5,634,736
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`Umted States Patent
`
`Brown et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jun. 3, 1997
`
`USOOS634736A
`
`[54] QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING DEVICE
`
`5,232,502
`
`8/1993 Racket .................................... 118/317
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Eric A. Brown, Belvue; James G.
`Nickels Manhattan Howard T. Koshi
`’
`’
`5‘— George/311 0f Kans-
`
`’
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2563956
`211986 France ................................... 403/322
`58-98532
`6/1983
`Japan ..................................... 414/723
`
`[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 565,694
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Nov. 29, 1995
`
`Primary Examiner—Anthony Knight
`Attorney, Agent, or Finn—Larry G. Cain
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`5
`
`_
`.................................. E02F 3/96, E02F 9/00
`Int. Cl.
`[51]
`[52] U:S. Cl. ........................... 403/322; 403/319; 414/723
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 403/3 19, 321,
`403/322, 325; 414/723; ””272, 273; 37/453
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`2,963,183
`3,272,264
`4,042,131
`4,187,050
`4,278,368
`4,332,094
`4,944,628
`
`.............................. 414/723
`12/1960 Przybylski
`9/1966 Antolini .......... 172/273
`
`8/1977 Buttke
`..... 214/138
`2/1980 Barbee
`. 414/723
`
`7/1981 Livesay ..
`. 404/117
`6/1982 Meger
`..... 414/723
`
`7/1990 Hulden ...................................... 403/24
`
`A quick-disconnect coupling device (12) for use with a
`Power device (8) and for attaching a variety of attachments
`(18) to a stick (10) includes a pair of brackfits (22) attached
`to the attachment (18), a frame assembly (40) being attached
`to the power device (8) and an activation device (80). The-
`actuation device 80 havin a lurali of 11.n'kage members
`(
`)
`g P
`ty
`(82) being positioned in a locked position (84) when the
`power device (8) is attached to the attachment (18) and being
`in an open position (83) when not being attached to the
`attachment (18). The linkage members (82) including a latch
`(130) having a pair of ends (132) being spaced apart and in
`the locked position (84) being in contacting relationship
`with the each of the pair of brackets (22).
`
`10 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`02
`12
`14
`18
`10
`Nut»“Mo
`
`

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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 3, 1997
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`Sheet 1 of 5
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`Jun. 3, 1997
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`Sheet 3 of 5
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`Jun. 3, 1997
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`US. Patent
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`Sheet 5 of 5
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`QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING DEVICE
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates generally to quick-disconnect cou-
`plings and more particularly suited to couplings for affixing
`tools to an earth moving vehicle such as a stick of ,an
`excavator or backhoe.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`In use, earth moving vehicles preform many different
`functions such as excavating dirt, rock and other material.
`For example, during the excavation operations different
`attachments may be required, such as a different size of
`bucket, an impact breaker or a grapple arrangement. Each of
`these attachments have a specific advantage of one verses
`the other. Thus. to be able to change from one attachment to
`another with ease and a limited waste of time is of the utmost
`importance.
`To date, many of these changes require time-consuming
`manual processes involving the removal of force-fit pins or
`the like. Further specially fabricated adapters, or expensive
`and complex coupling devices which frequently require
`specially designed tools are used
`Furthermore, some of the coupling devices are actuated
`by hydraulic cylinders or such devices and require the
`device to be maintained under pressure to complete and
`maintain the attachment in the attached mode.
`
`The present invention is directed to overcoming one or
`more of the above problems.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one aspect of the invention, a quick-disconnect device
`is comprised of a pair of brackets being fixedly attached to
`an attachment, a frame assembly being attached to a power
`device and an activation device being attached to the frame
`assembly. The activation device removably attaches the
`frame assembly to the attachment. The activation device
`includes a plurality of linkage members being movable
`between an open position and a locked position. The plu-
`rality of linkage members define a link member having an
`over center or looking portion corresponding to the locked
`position. A locking member includes a latch having a pair of
`spaced apart ends which when in the locked position are in
`contacting relationship with the frame assembly.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a typical excavator, shown
`schematically, having a stick embodying the present inven-
`tion for mounting an attachment using a quick—disconnect
`device;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the quick-disconnect
`device having the attachment connected to the stick;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the quick-disconnect device
`taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the quick-disconnect
`device having the attachment partially connected to the
`stick; and
`
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the quick-disconnect device
`taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 4.
