Quick coupling and lift device

The invention concerns improvements in universal vertical lift system couplings and attachments therefor; in vertical lift systems, improvements in wide engagement and narrow engagement universal couples and attachments; and improvements in couples of vertical lift systems, both wide gauge and narrow gauge, which permit attachment engagements be fixed directly to the working attachment member, rather than requiring the conventional intermediate universal support or carry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Industrial trucks, carriers, movers and lifts of all sort have been adapted 
to have removably engaged therewith or removably mounted thereon the 
widest variety of working or lifting attachments. These include, without 
limitation, and only as a suggestion of the multiplicity of variety of 
such working attachments: carton clamps, pushers and push/pulls, load 
clamps, rotators, including those up to 360 degrees, fork positioners, 
side shifters, paper roll clamps, drum handlers and the like. 
Additionally, reach attachments, box dumpers, booms, car breakouts and the 
like may be added to this list. 
For these many and varied working attachments, a number of mountings and 
quick attach/detachment arrangements have been provided. These devices 
typically involve the laterally sliding on and off of the working 
attachment with respect to normally horizontal carrier beams or a 
hook-over arrangement involving snap locks. In most cases, either the 
working operator must get off the vehicle and effect a sliding of the 
attachment on or off carrier beams or an intricate extendable and 
retractible coupler means has to be provided to permit the required 
engagement and disengagement. 
It would be most useful to provide a quick couple construction for a 
vehicle which is readily and securely engageable with the work attachment 
and readily disengageable therefrom, but which does not require an 
extendable and retractible complex coupling means on the front of the 
vehicle, or does not require the individual operator to dismount to remove 
the attachment from the couple by sliding disengagement. Yet further, it 
is important to provide, in any vertical lift system, a minimum spacing or 
distance between the work attachment engaged and the couple for center of 
gravity and work space purposes. Still further, in most vertical lift 
systems, including those involving a multisegment mast arrangement, the 
provision of the couple-attachment engagement at or behind the contacting 
areas of the couple and work attachment would be a great advantage and 
improvement, not only with respect to space in storage, handling and work, 
but also with respect to security of engagement and optimum positioning of 
the center of gravity with respect to the lift system and mast or axis of 
lift. 
What is basically desirous, and is not provided by the prior art, is a 
couple in a vertical lift system, the vertical lift system either static 
or mobile, where the engagement with the work member is behind the 
abutment interface of the lift element contacting the work attachment and 
the rear or abutting face of the work attachment. When a mobile system of 
this sort is provided, so long as the couple engagement zones are lower 
than the attachment engagement areas, the vehicle may be driven up to the 
work attachment, which is positively engaged by the couple simply by 
lifting a portion of the vertical lift system and without any requirement 
on the operator of leaving the driver's seat. In changing attachments 
again, the vehicle merely needs to be driven to the desired storage zone, 
the attachment lowered to the ground and, thereafter, the couple 
engagement members lowered below the level of the engagement means on the 
attachment. This type of disengagement permits the vehicle to back away 
and freely move to the next working attachment for engagement therewith. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
A first object of the invention is to provide new and valuable improvements 
in couples and attachments for vertical lift systems, both static and 
mobile . 
Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in couples and 
attachments for vertical lift systems utilizing vertical masts or hoist 
guide frames of conventional type, where the mast elements or hoist guide 
frame elements comprise configured frame plates adapted to be elevated and 
lowered in sequence within the lift frame at the will of the operator 
through a suitable conventional lifting power mechanism and control 
therefor. 
Another object of the invention is to provide such improvements in couples 
and attachments which will permit all the multiplicity of standard work 
attachments, such as forks of all types, side shifters, clamps of all 
types, rotators of all types, positioners of all types, pushers and 
push/pulls of all types, etc. to be directly coupled with lift elements 
which are directly carried by the working elements of standard lift 
assemblies, either mobile or static, without the requirement of 
intermediate structure. 
Another object of the invention is to provide such couple improvements 
which also include optional lower level locking systems to safeguard 
carrying and movement of heavy loads and working attachments in mobile 
uses, as well as uses which require fixed attachments to the couple at a 
multiplicity of levels. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide simple, relatively 
inexpensive, extremely rugged improvements in couples and attachments for 
engagement therewith which may be manufactured new, retrofitted in the 
field or provided as options by the manufacturers and merchandisers of 
attachments and lift systems. 
Another object of the invention is to provide such improvements in couples 
and attachments engageable therewith wherein all parts of the engageable 
means between the couple and atachments are (before engagement) readily 
and fully available to view to readily ascertain the status of the 
elements as to repair, cleanliness, orientation and operability. 
Another object of the invention is to provide devices of the character 
described wherein the vehicle or lift operator may change attachments 
without leaving the seat of the vehicle and, in fact, without the 
requirement of any additional mechanized equipment to perform such 
changes, in most cases, with very few exceptions. 
Still another object is that the subject novel attachments, when picked up, 
can automatically be locked onto the lift mechanism and unlocked by simply 
putting the attachment down again. 
Another object of the invention is to provide improvements in couple 
mechanisms which may be applied to or made integral with the standard 
guide plates of conventional mast constructions, hoist guide frames of 
conventional construction or vertical lift hoists of conventional 
construction where guide plates and one or more associated sets of 
configured frame plates are normally nested and engaged together in a 
group in a frame and elevatable and lowerable in regular sequence within 
the frame at the will of an operator through suitable conventional lifting 
power mechanisms and controls including cable lifts, chain lifts, 
hydraulic cylinders and the like, all of known and commercial type. 
Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the 
following description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In its preferred embodiment, as particularly seen in FIGS. 1-10, inclusive, 
the subject invention involves a quick lift couple and attachment. The 
couple construction typically involves or is based on a pair of elongate, 
normally vertical, couple guide plate beams. These beams are opposed to 
one another in parallel, spaced apart relationship and typically are 
substantially rectangular in side, front and plan views. The beams have 
forward and rearward edges, top and bottom ends and inboard and outboard 
elongate flat faces. A lower, normally horizontal, couple stabilizer beam 
typically extends between the opposed inboard faces of the couple guide 
plate beams adjacent the lower ends thereof and is connected thereto with 
the beam ends near to the guide plate beam's front edges so that one 
surface of the stabilizer beam is substantially in line therewith. 
Each guide plate, adjacent its top ends, has mounted adjacent thereto a 
secondary beam member which extends normally vertical and subtantially 
parallel to the guide plate. The respective secondary beam members and 
guide plates are rigidly secured to one another adjacent one vertical edge 
of the guide plate and one vertical edge of the secondary beam member. An 
upper, normally horizontal couple stabilizer beam typically extends 
between the couple guide plates at an upper level thereof and is connected 
thereto with its ends. 
