Quick coupler for bucket excavators

Abstract

A coupler for connecting a dipper arm of an excavator to a bucket without the need for the operator of the excavator to leave the cab of the excavator, the coupler having means for connecting it to the end of the dipper arm, and means, including a latching hook for connecting it to one of a plurality of different buckets and wherein locking means is provided to prevent inadvertent unlatching of the latching hook, said locking means being operable from the cab. The locking means may be gravity operated and include resiliently deformable means thereon to prevent unlatching when the coupler is inverted. Alternatively, it may be spring operated in which case, further means is provided to move the locking means against the bias of the spring. Preferably, the hook has a special internal profile so that when it is supporting the weight of a bucket, it will tend to move to a latching position, not to an unlatching position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.