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`In reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a power device 8, not
`shown in its entirety, which in this application includes, an
`
`excavator stick 10, not shown in its entirety, has a quick-
`disconnect device 12 attached to the stick 10 in a conven-
`tional manner, such as by a plurality of pins 14 and retainers
`16. In the application shown, a bucket 18 is attached to the
`stick 10 by the quick-disconnect device 12. The bucket 18
`includes a bowl member 20 having a pair of brackets 22
`fixedly secured thereto. The pair of brackets 22 have a
`preestablished space therebetween and each of the pair of
`brackets 22 include an upper end 24, a lower end 26, a front
`side or surface 28 and a back side or surface 30. A pair of
`open ended elongate openings 32 being axially aligned are
`positioned near the upper end 24 and open at the front side
`28 of the pair of brackets 22 and a pair of open—ended bores
`34 being axially aligned are positioned near the lower end 26
`and open at the back side 30 of the pair of brackets 22. The
`pair of open ended elongate openings 32 and the pair of
`open-ended bores 34 have a preestablished space therebe-
`tween. Each of the front sides 28 of the pair of brackets 22
`further includes an inclined surface 36 defining a mating
`surface 38. The inclined surface 36 extends from the lower
`end 26 toward the upper end 24 a preestablished distance
`when in the assembled position forms a cavity 39 being
`interposed the pair of brackets 22 and the bowl member 20.
`The quick—disconnect coupler 12 includes a frame assem—
`bly 40 being constructed of a pair of mounting plates 42
`having a connecting plate 44 fixedly attached thereto and
`spacing each of the pair of mounting plates 42 one from the
`other a preestablished distance about a centerline 45. The
`connecting plate 44 defines a front side or surface 46 and a
`back side or surface 48. Each of the pair of mounting plates
`42 include an upper end 50, a lower end 52, an inner side or
`surface 54 and an outer side or surface 56. A first pair of
`bores 58 being axially aligned are positioned near the upper
`end 50 of the pair of mounting plates 42 and a pair of second
`bores 60 being axially aligned are positioned near the lower
`end 52 of the pair of mounting plates 42. In the assembled
`position, the first pair of bores 58 are axially aligned with the
`open ended elongate openings 28 and the second pair of
`bores 60 are axially aligned with the pair of open ended
`bores 30 in the pair of brackets 22. In this application, the
`first pair of bores 58 and the second pair of bores 60 each
`have a cylindrical boss member 62 positioned within respec-
`tive ones of the first pair of bores 58 and the second pair of
`bores 60. The cylindrical boss members 62 include an outer
`end 64, an inner end 66 and a stepped outer surface 68
`having a first preestablished diameter positioned near the
`outer end 64 and extending axially from the outer end 64 a
`predetermined distance toward the inner end 66 and a
`second preestablished diameter being smaller than the first
`preestablished diameter extending axially from the first
`preestablished diameter to the inner end 66. Each of these
`cylindrical boss members 62 have one of the plurality of pins
`14 positioned therein and the retainers 16 attach the quick-
`disconnect device 12 to the stick 10. As an alternative, the
`cylindrical boss members 62 can be rotatably or fixedly
`positioned within the first pair of bores 58 and/or the second
`pair of bores 60. And, if the cylindrical boss members 62 are
`rotatable, a conventional lubricating system can be used.
`As an alternative to replaceable cylindrical boss members
`62, the frame assembly 40 could include a cylindrical boss
`generally centered about the first pair of bores 58 and the
`second pair of bores 60 being attached to each of the inner
`sides 54 of each of the pair of mounting plates 42.
`Furthermore, the first pair of bores 58 and the second pair of
`bores 60 could each have a cylindrical boss 64 being slightly
`larger than the cylindrical boss 62 generally centered there-
`about and being attached to each of the outer sides 56 of each
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`of the pair of mounting plates 42. The cylindrical bosses
`would have a bore thm'ein through which one of the plurality
`of pins 14 are positioned therein and the retainers 16 attach
`the quick-disconnect device 12 to the stick 10.
