WO2017075213A1

WO2017075213A1 - Stick and coupler assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2017075213A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/059114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Troy C. Robl; Trent R. Stefek; Aaron D. Kovar
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
Priority date: 2015-10-29
Filing date: 2016-10-27
Publication date: 2017-05-04
Also published as: US20170121928A1

Abstract

An assembly for detachably connecting an implement to a boom of a machine is disclosed. The assembly may include a stick and a coupler. The stick may have a first end portion configured for pivotal connection to the boom. The stick may also have a second end portion narrower than the first end portion. The coupler may be configured for detachably connecting the implement to the second end portion of the stick.

Description

Description STICK AND COUPLER ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a stick and coupler assembly, and more particularly to an assembly that includes a stick and a coupler for detachably connecting an implement (e.g., bucket, etc.) to a boom of a machine (e.g., an excavator, a backhoe, etc.).

Background

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Excavators, backhoes, and other machines commonly have a movable linkage for controlling motion of an implement, such as a bucket, blade, hammer, grapple, fork arrangement, etc. A coupler may be used to increase the functionality and versatility of a machine by allowing different implements to be interchangeably connected to a stick or arm of the machine.

For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2014/0294497 discloses a coupler having a locking system. The coupler may be used for connecting an implement to a stick of a machine. Although existing couplers have worked well, the inventors hereof have recognized the possibility for improving existing stick and coupler assemblies.

Summary

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly for detachably connecting an implement to a boom of a machine. The assembly may include a stick and a coupler. The stick may have a first end portion configured for pivotal connection to the boom. The stick may also have a second end portion narrower than the first end portion along first and second sides of the stick. The coupler may be configured for detachably connecting the implement to the second end portion of the stick. The coupler may include first and second side plates. The first side plate may have a thickness about equal to a difference in a width of the second end portion and the first end portion along the first side. The second side plate may have a thickness about equal to a difference in a width of the second end portion and the first end portion along the second side.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a stick for connecting a pin grabber coupler with a boom of a machine. The stick may include an end portion configured for pivotal connection to the boom of the machine. The stick may also include a nose configured for connection with the pin grabber coupler. The nose may be narrower than the end portion along first and second sides of the stick thereby allowing a frame of the pin grabber coupler to be configured to define first and second face spreads for attaching the pin grabber coupler respectively to the nose and to an implement without any offset between the first and second face spreads.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a pin grabber coupler for detachably connecting an implement to a stick of a machine. The pin grabber coupler may include a frame defining first and second face spreads for attaching the pin grabber coupler respectively to a nose of the stick and to the implement without any offset between the first and second face spreads.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an excavator including a coupler and a stick according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and showing a bucket connected to the stick by the coupler;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the stick, coupler, and bucket shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stick shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the stick and the linkage shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the coupler shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the coupler shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the coupler shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 including a locking system; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the coupler shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Detailed Description

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an excavator 110

(broadly, a machine). The excavator 110 includes a boom 120, a stick or arm 124 pivotally connected to the boom 120, and a pin grabber coupler 140 (broadly, a coupler). As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a bucket 118 (broadly, an implement) is detachably connected to a nose or end portion 144 of the stick 124 via the coupler 140.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the stick 124 and coupler 140 being used with the excavator 110, the stick 124 and coupler 140 may be used with other mobile machines or fixed machines. For example, the stick 124 and coupler 140 may be used with other earth moving machines, such as a backhoe, etc. Similarly, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 shows the coupler 140 connecting the bucket 118 to the stick 124. The coupler 140 may also be used for connecting other implements to the stick 124, such as a blade, hammer, grapple, fork arrangement, other work tool attachments etc. Accordingly, the stick and coupler assemblies disclosed herein {e.g., stick 124 and coupler 140, etc.) should not be limited to use with any one particular type of machine or implement.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, hydraulic cylinders 122, 128, 130 are controllable via an operator station 116 of the excavator 110 to move the bucket 118. More specifically, the boom 120 is vertically pivotal relative to a frame 133 of the excavator 110 about a boom axis 121 by the pair of hydraulic cylinders 122. The stick 124 is vertically pivotal about a stick axis 126 by the hydraulic cylinder 128. The bucket 118 is vertically pivotal about an axis 132 by the hydraulic cylinder 130. The opposing ends of the hydraulic cylinder 130 are connected to the stick 124 and the linkage 131 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The linkage 131 is coupled to the stick 124 and the coupler 140 as also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stick 124 includes left and right opposing sides 134, 136 and openings 137, 139, 141 extending between the opposing sides 134, 136. The opening 137 is configured for receiving a pin for coupling the boom 120 to the stick 124 as shown in FIG. 1. The openings 139, 141 are configured for receiving pins for respectively coupling the linkage 131 and the coupler 140 to the stick 124 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The stick 124 includes a first end portion 142 configured for pivotal connection to the boom 120. The stick 124 also includes a second end portion or nose 144 narrower than the first end portion 142 along the first and second sides 134, 136 of the stick 124.

