WO2017149379A1

WO2017149379A1 - Quick coupler assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2017149379A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/000190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew Benjamin Shaw; Evan Thomas SMITH
Original assignee: Agco Corporation
Priority date: 2016-03-02
Filing date: 2017-03-02
Publication date: 2017-09-08

Abstract

In one embodiment, a quick coupler assembly, comprising a header; opposing first and second legs coupled to the header; opposing fore-and-aft surfaces and opposing upper and lower surfaces; first and second hooks attached to the respective first and second legs; and third and fourth hooks coupled to the header.

Description

QUICK COUPLER ASSEMBLY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/302,394 filed March 2, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to hitches for work machines and, more particularly, 3-point hitches for work machines.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Hitches are used extensively with work machines (e.g., mobile power unit or vehicle, such as an agricultural or construction vehicle) to attach implements to the rear or front of the work machine. The implement enables the work machine to perform one of a variety of functions, such as to plow snow, lift loads of soil or rock, or tow sprayers or seeders, among other functions. Three-point (hereinafter, 3-point) hitches are commonly used in the agricultural and construction industries, and provide a connection between the work machine and an implement that requires or uses movement provided by the work machine. Quick couplers for 3-point hitches are often used to improve the ease of connecting the work machine to the implement. For instance, quick couplers may include replaceable or moveable upper hooks to be switched out to enable the coupler to be used according to one of multiple hitch sizes or categories (e.g., category 0, 1 ,...4). Typically, such reconfiguration of the quick coupler is accompanied by the use of cylindrical bushings for the lower hooks to enable matching the implement. The upper hook is replaced to one of plural categories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Many aspects of a quick coupler assembly can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of certain embodiments of the quick coupler assembly. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates, in partial, rear perspective view, a system comprising an embodiment of an example quick coupler assembly.

[0006] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram that illustrates, in rear perspective view, an embodiment of an example quick coupler assembly.

[0007] FIGS. 2B-2C are schematic diagrams that illustrate closer perspective views of an example adapter that conformally fits in each of the lower hooks for the example quick coupler assembly of FIG. 2A.

[0008] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram that illustrates, in rear elevation view, an embodiment of an example quick coupler assembly.

[0009] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram that illustrates, in side elevation view, the example quick coupler assembly of FIG. 3A. [0010] FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic diagrams that illustrate, in side elevation views, larger and smaller category implements, respectively, coupled to an embodiment of an example quick coupler assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

[0011] In one embodiment, a quick coupler assembly, comprising a header;

opposing first and second legs coupled to the header; opposing fore-and-aft surfaces and opposing upper and lower surfaces; first and second hooks attached to the respective first and second legs; and third and fourth hooks coupled to the header.

Detailed Description

[0012] Certain embodiments of a quick coupler assembly are disclosed that

comprise a concurrently attached, multiple upper hook installation, and an open adapter of semi-cylindrical geometry that enables the reconfiguration of the lower hooks of the quick coupler assembly to a different hitch category. The quick coupler assembly comprises a 3-point hitch as defined by ISO 11001-1 that uses quick couplers, which are used to improve the ease of connecting a work machine (e.g., powering vehicle) to an implement by enabling the hitch to be reconfigured to different categories of 3-point implementations. The work machine may be embodied as a mobile power unit or vehicle (e.g., agricultural, construction, municipal vehicle, etc.). The implement may be coupled by the quick coupler assembly at the front or back of the work machine and the implement may require or use movement (such as a rotational movement generated by a power takeoff (PTO) of the work machine, linear (traversal) movement of the work machine, among movement generated via other means) of the work machine. The quick coupler assembly provides clearance for the PTO shaft, enabling the implement that uses the PTO adequate clearance. The multiple upper hook configuration of the quick coupler assembly enables the hooks to be properly installed from the factory, while the open adapter design addresses one or more shortcomings of conventional bushings.

Digressing briefly, the ISO 730 standard outlines the dimensions of the 3- point hitch linkages based on categories. For instance, each category number uses different hitch pin sizes. The lateral distance from the lower hitch point to the centerline of the work machine is shared between one category and a narrow version of the next largest category (i.e., only between two adjacent categories), enabling quick couplers to be reconfigured using bushings to accommodate the differences in hitch pin size and different upper hook placements to overcome the difference in categories (e.g., as defined by ISO 11001-1 ). Several quick couplers available today have the ability to be reconfigured to multiple

categories. For instance, some quick couplers utilize bolt-on upper hooks, while others use removable pins to swap the upper hooks. One issue for many bolt-on hooks and field adjustment is that an operator may not have the ability to properly torque the bolts when attaching the upper hook. With certain

embodiments of the quick coupler assembly, having two upper hooks installed at the same time decreases the likelihood that an operator needs to install the upper hook they need. Also, except in certain instances, in certain embodiments the upper hooks do not introduce any interference with respect to one another, eliminating (or mitigating) the need to remove one or the other hook in certain implementations. Further, if all of the implements that the operator will attach to the quick coupler assembly are of one category, then given the fact that the upper hooks are detachable, the operator can simply uninstall the hook that he or she will not be using.