`As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, attached to the connect-
`ing plate 44 on the back side 48 is an activation device 80
`which include a plurality of linkage members 82 being
`movable between an open position 83 and a locked position
`84. The open position 83 is at one end of the extremity of the
`movement of the plurality of link members 82 and the
`locked position is at the other extremity of the movement of
`the plurality of link member 82. The actuation device 80 is
`in communication with the operators station of the hydraulic
`excavator 8 by a conventional system, not shown. In this
`application, the plurality of linkage members 82 are acti-
`vated by a hydraulic cylinder 86, but as an alternative could
`include any type of actuating device such as a manual lever,
`an air cylinder, or an electrical solenoid. The hydraulic
`cylinder 86 is of conventional design and includes a head
`end 90 being attached to one of the pair of mounting plates
`42 in a conventional manner and a rod end 92 being
`connected to a portion of the plurality of linkage members
`82 in a conventional manner. The rod being compressed
`moves the plurality of linkage 82 into the open position 83
`and with the rod extended moves the plurality of linkage 82
`into the locked position 84. The plurality of linkage mem-
`bers 82 includes a lever assembly 94 being pivotally con-
`nected to the other of the pair of mounting plates 42 at a
`pivot point 96. A first end 98 of the lever assembly 94 is
`pivotally connected to a first end 100 of a pair of bell cranks
`102 and a second end 104 of the lever assembly 94 is
`pivotally connected to a first end 106 of a tie member 108
`in a conventional manner. A second end 110 of the tie
`
`member 108 is pivotally connected to a first portion 112 of
`a rotating link 114 in a conventional manner. The rotating
`link 114 further includes a second portion 116 being pivot-
`ally connected to the first end 100 of the other of the pair of
`bell cranks 102 in a conventional manner. A pivot portion
`118 of the rotating link 114 is attached to the connecting
`plate 44 in a pivotal manner of conventional construction. A
`second end 120 of the pair of bell cranks 102 is pivotally
`connected to a first end 122 of an adjustable member 124
`attached thereto in a conventional manner. A second end 126
`
`of the adjustable member 124 is attached to a locking
`member 128. In this application, the locking member 128
`includes a latch 130 having a pair of tapered ends 132 each
`defining a mating surface 134 thereon. The pair of tapered
`ends 132 are spaced one from the other and centered about
`the centerline 45. A body 136 is interposed the pair of
`tapered ends 132. Attached to the body 136 a preestablished
`distance from the centerline 45 is the second end 126 of the
`adjustable member 124. The mating stn'face 134 defined on
`each of the pair of tapered ends 132 is spaced from the
`centerline 45 at generally an equal distance. The distance
`from the centerline 45 to the mounted position of the second
`end 126 of the adjustable member 124 on the body 136 and
`the distance from the mounted position of the second end
`126 of the adjustable member 124 on the body 136 to the
`mating surface 134 are generally equal. Furthermore, the
`relative position on each side of the centerline 45 of the
`mounted position of the second end 126 of the adjustable
`member 124 on the body 136 and the mating stn'face 134 are
`symmetrical. In the assembled position with the attachment
`18 connected to the stick 10 by the quick-disconnect coupler
`12, the mating surface 134 of the corresponding one of the
`pair of tapered ends 130 is in contacting relationship with the
`mating surface 38 on the corresponding one of the pair of
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`brackets 22 and the pair of tapered ends 130 are positioned
`within the cavities 39. In the open position 112 the mating
`surface 134 of the corresponding one of the pair of tapered
`ends 130 is not in contacting relationship with the mating
`surface 38 on the corresponding one of the pair of brackets
`22 but is spaced therefrom. And, the pair of tapered ends 130
`are positioned out of the cavity 39.
`INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
`
`In use, a power device 8 such as a hydraulic excavator or
`backhoe, shown schematically, has the stick 10 extending
`therefrom to which is attached the bucket or an auxiliary
`attachment 18 used for a specific task While performing the
`many tasks, the operator needs to perform a different task
`requiring a different attachment 18. Thus,
`the quick-
`disconnect device 12 comes into play. The operator initiates
`an operation to release the attachment 18 and the activation
`device 80 and the rod of the hydraulic cylinder 86 is
`compressed moving the plurality of linkage members 82.
`The plurality of linkage members 82 moves the latch 130
`from the locked position 84 at one of the extremities of the
`preestablished configuration of the movement of the plural-
`ity of linkage members 82 to the other of the extremities of
`the preestablished configuration to the open position 83. The
`combination of the lever assembly 94 being pivoted about
`the pivot point 96, the first end 98 of the lever assembly 94
`being pivotally connected to one of the pair of bell cranks at
`the first end 100, and the second end 104 of the lever
`assembly 94 being connected to the first end 106 of the tie
`member 108 and the rotating link 114 being pivoted about
`the pivot portion 118, the second portion 116 of the rotating
`link 114 being pivotally connected to the other of the pair of
`bell cranks 102 at the first end 100, and the first portion 112
`of the rotating link 114 being connected to the second end
`110 of the tie member 108, when activated by the cylinder
`86, causing the pair of link members 94 to produce an axial
`movement which systematically function in harmony
`between the pair of bell cranks 102. Each of the adjustable
`members 124 exert a force on the body 136 of the locking
`member 128 causing the mating surfaces 134 on the pair of
`tapered ends 130 to move away from the inclined surfaces
`36 on the pair of brackets 22. Thus, the pair of ends 130
`move out of the cavity 39 allowing the attachment to be
`removed from the stick 10. The operator moves the stick 10
`so that the portion of the cylindrical boss members 62 in
`contact with the portion of the pair of open-ended bores 34
`and the pair of open ended elongate openings 32 become
`disengaged and moves the frame assembly 40 away from the
`attachment 18. Thus, the attachment 18 is disconnected from
`the power device 8.
