Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3622—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a locking element acting on a pin
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3627—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/364—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat using wedges
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/365—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3663—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat hydraulically-operated
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
  • Y10T403/59—Manually releaseable latch type
  • Y10T403/591—Manually releaseable latch type having operating mechanism

Definitions

• This invention relates to a locking mechanism for a quick coupler.
• Quick couplers for mounting an attachment e.g. a bucket
• an earth working machine such as an excavator
• hydraulically operate the quick coupler A potential danger with an hydraulically operable quick coupler is that in the event of hydraulic failure the quick coupler can fail to retain the attachment in a working position.
• the coupler can fail to hold the attachment at one of the mounting points with the result that the attachment can swing down from the coupler. The consequences of this can be injury to or death of someone in the vicinity of the attachment when the coupler fails.
• An object of the present invention is thus to provide a locking mechanism for a quick coupler whereby an attachment mounted by the quick coupler is retained in a working position on the coupler in the event of hydraulic failure or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
• a locking mechanism for a quick coupler including a movable locking element, biasing means adapted to bias the locking element to move in a first direction and an operator arranged to move the locking element against the bias of the biasing means, the locking element has engagement means which, when the locking element is moved by the biasing means in the first direction, is engagable with further engagement means coupled to a movable wedge element of a quick coupler to lock the wedge element from moving.
• a quick coupler that includes a movable wedge element, hydraulically operable operating means to move the movable element, a movable locking element, biasing means adapted to bias the locking element to move in a first direction and an operator arranged to restrain the locking element against movement in the first direction, the locking element has engagement means which, when the locking element is permitted to be moved by the biasing means in the first direction in the event of failure of hydraulic supply to the operating means, is engagable with the movable element to lock the movable element against movement.
• the biasing means is a mechanical biasing mechanism.
• the mechanical biasing mechanism is at least one spring.
• the operator is an hydraulically operated linear actuator.
• the operator is operated by hydraulic pressure that from the hydraulic pressure source of the operating means for the wedge element.
• the engagement means and further engagement means are both formed by a plurality of teeth that are arranged to intermesh.
• Preferably movement of the locking element creates a compressive force that causes the teeth to positively mesh and remain meshed.
• a stop that is engagable with the locking element when the locking element is restrained by the operator to thereby create a clearance between the engagement means and further engagement means.
• the further engagement means are part of a catch component that is adapted to couple to the movable element.
• the locking element is movably coupled to a drive component.
• the locking element and drive component have inter-engaging drive faces adapted translate movement of the locking element by the biasing means into a lateral movement of the locking element.
• the locking element and drive component further include slidingly engaged rails and guides.
• coupler there is a plurality of locking mechanisms.
• Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation view in section of an hydraulic quick coupler incorporating a first embodiment of a locking mechanism in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and illustrates the locking mechanism of Fig.1 when the wedge element of the quick coupler is moved to a wedging position
• Fig. 3 is a detail view of the juxtaposition of the teeth as shown in Fig. 2,
• Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 when the quick coupler wedge element is moved (retracted) to a non wedging position during normal hydraulic operation of the quick coupler
• Fig.5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the locking mechanism locking the wedge element upon an hydraulic failure occurring
• Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a coupler with a side removed to show the wedge and cylinder which incorporates a second embodiment of the locking mechanism
• Fig. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the wedge, cylinder with second embodiment of the locking mechanism as shown in Fig. 6,
• Fig. 8 is an assembled view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 with the wedge fully retracted
• Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 8 but with the wedge fully extended