The attachment to the couple is, typically, a work piece member having a 
normally vertical rear or rearward wall or face of such dimension as to be 
able to extend between and across and be able to abut against the forward 
edges of the couple guide plates below their upper ends. Two normally 
vertical work piece support plates are typically fixed to the rearward 
face of the work piece member and extend normal thereto. Means are 
provided cooperating between the secondary beam members and work piece 
support plates for removably engaging the one with the other behind the 
forward edges of the couple guide plates. When this engagement is made, 
raising and lowering the couple guide plate beams will raise and lower the 
attached work piece member. 
In a broad gauge or greater width verion of the couple and attachment, the 
secondary beam members are positioned outboard of the couple guide plate 
beams. They may be part of an integral couple top support beam fixed to 
the front edges of the couple guide plate beams, adjacent the top ends 
thereof. In this case, the work piece support plates are further spaced 
apart from one another. Alternatively, the secondary beam members may be 
positioned inboard of the couple guide plate beams in a narrow gauge 
application. In such case the work piece support plates engageable 
therewith are closely spaced together on the work piece member. 
Engageable and disengageable locking means are optionally provided which 
will cooperate between the rearward face of the work piece member and a 
portion, typically the top edge thereof, of the lower couple stabilizer 
beam for providing a second engagement of the work piece below the upper 
engagement for rigidity and stability. 
The secondary beam members are preferably single members which are embraced 
by sets of normally vertical, paired work piece support members fixed to 
the rearward face of the work piece member and extending normal thereto. 
This engagement construction provides great strength and stability in all 
dimensions, with respect to the latter particularly when the lower locking 
means is provided. 
FIGS. 1-5, INCLUSIVE 
FIGS. 1-5, inclusive show a broad gauge or wide couple and attachment 
construction. The lift couple, which may be either static or mobile, is of 
conventional design and certain operative parts thereof are shown in 
dotted lines, schematically. These comprise normally fixed, static channel 
members 30 and 31 which are normally vertical. These channel members are 
essentially foreshortened C sections as illustrated and are rigidly tied 
to the base of the vehicle or support. The latter is normally horizontal 
and seen only in FIG. 3 at 32. Nested within channel member 30 and 31 are 
J section members 33 and 34 which are vertically movable with respect to 
base or floor 32 and the fixed channel members 30 and 31. Rollers 35 are 
mounted on either J section members 33 and 34 or channels 30 and 31 (or 
both). An hydraulic cylinder 36 having vertically movable piston rod 37 is 
provided, preferably centrally of channels 30 and 31. The structures just 
described are conventional in the prior art. The base or floor 32 may be 
carried by wheels 38 (FIG. 2) or be statically positioned or yet represent 
a floor itself. 
The subject improved couple construction, as seen in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, 
is based upon elongate, normally vertical, generally substantially 
rectangular, couple guide plate beams 39 and 40. Rollers 41 are typically 
rotatably mounted on the outer faces of beams 39 and 40 and serve to 
permit the guide plate beams 39 and 40 to move upwardly and downwardly 
within J sections 33 and 34, as rollers 35 permit J sections 33 and 34 to 
move upwardly and downwardly within channels 30 and 31. Beams 39 and 40 
are tied together adjacent the lower ends thereof by lower, normally 
horizontal couple stabilizer beam 42 extending between the opposed, 
inboard faces of the couple guide plate beams and connected thereto with 
its ends near to the guide plate beam front edges so that, preferably, the 
front or outboard surface of stabilizer beam 42 is substantially in line 
with the front edges 39a and 40a of guide plate beams 39 and 40. An upper 
beam member centrally designated 43 is rigidly welded or otherwise fixed 
to the upper front edges of beams 39 and 40 and extend therebetween. 
By virtue of beams 42 and 43 rigidly locking vertical guide plate beams 39 
and 40 together in a vertical, parallel relationship, beams 39 and 40 move 
vertically upwardly and downwardly as a single unit. Guide plate beams 39 
and 40, J sections 33 and 34 and channel sections 30 and 31 operate in 
conjunction with one another as a lift mast system. The hydraulic cylinder 
36 may be tied to the J sections by a transverse member (not seen) between 
the rearward ends thereof, in which case the guide plate beams 39 and 40 
may be raised, lowered and manipulated with respect to the J sections by 
means of a conventional chain wheel drive (not shown). Alternatively, a 
secondary cylinder (not shown) may be provided coupled with beam members 
39 and 40 to move said beams up and down with respect to the J section 
members 33. This second cylinder may be a short cylinder and carried by 
the J section members. Alternatively, the cylinder 36 may be coupled by 
its piston rod directly to beams 39 and 40 to lift them within J section 
members 33 and 34 and also the J section members with respect to the 
channels 30 and 31 by a beam member (not shown) between the rearward upper 
ends of beams 39 and 40. In this case and in other described cases, 
suitable stops are provided with respect to the roller 41 with respect to 
J members 33 and 34 and rollers 35 with respect to the J members 33 and 34 
stationary channels 30 and 31. 
Said otherwise, the drive means to raise and lower the lift mast elements 
with respect to one another and the base are conventional and may be of 
various sorts, types and structures. The roller, guide and stop means 
between the mast elements permitting telescoping raising and lowering 
thereof are also conventional and may be of various known structures. None 
of these are detailed. 
Various other described options of conventional mast design may be 
employed. Thus, the guide plates 39 and 40 may be directly positioned 
within stationary channels 30 and 31. Alternatively, additional mast 
sections other than guide beams 39 and 40 and J sections 33 and 34 may be 
provided for various high lift applications. In such cases, suitable 
conventional engagements between the various channels or members of the 
mast with respect to one another may be provided, with various 
conventional roller mountings and stops provided between the channels and 
mast sections with respect to one another. Various combinations of lift 
means may additionally be provided for the various sections of the mast 
with respect to one another. With respect to the sample mounting shown, 
preferably, beams 39 and 40 may move vertrically within J sections 33 and 
34 and the latter vertically within stationary channels 30 and 31. 
Suitable power drives (typically hydraulic cylinders) are provided 
connected to the various movable sections of the mast to achieve the lift 
perameters desired and designed for. 
Each guide plate beam 39 and 40 has mounted adjacent thereto a secondary 
beam member (here members 44 and 45 positioned outboard of beams 39 and 
40). The respective secondary beam members 44 and 45 and guide plates 39 
and 40 are rigidly secured to one another adjacent one vertical edge (here 
the front or forward edges) of beams 39 and 40 and one vertical edge (here 
the rear edges) of secondary beam members 44 and 45. The securements in 
this case comprise arcuate extensions 43a and 43b of upper beam 43, which 
extensions fair rearwardly of the front edges of beams 39 and 40 
sufficiently so that the forward edges 44a and 45a of the secondary beam 
members 44 and 45 are positioned in line with or behind the forward edges 
of beams 39 and 40. The top rearward edges of secondary beam members 44 
and 45 are preferably in line with the top of beam 43, while raised 
forward portions 44b and 45b are provided thereon extending above the top 
edge of beam 43 which have arcuate rearward bearing edges 44c and 45 c. 
