge portions of said tail portions for laterally receiving a lock bar, said slots being disposed aligned with said first slots when said first and second collar trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends and 90 upwardly curved seats, respectiveo. a lock bar received in said first and second slots when said slots are operatively aligned; and

p. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

2. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said coupling means comprising:

a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said pin means extending outwardly of the sides of said dipper stick thereby defining first yoke trunnions;

b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said sidelink means being normally disposed substantially at right angle to said dipper stick;

c. first slot means in the free end edge portions of said side link means for receiving a lock bar sidewise therein;

d. second yoke pin means mounted on the free end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means, said second yoke pin means extending outwardly of the sides of said side link means thereby defining second yoke trunnions; v

e. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and normally extending upwardly therefrom;

f. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link means being disposed upwardly of said side link' means;

g. drive means connected to said control linkfor actuating said control link; l

h. saddle means mounted longitudinally on the top side of said bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one endin a pairof spaced upstanding oppositely disposed substantially, 180recurved hook ends for receiving and seating said first yoke trunnions, respectively, and the other end of said central body means terminating in a pair of spaced upstanding oppositely disposed substantially 90 upwardly curved seats to receive said second yoke trunnions, respectively, when said first yoke trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends, said 90 curved seats being formed in tail portions extending from said central body means;

i. second slot means in the end edge portions of said tail portions for receiving a lock bar sidewise therein, said second slot means being disposed aligned with said first slot means when said first and second yoke trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends and 90 curved seats,

respectively;

j. a lock bar received in said first and second slot means when said slot-means are operatively aligned; and

k. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

3. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke-means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: 7

a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first pin means having first journal means thereon;

b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said side link means being normally disposed sub.- stantially at right angle to said dipper stick;

c. first slot means in the free end edge portions of said side link means for receiving a lock bar therein;

. second yoke pin means mounted on the free end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means, said second yoke pin means having second journal means thereon;

e. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and nonnally extending upwardly therefrom;

spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick,

said spacer link being-disposed upwardly of said side link means; 1

g. drive means for actuating said control link;

h.saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one end in upstanding hook means for receiving and snugly seating said first journal means, said hook means being recurved between and and the other end of said central body meanstermin ating in an upwardly operatively seated in said hook means and curved seat,

respectively;

. j. a lock bar received in said first and second slot means 'when said slots are aligned; and I k. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

4. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket. and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top of said bucket, said coupling means comprising:

a. a first; yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said .dipper stick, said first pin means having journal means thereon;

b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said side link means normally extending substantially laterally of said dipper stick;

c. first slot means in the free end portions of said sidelink means for receiving a lock bar therein;

d. second yoke pin means mounted on the free end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means;

e. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and normally extending upwardly one end in upstanding recurved hook means for laterally receiving and snugly seating said journal, and the other end portion of said central body means having seat means to receive and seat said second yoke pin means when said journal means is operatively seated in said hook means said seat means including abutment means engageable with said second yoke pin means to resist lateral pressure by said second yoke pin means;

i. second slot means in the end portion of said other end of said central body means, said second slot means being disposed aligned with said first slot means when said journal and second yoke pin means are operatively seated in said hook means and on said central body means, respectively;

j. a lock bar received in said first and second slot means when said slots are aligned; and

k. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

5; In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top of said bucket, said coupling means comprising:

a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first pin means having journal means thereon;

f. drive means for actuating said control link;

g. saddle means mounted on the top side ofsaid bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one end in upstanding recurved hook means, for receiving and snugly seating said j ournal means, and the other end portion of said central body means having seat means to receive said second yoke pin means when said journal means is operatively seated in "said hook means; and

h. means for rigidly connecting said side link means and saddle means when said journal means and second yoke pin means are operatively seated insaid hook means and on said seat means, respectively.

Claims

1. In a backhoe excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: a. a first yoke pin mounted on and disposed transversely across the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first yoke pin extending beyond the side faces of said dipper stick; b. side links pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin extensions, respectively, said side links being spaced from the ends of said first yoke pin thereby defining first pin free end portions, and said side links being normally disposed substantially at right angle to said dipper stick and extending forwardly thereof; c. first collar trunions on said first pin free end portions, respectively; d. means for fixing said first collar trunnions on the adjacent faces of said side links, respectively; e. a second yoke pin mounted on and across the free end portions of said side links, said second yoke pin being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin, and said second yoke pin extending beyond the side faces of said side links thereby defining second pin free end portions; f. second collar trunions on said second pin free end portions, respectively; g. means for fixing said second collar trunions on the adjacent faces of said side links, respectively; h. first oppositely disposed slots in the end edge portions of said free end portions of said side links, respectively, for laterally receiving a lock bar; i. cross-brace means for rigidly interconnecting said side links; j. control link means pivotally mounted, at one end, on said second yoke pin, intermediate said side links, and extending normally upwardly and substantially parallel to said dipper stick; k. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link being normally substantially at right angle to said dipper stick; l. ram means on said dipper stick pivotally connected to said control link for actuating said control link; m. a pair of similar spaced parallel saddle elements mounted longitudinally on the top side of said bucket, said saddle elements having barlike central body portions terminating at one end in upstanding oppositely disposed substantially 180* recurved hook ends to receive and snugly seat said first collar trunnions, respectively, said hook ends being disposed at the open end of the rearwardly facing bucket, and the other end of said barlike central body portions terminating in substantially 90* upwardly curved seats to snugly receive said second collar trunnions, respectively, when said first collar trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends, said 90* curved seats beinG formed in upstanding tail portions extending from said barlike body portions, respectively, and said saddle elements being spaced apart a distance to receive said side links therebetween in a working fit; n. second oppositely disposed slots in the end edge portions of said tail portions for laterally receiving a lock bar, said slots being disposed aligned with said first slots when said first and second collar trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends and 90* upwardly curved seats, respectively; o. a lock bar received in said first and second slots when said slots are operatively aligned; and p. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

2. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said pin means extending outwardly of the sides of said dipper stick thereby defining first yoke trunnions; b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said side link means being normally disposed substantially at right angle to said dipper stick; c. first slot means in the free end edge portions of said side link means for receiving a lock bar sidewise therein; d. second yoke pin means mounted on the free end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means, said second yoke pin means extending outwardly of the sides of said side link means thereby defining second yoke trunnions; e. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and normally extending upwardly therefrom; f. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link means being disposed upwardly of said side link means; g. drive means connected to said control link for actuating said control link; h. saddle means mounted longitudinally on the top side of said bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one end in a pair of spaced upstanding oppositely disposed substantially 180* recurved hook ends for receiving and seating said first yoke trunnions, respectively, and the other end of said central body means terminating in a pair of spaced upstanding oppositely disposed substantially 90* upwardly curved seats to receive said second yoke trunnions, respectively, when said first yoke trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends, said 90* curved seats being formed in tail portions extending from said central body means; i. second slot means in the end edge portions of said tail portions for receiving a lock bar sidewise therein, said second slot means being disposed aligned with said first slot means when said first and second yoke trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends and 90* curved seats, respectively; j. a lock bar received in said first and second slot means when said slot means are operatively aligned; and k. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

3. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first pin means having first journal means thereon; b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said side link means being normally disposed substantially at right angle to said dipper stIck; c. first slot means in the free end edge portions of said side link means for receiving a lock bar therein; d. second yoke pin means mounted on the free end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means, said second yoke pin means having second journal means thereon; e. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and normally extending upwardly therefrom; f. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link being disposed upwardly of said side link means; g. drive means for actuating said control link; h. saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one end in upstanding hook means for receiving and snugly seating said first journal means, said hook means being recurved between 90* and 180*, and the other end of said central body means terminating in an upwardly curved seat for snugly receiving said second journal means when said first journal means is operatively seated in said hook means, said curved seat being formed in a tail portion extending from said central body means; i. second slot means in the end edge portion of said tail portion for receiving a lock bar sidewise therein, said second slot means being disposed aligned with said first slot means when said first and second journal means are operatively seated in said hook means and curved seat, respectively; j. a lock bar received in said first and second slot means when said slots are aligned; and k. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

4. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first pin means having journal means thereon; b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said side link means normally extending substantially laterally of said dipper stick; c. first slot means in the free end portions of said side link means for receiving a lock bar therein; d. second yoke pin means mounted on the free end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means; e. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and normally extending upwardly therefrom; f. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link being disposed upwardly of said side link means; g. drive means for actuating said control link; h. saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one end in upstanding recurved hook means for laterally receiving and snugly seating said journal, and the other end portion of said central body means having seat means to receive and seat said second yoke pin means when said journal means is operatively seated in said hook means said seat means including abutment means engageable with said second yoke pin means to resist lateral pressure by said second yoke pin means; i. second slot means in the end portion of said other end of said central body means, said second slot means being disposed aligned with said first slot means when said journal and second yoke pin means are operatively seated in said hook means and on said central body means, respectively; j. a lock bar received in said first and second slot means when said slots are aligned; and k. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.

5. In an excavating machine having a dipper stick, a buckeT, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: a. a first yoke pin means mounted on and disposed laterally of the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first pin means having journal means thereon; b. side link means pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin means, said side link means normally extending substantially laterally of said dipper stick; c. second yoke pin means mounted on the end portion of said side link means and being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin means; d. control link means pivotally mounted on said second yoke pin means and normally extending upwardly therefrom; e. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link being disposed upwardly of said side link means; f. drive means for actuating said control link; g. saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said saddle means having central body means terminating at one end in upstanding recurved hook means, for receiving and snugly seating said journal means, and the other end portion of said central body means having seat means to receive said second yoke pin means when said journal means is operatively seated in said hook means; and h. means for rigidly connecting said side link means and saddle means when said journal means and second yoke pin means are operatively seated in said hook means and on said seat means, respectively.