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A combination of an excavator and a tool which is coupled to an excavator boom.
The invention relates to a combination of an excavator and a tool which is coupled to an excavator boom, wherein said tool is provided with two coupling pins extending parallel to each other, and wherein a coupling element which is pivotally connected to the boom is provided with two coupling hooks which engage said coupling pins, and wherein one of said coupling hooks is movable in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of said coupling pins with respect to the other coupling hook, which occupies a fixed position relative to the other part of the coupling element.
Such a combination is known from European patent application No.0674053. With this known combination, the coupling hooks are open on their sides facing away from each other for receiving the coupling pins, and the movable coupling hook can be moved in a direction away from the fixed coupling hook for fixing the coupling hooks in position on the coupling pins, whilst the movable coupling hook must be moved in the direction of the fixed coupling hook for uncoupling the tool from the excavator.
As is shown in European patent application No. 0 674 053, tools in the form of excavator buckets are often provided, on their sides facing towards the coupling element, with a stiffening beam disposed between the coupling pins and extending in the path of movement of the movable coupling hook. Generally this implies that the coupling element must be adapted to fit the tools to be coupled up, which practically rules out the possibility of universal usage of the coupling element in combination with excavators of varying makes and/or capacity and with varying tools. It might be considered to design such a construction in such a manner that the open sides of the coupling hooks face each other. An ensuing drawback of this is, however, that it will be difficult, if not practically impossible, to couple the tool to the excavator, since there is a great danger that the coupling pin being accommodated in the first hook will move out of said hook again when the tool is being coupled to the one hook and the tool and the coupling element are subsequently pivoted relative to each other so as to effect a connection between the
coupling element and the second hook.
According to the invention, the two coupling hooks are open in the same direction, wherein the fixed coupling hook engages the side facing towards the movable coupling hook of the coupling pin that co-operates with the fixed coupling hook, and wherein the movable coupling hook engages the side facing away from the fixed coupling hook of the coupling pin which co-operates with the movable coupling hook, whilst a movable locking element is provided, which engages the side facing away from the fixed coupling hook of the coupling pin which co-operates with the fixed coupling hook.
When using the construction according to the invention, the coupling pin that co-operates with the fixed coupling hook will be retained between the fixed coupling hook and the locking element, whilst an effective clamping down of the tool on the coupling element can be effected by moving the movable coupling hook in the direction of the fixed coupling hook. With this construction, the movable coupling hook is not moved into the space between the two coupling pins of the tool upon being coupled and uncoupled, but to the side of the coupling pin which cooperates with the movable coupling hook that faces away from the coupling pin which co-operates with the fixed coupling hook. As a result of this, more space is available between the two coupling pins for receiving parts which form part of the tool. Furthermore, a setting cylinder for moving the movable hook with a relatively large stroke can readily be accommodated in the space which is available between the coupling hooks, so that it is possible to accommodate comparatively large variations in the centre-to- centre distance between the coupling pins on the tools. Accordingly, the coupling element can be used in a simple manner in combination with excavators of varying dimensions and/or of varying makes and/or with tools of varying makes having varying shapes and dimensions. Another important advantage of the construction according to the invention is the fact that no large reaction forces caused by forces being exerted on the tool will be exerted during operation on a setting cylinder or the like which is used for moving the movable coupling hook. Such forces are largely taken up by the locking element. It is noted that a combination of the above type is known from US patent No. 4.436.477, wherein the open ends of the coupling hooks extend approximately perpendicularly to each other, and wherein a
pivotable retaining element is provided near one of said coupling hooks. With this known construction it is not possible to effect an effective clamping down of the two coupling hooks on the coupling pins co-operating with the coupling hooks, since it will not be possible to effect a solid, immovable connection between the coupling element and the tool, especially once the construction exhibits some wear. Another drawback is the fact that the coupling element can only be used in combination with coupling pins which are spaced a fixed distance apart.
A combination of the above type is furthermore known from US patent No. 5.332.353, wherein the open ends of the coupling hooks are likewise arranged at an angle of 90° with respect to each other, and wherein a locking block is provided near one of the coupling hooks, which locking block is capable of pivoting movement about a pivot pin which crosses the coupling pin co-operating with the coupling hook in question perpendicularly.
