US 5,010,962 A · Indicating apparatus for a coupling

Abstract

Certain earthworking vehicles are often provided with the ability to change work implements to enable them to perform a variety of operations. In many instances, the coupling mechanism between the work implement and the frame structure of the vehicle that supports them is designed such that the implements may be mounted and removed quickly. During the mounting of the implement upon the support frame, there is no means by which an operator can be sure that the proper attachment has been achieved. A visual inspection of the mounting apparatus or some sort of testing maneuvering of the support frame is required to be sure the work implement is securely attached. The mounting apparatus of the present invention provides a means by which a proper coupling between the work implement and the support frame is positively indicated. This indication can only be attained when the respective components are aligned in a manner that will allow a proper attachment.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for indicating the coupled condition between a first and second member, said first member having an opening formed therein and the second member having a mounting pin moveable into said opening to couple the respective members, comprising:

a plate having an opening formed therein and being mounted to the second member;
a shaft positioned in the opening formed in the plate;
a lever mounted on the shaft, said lever and said shaft being rotatable with respect to the plate member to establish contact between the first and second members only when said members are in a position sufficient for being coupled to one another;
and
means for indicating the movement of the pin into the opening of the first member, said indicating means being operable only when contact between the first and second members has been established.

2 more elements

An apparatus for indicating the coupling of a work implement to a support member, comprising:

a mounting flange defined by the work implement having at least one bore defined therethrough;
means positioned on the support member for receiving the mounting flange of the work implement, said receiving means defining at least one bore that is alignable with the bore in the mounting flange;
means for fastening the work implement to the support member, said fastening means including a pin member having a protrusion extending radially therefrom and being moveable from a first position wherein the fastening means is removed from the aligned bores in the work implement and support member to a second position wherein the fastening means is positioned within the respective bores;
means positioned between the support member and the work implement for contacting the mounting flange of the work implement only when it is in a position to receive the fastening means;
and
means for indicating movement of the fastening means to the second position, said indicating means being operable only when the work implement is engaged with the contacting means.

3 more elements

In a vehicle having a support member having an opening, a work implement having a mounting flange formed thereon and an opening extending therethrough that is alignable with the opening of the support member, and a pin member that is moveable between a first position wherein the pin is removed from the aligned openings and a second position wherein the pin is positioned within said aligned openings to couple the work implement to the support member, an apparatus for indicating the coupled condition between the support member and the work implement, comprising:

a bracket assembly mounted to the support member having a bore defined therethrough;
a shaft rotatably positioned within the bore;
a lever fixed to the shaft and being rotatable with respect to the bracket assembly from a first position to a second position as a result of contact with the mounting flange of the work member;
and
a blocking member mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and being engageable with the pin member as the pin member is moved toward its second position to move the blocking member from a first visually obscured position to a second visible position only when the lever is in its second position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Indicating apparatus for a coupling

Life of this patent

Indicating apparatus for a coupling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18