Patent ID: 8007197
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: E02F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A coupler device for releasably connecting a boom arm to a tool, such as a material handling bucket, said tool having a stop provided thereon for securing the tool to the coupler device, said coupler device comprising: a coupling frame adapted for connection to said boom arm and having wedge members on opposite, vertically extending sides thereof projecting outwardly in a transverse direction from said vertically extending sides, said wedge members each being adapted to engage in a channel formed by a respective one of two connecting members 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 vertically extending sides; a fluid actuated holding mechanism for securing said wedge members in said channels, said holding mechanism including a holder pivotably mounted on said coupling device frame for movement between a holding position and a release position and a main fluid actuator connected to said holder at one end thereof and to said coupling frame at an opposite end thereof, said fluid actuator in use being 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, a connector extending between and rigidly connecting said plate members, a pivot pin extending between and connected to the upper end sections of the two plate members and to said two support plates, a connecting pin extending between and connected to bottom end sections of the plate members, said main fluid actuator including an actuator rod operatively connect to said connecting pin; and a locking pin mechanism for locking said wedge members in said channels, said locking pin mechanism including at least one locking pin movably mounted on said coupling frame for movement between a locked position in which said wedge members are prevented from coming out of said channels during use of the coupler device and an unlocked position, said locking pin mechanism further including a linear fluid actuator mounted on said coupling frame and having a hydraulic cylinder and a pin actuating rod slidable in said cylinder and connected to one of said at least one locking pin, and a hydraulic circuit arrangement operatively connected to both said main fluid 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 main fluid 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 pin mechanism in order to extend its actuator rod to said locked position after said main fluid actuator is fully extended and said holder is thereby pivoted to the holding position where the bottom section of the plate members engage said stop on the tool member.