US 5,634,735 AGranted

Tool coupler

AssigneeWain-Roy, Inc.

InventorsLee A. Horton, Arthur A. Erickson

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Abstract

A coupling apparatus for releasably securing a tool to the linkage of a tractor such as a backhoe. The coupling apparatus includes a second coupling element which is fixed to the lower end of the linkage and a first coupling element which is fixed to the upper end of the tool. One of the coupling elements has a generally upwardly facing first engaging surface for engaging a downwardly facing first engaging surface of the other coupling element which provides the main coupling connection between the first and second coupling elements. Each of the first and second coupling elements has a second engaging surface which is spaced from the first engaging surface. When the first and second coupling elements are brought together in a coupling mode, the second engaging surfaces engage and provide a fulcrum about which the linkage pivots relative to the tool. The first coupling element has a locking element at the rear end of the first coupling element for engaging a complimentary locking element at the rear end of the second coupling element for receiving a connector to lock the first and second locking elements together when the coupling apparatus is in the coupling mode. The connector is effective, when connecting the first and second coupling elements together, to force the rear end of the linkage downwardly relative to the tool with a primary downward preloading force along a primary line of action through the connector for pivoting the linkage about the fulcrum and for forcing the upwardly facing first engaging surface of one of the coupling elements against the downwardly facing first engaging surface of the other coupling element. The locking elements allow an upward or downward force to transmit to the rear to the tool.

Claims28

Dependent claims

Coupling apparatus for releasably securing a tool to a tractor linkage, each of said tractor linkage and said tool having a front end and a rear end, said tool having an upper end, said tractor linkage having a lower end, said tractor linkage being movable relative to said tool between a coupling mode and an uncoupling mode, said tractor linkage being adapted to exert a downward working force on the rear end of said tool for actuating said tool when said tractor linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool, said coupling apparatus comprising:

(a) a first coupling element which is fixed to the upper end of said tool, said first coupling element comprising:
(1) a first engaging surface at the front end of the tool;
(2) a first locking element at the rear end of said tool;
and
(2) a second engaging surface located between said first locking element and said first engaging surface;
(b) a second coupling element which is fixed to the lower end of said tractor linkage, said second coupling element comprising:
(1) a third engaging surface at the front end of said tractor linkage for engaging said first engaging surface and for constituting a first contact area when said tractor linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool, one of said first and third engaging surfaces facing generally downwardly and rearwardly and the other of said first and third engaging surfaces facing generally upwardly and forwardly;
(2) a second locking element at the rear end of said tractor linkage, said second coupling element being complementary to said first coupling element;
and
(3) A fourth engaging surface located between said second locking element and said third engaging surface for contacting said second engaging surface and for constituting a second contact area when said tractor linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool, one of said second and fourth engaging surfaces facing generally downwardly and rearwardly and the other of said second and fourth engaging surfaces facing generally upwardly and forwardly, one of said first and second contact areas constituting a fulcrum for maintaining said first coupling element in engagement with said second coupling element at the other of said first and second contact areas;
and
(c) a connector for locking said first and second locking elements together when said tractor linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool, said connector being effective to transmit a vertical downward or upward force from the tractor linkage to said tool at the rear end of the tool and an upward or downward vertical force from the tractor linkage to the tool at the other of said first and second contact areas.

9 more elements

(a) a first coupling element which is fixed to the upper end of said tool, said first coupling element comprising:
(1) a first downwardly and rearwardly facing engaging surface at the front end of said tool;
(2) a first locking element at the rear end of said tool;
and
(3) a second upwardly and forwardly facing engaging surface which is spaced from said first engaging surface;
(b) a second coupling element which is fixed to the lower end of said tractor linkage, said second coupling element comprising:
(1) a third upwardly and forwardly facing engaging surface at the front end of said tractor linkage for engaging said first engaging surface when said tractor linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool,
(2) a second locking element at the rear end of said second coupling element, said second coupling element being complementary to said first coupling element;
and
(3) A fourth downwardly and rearwardly facing engaging surface which is spaced from said third engaging surface for contacting said second engaging surface when said linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool for forming a fulcrum between said third engaging surface tool and said second locking element for maintaining said third engaging surface in contact with said first engaging surface;
(c) a connector for locking said first and second locking elements together when said tractor linkage is in said coupling mode with said tool, said connector being effective to transmit a vertical downward or upward force from the tractor linkage to said tool at the rear end of the tool and an upward or downward vertical force from the tractor linkage to the tool at the front end of the tool through the engagement of said first and third engaging surfaces.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/537,978Filed 2 Oct 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 7 Jun 1995
Granted: 3 Jun 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

E02F 3/3613
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: with means for absorbing any play therebetween
E02F 3/3627
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
E02F 3/3672
Of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat: where disengagement is effected by a mechanical lever or handle
Y10T 403/59
Joints and connections: manually releaseable latch type