Also with this construction there is a real danger that an effective clamping down of the coupling element on the tool cannot be effected, the more so because the pivotable locking element will substantially abut against the coupling pin co-operating with said locking element at the end of the locking element remote from the pivot pin of the locking element. Another drawback of this construction is the fact that the coupling pins of tools to be coupled to the coupling element must be spaced a fixed distance apart.
The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to the accompanying figures, which schematically show and embodiment of the construction according to the invention.
Figures 1 - 5 show one end of a boom with a coupling element coupled thereto, as well as a tool in the form of an excavator bucket during various stages of the coupling of the tool to the excavator boom.
Figure 6 shows the coupling element, partially in elevation and partially in sectional view, in a position in which the two coupling hooks are moved apart.
Figure 7 is a view of the coupling element which corresponds with Figure 6, wherein the coupling hooks are shown to have been moved together.
Figure 8 is a sectional view of Figure 7, along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of Figure 7, along line IX-IX in Figure 7. Figure 10 is a view of two coupling pins of a tool.
Figures 1 - 5 schematically show the end of a boom 1 of a usual excavator or similar device. A coupling element 3 is pivotally connected to the end of boom 1 by means of a pivot pin 2 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of boom 1. A coupling rod 5 is coupled to coupling element 3 by means of a pin 4 which extends parallel to pin 2. The end of coupling rod 5 remote from coupling element 3 is coupled to a further coupling rod 7 by means of a pin 6 which extends parallel to pins 2 and 4. The end of coupling rod 7 remote from pin 6 is coupled to boom 1 by means of a pin 8 which extends parallel to pin 6. Pin 6 can be engaged by a setting cylinder which is coupled to boom 1. Coupling element 3 can be pivoted about pin 2 with respect to boom 1 by means of said setting cylinder. Such manners of coupling coupling elements to the ends of a boom are generally known per se, as appears inter alia from the patent publications referred to above.
As appears more in particular from Figures 6-8, pivot pins 2 and 4 are accommodated in bushes 9, which are attached to mounting plates 10 extending parallel to each other. Said mounting plates 10 are attached to a baseplate 11 which extends perpendicularly to said mounting plates 10, which baseplate is strengthened by a stiffening beam 12 of V- shaped section which is provided between said mounting plates.
Two guide plates 13 extending parallel to each other are attached to the side of the baseplate 11 that faces away from mounting plates 10, whose ends facing away from baseplate 11 are thicker than the ends adjoining baseplate 11, in such a manner that sliding surfaces 14 extending parallel to the baseplate are formed on the facing sides of said guide plates. The connection between baseplate 11 and guide plates 13 is strengthened by means of gussets 13'.
As is shown in Figures 6 and 7, guide plates 13 are provided with projecting, hook-shaped parts which are integral with said guide plates 13, which parts are interconnected by means of connecting plates 16 extending between said hook-shaped parts, whereby said hook-
shaped parts form a coupling hook 15.
Present between guide plates 13 are two hitch plates 17 which extend parallel to each other, which hitch plates are provided with projecting, hook-shaped parts, which are interconnected by means of a connecting block 19 extending between hitch plates 17, and which together form a coupling hook 18. On the side remote from coupling hook 18, the ends of hitch plates 17 supported on the baseplate are interconnected by connecting strips 20 (Figure 6).
As is apparent in particular from Figure 8, the hitch plates 17 are furthermore provided on their sides facing away from each other with projecting ribs 21, which abut against sliding surfaces 14. As will be apparent in particular from Figures 6 and 7, the construction is thereby such that, seen in said figures, both the coupling hook 15 and the coupling hook 18 positioned thereunder are open at their upper sides. A pivot pin 22 is disposed in the upper ends of guide plates 13, some distance above the upper coupling hook 15. A locking element 25 comprising two arms 23 and 24 extending approximately perpendicularly to each other is capable of pivoting movement about said pivot pin 22. The end of the cylinder housing 27 of a setting cylinder 28 is coupled to the end of arm 24 remote from pivot pin 22, by means of a pivot pin 26 which extends parallel to pivot pin 22. The free end of a piston rod 29 of setting cylinder 28 is coupled to the lower ends of hitch plates 17 by means of a pivot pin 30 which extends parallel to pivot pin 26. As is furthermore apparent from Figures 6 and 7, a stop pin 31 is provided between the upper ends of guide plates 13, which stop pin limits pivoting movements of locking element 25 in the two end positions of said locking element which are shown in Figures 6 and 7.