In conventional use of guide plates 39 and 40 in the prior art, typically, 
a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced apart beam members (the 
conventional usage is not shown) are fixed to the forward edges of the 
guide plates. These beam members have elongate, flanged upper and lower 
edges for sliding engagement onto the beams and removal therefrom of work 
members of various sorts, including forks and the other work members 
previously listed above (rotators, clamps, etc.). To permit such 
engagement, the work member rear faces must have spaced, horizontal, 
matching flanges mounted thereon slideably engageable with the beam upper 
and lower edges. 
In the specific showings of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, such universal mounting, 
horizontal beam members are shown as they would be mounted on the subject 
couple, although, since the subject is itself a universal mounting, this 
would be a very unusual application. However, the simplicity of this well 
known attachment, and its structure, permits a good illustration of a 
sample work attachment and how same would be engaged with and disengaged 
from the subject couple carried by conventional couple guide plate beams 
39 and 40. 
Referring, then, to FIG. 5, particularly for optimum initial visualization, 
but also to FIGS. 1-4, inclusive, a first, horizontal (normally 
horizontal) elongate beam 46 is provided, spaced vertically apart above 
and from lower, normally horizontal beam 47 in normally parallel 
relationship, two vertical connecting beams 48 and 49 rigidly connect and 
space apart in parallel, normally horizontal relationship, beams 46 and 
47. Beam 46 preferably has top mounting flange 46a extending the length 
thereof and, further, beam 47 preferably has like bottom mounting flange 
47a on the lower edge thereof for slidable mounting purposes for work 
attachments, as will be described and is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The 
structure of these beams 46 and 47 is that of those standard, conventional 
beams making up the art universal mounting system which are generally 
rigidly fixed to the front edge of guide plate beams 39 and 40 or their 
equivalents in a standard universal mounting construction of the prior 
art. 
What is required of any work piece member which is to be carried by the 
couple on beams 39 and 40 is that it have a normally vertical rearward 
face of such dimension as to be able to extend between and across and be 
able to abut against the forward edges of couple guide plates 39 and 40 
below the couple top support beam 43 in a position normal to the said 
guide plates 39 and 40. That is, what is desired, for any work piece 
member (here shown as horizontal beams 46 and 47) is that its rearward, 
normally vertical face will be carried in abutment against the front edges 
39a and 40a of beams 39 and 40 while the work member is suspended from or 
carried by the secondary beam members 44 and 45 outboard of plates 39 and 
40 once the couple and the attachment are engaged or mated. 
In order to provide suitable engaging suspension means for the work member 
(beams 46 and 47 rigidly joined by attachments 48 and 49), two sets of 
normally vertical, paired work piece support plates are fixed to the 
rearward face of the work piece member (beams 46 and 47) extending normal 
thereto. These work piece support plates are seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 
and comprise in the showings of the various views, one set of support 
plates generally designated 51 and 52 and a second set of parallel, spaced 
apart, support plates generally designated 53 and 54. The centers of the 
sets of such work piece support plates 51-54, inclusive, are spaced apart 
from one another a distance equal to that separating the centers of 
secondary beam members 44 and 45. The two support plates (51 and 52 of one 
set and 53 and 54 of the other set) are spaced apart a distance slightly 
greater than the thickness of the secondary beam members 44 and 45, 
whereby, when the couple basically including the lift mast with the upper 
support beam 43 and secondary beams 44 and 45, is moved toward the work 
piece member rear face, the secondary beam members 44 and 45 may slideably 
engage between the members 51, 52 and 53, 54 of the support plate. 
Connectors generally designated 55 (between plates 51 and 52) and 56 
(between plates 53 and 54) are provided at the upper ends of the plate 
member sets and fixed therebetween of congruent underside configuration to 
rear surfaces 44c and 45c of secondary beam members 44 and 45. In view of 
the fact that the upper portions 51a-54a of support plates 51-54, 
inclusive are made deeper (particularly see the upper right hand portions 
of FIGS. 2 and 5), the upper engaging members 55 and 56 may be so 
positioned with respect to the rear faces of horizontal beams 47 and 46 
(or any equivalent other work member) that, when the rear face of the work 
member is in abutment against the forward edges 39a and 40a of beams 39 
and 40 under upper cross beam 43, the connectors 55 and 56 may be 
overlying surfaces 44c and 45c in tight, congruent, locking engagement. 
This engagement is simply provided by lining up the front edges 39a and 40a 
of beams 39 and 40 in the mast system parallel to and centered of the ends 
of the rear faces of beams 46 and 47. In this manner, secondary beam 
members 44, and 45 may be lined up for engagement between the sets of 
support plates on the rear face of the work member to be engaged by the 
couple. This assumes that plates 39 and 40 are in lowered position and 
engaging members 55 and 56 are high enough to slip over secondary beam 
portions 44b and 45b. Such relation permits secondary beam members 44 and 
45 to slide between the plates 51-54, inclusive in the portions 51a-54a, 
inclusive whereby, when the work member rear face abuts against the guide 
plate 39 and 40 front faces, guide plates 39 and 40 may be raised by the 
power of the mast lift system (such as hydraulic cylinder 36) to effect 
engagements of the upper faces 44c and 45 of secondary beam members 44 and 
45 with the undersides of configured connectors 55 and 56. Disengagements 
are made in the opposite fashion with the plates 39 and 49 being lowered 
so that portions 44b and 45b may clear under the lowermost portions of 
connectors 55 and 56 as the vehicle or other transport moves away or to 
the left in the views of FIGS. 2 and 5. 
In many instances, it is desirable or necessary to provide a second 
engagement (other than that immediately described) between the couple and 
the work member attachment. The first engagement involves connectors 55 
and 56 engaging over surfaces 44c and 45c at the top in such manner that, 
if guide plates 39 and 40 move up and down, the work member (beams 46 and 
47 as shown) will move upwardly and downwardly therewith. The forward 
portions of surfaces 44c and 45c and their engagement with the forward 
normally vertical portions of connectors 55 and 56, together with back 
face abutment of the work attachment against the forward edges 40a and 39a 
of plates 39 and 40 normally result in a rigid, locking securement. 
However, in the event that, vehicle orientation or movement should cause 
the mast system to lean at a substantial angle there may be movement of 
the suspended work piece away from the back face contact with the front 
edges 39a and 40a of beams 39 and 40 even if the upper engagement remains 
intact. Thus, locking means at a lower level are optionally provided. 
