US 5,494,396 AGranted

Coupling device for a work implement

AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.

InventorsTimothy D. Geier, Kevin E. Pielmeier

Life of this patent

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Abstract

In the operation of construction machinery, it is often desirable to be able to utilize a variety of implements on a single machine. While it extremely important to be able to attach and detach these implement very quickly, many mechanisms suffer trade-offs in a variety of design parameters. The coupling device of the subject invention utilizes a locking arrangement that provides a positive coupling force upon initial engagement of the device and maintains the positive force throughout the entire operation of each work implement. All of the components in the coupling device are maintained in linear alignment with the mounting components of the machine linkage to reduce the magnitude of operational forces transmitted therebetween and to provide a device that is extremely compact and versatile in design.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A coupling device adapted for securing a work implement having at least one mounting plate to a linkage arrangement comprising:

at least one connecting link defined by the linkage arrangement and being engageable with the mounting plate in linear alignment therewith along a substantially vertical plane;
a housing having a stepped bore that defines a radially directed end face and a thrust plate mounted in axially spaced relationship to the end face, said housing being mounted in linear alignment to the respective connecting link along the vertical plane;
a locking member mounted within the housing along the vertical plane, said locking member being moveable between a first position wherein the locking member is engaged with the respective mounting plate to secure the connecting link thereto and a second position wherein the locking member is disengaged from the mounting plate to allow movement of the connecting link with respect thereto;
an actuator having an enlarged flange and being threadably engaged with the respective locking member for moving said locking member between its first and second positions upon rotation of said actuator, said actuator being axially aligned with the locking member and positioned along the vertical plane with the enlarged flange located within the housing between the radially directed endface and the thrust plate;
means for biasing the enlarged flange of the actuator for movement between the radially directed end face and the thrust plate toward the first position of the locking member as a result of wear incurred by the locking member, said biasing means being positioned between the housing and the locking member and concentrically about the actuator;
and
an abutment means provided between the locking member and the housing to indicate the need for service of the locking member.

4 more elements

A coupling device adapted for securing a work implement having a pair of mounting plates defined thereon, to a linkage arrangement, comprising:

a pair of connecting links defined by the linkage arrangement, each of said connecting links being engageable with the respective mounting plates of the work implement along a generally vertically oriented plane in overlying linear alignment therewith;
a pair of housings, each having a stepped bore that defines a radially directed end face and a thrust plate mounted in axially spaced relationship to the end face, each housing being mounted in linear alignment to one of the respective connecting links along the respective vertical planes;
a pair of locking members mounted within the respective housings and being moveable between a first position wherein the locking members are engaged with the mounting plates to secure the connecting links thereto and a second position wherein the locking members are disengaged with the mounting plates to permit relative movement between the connecting links and the mounting plates;
a pair of actuators defining a threaded portion and an enlarged flange, said threaded portion being engaged with respective locking members, said actuators being rotatable with respect to the locking members to cause the locking members to move along said threaded portions to reposition the locking members between their first and second positions, said actuators being positioned with the enlarged flange within the stepped bore for movement between the endface and thrust bearing and being positioned in axial alignment with the respective locking members along the respective vertical planes;
means for biasing the enlarged flanges of the respective actuators for movement between the endface and the thrust bearing of the respective housings as a result of wear incurred by the locking member, said biasing means being positioned between the housing and the locking member and concentrically about each of the respective actuator;
and
an abutment means provided between the locking member and the housing to indicate the need for service of the locking member.

4 more elements

A coupling device, comprising:

a work implement having at least one mounting plate having a first end portion defining a receptacle and a second end portion defining an upstanding flange, said upstanding flange having first and second engagement surfaces defined thereon;
a linkage arrangement having at least one connecting link having first and second end portions, said connecting link being positioned for engagement with the mounting plate of the work implement with the first end portion thereof engaged with the first end portion of the mounting plate and the second end portion thereof engaged with the second engagement surface of the mounting plate, said connecting link and mounting plate being positioned in linear alignment with one another along a substantially vertically extending plane;
a housing having a stepped bore that defines a radially directed end face and a thrust plate mounted within the housing in axially spaced relationship to the end face, said housing being mounted in linear alignment to one of the respective connecting links along the respective vertical planes;
a locking member mounted within said housing, said locking member being moveable between a first position wherein the locking member is engaged with the first engagement surface of the mounting plate to secure the connecting link thereto and a second position wherein the locking member is disengaged from the first engagement surface to allow movement of the connecting link with respect thereto;
an actuator defining a threaded portion and an enlarged flange, said threaded portion being engageable with the locking member and being rotatable with respect to the locking member to cause the locking member to move along said threaded portion to reposition the locking member between its first and second positions, said actuator being positioned with the enlarged flange within the stepped bore for movement between the endface and thrust bearing and being positioned in axial alignment with the locking member along the vertical plane;
means for biasing the enlarged flange of the actuator for movement between the endface and the thrust plate, said movement occurring with the locking member as it moves toward its first position as a result of wear incurred by the locking member and in absence of rotation of the actuator, said biasing means being positioned along the vertical plane between the housing and the locking member;
and
an abutment means provided between the locking member and the housing to indicate the need for service of the locking member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/384,638Filed 6 Feb 1995 · continuation
Priority: 15 Jun 1993
Granted: 27 Feb 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

E02F 3/3627
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
E02F 3/364
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: using wedges
E02F 3/3663
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: hydraulically-operated
Y10T 403/599
Manually releaseable latch type: spring biased manipulator