In this exemplary embodiment, the stick 124 includes first and second side (or shoulder or step) portions 146, 148 along the respective first and second sides 134, 136 of the stick 124 between the first and second end portions 142, 144. The first and second side portions 146, 148 are angled inwardly toward each other in a direction from the first end portion 142 towards the second end portion 144. Stated differently, each of the first and second side portions 146, 148 are angled inwardly relative to the respective first and second sides 134, 136 along the first end portion 142 at an angle less than or equal to ninety degrees. Accordingly, the width between the first side portion 146 and the second side portion 148 decreases in a direction from the first end portion 142 towards the second end portion 144 such that the stick 124 tapers or decreases in width from a first width to a second width, which is less than the first width. By way of example only, the first width may be about 309.6 millimeters (mm), and the second width may be about 249.6 mm. In this example, the stick 124 has about a 20% reduction in width and about a 30 mm reduction along each side. The dimensions provided herein are for purposes of illustration only. For example, other embodiments may include a stick that is sized differently with larger or smaller width dimensions.

The first and second widths of the stick 124 may be constant respectively before and after the taper or inwardly angled side portions 144, 146. For example, the first width may be constant along the stick 124 from the first end portion 142 until the taper or inwardly angled side portions 144, 146. The second width may be constant along the stick 124 from the taper or inwardly angled side portions 144, 146 to the nose or second end portion 144.

By way of example only, each of the first and second side portions 146, 148 may first angle, slant, or bend inwardly at an angle of about ten degrees relative to the corresponding first and second sides 134, 136. Then, each of the first and second side portions 146, 148 may extend linearly and then transition (e.g., angle, slant, or bend outwardly at about ten degrees, etc.) into the corresponding first and second sides 134, 136 along the second end portion 144 of the stick 124. Alternatively, the first and second side portions 146, 148 may be configured differently for providing the stick 124 with the narrower nose or end portion 144. For example, the first and second side portions 146, 148 may be angled, slanted, sloped, or bent at an angle greater than or less than ten degrees depending, for example, on space constraints and dimensions of the stick 124. Or, for example, the first and second side portions 146, 148 may be configured as steps or stepdown portions perpendicular to the corresponding sides 134, 136 of the stick 124. As yet another example, the stick 124 may include plates for achieving the change in width.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the coupler 140 includes a frame 160 having first and second side plates 162, 164 interconnected and supported by cross plates or braces 190 (FIG. 6) and 192 (FIG. 7). In this exemplary embodiment, the frame 160 of the coupler 140 includes only a single side plate 162 along one side and only a single side plate 164 along the other side. The side plates 162, 164 may respectively define or reside in a single plane along each side of the coupler 140.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the side plates 162, 164 respectively define a first pair of aligned openings 174, 176 and a second pair of aligned openings 178, 180. The first pair of aligned openings 174, 176 are configured to align with the opening 141 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the stick 124 for receiving a pin therethrough for coupling the coupler 140 to the stick 124 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The second pair of aligned openings 178, 180 (FIG. 6) are configured for receiving a pin for coupling the linkage 131 to the coupler 140 as also shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Collars or bosses 175 may be disposed along the outer surfaces of the side plates 162, 164 for providing or defining bearing surfaces. Pins may pass through the openings and be retained in the collars or bosses 175. Locking pins may be inserted through openings 198 (FIG. 9) in the collars or bosses 175 and corresponding slots within the pins to secure or lock the pins in place. In this illustrated embodiment, the collars or bosses 175 are circular. Alternatively, the collars or bosses 175 may be shaped differently, such as a non-circular shape for stress reduction, etc. In other exemplary embodiments, the coupler 140 may be used without any collars or bosses 175 along or on the outside of the side plates 162, 164.