In the specific case shown, particularly see the lower left center portions 
of FIGS. 2 and 3, a pin 57 is provided on top of and to one side of center 
(preferably) on lower cross beam member 42. When such pin 57 is provided, 
it is preferred that beam 42 have its forward or frontward face 
substantially in line with beam edges 39a and 40a. A flange 58 having a 
normally vertical passage 59 therethrough of equal or greater inner 
diameter to the outer diameter or pin 57, is rigidly fixed normal to the 
back face of the work member, precisely laterally positioned between the 
sets of support plates 51-54, inclusive and at such a height that, as the 
underside of the connectors 55 and 56 are lowered into contact engagement 
with surfaces 44c and 45c, flange 58 is lowered over pin 57 in close 
engaging relationship. A pivotal guard or cover adapted to maintain flange 
58 on pin 57 except when guide plates 39 and 40 are in the base position 
of FIG. 3 (where the cover is shown in full line deflected sidewards to 
permit mounting of flange 58 on pin 57) comprises normally horizontal 
plate 60 carried by arm 61 which is pivotally mounted at 62 on the rear 
face of beam 42. Arm 61 has configured, lower, weighted flange portion 63 
which normally holds plate 60 in the dotted line position of FIG. 3 with 
arm 61 vertical. However, an elongate vertical shaft 64 is provided 
rigidly mounted on base 32, having an upper beveled edge which, as beams 
39 and 40 move downwardly into the fully based position of FIG. 3, deflect 
arm 61 and base 63 counterclockwise to the position shown, with plate 63 
free of the top of pin 57. 
It is assumed that beams 39 and 40 will be based, as well as J section 
members 33 and 34 within channels 30 and 31, during any mounting or 
dismounting of a work member with respect to the couple. The couple 
basically comprises, as may be seen, in this specific embodiment, beams 39 
and 40, beam 43 and the outboard lift attachments thereof (comprising 
secondary beam members 44 and 45), lower beam 42 and the locking pin 57. 
For any attachment, whatever its nature, either one of those previously 
listed or the conventional horizontal beams 46 and 47 seen, to be engaged 
and disengaged with the couple which has been described, it is only 
necessary that two sets of guide plates (51-54, inclusive) with connectors 
55 and 56 therein be rigidly fixed onto the rearward face of the work 
member, properly sized, spaced apart and at a proper height for the 
engagement in question. If the pin lock on lower beam member 42 is also to 
be employed, then an engaging member such as flange 58 must also be 
provided fixed to the back of the work piece member. 
If an entire array of work attachments is provided on the back wall, panels 
or faces thereof with the engaging means described, then the subject 
universal couple, mounted on any suitable vehicle, may move around from 
one work member to another, engaging each, carrying it to do the work 
required, then returning it to the storage place with disengagement by 
dropping means 39 and 40 to bottom position and then moving to and picking 
up another work attachment. There is no requirement whatsoever of the 
operator ever leaving the drive seat or his working position on the 
vehicle. Alternatively, if the lift mast assembly is fixed in any given 
one location, then all that is necessary is that the work piece members be 
moved to same and engaged therewith for lifting work as may be required 
and, then, lowered for disengagement and translation or movement of the 
work piece member away from the couple so another may be engaged 
therewith. Alternatively for a fixed location lift mast assembly or the 
equivalent, the lift mast assembly may be on a track or trolley which 
translates forwardly or rearwardly, laterally to either side or both. The 
only requirement is that the work piece member and couple be brought 
together, by whatever means, and engagement made for work (and 
disengagement made for replacement) of the first work piece member with 
another. 
In this construction shown, one important feature is that the actual rear 
face of the work piece member is abutted directly against said edges 39a 
and 40a of the guide plates so the center of gravity of the work piece 
member is as close as possible to the lift mast system. Yet further, a top 
weight carrying and position determining engagement, specifically, 
connectors 55 and 56 on surfaces 44c and 45c, are well behind the front 
edges 39a and 40a of beams 39 and 40 for the greatest possible stability, 
sure vertical positioning, security and securement. 
As most particularly seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the drawings of FIGS. 
1-5, inclusive show how the subject inventive attachment is not only 
adapted to receive any work piece member thereon, but also even that work 
piece member which is the universal mounting of the prior art, if this is 
desired. Additionally, my mounting of the two parallel, horizontal, slide 
engagement beams is just as advantageous, positionwise, with respect to 
beams 39 and 40 as the conventional attachment, utilizing like beams, is 
itself. That is, in the subject illustrated attachment, the back faces of 
beams 46 and 47 will abut directly against the front edges 39a and 40a of 
beams 39 and 40. This is exactly the same position as the welded or 
otherwise fixedly attached like beam members provided on like verticals in 
the conventional universal mounting. This description enables one to see 
an additional advantage of the subject system. Not only can it utilize the 
lateral slide engagements of the conventional universal mounting any time 
such are necessary, when they are not used, considerable weight savings 
are provided, because the beams 46 and 47 are then absent and the new 
attachment or couple weighs less. (Thus, the important portion attached to 
the lift mechanism and the portion attached to the attachment have their 
weight positioned behind the load weight space of the normal left device 
permitting the coupling to be added to a vehicle or lift mechanism without 
the additional weight of the functioning coupling added to the lifting or 
working capacity of the lift mechanism.) 
In the specific FIGS. 2 and 5, conventional lift hooks 65 and 66 have, on 
the rearward sides thereof, flange beam engagements 65a and 65b on lift 
hook 65 and 66a and 66b on hook 66. In conventional manner (not shown) 
locking means are provided to fix the lateral position of the lift hooks 
on the horizontal beams 46 and 47 once they have been slid thereon. 
FIGS. 6-10, INCLUSIVE 
FIGS. 6-10, inclusive show a narrow gauge or smaller couple and attachment 
construction. The inventive construction is shown, as was the case in FIG. 
1-5, inclusive, associated with a conventional lift mast construction. The 
lift couple, as noted before, may be either static or mobile. Fixed, 
static channel members 100 and 101 are normally vertical. These comprise 
essentially foreshortened C members, as seen in FIG. 6, in section and are 
rigidly tied to the base of the vehicle or any supporting surface. Such 
supporting surface or vehicle floor is normally horizontal and seen in 
FIG. 8 at 102. Nested within channel members 100 and 101 are J section 
members 103 and 104, which are vertically movable with respect to base 102 
and fixed channel members 100 and 101. Rollers 105 are mounted on either 
the J section members 103 and 104 or channels 100 and 101 (or both). A 
pair of hydraulic cylinders 106 having vertically movable piston rods 107 
are provided, placed as desired, but here shown laterally of fixed 
vertical channels 100 and 101. Optionally, a single hydraulic cylinder 
analogous to 36 in FIGS. 1 and 3 may be employed, per se or in conjunction 
with cylinders 106. Base or floor 102 may be carried by wheels 108 (FIG. 
7), or be statically positioned or yet itself represent a floor. 
All of the structures just described are essentially conventional in the 
prior art. 
The particular improved couple construction of these figures is based upon 
elongate, normally vertical, generally substantially rectangular couple 
guide plate beams 109 and 110. Rollers 111 are typically rotatably mounted 
on the outer faces of beams 109 and 110 and operate to permit guide plate 
beams 109 and 110 to move upwardly and downwardly within J sections 103 
and 104. This is analogous to rollers 105 permitting J sections 103 and 
104 to move upwardly and downwardly within fixed channels 100 and 101. 
Beams 109 and 110 are preferably tied together adjacent the lower ends 
thereof by the lower, normally horizontal, couple stabilizer beam 112. 
