Apparatus for releasably coupling an attachment to an excavator

Abstract

A quick, reliable and safe coupling device that is not mechanically complex is required for excavation equipment and more particularly, for coupling an attachment to a mounting bracket on an operating arm of an excavating machine. The present invention addresses the above needs by providing, a wedge member movable between a locked position and a released position; an extendable actuator that is movable between a collapsed position and an extended position to move the wedge member between the locked and released positions, respectively; and at least one guide member cooperating with the wedge member to guide movement of the wedge member between the locked and released positions. The wedge member may have opposed wedge end portions engageable with the attachment and the mounting bracket to define the locked position and an intermediate portion connected to a distal end of the actuator, the intermediate portion being shaped to provide clearance for the extendable actuator to move to the collapsed position. The apparatus may be connected directly to the mounting bracket. Alternatively, a base plate may be provided to retrofit the apparatus to the mounting bracket.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.