Quick coupler
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Parker, H. Patrick Gaines
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick coupler for connecting an implement to a machine, the implement having a connection pin, the quick coupler, including a frame, includes a jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, the jaw configured to cooperate with the connection pin of the implement. The quick coupler also including a lock pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the lock including a pawl configured to cooperate with a detent on the jaw. The quick coupler including a release mechanism connected to the frame and to the lock, wherein the jaw in the closed position and the lock in the locked position define a load path, the release mechanism being positioned outside the load path.
Claims20
A quick coupler for connecting an implement to a machine, the implement having a connection pin, the quick coupler includes a frame and comprises:
- a jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, the jaw configured to cooperate with the connection pin of the implement;
- a lock pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the lock including a pawl configured to cooperate with a detent on the jaw;
- and
- a release mechanism connected to the frame and to the lock, wherein the jaw in the closed position and the lock in the locked position define a load path between the implement and the frame, the release mechanism being positioned outside the load path.
A quick coupler for connecting an implement to a machine, the implement having first and second spaced-apart connection pins, the quick coupler includes a frame and comprises:
- a first jaw and a second jaw pivotally connected to the frame, each of the first jaw and the second jaw movable between an open position and a closed position, the first jaw configured to cooperate with the first connection pin and the second jaw configured to cooperate with the second connection pin;
- a lock mechanism, the lock mechanism comprising
- a first lock member and a second lock member, the first lock member and the second lock member being pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the first lock member being positioned proximate to the first jaw and including a first pawl configured to cooperate with a first detent on the first jaw, the second lock member positioned proximate to the second jaw and including a second pawl configured to cooperate with a second detent on the second jaw, and
- a connecting link pivotally connected to the first lock member and to the second lock member;
- and
- a release mechanism configured for cooperation with the lock mechanism,
- wherein when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position and the first lock member and the second lock member are in the locked position, the first jaw and the first lock member define a first load path between the implement and the frame, the second jaw and the second lock member define a second load path between the implement and the frame, and wherein the release mechanism is positioned outside of the first load path and the second load path.
A method for connecting an implement to a machine, the implement having a pair of spaced-apart connection pins, the method comprising:
- providing a quick coupler attached to the machine, the quick coupler comprising a frame, a first jaw and a second jaw operable between an open position and a closed position, and a lock mechanism configured to cooperate with the first jaw and the second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position;
- positioning the quick coupler so that the first jaw and the second jaw are each located proximately to one of the connection pins;
- providing a downward force on the quick coupler by the machine, wherein the downward force moves the first jaw and the second jaw to the closed position about the connection pins;
- engaging the lock mechanism with the first jaw and the second jaw thereby maintaining the first jaw and the second jaw in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.