Beam 112 extends between the opposed, inboard faces of guide plate beams 
109 and 110 and is connected thereto with its ends preferably near to the 
guide plate beam front edges in order that, preferably, the outboard 
surface or beam 112 is substantially in line with the front edges 109a and 
110a of beams 109 and 110. An upper beam member generally designated 113 
is rigidly welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the upper rear edges of 
beams 109 and 110 and extends therebetween. 
By virtue of beams 112 and 113 rigidly locking guide plate beams 109 and 
110 together in a vertical, parallel relationship, beams 109 and 110 move 
vertically upwardly and downwardly as a single unit. Beams 109 and 110, J 
sections 103 and 104 and channel sections 100 and 101 operate in 
conjunction with one another as a lift mast system. The hydraulic 
cylinders 106 may be tied to guide plate beams 109 and 110, directly, by 
structural connections (not seen), to lift them within J members 103 and 
104 and also the latter with respect to channels 101 and 100. 
Alternatively, the hydraulic cylinders 106 may be connected to the J 
members to lift them with a secondary cylinder (not shown) carried by the 
J members to raise and lower the beams 109 and 110 with respect thereto. 
Said otherwise, the drive means to raise and lower the lift mast elements 
with respect to one another and the base 32 are conventional and may be of 
any of the variously available sorts, types and structures. In the 
described cases and other arrangements, suitable stops (not shown) are 
provided with respect to rollers 111 with respect to the J members 103 and 
104 and rollers 105 with respect to the J members and stationary channels 
100 and 101. Thus, the roller, guide and stop means, as well as the power 
elements (hydraulic cylinders) between the noted mast elements permit 
telescoping, controlled, raising and lowering of the inner beams 109 and 
110 and J members 103 and 104 with respect to one another and the fixed 
channels 100 and 101. These are conventional and may be of various known 
structures and thus are not detailed other than the showings and 
descriptions made. 
As previously stated with respect to the construction of FIG. 1-5, 
inclusive various other described options of conventional mast design may 
be employed. The guide plates 109 and 110 may be directly positioned 
within stationary channels 100 and 101. Alternatively, additional mast 
sections other than movable guide beams and J sections may be provided for 
various high lift applications. In all such cases, suitable conventional 
engagements, including roller mountings and stops, are provided between 
the mast elements and the base channel sections. Various combinations of 
lift means are provided for various sections of the mast with respect to 
one another to meet the demands of high or low lifts and movement of 
various sections of the lift mast with respect to one another. 
Each inner beam 109 and 110 has mounted inboard thereof and adjacent 
thereto respective secondary beam members 114 and 115. Secondaries 114 and 
115 are rigidly secured, by the rear edges thereof, to the rear edges of 
beams 109 and 110. These securements are stub connections 109b and 110b. 
The top rearward edges of secondaries 114 and 115 are preferably in line 
with the tops of guide beams 109 and 110 and the top of connector 113. The 
forward edges 114a and 115a of secondaries 114 and 115 are preferably 
positioned at least in line with the forward edges 109a and 110a of the 
guide beams, but preferably therebehind as illustrated. The forward top 
edges of secondaries 114 and 115 preferably have raised forward portions 
114b and 115b, respectively, these portions preferably having arcuate 
rearward bearing edges 114c and 115c for purposes to be described. 
In the prior art conventional use (not illustrated) of guide plates 109 and 
110, typically, a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced apart beam members 
are fixed to the forward edges 109a and 110a of beams or plates 109 and 
110. Such conventional, nonillustrated supporting horizontal beam members 
are provided with elongate, flanged upper and lower edges to permit work 
members of various sorts to be engaged therewith by sliding connection 
onto the beams from one side edge thereof while later removable therefrom 
in the same way. Such work members would include forks, rotators, clamps, 
etc. of the sort previously listed. To permit such prior art conventional 
engagement, the work member rear walls or faces are usually provided with 
spaced, horizontal, matching flanges mounted thereon which would be 
slidably engageable with the beam member upper and lower edges. The noted 
beam members could be a single plate like plate 116 of FIGS. 6-10, 
inclusive to be described. 
In the showings of these FIGS. 6-10, inclusive, referring at this moment to 
the attachment seen in the left hand side of FIG. 10 for engagement with 
the couple just described, a universal mounting comprising a single, 
normally vertical plate member 116 is shown. Thus, the attachment which 
will be described for these figures, particularly seen in full lines in 
the lower portion of FIG. 6, right hand portion of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and 
right hand portion of FIG. 10, is not a working device of the sort listed 
above. Rather it is itself one prior art conventional mounting (in a 
modified form thereof somewhat varied from the showing of FIGS. 1-5). Only 
in the dotted line showings of FIGS. 9 and 7 are an actual work member 
shown on the couple. The particular attachment which is to be described is 
selected for simplicity and ease in illustration, itself representing the 
rear wall of the work member for descriptive purposes. Thus, the 
particular attachment shown is selected to enable effective illustration 
of engaging and disengaging of the subject couple with a typical 
attachment or portion of the latter. 
Referring, then, to FIGS. 9 and 10, the right side of the latter, an 
elongate, essentially rectangular plate 116 is provided having end 
cut-outs 117 and 118 for weight conservation. Plate 116 also has top 
mounting flange 116a and bottom mounting flange 116b extending the 
horizontal length of the top and bottom edge thereof, respectively. These 
flanges are for slidable mounting purposes for mounting and removing work 
attachments, as will be described, such shown as lift hooks in FIGS. 7 and 
9. The purpose of plate 116 is the same as beams 46 and 47 in FIGS. 1-5, 
incl., rigidly attached to one another and spaced apart by members 48 and 
49. Thus, the prior art universal mounting system may be provided by plate 
116 or beams 46 and 47 being directly and rigidly fixed to the front edges 
of the guide plate beams (109a and 110a or 39a and 40a, respectively). 
One may raise the question with respect to the showings of FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive and 6-10, inclusive as to why one would ever want to employ the 
prior art universal mounting construction of horizontal beams or 
horizontally oriented vertical plate, when such can be supplied directly 
on the guide plate beam front edges noted. The answer to this is that one 
prefers not to have to supply an attachment with the prior art universal 
mounting but, where such is available, it may be used to engage with work 
piece members which already have mountings fixed thereto for the old 
conventional system. It is far more preferred to omit the horizontal beams 
or plates of the old prior system entirely and fix the attachment members 
to be described directly onto the work member, thus achieving the 
advantages previously discussed with respect to the earlier described form 
of FIGS. 1-5 incl. and to be noted with respect to this modification. 
What is required of any work piece member which is to be carried by the 
couple on beams 109 and 110 is that it have a normally vertical rearward 
face of such dimension as to be able to extend between and across and abut 
against the forward edges of beams 109 and 110. Said otherwise, the 
rearward, normally vertical face or wall of the work member will be 
carried in abutment against the front edges 109a and 110a of beams 109 and 
110 while that work member is suspended from or carried by the secondary 
beam members 114 and 115 inboard of beams 109 and 110, once the couple and 
the attachment are engaged or mated. 
