WO2010103557A1

WO2010103557A1 - Device for rapid connection between the arm of an operating machine having an arm, in particular the arm of an excavator, and an item of equipment removably associated therewith, in particular a bucket and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2010103557A1
Application number: PCT/IT2009/000579
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diego Azzolin; Guido Azzolin
Original assignee: Meccanica Breganzese S.P.A. In Breve Mb S.P.A.
Priority date: 2009-03-10
Filing date: 2009-12-24
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: ITPD20090042A1

Abstract

A device (1) for rapid connection between the arm (3) of an excavator and a bucket (2) comprises rapid-coupling means (10, 11) and counter-means (24, 25) which are to be positioned on the arm (3) and on the bucket, respectively; the rapid-coupling means comprise first and second coupling elements (10, 11) having variable interaxial spacing; the counter-means comprising first and second coupling counter-elements (24, 25) arranged in such a manner that the first and second coupling elements (10, 11) can be fitted to the respective first and second counter-elements (24, 25) when the interaxial spacing between the said elements is at a minimum and can be received and held in the respective counter-elements when the interaxial spacing between the said elements is at a maximum; wherein the first and second coupling elements (10, 11) are pins (13, 14).

Description

DEVICE FOR RAPID CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ARM OF AN OPERATING MACHINE HAVING AN ARM, IN PARTICULAR THE ARM OF AN EXCAVATOR, AND AN ITEM OF EQUIPMENT REMOVABLY ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, IN PARTICULAR A BUCKET AND THE LIKE. Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for rapid connection between the arm of an operating machine having an arm, in particular the arm of an excavator, and an item of equipment removably associated therewith, in particular a bucket and the like. Technological background

The possibility of rapidly coupling and likewise rapidly uncoupling an item of equipment, such as a bucket, with respect to the operating arm of an excavator permits substantial advantages both in terms of the time saved in equipping the operating machine and in terms of safety for the operator who can normally carry out that operation while remaining at a distance from the item of equipment. Both of those reasons, and others too, have promoted the development of novel devices for rapid connection in the above-mentioned sector. Examples of those devices are described in EP438931, US 4787811, EP1039040, WO99/06317, JP08013535, US2005/169703 and WO2004/065699.

Although those devices in most cases fulfil the function for which they are intended, they can nevertheless be improved both on a functional level and on a structural level. For example, EP1039040 proposes a rapid-connection device in which, at the end of the operating arm of the excavator and of the associated linkage, there are pivoted, by means of a respective pin which is that normally used to secure the bucket there, two further arms which are articulated to each other at a common end and which have respective hook-shaped portions at the opposite end in order to engage another two respective pins mounted on a support which is in turn fastened to the removable item of equipment (bucket). Among other things, this results in a lengthening of the arm, which may impair the correct operation (including the permissible load at maximum reach) of the operating machine. The proposed solution also has a detrimental effect on the precision of the execution and/or perception of the movements of the item of equipment on the part of the operator, which are modified by the further reach as the movement of a spoon would be if, instead of being grasped with the hand, it is gripped with pincers. The item of equipment is also burdened by a detrimental additional mass and it is relatively complex to use. The coupling operation between the item of equipment and the arm is adversely affected by the fact that, when the cavities of the connecting device are presented to the pins on the item of equipment, if they are not perfectly aligned, coupling is not possible given that the operation of the coupling mechanism is manual and cannot correct any misalignment owing to the mass of the item of equipment to be coupled (normally a few tonnes).

WO2004/065699 also relates to a rapid-coupling device in which, however, only one pin is involved in the coupling between the bucket and the arm of the operating machine, the remaining coupling being delegated to a pair of elements 13 which are pushed along by a screw mechanism inside suitable slots 8.

