Loader coupler with visual locking indicator

A coupler assembly for coupling an implement to a prime mover vehicle, the coupler assembly configured to receive the implement in a seated position and a non-seated position, said coupler assembly comprising:

• a hydraulic system in fluid communication with a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder configured to move one or more locking pins between an extended position and a retracted position;
• wherein the hydraulic system has a first fluid flow path configured to convey a fluid under a system pressure to the hydraulic cylinder for moving the one or more locking pins toward the extended position and a second fluid flow path configured to convey a return pressure away from the hydraulic cylinder as the one or more locking pins move toward the extended position;
• a proximity sensor in communication with the hydraulic system, the proximity sensor configured to allow the system pressure through the first fluid flow path toward the hydraulic cylinder when the implement is received in the seated position, and prevent the system pressure from flowing through the first fluid flow path toward the hydraulic cylinder when the implement is received in the non-seated position;
• an indicator in communication with the hydraulic system, the indicator configured to move from a first position to a second position when the system pressure is sensed by the indicator, the first position is indicative of the one or more locking pins not being in the extended position and the second position is indicative of the one or more locking pins being in the extended position.

A coupler assembly for coupling an implement to a prime mover vehicle, said coupler assembly comprising:

• a hydraulic system in fluid communication with a hydraulic cylinder having a piston with a rod side and a piston side, the hydraulic cylinder configured to move a first locking pin and a second locking pin between an extended position and a retracted position;
• wherein the hydraulic system has a first fluid flow path for conveying a fluid under a system pressure to the piston side of the piston for moving the first and second locking pins toward the extended position and a second fluid flow path for conveying the fluid under the system pressure to the rod side of the piston for moving the first and second locking pins toward the retracted position;
• a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor, the proximity sensors in communication with the first fluid flow path in series, both proximity sensors having a plunger configured to move a permissive control valve between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the permissive control valve is configured to allow the system pressure to flow through the first fluid flow path toward the hydraulic cylinder to move the first and second locking pins toward the extended position, in the closed position the permissive control valve is configured to prevent the system pressure from flowing through the first fluid flow path toward the hydraulic cylinder, the permissive control valve biased in the closed position;
• a visual indicator in communication with the hydraulic cylinder through a third fluid flow path of the hydraulic system, the visual indicator movable between a first position and a second position and is biased in the first position by a biasing member providing a biasing force, wherein the hydraulic system is configured to convey a system pressure force that is greater than the visual indicator biasing force so the visual indicator is configured to move from the first position to the second position when system pressure is received through the third flow path, the first position is indicative of the first and second locking pins not being in the extended position and the second position is indicative of the first and second locking pins being in the extended position.