In order to provide suitable engaging suspension means for such work member 
(here illustrated as plate 116 but optionally any of the working devices 
previously listed or others), two sets of normally vertical, paired work 
piece support plates are fixed to the rearward wall or face of the member 
(here plate 116) extending normally thereto. The lower part of FIG. 6, the 
right hand side of FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and the right hand side of FIG. 10 show 
such plates which comprise a first set 118 and 119 (their lower ends 
attached to plate 116) and a second set generally designated 120 and 121 
in their portions attached to plate 116. These sets are normally vertical 
and parallel to one another with the internal members of the sets being 
parallel to one another. The centers of the sets of the plates are spaced 
apart from one another a distance equal to that separating the centers of 
secondary beam members 114 and 115. The two support plates of each set 
(118 and 119 of one set and 120 and 121 of the other set) are spaced apart 
from one another a distance greater than the thickness of the secondaries 
114 and 115, whereby, when the couple, basically including the lift mast 
assembly and secondary beams 114 and 115, is moved toward the work piece 
member rear face, secondaries 114 and 115 may slidably engage between the 
sets of support plates. 
Connectors generally designated 122 and 123 are provided at the upper ends 
of the respective plate sets and fixed therebetween. Connectors 122 and 
123 are of congruent underside configuration to the shape of rear surfaces 
114c and 115c of secondaries 114 and 115. The upper portions 118a-121a of 
plates 118-121 are made considerably deeper compared to the lower portions 
thereof connected to the work member rear wall face. The upper engaging 
members or connectors 122 or 123 are so positioned with respect to the 
rearmost face of the work member 116 that, when said rear face of work 
member 116 is in abutment against the forward edges 109a and 110a of the 
respective beams 109 and 110, connectors 122 and 123 may overlie arcuate 
surfaces 114c and 115c and be mated therewith by vertical movement of 
beams 109 and 110 into tight, congruent, locking engagement. 
It is important to note in both FIGS. 1-5, incl. and 6-10, incl. only one 
support plate is absolutely required in each set. Such would typically be 
either both outer or both inner plates with connectors 122 and 123 strong 
enough and strongly connected enough at their bases to carry the weight. 
The secondaries 114 and 115 need only provide a locking mounting surface 
for the connectors and need not be of any specific flat beam structure 
although the beam/engaging plate structure shown is optimum, strong, self 
guiding and stable. 
The engagement just described is provided by lining up the front edges 109a 
and 110a of beams 109 and 110 and the lift mast system parallel to and 
centered of the ends of the rear face of work member 116. In this manner, 
secondaries 114 and 115 may be lined up for engagement between, 
respectively, support plates 118 and 119 and 120 and 121. Beams or plates 
109 and 110 must be in such a lowered position that the high front 
secondary portions 114b and 115b are low enough to slip under connectors 
122 and 123. Such described aligned and lowered relationship of 
secondaries 114 and 115 with respect to the attachment plates permits the 
secondaries to slide between the plates in the upper deep portions thereof 
whereby, when the rear face of plate 116 abuts against the guide beam 
front edges 109a and 110a, lifting the beams 109 and 110 by the hydraulic 
cylinders effects engagement of the upper faces of arcuate portions 114c 
and 115c with the undersides of the configured connectors 122 and 123. 
Disengagement of the couple from the attachment is made the opposite 
fashion with beams or plates 109 and 110 being lowered so that secondary 
beam portions 114b and 115b may clear under the lowermost portions of 
connectors 122 and 123 as the vehicle or other transport moves away or to 
the left in the views of FIGS. 7 and 10. In the event the lift mast is 
static, the work member and its attaching means must be pulled, lifted or 
otherwise moved away from the lift mast assembly. 
As has been described with respect to the construction of FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive, in many or most instances, it is desirable or necessary to 
provide a second engagement (other than that immediately described) 
between the couple and work member. In such case, a lower, second 
engagement may be provided in the precise same manner as has been 
previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. In order to 
minimize description and duplication of text, suffice it to say that 
corresponding members (on lower transverse beam 112 between beams 109 and 
110) to like members on beam 42 of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive (between beams 39 
and 40) are numbered the same and primed. Such is also true with respect 
to the engagement on the rearward face of plate 116 compared to the 
engagement on the rearward face of member 48 of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. The 
description of such parts and their operation is here incorporated in its 
entirety by reference. 
The operation of this lower couple, being entirely the same as the lower 
couple in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive is thus not again described. Finally, the 
arming member 64 for the cover of pin 57 (see FIG. 3) is the same between 
these sets of views and it, again, is numbered the same in FIG. 8 as in 
FIG. 3, but primed. The lower couple is not always required to be 
provided, particularly if the lift mast system or its equivalent is static 
on a stable, horizontal ground surface or floor, with the lift truly 
vertical. In such case, the single upper mounting earlier described will, 
in most cases, suffice. This is true of the structure of FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive also. 
Where the mounting of the couple construction of the top portion of FIG. 6, 
left portion of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and left hand portion of FIG. 10 is mobile, 
that is, mounted on a vehicle of some sort, then the new universal couple, 
with the engageable secondary beam members 114 and 115 and the optional 
lower connector on base beam 112 may move around the work and storage 
areas as may be required or desired. In a storage area, it is presumed 
that all of the work members have fixed to the rear wall or face thereof 
sets of plates 118-121, inclusive and, optionally, the lower connectors 
58'. These must be mounted or positioned at a height and spacing to enable 
the secondary beam member's highest portions to pass under the connectors 
122 and 123 when the work piece is at rest or in storage. If the secondary 
coupling is used, the vertical spacing of connectors 122 and 123 from 
connector 58' must be the proper distance compared to the vertical spacing 
of the secondary beams and pin 57'. 
In the circumstance that there are present some work attachments or work 
members which retain on their engaging (back) walls or faces prior art 
horizontal groove engagers, then it is necessary that there be provided in 
the storage yard or work area attachments of the sort seen in FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive (horizontal beam engagers) or 6-10, (horizontal plate 
engagement) for engagement by the couple before attachment thereto. Thus 
the true versatility of this device is seen. It is optimally used with 
direct connection of a working attachment or member to the plates 51-54, 
inclusive or 118-121, inclusive, so the rear face of the work member abuts 
directly against the beam carrying the secondary beam members thereon. 
Alternatively, however, the old universal coupler may be interposed 
therebetween to accomodate old attachment mountings. 
It is evident that beams 39 and 40 or 109 and 110 may be spaced apart from 
one another a distance such as is desired. The couple of FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive, the wide couple or engagement, is employed with extremely 
large, wide or unstable working devices. The inboard secondary beam 
engagement section, as seen in FIGS. 6-10, inclusive, is employed with 
smaller, narrower and more stable working members. 
The lift forks of FIGS. 7 and 9 being the the same as those of FIGS. 2 and 
4, as well as the mounting and dismounting thereof, such are numbered the 
same, but primed. The description will not be repeated. 