• Fig.1 0 is a sectioned isometric partial view showing the locking mechanism components with the teeth fully apart (unlatched state), the section having been taken a quarter way down the mechanism,
• Fig. 1 1 is a view similar to Fig. 1 0 but with the teeth in a position where any backward movement of the catch 23 will result in inter-engagement of the teeth 1 9 and 20 to cause the locking mechanism to become engaged so that the latch 1 1 is no longer able to move forward again into the unlatched state unless the catch 23 also moves forward again,
• Fig. 1 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 1 but showing the latch 1 1 having moved backwards by the bias spring 1 3 and outwards by the angled faces 25 of the drive component 24 thereby having been moved into a latched state where the two sets of teeth 1 9 and 20 come into contact with one another,
• Fig.1 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 2 showing the teeth 1 9 and 20 fully engaged in the locked state
• Fig . 1 4 is an isometric sectioned view of components of the locking mechanism as shown in Figs. 1 0 to 1 3 but with the section having been taken at the level of the upper surface of the biasing spring 1 3,
• Fig . 1 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 4 but with the section taken below the biasing spring 1 3,
• Fig . 1 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 5 but with the latch 1 1 shown biased forward into the locked state
• Fig . 1 7 is an isometric view of the latch 1 1 and drive component 20 showing the latch in the unlatched state
• Fig . 1 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 7 but with the latch 1 1 in the engaged (locked) state
• Fig . 1 9 is a further sectioned view (taken at the level of Fig. 1 4) which shows the latch 1 1 moved forward by the biasing spring 1 3 into the engaged (locked) state and showing a clearance between a release actuator 26 of operator 1 2 and the latch 1 1 ,
• Fig . 20 is a view similar to Fig. 1 9 but with the release actuator 26 having been moved into contact with the latch 1 1 ,
• Fig . 2 1 is a view similar to Fig. 20 but with the release actuator 26 having moved the latch 1 1 backwards against the bias of the spring 1 3, and
• Fig . 22 is a further view similar to Fig. 21 but with the release actuator fully extended so as to have moved the latch 1 1 fully backwards into the unlatched state.
• the locking mechanism engages and locks the wedge tongue against movement immediately if there is a failure of hydraulic pressure to the quick coupler so that the wedge tongue is prevented from any movement that may result in release of the mounting point(s) of an attachment mounted by the quick coupler.
• Fig. 1 there is shown a known form of quick coupler A made by our company and a first embodiment of the locking mechanism 1 0 of the present invention when incorporated in the quick coupler.
• the quick coupler A is operated hydraulically by the hyd raulics of the machine to which the coupler is attached.
• the body B of the coupler has mounting points C whereby the coupler is attached to say the arm of an excavator (not shown).
• the body B has a hook shaped part D into which one of the mounting pins of an attachment (not shown) engages. Another mounting pin of the attachment locates in the recess E.
• An hydraulically powered wedge element or tongue F (hereinafter “wedge F") is extendible to capture the attachment mounting pin in the recess E whereby the attachment is coupled to the coupler A in its working position.
• the wedge F can retract which will enable release of the mounting pin from the recess E to occur. If the other pin in hook shaped part D is not retained in position the attachment can fall from the excavator arm. If the pin in the hook shaped part D is, however, retained (by say our I Lock device as described and claimed in our New Zealand patent specification 552294/546893) then the attachment will not fall completely off the coupler A but will swing down on the pin in hook shaped part D.
• the wedge F is part of an operating means formed by hydraulic cylinder G which controls the extension and retraction of the wedge F.
• hydraulic cylinder G which controls the extension and retraction of the wedge F.
• the locking mechanism 1 0 is integrated into the cylinder G/ wedge F interface, however, this is only one example of how the locking mechanism of the present invention may be incorporated into a quick coupler. A further embodiment will be described later with reference to Figs. 6 to 22.
• the locking mechanism 1 0 includes a locking element 1 1 (hereinafter "latch 1 1 "), an operator 1 2 preferably in the form of a linear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) and a mechanical biasing element 1 3 preferably in the form of e.g. a spring.
• the cylinder 1 2 is arranged to be operable by the machine hydraulics when the wedge F is retracted (see Figure 4).
• the mechanical biasing mechanism biases the latch 1 1 into movement in a first direction that is indicated by the letter X.
• the latch 1 1 is substantially wedge shaped. A surface of the latch 1 1 and a surface fixed in relation to the coupler body B form a sliding interface 1 4 that will hereinafter be described in more detail.
• the latch 1 1 has a fixed surface 1 6 against which the cylinder can act.
• a shoulder 1 5 provides the surface 1 6 with which the cylinder 1 2 is engagable.