A bottom portion of the coupler 140 is configured to detachably connect to the bucket 118 or other implement. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the coupler 140 includes recesses or notches 184, 188 {e.g., an open jaw, latch, hook, etc.) at opposite ends of the frame 160 that are configured for receiving corresponding pins of the bucket 118 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The coupler 140 may include a locking system 189 within the coupler frame 160 as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 6, a cover plate 193 may be positioned between the coupler's side plates 162, 164 over the locking system 189. The locking system 189 may be configured for moving a first latch 191 (FIG. 6) and a second latch 199 (FIG. 7) between unlatched and latched positions relative to the respective recesses 184, 188 and pins therein. In the latched positions, the first and second latches 191, 199 are operable for securing the pins of the bucket 118 within the recesses 184, 188, respectively.

In this exemplary embodiment, the frame 160 of the coupler 140 defines first and second face spreads 194, 195 (FIG. 8). The first face spread 194 may be used for attaching the coupler 140 to the nose 144 of the stick 124 via openings 174, 176 and to the linkage 131 via openings 178, 180. The second face spread 195 may be used for attaching the coupler 140 to the bucket 118 or other implement. The first and second face spreads 194, 195 may also be referred to as a machine interface and an attachment interface, respectively.

The first and second face spreads 194, 195 are defined generally between the first and second plates 162, 164 without any offset between the first and second face spreads 194, 195. The width of the first and second face spreads 194, 195 as defined between the first and second side plates 162, 164 may be the same. By way of example only, the width defined between the first and second side plates 162, 164 may fall within a range from about 151 mm to about 373 mm (e.g., 151 mm, 211 mm, 242 mm, 280 mm, 320 mm, 373 mm, etc.). The collars or bosses 175 may each have a width of about 40 or 45 mm, and the side plates 162, 164 may each have a width of about 30 mm. The overall width of the coupler 140 at the first face spread or machine interface 194 may fall within a range from about 291 mm to about 523 mm (e.g., 291 mm, 361 mm, 392 mm, 430 mm, 470 mm, 523 mm, etc.), which includes the width defined between the first and second side plates 162, 164, the width of each side plate 162, 164, and the width of two collars or bosses 175. The overall width of the coupler 140 at the second face spread or attachment interface 195 may fall within a range from about 211 mm to about 433 mm (e.g., 211 mm, 271 mm, 302 mm, 340 mm, 380 mm, 433 mm, etc.). The dimensions provided herein are for purposes of illustration only. For example, other embodiments may include a coupler that defines first and second face spreads having about the same width that is larger than 373 mm or smaller than 151 mm.

The first side plate 162 of the coupler 140 may have a thickness about equal to a difference in the width of the stick's second end portion or nose 144 and the first end portion 142 along the first side 134 of the stick 124. The second side plate 164 of the coupler 140 may have a thickness about equal to a difference in the width of the stick's second end portion or nose 144 and the first end portion 142 along the second side 136 of the stick 124. Accordingly, the outer surfaces of the coupler's side plates 162, 164 may thus be coplanar with respective outer side surfaces (e.g., along the stick's first end portion 142, etc.) of the stick 124 before the taper or inwardly extending side portions 146, 148.

The second end portion or nose 144 of the stick 124 may be narrower than the first end portion 142 by a predetermined amount on each of the first and second sides 134, 136. The first and second side plates 162, 164 of the coupler 140 may each have a thickness about equal to the predetermined amount such that there is no offset between the first face spread 194 and the second face spread 195. By way of example only, the predetermined amount may be about 30 mm, and each side plate 162, 164 may have a thickness of about 30 mm. Again, the dimensions provided herein are for purposes of illustration only as other embodiments may include side plates sized differently with larger or smaller thickness dimensions. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the predetermined amount and the thickness of the side plates may fall within a range from about 26 mm to about 30 mm.

As shown in FIG. 7, a lifting eye 197 may be secured to the plate 192 of the coupler 140. An article may be attached to the lifting eye 197 and lifted by the excavator 110.

Industrial Applicability

The industrial applicability of the stick 124 and coupler 140 disclosed herein will be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion. The stick 124 and coupler 140 of the present disclosure may be applicable to a variety of machines, such as excavators and backhoes. In use, the stick 124 and coupler 140 may allow different implements to be interchangeably connected to a machine, and thus provide the same functionality and versatility to the machine as a conventional stick and coupler assembly. But in one or more exemplary embodiments, the stick 124 and coupler 140 may have one or more (but not necessarily any or all) following features as compared to a conventional stick and coupler assembly, such as reduced weight, reduced coupler offset, reduced tip radius, and/or an improved coupler frame construction.

As disclosed herein, the end portion or nose 144 of the stick 124 is narrowed or tapers such that the width between the stick's first and second side portions 146, 148 decreases. By way of example only, the stick 124 may taper or decrease in width from a first width of 309.6 mm to a second width of 249.6 mm. In this example, the stick 124 may have about a 30 mm width reduction along each side, which may be about equal to the thickness of the coupler's side plates 162, 164. This, in turn, may allow the coupler frame 160 to be configured without any offset between the face spreads 194, 195 for attaching the coupler 140 to the stick 124 and the bucket 118 or other implement.

