Coupler device to connect bucket or tool to boom arm

A coupler device for releasably connecting a boom arm to a heavy tool, such as a material handling bucket, said coupling device comprising:

• a coupling frame adapted for connection to said boom and having wedge connectors on opposite sides thereof, said wedge connectors being adapted to engage respective co-operating channel connectors mounted on said tool, said coupling frame including a bottom plate and two-spaced apart support plates rigidly connected to said bottom plate and positioned between said opposite sides;
• a primary holding mechanism for securing said wedge connectors in said channel connectors, said holding mechanism including a holder pivotably mounted on said coupling frame for movement between a holding position and a release position and a power actuator mounted on said coupling frame, connected to said holder, and capable of pivoting said holder between said holding and release positions, said holder comprising two elongate, spaced-apart plate members each having an upper end section and a bottom end section and a sleeve member extending between and rigidly connecting the upper end sections of said plate members, said holding mechanism including a pivot pin extending through said sleeve member and mounted in said two support plates;
• and
• a locking mechanism for locking said wedge connectors in said channel connectors, said locking mechanism being mounted in said coupling frame and including at least one locking member movable between a locked position in which said wedge connectors are prevented from disengaging from said channel connectors and an unlocked position wherein said locking mechanism includes a linear fluid actuator mounted in an end section of said coupling frame and operatively connected to said at least one locking member, said fluid actuator being adapted to move said at least one locking member between said locked position and said unlocked position, and wherein said at least one locking member comprises two axially aligned locking pins, said fluid actuator comprises an axially movable hydraulic cylinder and an actuator rod slidable in said hydraulic cylinder and projecting from one end thereof, and one of said locking pins extends outwardly from and is connected to said actuator rod while the other of said locking pins extends axially from a closed end of said hydraulic cylinder and is connected thereto and a hydraulic circuit arrangement operatively connected to both said power actuator, which is operated by hydraulic fluid, and said linear fluid actuator, said hydraulic circuit arrangement having a single hydraulic control member and a sequence valve arrangement adapted to operate both said power actuator and said linear fluid actuator in sequence, said control member being operatively connected to said sequence valve arrangement which, during use of the coupler device, directs hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder of the locking mechanism in order to extend the two locking pins to said locked position after said power actuator is fully extended and said holder is thereby pivoted to the holding position where the bottom end sections of the plate members engage a stop on the heavy tool.

A combination of a tool attachment apparatus and a coupling device for releasably coupling a tool to a boom arm, said tool attachment apparatus including two connecting receivers adapted to be rigidly connected to a side of the tool so as to be spaced-apart from one another, each of said connecting receivers being adapted to form a wedge-shaped channel which is open at one end thereof, said tool attachment apparatus including a stop member for rigid mounting on the tool, said coupling device comprising:

• a coupling frame adapted for connection to said boom arm and having two parallel connecting plates forming opposite sides of the frame and wedge member mounted on outer surfaces of said connecting plates and adapted to slide into wedge-shaped channels through their open ends and to engage the connecting receivers, said coupling frame including a bottom plate and two-spaced apart support plates rigidly connected to said bottom plate and positioned between said connecting plates;
• a primary holding mechanism for securing said wedge members in said receivers, said holding mechanism including a pivot pin and a holder pivotably mounted on said pivot pin for movement about a pivot axis extending transversely of the coupling frame, and a main hydraulic cylinder actuator mounted on said coupling frame, connected to said holder, and capable of pivoting said holder about said axis between a holding position and release position, said holder being a rigid, elongate holding member having an upper end section and a lower end section, said pivot pin being connected to the upper end section of the holding member and supported by said two support plates, said main hydraulic cylinder actuator including a main hydraulic cylinder connected to said coupling frame and an actuator rod pivotally connected to said lower end section of the holder;
• a locking mechanism for maintaining said wedge members in said receivers, said locking mechanism being mounted in said coupling frame and including at least one locking member having a locking position and an unlocked position, wherein said locking mechanism includes a second hydraulic cylinder actuator having an actuator rod connected to one of said at least one locking member, said locking mechanism being adapted to slide said at least one locking member between said locking position and said unlocked position;
• and
• a hydraulic circuit operatively connected to both the main hydraulic cylinder actuator and said second hydraulic cylinder actuator, and said hydraulic circuit includes a single hydraulic control member, a two position control valve, and two sequence valves adapted to operate both of said hydraulic cylinder actuators in sequence, said control member being operatively connected to the control valve in order to move said control valve between first and second positions, whereby, with said control valve in the first position, hydraulic fluid is directed to said second hydraulic cylinder actuator in order to extend same to said locking position after said main hydraulic cylinder actuator is fully extended and said holder is thereby pivoted to the holding position and, with said control valve in the second position, hydraulic fluid is initially directed to the second hydraulic cylinder actuator of the locking mechanism in order to retract same from an extended position.