Patent ID: 6625909
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
A coupler for permitting an excavator operator to couple an excavator bucket to a dipper arm of an excavator without the operator leaving an excavator cab, the excavator including a bucket pivot link, and the coupler being operably disposed between the excavator bucket and the dipper arm, the coupler comprising:(a) two spaced plates, each plate having two apertures selected to cooperatively align with the dipper arm and the bucket pivot link of the excavator respectively, a first open-ended hook-shaped aperture in the two spaced plates extending generally horizontally and rearwardly; (b) a latching hook pivotally supported on the spaced plates between a latching position and an unlatched position; the latching hook having a free end, the free end including a nose portion and an internal surface, the nose portion and the internal surface defining an internal profile, the internal profile including an internal surface of the nose portion, oriented such that when the hook is cooperatively engaged with the excavator bucket and carrying the weight of the excavator bucket on the internal surface of the nose portion, a moment is created on the latching hook urging the latching hook toward the latching position; and (c) power operated means actuatable from within the excavator cab for moving the latching hook between the latching position and the unlatched position.