Patent ID: 6231296
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: E02F,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for detachably coupling an implement to the operating arm of an excavator, comprising:locking manifestations on said implement, including locking members with supporting surfaces, locking elements with locking surfaces, and counter supports between said locking members and locking elements;a first shaft for receiving a stick for connecting an excavator operating arm to said implement so that said implement is pivotable about said first shaft;said first shaft mounted by an attachment member comprising first and second substantially parallel link arms having first and second ends, said first shaft mounted adjacent said first ends of said link arms;a second shaft substantially parallel to said first shaft and mounted by said link arms between said first and second ends thereof;counter-supports provided on said link arms between said first and second ends thereof, and cooperating with said counter supports on said implement;first and second openings formed in said first and second link arms, respectively, adjacent said second ends thereof;a hydraulic locking member loosely mounted in said first and second openings, extending between said link arms, so that said locking member does not make locking engagement with said link arms, but said link arms prevent axial movement of said hydraulic locking member;at least one stop acting between said hydraulic locking member and at least one of said link arms to prevent rotation of said locking member in said openings;said hydraulic locking member comprising: a hydraulic cylinder; first and second piston each having a minus side and a plus side, said plus sides having effective pressure areas larger than said minus sides; a rear pressure chamber defined in said cylinder on said plus side of each of said pistons, and a forward pressure chamber defined in said cylinder on said minus side of each of said pistons; and first and second piston rods connected to said first and second pistons, respectively, and facing outwardly from each other, and each having a free end extendable outwardly from said cylinder, said free ends having locking wedge surfaces; anda hydraulic control unit which supplies hydraulic fluid to said forward chambers, and supplies hydraulic fluid to said rear chambers, with selectively variable pressure to move said piston rods from a first position, in which said locking wedge surfaces thereof extend outwardly from said link arms and engage said locking surfaces of said locking elements of said implement to lock said attachment member to said implement operatively engaging said locking member supporting surfaces, locking element locking surfaces, and counter supports, and a second position, in which said locking wedge surfaces are withdrawn to an extent that said locking wedge surfaces do not operatively engage said locking member supporting surfaces so that said attachment member is readily detached from said implement.