That method of effecting rapid coupling makes it necessary to have a structural reinforcement (the plate 17 which rests on the structure of the attachment) because, otherwise, some forces transmitted by the machine during operational activity would have to be borne by the elements 13 alone (which, given the dimensions thereof, would not be possible), and this results in an expensive and heavy structure; from a functional point of view, in order for the coupling to take place correctly, there must be a perfect fit between the elements 13 and the slots 8 with the obvious disadvantage that even the presence of a simple pebble in the area on which the plate 17 rests, may render the completion of the coupling operation problematic, if not impossible. Description of the invention The principal task of the invention is to improve the structure and functionality of those devices, while at the same time increasing the safety thereof. In the context of that task, an object of the invention is to provide a device for rapid connection which has a simple, light and efficient structure. That task, with that and other objects, are achieved by the invention by means of a rapid-connection device produced in accordance with the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment thereof illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a front axonometric view of a rapid connection according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a rear axonometric view of a detail of Figure 1; - Figures 3 and 4 are two respective axonometric views, from the front and rear, respectively, of the rapid connection of Figure 1, in a different operating configuration thereof. Preferred embodiment of the invention In the Figures, 1 generally indicates a rapid-connection device according to the present invention which is for the releasable coupling of an item of equipment, such as a grab bucket 2 (a crusher bucket in the embodiment), to the arm 3 of an operating machine, such as an excavator (not shown). The invention can equally be adapted to other operating machines and other items of equipment, for example the front grab of a power loader. Conventionally, the excavator arm 3 comprises, in a manner known per se, a rod 3a, terminated by a first pivot seat 4, and an assembly of levers 5 which in turn have a second pivot seat 6 and which are articulated to each other and to the rod 3a in a manner known per se and are operated by a hydraulic jack 7. According to the prior art, the pivot seats 4 and 6 are arranged to receive respective pins with which the bucket is traditionally connected to the arm 3.

According to the present invention, the coupling between the bucket and the arm is instead effected by means of rapid-coupling means and counter- means which are to be positioned on the arm and on the bucket, respectively. The rapid-coupling means placed on the arm comprise first and second coupling elements 10, 11 having variable interaxial spacing which are mounted on a support 12 produced in such a manner as to be able to vary the interaxial spacing between the elements 10 and 11 from a minimum distance to a maximum distance as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

The coupling elements comprise two pins 13, 14, having parallel and spaced axes, which are to be secured to the arm by insertion into the respective seats 4 and 6. Respective bushes 15, which are flanged at one end, are fitted on the pins 13, 14.

The support 12 comprises two pairs of arms 16, 17 which are articulated to each other at a common end and carry at the opposite end a respective end of the pins 13, 14, which is secured in a non-rotatable manner by means of screw and bolt couplings, gudgeon pins or equivalent means. It will be observed that the bushes 15 are flanged on the side remote from the arm adjacent thereto.

It will also be observed that the arms of each pair each comprise a pair of holes 20, 21 arranged in corresponding positions, a first hole 20 for an articulation pin 22 and the second hole 21 for a locking pin 23. The holes 20, 21 are spaced from each other in such a manner that, when both of the pins are inserted in position, the arms of each pair are locked with respect to each other in a condition of maximum interaxial spacing of the pins 13, 14 and respective bushes 15. The rapid-coupling counter-means are formed from first and second coupling counter-elements in the form of respective hooks 24, 25 having facing concavities but having ends 26 bent in the shape of a hook at opposite sides.

Two respective pairs of hooks 24, 25 are provided, each pair being fixedly joined to a respective plate 27a, b. Those plates can be fastened, in a parallel and mutually spaced relationship, to a connecting plate 28 which is in turn secured, for example bolted, to the item of equipment 2, or they can be secured directly to the item of equipment itself.