FIG. 11 
FIG. 11 shows a couple construction analogous to that seen in FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive (broad or wide gauge) wherein the mount or base for the couple, 
instead of being a transport, vehicle or the like, is a static, vertical 
lift hoist or frame. This couple is analogous to that seen in full lines 
of the top portion of FIG. 1, to the left hand side of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and 
the left hand side of FIG. 5. It is a wide gauge couple construction 
adapted to receive, attach to and be detached from (and lift and lower) 
attachments such as that also seen in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, specifically, 
the lower portion of FIG. 1, the right hand portion of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and 
the right hand portion of FIG. 5. Since the attachment(s) would be the 
same, similar or analogous in structure to that shown in FIGS. 1-5, 
inclusive, such is not shown in FIG. 11. 
At 300, there is seen a typical base support for the mast and (optional) 
power means for this couple, such optionally comprising a steel plate or 
the like. Alternatively, this couple could be fixed in concrete or be 
mounted on a wheeled base or platform. The same (mounting on a portable 
platform or base) is also the case with respect to the constructions seen 
in FIGS. 12 and 14. Vertically mounted on base 300, here at the side edges 
thereof, are two preferably square section masts 301 and 302 having front 
faces 301a and 302a. Masts 301 and 302 are spaced apart any desired or 
selected distance. In the case shown, they are spaced apart a greater 
distance on the base 300 than beams 39 and 40 are (from one another) in 
FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. 
Two elongate, flat beams 303 (upper) and 304 (lower) are mounted on masts 
301 and 302 by collar members 305 (upper) and 306 (lower). The beams 303 
and 304 constitute one portion of the collars frictionally but slidably 
enclosing masts 301 and 302. An elongate, vertical plate or connecting 
beam 307 is rigidly fixed by welding or bolting to the rear faces of 
horizontal beams 303 and 304 and rigidly connect the two together for 
vertical movement up and down in concert. 
A rearwardly extending, normally horizontal plate or platform 308 is fixed 
to the back surface and upper edge of beam 303 or formed integrally 
therewith, whereby to have attached thereto the means for powering and 
moving the couple assembly in up and down motion on masts 301 and 302. A 
first option of such power is cable 309 which is optionally fixed through 
an opening in plate 308 or to the upper surface thereof and is driven by 
any suitable prime mover, such as an electric motor. Alternatively, an 
hydraulic pneumatic cylinder 310 may be mounted on base 300 with piston 
rod 311 powered thereby. Suitable conventional hydraulic or pneumatic 
connections (not seen) are provided to cylinder 310 to extend and retract 
rod 311 with respect thereto. The top of rod 311 may be welded or 
otherwise fixedly attached to plate 308. 
Outboard of outer beam 302 there are provided engaging arms or elements 
analogous to elements 43a, 44, 44a, 44b and 44c, as well as 43b, 45, 45a, 
45b and 45c of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. That is, outwardly extending and 
rearwardly angled beam extensions 312 and 313 on the outboard ends of 
beams 303 have vertical ends or extensions 314 and 315 thereon extending 
parallel to beams 303 and 304 with forwardly extending elements or members 
316 and 317 normal to beams 303 and 304 fixed to the outer ends thereof. 
Upwardly extending end engaging elements 318 and 319 are likewise 
provided. The forward extension of elements 316 and 317 may be so as to 
place the forward edges 316a and 317a of member 316 and 317 forward of, 
flush with or rearward of the front faces of beams 303 and 304. FIG. 1 
shows, as does FIG. 2, such members placed rearwardly of the forward face 
of beam 43. In the present case, the alignment is substantially flush with 
front face of beam 303. This placement depends on how far back of the face 
of the main support beam the engagement is desired for center of gravity 
and weight purposes. Preferred are flush or rearward of the main beams 303 
and 304 faces. 
In use, an attachment the same, similar or analogous to the attachments of 
the previous figures are provided. Referring to FIG. 10, the engaging 
beams 118a, 119a, 120a and 121a are located much too close together for 
FIG. 11, but the principle is the same and the work piece 116 could be the 
same. In FIG. 5, the work piece members 46, 47, 48 and 49, may be the 
same, but, again, the engagement arms 51a, 52a, 53a and 54a and the 
engagement plates 55 and 56 (which would overlie the upper faces of 
members 316 and 317 behind upwardly extending elements 318 and 319) would 
be further apart than seen in FIG. 5. Alternatively, as previously noted 
with respect to the other figures, the work pieces may be the rear faces 
or walls of any of the listed work members previously designated or any 
standard work member, as opposing to the mounting elements seen in FIG. 5 
and 10 which are quite conventional with the trade (and illustrated only 
for simplicity's sake). Preferably, that is, the mounting arms 51a- 54a, 
inclusive or 118a-121a, inclusive are directly mounted on the working 
element, not a support therefor. 
In any case, unless the platform 300 is mounted on a portable transport, 
typically, then, the work piece, with its mounting arms, will be moved to 
the base 300 with the beams 303 and 304 in lowermost position for mounting 
the engaging plates on the attachment support arms over the members 316 
and 317 behind elements 318 and 319 as was the case previously described 
with respect to the other figures. 
With respect to this device, a locking means may be provided the same, 
similar or analogous to those seen with respect to FIGS. 1-10, inclusive. 
Here the post 320 is provided on the top edge 304a of the beam 304 with 
the cover 321 (see element 60) carried by member 322 pivotally mounted on 
shaft 323 (see elements 61 and 62 of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive) on the rear 
face of beam 304. The deflector member 324, which operates in the same 
manner as member 64 in FIG. 3 to clear plate 321 from post 320 when the 
assembly is in lowermost position, is mounted on base 300. 
FIGS. 12 AND 13 
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a variation in the subject invention where a narrow 
gauge couple (analogous to the showing of FIGS. 6-10, inclusive) is 
associated or employed with a double or two mast lift arrangement. As in 
the case of FIGS. 11 and 14, this assembly can be mounted on a portable or 
transportable bed or structure. However, it is, more typically, a static 
mounting with the attachment being moved to and away from the couple, 
rather than vice versa. 
Referring, then, to FIG. 12, at 400 there is seen a strong, flat, 
horizontal base 400 which may be, for example, a steel plate and, further, 
optionally may be mounted on some sort of transportable or movable 
vehicle. Vertically mounted on base 400 are two spaced apart, optionally 
square section masts 401 and 402 having front faces 401a and 402a, 
respectively. In the case of the dual or paired mast versions of FIGS. 11 
and 12, the utilization of square or rectangular section masts, is not as 
important as is such use with a single mast as in FIG. 14, but is 
preferred. Masts 401 and 402 may be spaced as far apart (or closely 
together) as desired and permitted by the structure to be described. In 
the version shown, the spacing of the couple upper grab elements (to be 
described) is further apart than elements 114 and 115 of the construction 
of FIGS. 6-10, inclusive (also an inboard arrangement), but closer 
together than the engagement or grab elements 44 and 45 of the outboard 
version of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. 
