# US 11,298,783 B1 · Method of manufacturing improved crossbar connection for implements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,783 B1 - Document ID: US11298783B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/137,746 - Filed: 2018-09-21 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-22 - Assignees: TAG Manufacturing, Inc. - Applicants: Terry Wilt; John Joseph Baker, IV - Inventors: Terry Wilt; John Joseph Baker, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298783B1 ## CPC - B23P 15/00: Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass or a group in this subclass - E02F 3/3627: {with a hook and a longitudinal locking element} - E02F 3/40: Dippers; Buckets {; Grab devices, e.g. manufacturing processes for buckets, form, geometry or material of buckets (devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3604; teeth therefor E02F9/28)} - E02F 3/3609: {of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat (quick-acting couplers to connect booms or arms to tractors E02F3/627; quick-acting couplers for machines mounted on tractor A01B59/06; couplings of the quick-acting type per se F16L37/00)} - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A method of constructing an improved attachment or implement for use with equipment connected to a coupler is provided. The implement has a crossbar which is one of machined, cast or extruded to provide a cross section within at least the connection zone which lacks welds while still providing parallel flats for connecting to a channel in the coupler. The cross section in the connection zone is void-free and seam free. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing an implement with an improved crossbar connection comprising the steps of: a) extruding a crossbar independently of welding to provide a void-free and seam free cross section at least in a connection zone internal to an attachment portion having parallel flats, said flats spaced apart about a circular exterior surface of the crossbar; b) connecting said crossbar securely to an implement whereby said parallel flats cooperate with a channel of a coupler whereby when the implement is connected to the coupler, the flats contact against opposing sides of the channel in a connected configuration, and one of said flats and coupler rotated relative to the other whereby the flats are out of connection with the sides of channel through rotation to thereby permit disengagement of the coupler from the crossbar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the crossbar is void-free and seam free from the parallel flats to an interior surfaces of the crossbar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the implement is a bucket. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the crossbar is symmetrical along its cross-section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the flats extend parallel to the exterior surface of the crossbar at the centerline. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the flats terminate at an end and the crossbar extends at least perpendicularly from the flat at the end to the circular exterior surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the planar flats extend outwardly from a centerline of the crossbar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the planar flats extend from a tangent of the circular exterior surface of the crossbar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the planar flats provide at least an inch of planar surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the planar flats provide at least an inch and a half of planar surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 where the flats are connected to stops, said stops extending perpendicularly to the flats, and the stops connect at tangents to the circular exterior surface of the crossbar. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein corners span between the flats and stops, said corners having a planar exterior surface spanning an adjacent flat and stop. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the crossbar extends from a first side to a second side of the implement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the connection zone is located internal to a length of the crossbar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the connection zone is shorter than the length the crossbar. ### Claim 16 A method of manufacturing an implement with an improved crossbar connection comprising the steps of: a) extruding a crossbar independently of welding to provide a void-free and seam free cross section at least in a connection zone internal to an attachment portion having parallel flats, said flats spaced apart about a curved exterior surface portions of the crossbar; b) connecting said crossbar securely to an implement whereby said parallel flats cooperate with a channel of a coupler whereby when the implement is connected to the coupler, the flats contact against opposing sides of the channel in a connected configuration, and one of said flats and coupler rotated relative to the other whereby the flats are out of connection with the sides of channel through rotation to thereby permit disengagement of the coupler from the crossbar.