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 quick coupler including a frame, a first jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, a second jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a lock system connected to the first jaw and the second jaw. The lock system includes a first linkage pivotally connected to the frame and to the first jaw, a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage and to the second jaw, and a drive member connected to the first linkage and configured to selectively operate the lock system between an unlocked position and a locked position.
Claims20
A quick coupler for connecting an implement to a machine, the quick coupler includes a frame and comprises:
- a first jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- a second jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a lock system connected to the first jaw and the second jaw, the lock system comprising
- a first linkage pivotally connected to the frame and to the first jaw,
- a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage and to the second jaw, and
- a drive member connected to the first linkage and configured to selectively operate the lock system between an unlocked position and a locked position.
A quick coupler for connecting an implement to a machine, the implement having a first and a second spaced-apart connection pins, the quick coupler includes a frame and comprises:
- a first jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, the first jaw being configured to engage the first connection pin in the closed position;
- a second jaw pivotally connected to the frame and movable between an open position and a closed position, the second jaw being configured to engage the second connection pin in the closed position;
- and
- a lock system connected to the first jaw and the second jaw, the lock system comprising
- a first linkage pivotally connected to the frame and to the first jaw, wherein the first linkage comprises
- an actuator arm having a first end pivotally connected to a drive member,
- a first rocker pivotally connected to a second end of the actuator arm, and
- a second rocker pivotally connected to the frame and to the first end of the actuator arm,
- a second linkage pivotally connected to the first linkage and to the second jaw, the second linkage comprising
- a locking bar having a first end pivotally connected to the first rocker, and
- a connecting link pivotally connected to a second end of the locking bar and to the second jaw,
- wherein the drive member is configured to selectively operate the lock system between an unlocked position and a locked position;
- and
- wherein the actuator is located outside of a load path between the implement and the frame of the quick coupler.
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 disposed within the frame and operable between an open position and a closed position, a lock system connected to the first jaw and the second jaw, the lock system including a drive member, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position;
- positioning the quick coupler so that the first jaw is located proximate to the first connection pin and the second jaw is located proximate to the second connection pin;
- moving the first jaw and the second jaw to the closed position and locking the first jaw and the second jaw in the closed position by moving the drive member in a downward direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.