`Next, the operator moves the power device 8 into position
`so as to attach the other of the attachments 18. The operator
`moves the frame assembly 40 into position so that a portion
`of the cylindrical boss members 62 are in contact with the
`portion of the pair of open ended elongate openings 32,
`picks up the attachment 18 and rotates the attachment until
`the cylindrical boss members 62 are in contact with the
`portion of the pair of open-ended bores 34. The operator
`initiates an operation to attach the attachment 18 and the
`activation device 80 and the hydraulic cylinder 86 moving
`the plurality of linkage members 82. However, during this
`cycle, with the rod of the cylinder 86 compressed the
`plurality of linkage members 82 moves the from the open
`position 83 at one of the extremities of the preestablished
`configuration to the other of the extremities of the preestab-
`lished configuration to the locked position 84 causing the tie
`member 108 to systematically move the pair. of bell cranks
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`5,634,736
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`102 to function in harmony. The adjustable members 124
`exert a force on the body 136 of the locking member 128
`causing the mating surfaces 134 on the pair of tapered ends
`130 to move toward the inclined surfaces 36 on the pair of
`brackets 22. Thus, the pair of ends 130 move into the cavity
`39 allowing the attachment to be attached in working
`relationship to the stick 10.
`The position or spacing of the adjustable members 124
`along the body 136 of the locking member 128 causes each
`of the pair of ends 130 to move uniformly and prevents
`cocking of the locking member 128. The spacing of the pair
`of ends 130 axially from the centerline 45 and being in
`contacting relationship with the spaced apart pair of brackets
`22 on the attachment 18 insures that the connection between
`the power device 8 and the attachment is of structural
`integrity to withstand twisting, bending and additional
`induced forces.
`
`Furthermore, the preestablished configuration of the plu-
`rality of linkage members 82, specifically the lever assembly
`94, the rotating link 114, the tie member 108 and the pair of
`bell cranks 102 further position the locked position 84
`within the preestablished so as to maintain the quick-
`disconnect coupler 12in the locked position 84 even if the
`hydraulic cylinder 86 loses hydraulic power.
`Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention
`can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure
`and the appended claims.
`We claim:
`
`1. A quick-disconnect device comprising:
`a pair of brackets being fixedly attached to an attachment,
`said pair of brackets include an upper end, a lower end,
`a front side, a back side, a pair of open ended elongate
`openings being axially aligned are positioned near the
`upper end and at the back side and a pair of open—ended
`bores being axially aligned are positioned near the
`lower end and open at the back side;
`a frame assembly being attached to a power device;
`an activation device being attached to the frame assembly,
`said activation device removably attaching said frame
`assembly to said attachment;
`said activation device including a plurality of linkage
`members being movable between an open position and
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`a locked position said plurality of linkage members
`defining a cam member having an over center or
`locking portion corresponding to the locked position
`and said plurality of linkage members include a pair of
`cam members; and
`
`a locking member including a latch having a pair of
`spaced apart ends which when in the locked position
`are in contacting relationship with said frame assembly.
`2. The quick-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein said
`pair of brackets include an inclined surface extending from
`the lower end toward the upper end.
`3. The quick-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein said
`frame assembly includes a pair of mounting plates having a
`plurality of boss members positioned thereon, said plurality
`of boss members being positioned on said pair of mounting
`plates to correspond to the position of said pair of open
`ended elongate openings and said pair of open-ended bores.
`4.The quick—disconnect device of claim 1 wherein each of
`said pair of cam members includes a recess defining a
`preestablished configuration having an arcuate portion and
`said over center or locking portion.
`5. The quick-disconnect device of claim 4 wherein during
`operation said activation device moves through the recess
`from an open position to a locked position.
`6. The quick-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein a
`cavity is interposed the pair of brackets and the attachment.
`7. The quick-disconnect device of claim 6 wherein said
`pair of spaced apart ends are positioned in the cavity at said
`locked position and are positioned out of the cavity at said
`open position.
`8. The quick-disconnect device of claim 1 wherein said
`activation device includes a hydraulic cylinder.
`9. The quick-disconnect device of claim 8 said hydraulic
`cylinder is pressurized and maintains the quick—disconnect
`device in the locked position.
`10. The quick-disconnect device of claim 8 wherein said
`hydraulic cylinder losses pressure and said over center or
`locked position of said preestablished configuration main-
`tains the quick-disconnect device in the locked position.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
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`