• One end of the spring biasing element 1 3 is located in a pocket (bore) 1 7 in the latch 1 1 . The other end of spring 1 3 engages against a fixed surface 1 8.
• teeth or serrations 1 9 which are located opposite to, and are inter- engagable with, teeth or serrations 20 (hereinafter “teeth 20") that are coupled to the "wedge F of the coupler (see detail in Figure 3).
• the teeth 20 can be part of an element (as described in the second embodiment) that is attachable to some part of the wedge F or the wedge operating cylinder C.
• the connection of teeth 20 to the wedge F is achieved is not important to the invention the primary criteria being that the teeth 20 move with the wedge F.
• Fig. 3 shows the preferred configuration of the teeth sets 1 9 and 20. They can however, take different forms provided they achieve the functional parameters as will herein after become apparent.
• the teeth sets 1 9 and 20 are such that when the wedge F is moved (extended) into its operative wedging position the teeth 20 ride over the teeth 1 9 due to the contact angle.
• the detail drawing of Fig. 3 shows the teeth sets 1 9 and 20 when teeth 20 ride over the teeth 1 9.
• the latch 1 1 is free to move against the tension of spring 1 3 as the wedge F is extended so that the teeth 1 9 and 20 ride over one another so that the latch 1 1 does not inhibit the extension of the wedge F.
• the latch 1 1 comes into contact with a stop which conveniently is formed by surface 1 8.
• a clearance (indicated by the letter Z) is formed between the teeth 1 9 and 20. This ensures that the wedge F can freely retract (Figure 3).
• the locking mechanism 1 0 therefore locks the wedge F in its extended position and this locking effect is not lost upon an occurrence of hydraulic supply failure.
• teeth 1 9 and 20 may be relatively small which means backlash in the mechanism is very small and effectively creates infinitely variable locking positions. As a result the wedge F will be locked irrespective of what extended position the wedge F takes. Also the teeth 20 mesh across all or substantially all of teeth 1 9.
• Figs. 6 to 22 illustrate a second embodiment of the locking mechanism of the invention.
• One difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the second embodiment there are preferably (as shown) two locking mechanisms (one either side of the cylinder C and wedge F) rather than the single mechanism below the wedge F.
• Fig. 6 shows the coupler A but with one side plate component of the body B removed to reveal the hydraulic cylinder G and wedge F. It also shows the locking mechanism 1 0 but this is better seen in Fig. 7 and subsequent drawings.
• Fig 7 illustrates how the teeth/serrations 20 (hereinafter “teeth 20") are part of a catch plate component (“catch") 23 that is fastened by suitable mechanical fasteners to a rebated inner surface 27 of the leg 28 of a bifurcated section of the wedge F.
• a locking mechanism 1 0 associated with each leg 28 of the wedge F.
• a mounting recess 29 at each side of the cylinder C a drive component 24 and a latch 1 1 .
• latch 1 1 has teeth/serrations 1 9 (i.e. teeth 1 9).
• Fig. 7 also shows how there is a pair of operators 1 2 with associated actuators 26 mounted in either side of housing 30 so that each operator 1 2 can work on a respective latch 1 1 of the two locking mechanisms 1 0.
• Figs. 1 0 to 1 3 are sectioned views with the section level being substantially a quarter way down the cylinder G.
• Fig. 1 0 shows the locking mechanism components 1 1 , 23 and 24 with the teeth 1 9 and 20 fully apart (unlatched state). The clearance Z mentioned in the first embodiment is also shown.
• a large serrated part of the latch 1 1 meshes with the corresponding serrated part of the drive component 24 to form a series of drive faces 31 and 32 and stop faces 33 and 34 with a end stop face 1 8 (see Figs. 1 1 and 1 2) being formed by an end wall of the mounting recess 29.
• the bias spring 1 3 is located in pocket 1 7 in the latch 1 1 and this acts against stop face 34'.
• the controlled longitudinal and lateral movement of latch 1 1 by the drive component 24 is further enhanced by the drive component 24 having angled guide rails 35 and 36 that engage with guide slots 37 and 38 in the latch 1 1 ( see for example Figs. 14 to 1 6).