A tool to be coupled, such as an excavator bucket 32 or the like, is usually provided with two coupling plates 33 extending parallel to each other, between which coupling plates coupling pins 34 extend (Figure 1) .
As is shown in Figure 1, boom 1 will be pivoted in the direction of the tool 32 present on the ground or the like in order to couple said tool to boom 1, whilst movable coupling hook 18 has been moved in a direction away from fixed coupling hook 15.
The fixed coupling hook is then hooked behind the upper coupling pin 34, as is shown in Figure 2, after which the tool can be lifted by means of boom 1. Coupling element 3 can then be pivoted further in the direction of tool 32, in the direction indicated by arrow A, as is shown in Figure 2, whereby the movable coupling hook 18 will be positioned under the other coupling pin 34 at some point, as is shown in Figure 3. After this, setting cylinder 28 can be put into operation for moving the movable coupling hook in the direction of the fixed coupling hook (arrow B). When the setting cylinder 28 provided between locking element 25 and movable hook 18 is put into operation, setting cylinder 28 will first cause locking element 25 to pivot about pivot pin 22, however, since pivoting of locking element 25 will require less force than movement of movable coupling hook 18, especially if the movable coupling hook 18 comes to abut against the coupling pin 34 that co-operates therewith.
As a result of said pivoting of locking element 25, the free end of arm 23 of locking element 25 will be positioned above the coupling pin 34 which is supported by fixed coupling hook 15, so that said coupling pin 34 will be retained between fixed coupling hook 15 and locking element 25. Since locking element 25 is locked against further pivoting movement by pin 31 in this position, the movable coupling hook 18 can now be drawn against the coupling pin 34 co-operating therewith by means of setting cylinder 28, in order to effect a solid clamping down of coupling element 3 on the two coupling pins 24 of the tool. It will be apparent that the uncoupling of the tool can be effected by moving the movable coupling hook 18 in a direction away from the fixed coupling hook 15 again by means of double-acting setting cylinder 28.
The baseplate 11 with the guide plates 13 attached thereto and the parts of coupling element 3 accommodated between said guide plates, such as movable coupl ing hook 18, setting cyl inder 28 and the 1 ike, can be used as standard for practically all excavators and tools to be coupled thereto and be manufactured and assembled for stock.
The shape of mounting plates 10 can be adapted to the type of excavator in combination with which the coupling element 3 will be used, whereby also the spacing between said mounting plates 10 can be adapted to the respective type of excavator when said mounting plates are
being attached to baseplate 11.
The width of the two coupling hooks, that is, the spacing between the outer sides of the hook-shaped parts of plates 13 and
17 forming coupling hooks 15 and 18, respectively, is fixed and generally it will not correspond with the length of the parts of the coupling pins
34 which are present between the coupling plates 33 of the tool.
As is shown in Figure 10, coupl ing pins 34 of different tools can easily be adapted to the width of the coupling hooks 15 and 18 and to the cavity of the recesses in said coupling hooks by fitting bushes 35 over said coupling pins 34, which bushes are provided with projecting flanges 36 at their ends. The external diameter of such bushes 35 may be adapted to the cavities in coupling hooks 15 and 18, respectively, whilst the spacing between the facing sides of flanges 36 may be adapted to the widths of coupling hooks 15 and 18, respectively. It will be apparent that thus a coupling element has been obtained which can be suitably adapted in a simple manner for coupling a tool to an excavator or similar device of a particular type and/or make, whilst on the other hand the various tools can easily be adapted to the construction of the coupling hooks 15 and 18 by fitting suitable bushes over the coupling pins of said tools.
Although the invention has been explained on the basis of the coupling up of an excavator bucket, it will be apparent that the invention can also be used with other tools which are to be coupled up.