As to the lower hooks at the distal ends of quick hitches, manufacturers generally provide an adapter bushing for certain categories of quick couplers (e.g., 4N/3). A bushing is used to convert the lower hooks from one category (e.g., a category 4 hook size) to another category (e.g., a category 3 hook size). In some instances, the bushing is cut down to fit the width opening in the implement. The operator then must either move the bushing from implement to implement or buy multiple bushings to fit on all implements. In some cases, to change the hook, an operator must completely remove the hitch from the tractor and convert it to the other category. Once converted, the operator must reinstall the hitch on the tractor. Given the weight of the hitch, lifting equipment is typically involved and the process is time-consuming. In contrast, certain embodiments of a quick couple assembly provide an insert that sits in the lower hooks of the quick hitch, providing a change in size from one category (e.g., category 4) to another category (e.g., category 3). In one example

implementation, the adapter is installed on each of the lower hooks of the quick coupler assembly (i.e., providing factory-provided category 3 lower hooks) until an operator wants to use a category 4N implement, at which time the operator can easily lift the adapter out and stow away for later use. The disclosed adapter of the quick coupler assembly enables a change of the lower hooks to a different (e.g., smaller) category size (e.g., from category 4 to 3), providing a robust adapter that is easier and more convenient to implement the category change. Note that the adapter changes the size of the pin the hook accepts (e.g., category 4 type implements use a 2" pin while category 3 type implements use a 1- 7/16" pin). Further, it is also noted that whereas a certain category of quick- coupler type hitches, such as a category 4, has the same width as a category 3 quick coupler-type hitch, a category 4 quick coupler-type hitch is wider than a category 4N while using the same pin size as a category 4N quick coupler-type hitch.

Having summarized certain features of a quick coupler assembly, reference will now be made in detail to the description of certain embodiments of a quick coupler assembly as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments of a quick coupler assembly will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. For instance, though emphasis is placed on a work machine embodied as an agricultural machine (e.g., tractor) with a rear-coupled implement, certain embodiments of a quick coupler assembly (or the principles thereof) may be beneficially deployed in other machines (in the same or other industries, such as the construction or municipal industries) where a 3-point hitch is used to couple an implement to the front or rear of the work machine. Additionally, though specific reference is made in the examples above and below to conversion between category 3 and category 4N, the adapters may be configured for conversion between other adjacent categories (e.g., categories 2 and 3N, etc.). Further, although the description identifies or describes specifics of one or more embodiments, such specifics are not necessarily part of every embodiment, nor are all of any various stated advantages necessarily associated with a single embodiment. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Further, it should be appreciated in the context of the present disclosure that the claims are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments set out in the description. In some embodiments, features described for one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment.

[0016] Note that references hereinafter made to certain directions, such as, for example, "front", "rear", "left" and "right", are made as viewed from the rear of the work machine looking forwardly. Also, differences in categories of hooks (and thus categories of 3-point hitches) are signified at least by differences in the ability of the hooks to conformally accept different pin sizes. In other words, the differences in categories are described in terms of differences in radius of a hook of one category relative to a hook of another category, though it should be appreciated that other differences may be evident among different categories.

[0017] Reference is made to FIG. 1 , which illustrates in partial, rear perspective view a system 10 comprising an embodiment of an example quick coupler assembly 14 that is used to couple a work machine to an implement (both not shown). Note that the system may include the work machine or portions thereof in some embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate in the context of the present disclosure that a tractor is one example of a work machine, and that other power-sourcing, mobile machines (in the agricultural industry or other industries) may be used. The quick coupler assembly 14 may be configured as a rear-mount attachment, and in some embodiments, may be used for attaching the work machine to front-mounted implements in some embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the quick coupler assembly 14 (shown schematically, and may be coupled to a work machine in conjunction with a three-point hitch for illustrative purposes) may mount to the rear of the work machine, secured to the frame/chassis of the work machine. The quick coupler assembly 14 comprises an arch-shaped frame that comprises a header 16 and opposing left and right legs 18, 20. The quick coupler assembly 14 comprises fore 22 and aft 24 surfaces and upper 26 and lower 28 surfaces. For instance, the header 16 comprises a top surface and an underside surface. The header 16 provides an upper portion of the entire frame, and the left and right legs 18, 20 provide a lower or distal portion of the entire frame. Also shown attached to the header 16 is a pair of centrally-located, stacked hooks comprising a top hook 30 and a lower hook 32. The stacked top and lower hooks 30, 32 are vertically aligned (e.g., common vertical centerline, though in some embodiments, may be offset) relative to each other. Attached to the left 18 and right 20 legs are left lower hook 34 and right lower hook 36, respectively. The lower hooks 34 and 36 are respectively on each side, laterally, of the upper pair of stacked hooks 30, 32. In other words, the stacked hooks 30, 32 reside centrally to the frame of the quick coupler assembly 14, with the lower, left hook 34 to the left of the stacked hooks 30, 32 and the lower, right hook 36 to the right of the stacked hooks 30, 32. In the depicted embodiment, the legs 18, 20 are equidistant from the centerline of the quick coupler assembly 14, though not limited to such a relative spatial configuration. As should be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art in the context of the present disclosure, an implement is attached to one of either the upper stacked hooks 30 or 32, and to each of the lower pair of hooks 34, 36.