The hooks 24, 25 of each plate are thus arranged in such a manner that the bushes 15 of the first and second coupling elements can be fitted there when the interaxial spacing between those elements is at a minimum and can be received and held in the respective counter-elements when the interaxial spacing between those elements is at a maximum. When the locking pins 23 are removed from the respective holes 21, the arms of each pair are free to be pivoted with respect to each other owing to a retraction of the rod of the jack 7 in the condition of minimum interaxial spacing between the bushes 15. Thus, the rapid-connection means and counter-means can be arranged for mutual coupling by aligning them in such a manner that the bushes 15 of the pins 13, 14 can be caused to face the opening of the hooks 24, 25. By now operating the jack 7 in such a manner as to extract its rod, there results a rotation of the arms of each pair with the insertion of the bushes 15 into the respective hooks 24, 25 until a condition of maximum interaxial spacing between the pins 13, 14 is reached in which the holes 21 are aligned for the insertion of the locking pin 23. Once that pin has been inserted, the arms are locked relative to each other with complete coupling of the bucket 2 to the arm 3 of the operating machine. Any other operation of the jack 7 therefore produces a consequent normal operation of the bucket 2.

This rapid-coupling system appreciably improves the conditions of coupling and use of items of equipment known today, for various reasons.

In the first place, there is an improved practicality of use; the device is very simple and can be used intuitively, permitting easy coupling of the item of equipment in the extended position of the jack and just as easy uncoupling thereof in the retracted position. Great advantage is derived from the light weight of the device, which is the result of the reduced number of components and the moderate dimensions thereof.

The device is also readily adaptable to different items of equipment simply by replacing the bushes 15. The device can be operated in a simple manner, either by means of the hydraulic control means of the excavator or by means of other operating systems, for example of the type having electrical, mechanical or mechanical-manual control.

In addition, the rotation geometries of the items of equipment are not impaired, thus freeing the operator of any inconvenience owing to the absence of bulky members interposed between the arm and the item of equipment.

Finally, the device does not have servicing requirements because it is free from mechanisms which could be damaged by the conditions of use in difficult environments owing to the presence of dust, earth and other abrasive materials. Another advantage results from the capacity of the device to centre the item of equipment automatically, thus facilitating coupling between the two component parts thereof. The coupling of the item of equipment takes place by operating exclusively from the operating machine without the operator having to alight, except to lock the two articulated arms upon completion of the coupling operation.

Claims

1. Device (1) for rapid connection between the arm (3) of an operating machine having an arm, in particular the arm of an excavator, and an item of equipment (2) removably associated therewith, in particular a bucket and the like, comprising rapid-coupling means (10, 11) and counter-means (24, 25) which are to be positioned on the arm (3) and on the item of equipment, respectively, in which the rapid-coupling means comprise first and second coupling elements (10, 11) having variable interaxial spacing, the coupling elements (10, 11) being mounted on a support (12) which includes means for varying the interaxial spacing between the said elements from a minimum distance to a maximum distance, the counter-means comprising first and second coupling counter-elements (24, 25) arranged in such a manner that the first and second coupling elements (10, 11) can be fitted to the respective first and second counter-elements (24, 25) when the interaxial spacing between the said elements is at a minimum and can be received and held in the respective counter-elements when the interaxial spacing between the said elements is at a maximum, characterised in that the first and second coupling elements (10, 11) comprise a first and a second pin (13, 14), respectively, for pivoting the item of equipment on the arm (3), and the support (12) comprises at least one pair of arms (16, 17) at the distal ends of which the first and second pin (13, 14), respectively, are carried.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the arms (16, 17) of each pair are articulated to each other at a common end.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the support (12) comprises two pairs of the articulated arms (16, 17) and the pins (13, 14) extend between corresponding ends of the respective arms of the pairs of arms (16, 17).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling elements (10, 11) comprise respective bushes (15) fitted on the pins (13, 14).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the bushes (15) are flanged on the side remote from the adjacent arm of the pair of arms (16, 17).

6. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the means for varying the interaxial spacing between the said elements comprise an articulation pin (22) on the arms (16, 17) and a locking pin (23) spaced from the articulation pin (22).

7. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second coupling counter-elements comprise respective hooks (24, 25) having facing concavities.

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the hooks (24, 25) have opposing hooked ends (26).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first and second coupling counter-elements comprise two respective pairs of the hooks (24, 25), each pair being fixedly joined to a respective plate (27a, b), the plates being parallel and spaced and secured to a connecting plate (28) or to the item of equipment (2).