The coupler frame 160 may also have an improved construction with only a single plate 162 or 164 along each side of the coupler 140, which may thereby reduce the part count and weight of the coupler 140. By comparison, the frame of a conventional coupler may include multiple non-planar plates along each side, such as upper plate, a lower plate, and a spacer plate therebetween. The stick 124 and coupler 140 of the present disclosure may also allow for weight reductions (e.g., about 30 percent weight reduction, etc.). By way of example only, the stick 124 may have a weight of 610.1 kilograms (kg), and the coupler 140 may have a weight of 264.1 kg. The narrower nose 144 of the stick 124 may also be used with a linkage 131 that may be narrower and lighter than the bucket linkage used with a conventional stick. By way of example, the linkage 131 of the present disclosure may have a weight of 171.8 kg.

The coupler 140 may also allow for an offset reduction (e.g., about 10 percent, etc.). By way of example only, the coupler offset or distance as represented by the arrow 196 in FIG. 10 may be about 271 mm (e.g., 270.6 mm, etc.).

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well- known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that may be achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for purposes of illustration only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentioned advantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1 - 10, or 2 - 9, or 3 - 8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1 - 9, 1 - 8, 1 - 3, 1 - 2, 2 - 10, 2 - 8, 2 - 3, 3 - 10, and 3 - 9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," "includes," "having," "have," and "has" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The term "about" when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by "about" is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then "about" as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. For example, the terms "generally," "about," and "substantially," may be used herein to mean within manufacturing tolerances. Whether or not modified by the term "about," the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended or stated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An assembly for detachably connecting an implement (118) to a boom (120) of a machine (110), the assembly comprising:

a stick (124) having a first end portion (142) configured for pivotal connection to the boom, and a second end portion (144) narrower than the first end portion along first and second sides (134, 136) of the stick;

wherein the second end portion of the stick is configured for connection with a coupler (140) having first and second face spreads (194, 195) for attaching the coupler respectively to the second end portion and to the implement without any offset between the first and second face spreads.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the stick (124) further comprises first and second side portions (146, 148) along the respective first and second sides (134, 136) of the stick between the first and second end portions (142, 144); and

the first and second side portions are angled inwardly toward each other in a direction from the first end portion towards the second end portion.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second side portions (146, 148) are angled inwardly relative to the first end portion (142) at an angle less than or equal to ninety degrees.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the stick (124) has a first width defined between the first and second sides (134, 136) that is constant between the first end portion (142) and the first and second side portions (146, 148);

the stick has a second width defined between the first and second sides that is constant between the second end portion (144) and the first and second side portions; and

a distance between the first side portion and the second side portion decreases in a direction from the first end portion towards the second end portion such that the stick tapers from the first width down to the second width, which is less than the first width.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes the coupler (140) having first and second side plates (162, 164) that define the first and second face spreads (194, 195) therebetween such that a width of the first face spread is about equal to a width of the second face spread.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes the coupler (140) having first and second side plates (162, 164), wherein the first side plate has a thickness about equal to a difference in a width of the second end portion (144) and the first end portion (142) along the first side (134), and wherein the second side plate has a thickness about equal to a difference in a width of the second end portion and the first end portion along the second side (136).

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes the coupler (140) having first and second side plates (162, 164) that include outer surfaces co-planar with respective outer side surfaces of the first end portion (142) of the stick (124) when the coupler is attached to the second end portion (144) of the stick.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end portion

(144) is narrower than the first end portion (142) by a predetermined amount on each of the first and second sides (134, 136) of the stick (124), and wherein the assembly includes the coupler (140) having first and second side plates (162, 164) each having a thickness about equal to a predetermined amount.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the predetermined amount is within a range from about 26 millimeters to about 30 millimeters; and/or

the coupler (140) is a pin grabber coupler; and/or the second end portion (144) of the stick (124) has a width defined between the first and second sides that is constant and that is less than a width of the first end portion (142) defined between the first and second sides, which is also constant; and/or the coupler is configured with a coupler offset (196) of about 271 millimeters.

10. A machine (110) comprising the assembly of any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising:

a frame (133);

a boom (120) pivotally connected to the frame; and an implement (118) coupled to the second end portion (144) of the stick (124) by the coupler (140);

wherein the first end portion (142) of the stick is pivotally connected to the boom.