Referring to FIG. 2A, shown in a closer, rear perspective view is the quick coupler assembly 14 depicted in FIG. 1. The quick coupler assembly 14 comprises the header 16 and the coupled left 18 and right 20 legs, which collectively form an arch-shaped frame. It is noted that the frame is depicted in FIG. 2A as a cast iron assembly, though not limited to cast components. In other words, the quick coupler assembly 14 may be constructed of any suitable material (e.g., suitable to comply with the specified hitch strength and/or environmental operating conditions), including the use of machined and/or welded components. The quick coupler assembly 14 comprise fore 22 and aft 24 surfaces, respectively, and upper 26 and lower 28 surfaces, as explained previously. Also shown are the pair of stacked hooks 30 and 32, which are detachable. The pair of stacked hooks 30, 32 may be bolted to the header 16, or secured by dowel pins or other known fastening mechanisms or combinations thereof. In the depicted embodiment, the top hook 30 is secured to the aft surface 24 of the header 16, and the lower hook 32 is secured to the lower surface 28 of the header 16. In some embodiments, the vertical dimension of the header (e.g., from the upper surface 26 to the lower surface 28) may be lengthened to accommodate securement of both the top 30 and lower 32 stacked hooks to the aft surface 24 of the header 16. In either case, the pair of stacked hooks 30, 32 are arranged in one embodiment to accept an implement for attachment without interference among the stacked hooks 30, 32. In some embodiments, the lower hook 32 should be removed in circumstances where a power take-off (PTO) is used to power an implement belonging to a larger implement category. For instance, the lower hook 32 provides clearance to PTO shafts on category 3 hitch implements. When the lower hook 32 is removed, sufficient clearance is provided for, say, category 4 PTO implements. In some embodiments, the top hook 30 should be removed to couple an implement embodied as a smaller of two categories of the pair of stacked hooks 30, 32. The top hook 30 is configured as one category of hook and the lower hook 32 is configured as another (different) category of hook, according to the categories prescribed by ISO 730 and ISO 11001 -1. For instance, the top stacked hook 30 is embodied as a category 4 hook, and the lower stacked hook 32 is embodied as a category 3 hook. As described above, the upper pair of stacked hooks 30, 32 may be embodied as a different combination of categories, such as the top stacked hook embodied as a category 3 hook and the lower stacked hook 32 embodied as a category 2 hook. As is known, the categories of hooks differ at least in their ability to accept the pin of an implement, and hence differ in their respective radius.

The lower pair of hooks 34, 36 is secured to the distal end of the quick coupler assembly 14, and in particular, to the respective ends of the legs 18 and 20. The lower pair of hooks 34, 36 may be secured to the legs 18, 20 via bolts, pins, or otherwise (e.g., welded, cast, etc.). The lower pair of hooks 34, 36 is configured as a category of hooks that matches at last one of the categories of the upper pair of stacked hooks 30, 32, with an adapter 38 (e.g., adapter 38A for the left lower hook 34 and adapter 38B for the right lower hook 36) enabling the conversion to the category of hooks corresponding to the other hook of the upper pair of stacked hooks 30, 32, as best shown in FIGS. 2B-2C. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, the lower pair of hooks 34, 36 is embodied as category 4N hooks without the adapters 38, and as category 3 hooks with the adapters 38. Similar to the description above for the upper stacked hooks 30, 32, the lower pair of hooks 34 and 36 (with and without the adapters 38) may be embodied as other categories of hooks in some embodiments. The adapters 38 conformally fit within each of the hooks 34, 36, and may be attached in some embodiments to the hooks 34, 36 according to a friction fit (e.g., without the need for one or more additional retainers or securing components, such as a bolt, roll pin, adhesive, etc.). In some embodiments, the adapters 38 may be secured with one or more of the aforementioned fasteners. As best shown in FIGS. 2B- 2C, the adapter 38A is embodied as an open geometry, with a primarily semi- cylindrical shape (e.g., U-shaped when viewed in an end elevation view), with a key or extension 40 at the aft end of the adapter 38 to further facilitate the friction fit and prevent lateral movement of the adapter 38 relative to the hook 34 (and similarly, relative to the hook 36 for adapter 38B). In other words, the key or extension 40 of the adapter 38A may fit within a slot 42 located within the upper surface of the distal end of the hook 34 (with the same structure and