• These rails 35 and 36 align with the latch plate slots 37 and 38 and assist the release process when the release actuator 26 pushes on the back face 39 of the latch 1 1 .
• the slot face slides on the rail thereby pulling the latch 1 1 back in a controlled line with the drive faces 31 and 32 and bias spring 1 3.
• These also assist with a ratchet effect that occurs when the wedge F is extended, thereby ensuring that the movement of latch 1 1 is parallel and consistent between each of the sets of teeth 1 9 and 20.
• Figs. 1 7 and 1 8 show how the latch 1 1 can move from the "retracted” state (unlatched) of Fig. 1 7 to the "extended” state (engaged) of Fig. 1 8 and further shows the portion of latch 1 1 with slots 37 and their interaction with rails 35.
• Figs. 1 9 to 22 show a section taken at a level that shows the spring 1 3 in the pocket 1 7. These drawings also show how the actuator 26 of the operator 1 2 can engage with surface 39 of latch 1 1 and drive the latch 1 1 back into the unlatched state.
• the release actuator 26 has its own return spring 40 (see Fig. 7) which retracts the actuator 26 away from the latch 1 1 contact face 39 (Fig. 1 9) when its hydraulic pressure is released. This ensures that the bias spring 1 3 only has to effect the movement of latch 1 1 .
• Fig. 1 0 shows the latch 1 1 moved to its fully retracted (unlatched) position where the clearance Z allows the wedge F to be moved without any interference i.e. from teeth 1 9 and 20 making contact.
• Fig. 1 1 shows the teeth 1 9 and 20 in a position where any backward movement of the catch 23 will result in inter-engagement of the teeth 1 9 and 20 to thereby cause the locking mechanism 1 0 to become engaged so that the latch 1 1 is no longer able to move forward again into the unlatched state unless the catch 23 also moves forward again.
• Fig. 1 2 shows the latch 1 1 having moved backwards by the bias spring 1 3 and outwards by the angled faces 31 of the drive component 24 thereby having been moved into a latched state where the two sets of teeth 1 9 and 20 come into contact with one another.
• Fig. 1 3 shows the teeth 1 9 and 20 fully engaged in the locked state. Any movement of the catch 23 backwards causes the latch 1 1 to drive further back on the drive component 24 which locks the wedge F in place.
• latch 1 1 latch 1 1
• drive component 20 drive component 20
• catch 23 catch 23
• spring 1 3 being a bias mechanism.
• the drawings show their assembly configuration within the illustrated coupler, but could be varied in other sized couplers. These parts are designed as such to be serviceable parts, but could be integrated within the coupler in which they are assembled.
• a technical aspect of the invention is the relationship between angle of movement of the latch 1 1 on the drive component 24 and the angle of the sets of teeth 1 9 and 20.
• the latch 1 1 in the preferred form moves at an angle of 30 degrees while the teeth 1 9,20 angle is set at 45 degrees.
• the locking mechanism of the present invention is operable in the event of hydraulic failure to ensure an attachment mounted by the quick coupler is retained in a working position on the coupler.
• the coupler illustrated herein is only one type of coupler with which the locking mechanism can be used.
• the locking mechanism can be provided in retro fit kits to be fitted to couplers other that the type illustrated in the drawings and described herein.
• the release actuator does not need to be hydraulically operated.
• the invention is relevant to a hose-less hydraulic- less coupler and in such an arrangement, as well as a coupler of the type described herein, other means for releasing can be employed.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
• Shovels (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50934716

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2013
  • 2013-12-04 WO PCT/NZ2013/000219 patent/WO2014092584A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2013-12-04 KR KR1020157018180A patent/KR20150094691A/ko not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-12-04 JP JP2015547886A patent/JP2016500410A/ja active Pending
  • 2013-12-04 US US14/650,858 patent/US20150322646A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-12-04 EP EP13861826.9A patent/EP2931981A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-12-04 AU AU2013360409A patent/AU2013360409A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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