configuration pertaining to the other hook 36). As should be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the weight of the attached implement prevents or mitigates movement of the adapters 38 while resting in the respective hooks 34, 36.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, shown are rear elevation views that further illustrate the quick coupler assembly 14. As shown, the quick coupler assembly 14 comprises the header 6 and legs 18 and 20 collectively arranged in an arch- shaped configuration. The quick coupler assembly 14 comprises fore 22 and aft 24 surfaces and upper 26 and lower 28 surfaces. At the upper portion of the quick coupler assembly 14 are a pair of stacked hooks 30, 32, each of different categories of hooks and vertically arranged relative to one another (e.g., having a stacked arrangement relative to each other). At the distal end of the quick coupler assembly 14 is a pair of lower hooks 34, 36 that are laterally on each side of the upper pair of stacked hooks 30, 32. The adapters 38 (e.g., 38B in FIG. 3B) may be inserted into each of the lower hooks 34, 36 to enable conversion to a different hook category.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, shown are schematic diagrams (e.g., in

fragmentary, side, elevation views) of the quick coupler assembly 14 with a respective larger category implement 44 (FIG. 4A) and smaller category implement 46 (FIG. 4B) attached. For instance in FIG. 4A, the quick coupler assembly 14 is coupled to the implement 44 at the top hook 30 of the stacked pair of hooks and to the lower hook 34 (and to the hook 36 not shown). For the smaller category implement 46, as shown in FIG. 4B, the quick coupler assembly 14 is coupled to the implement 46 at the lower hook 32 of the stacked pair of hooks and to the lower hook 34 (and to the hook 36 not shown), enabling flexibility and ease of use compared to conventional quick couplers.

In this description, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

Although the quick coupler assembly and associated systems have been described with reference to the example embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as protected by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS At least the following is claimed:

1. A quick coupler assembly, comprising:

a header;

opposing first and second legs coupled to the header;

opposing fore-and-aft surfaces and opposing upper and lower surfaces; first and second hooks attached to the respective first and second legs; and

third and fourth hooks coupled to the header.

2. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth hooks are laterally disposed between the first and second hooks.

3. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth hooks are arranged vertically relative to each other.

4. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fourth hook is attached to the lower surface of the header and the third hook is attached to the aft surface of the header.

5. The quick coupler assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second hooks are attached to the aft surface of the respective first and second legs.

6. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third hook

corresponds to a first category of hooks and the fourth hook corresponds to a second category of hooks, the first category corresponding to a hook radius that is different than a hook radius for the second category.

7. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth hooks are detachable.

8. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the header and the first and second legs are cast parts.

9. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an adapter having a semi-cylindrical shape, the adapter configured to conformally fit within the first or second hooks.

10. The quick coupler assembly of claim 9, wherein the adapter transforms the first hook or the second hook from a first category of hooks to a second category of hooks, the first category of hooks corresponding to a hook radius that is different than a hook radius for the second category of hooks.

11 . The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth hooks are both attached to the aft surface of the header.

12. The quick coupler assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first and second hooks are attached to the aft surface of the respective first and second legs.

13. The quick coupler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth hooks are bolted to the header.

14. A system, comprising:

a work machine;

a quick coupler assembly coupled to the work machine, the quick coupler assembly comprising an arch-shaped frame with a first pair of hooks

approximately centered at an upper portion of the frame and a second pair of hooks at lower distal ends of the frame, the distal ends on each side of the first pair of hooks.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein one hook of the first pair of hooks is attached to an underside surface of the upper portion of the frame and another hook of the first pair of hooks is attached to an aft surface of the upper portion of the frame.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first pair of hooks are attached to an aft surface of the upper portion of the frame.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein one hook of the first pair of hooks corresponds to a first category of hooks and another hook of the first pair of hooks corresponds to a second category of hooks, the first category of hooks corresponding to a hook radius that is different than a hook radius for the second category of hooks.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising two adapters having a semi- cylindrical shape, each of the adapters configured to conformally fit within a respective hook of the second pair of hooks.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the two adapters transforms the respective hook of the second pair of hooks from a first category of hooks to a second category of hooks, the first category of hooks corresponding to a hook radius that is different than a hook radius for the second category of hooks.

20. A quick coupler assembly comprising an arch-shaped frame with a first pair of hooks approximately centered at an upper portion of the frame and a second pair of hooks at lower distal ends of the frame, the distal ends on each side of the first pair of hooks.