Lower beam 403 overlies the front faces 401a and 402a of mast 401 and 402 
and extends therebetween. It is mounted thereon by encirclements or cages 
404 and 405 of which the outer extremities of beams 403 form the front 
face or side. The encirclement or engagement is frictional, but readily 
slidable. Extending upwardly from the preferred center of beam 403, on the 
top edge thereof, is member 406 which is normally vertical, as opposed to 
the normally horizontal extended beam 403 and in the same vertical plane 
as beam 403. 
To the upper end of member 406 there is attached or made integral plate 407 
which is here shown as rectangular in form and positioned in the same 
vertical plane as beam 403 and member 406. To the rear face of plate 407 
is welded or otherwise fixedly attached platform 408 which extends normal 
to the plane of FIG. 407 in horizontal orientation. To plate 408, in order 
to lift and lower the couple assembly being described, there may be 
attached cable 409 or the piston rod 410 of an hydraulic or pneumatic 
cylinder 411 rigidly mounted centrally of base 400. Suitable hydraulic or 
pneumatic attachments (not shown) are made to cylinder 411. If cable 409 
is employed, a suitable prime mover is connected to the upper end thereof 
to permit lifting and lowering of the couple assembly being described, to 
the outboard ends of plate 407 are U-shaped constructions (in plan view) 
comprising U leg members 412-415, inclusive and U base members 416 and 
417. Rigidly connected to or formed integral with U outboard legs 412 and 
415 are outboard beam members 418 and 419 which lie against the forward 
faces 401a and 402a of mast 401 and 402 in the plane of beam 403, member 
406, and plate 407. Encirclements or collars 420 and 421 are connected to 
beams 418 and 419, of which the latter form the front portion. 
Fixed to the U member bases and extending normal thereto are engaging 
members 422 and 423 having upwardly extending outer ends 424 and 425. The 
outermost ends of members 422 and 423 are shown recessed back of the front 
faces of plate 407 and beams 418 and 419, but they may be flush therewith 
or extend somewhat outwardly therebeyond. The preferred arrangement is 
that shown for center of gravity and weight distribution effects. 
The operation of the construction of FIGS. 12 and 13 is the same as that of 
the construction of FIGS. 6-10, save the former is usually static. That 
is, an attachment (such as that seen to the right in FIG. 10, below in 
FIG. 6, to the right in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 9, with the engaging beams 
118a-121a having the engaging plates 122 and 123 separated on the work 
member 116 to register with engaging members 422 and 423) is transported 
to the couple construction of FIG. 12 when the same is in its lowermost 
position. This may, as may be the case in FIGS. 11 and 14, be where the 
bottom face of beam 403 (or beams 304 or 206) actually rests on base 400 
(200, 300). When the attachment is engaged with plates 122 and 123 
overlying and positioned behind upwardly extending ends 424 and 425, with 
the lock engagement (not seen in FIGS. 12 and 13) also engaged, if present 
and with the inner face of work member 116 lying against member 406 and 
beam 403, the operator lifts the couple via cable 409 or piston rod 410 to 
perfect the engagement and lift the attachment free of any carrier. The 
work assembly then may be used for whatever task it is designed. 
If the assembly of FIGS. 12 and 13 is portable, it may be moved to the 
attachment in the manner previously described with respect to the 
constructions of FIGS. 1-10, inclusive. 
Thus it may be seen that either the subject couple or the attachment may be 
portable. The couple may be vehicle, floor or base mounted. The work 
attachment, as previously stated in great detail, is typically not the 
simple mounting plate 116 (FIGS. 6-10, inclusive) or the bar mounting 
means 46 and 47, but, preferably, and most typically, an actual working 
device having the attachment supports directly connected to the rearward, 
nonoperating face or walls thereof. In the case of mast mounting, the 
masts may be one in number or plural, as seen in FIGS. 11-15, inclusive. 
FIG. 14 STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 
FIG. 14 shows a modified couple associated with a vertical mast support 
system. The constructions of FIGS. 11 and 12 show, respectively, wide 
gauge and narrow gauge couples on dual or double mast support or guide 
systems, FIG. 11 showing the wide gauge couple in such mounting and FIG. 
12 showing the narrow gauge couple in such mounting. FIG. 14 is adaptable 
to either a narrow gauge or wide gauge coupling (within certain limits), 
but does not have the basic strength and stability of the double mast 
constructions of FIGS. 11 and 12. 
In FIGS. 14 and 15, base 200 may be of any desired size and shape, but here 
is shown as a rectangular plate (of steel or other exceedingly strong 
material) with rearward extension 201. Mast 202, preferably of square 
section, is rigidly fixed at its lower end to base 200. Slidably (yet 
closely and frictionally) engaging mast 202 are two hollow, square collars 
designated 203 (upper) and 204 (lower). Forming the front wall of upper 
collar 203 is normally vertical flat plate or beam 205. Fixed to and 
constituting the front face of lower collar 204 is normally vertical, here 
rectangular plate 206. Plates 205 and 206 are preferably of equal 
thickness and substantially equal height and width, with plate 206 more 
often of greater width. They are connected by an elongate flat beam 207 
which lies against the front face 202a of mast 202 in the same manner as 
the similar portions of plates 205 and 206. 
Rigidly fixed to or integral with collar 203 is normally horizontal, 
rearwardly extending plate or platform 208. In the event that the couple 
is driven in vertical up and down motion by hydraulic means, hydraulic 
cylinder 209 is provided rearward of mast 202 mounted on extension 201 of 
base 200 with piston rod 210 extending upwardly therefrom and connected 
(not shown) to the underside of platform 208. Alternatively, a cable or 
rod 211 may be fixed to (typically through an opening therethrough) 
platform or plate 208 for lifting and lowering purposes. Suitable 
hydraulic or air pressure connections are provided to cylinder 209 and a 
suitable power source as an electric motor or other prime mover to cable 
211. 
The couple arm engaging means outboard of plate 205 are the same, similar 
or analogous to those seen in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, particularly at 43a, 
44, 44b and 44c and 43b, 45, 45a, 45b and 45c. Thus, outwardly and 
rearwardly angled beam portions 212 and 213 have, at the outboard ends 
thereof, extensions 214 and 215 parallel to plates 205 and 206. Forwardly 
extending arms or extensions 216 and 217 are normal to front face 202a of 
mast 202 and plates 205 and 206. Upwardly extending engaging ends or 
members 218 and 219 are provided at the forward and upper ends of members 
216 and 217. The configurations of the members 212-219, inclusive may very 
closely resemble those of the like parts of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, 
specifically, rounded and faired, rather than angled and straight. 
It may readily be seen that this couple may engage the attachment members 
of constructions such as those seen to the right in the views of FIGS. 5 
and 10 or, to be more detailed, the lower portions of FIGS. 1 and 6, right 
hand portions of FIGS. 2 and 7, as well as FIGS. 4 and 9. The only 
difference, in the configurations illustrated, is that the engaging means 
on the work pieces, for the construction seen in FIG. 14, would be closer 
together (plates 55 and 56) than seen in FIG. 4 and further apart (plates 
122 and 123) than in FIG. 9. The spacing of the overlying engaging plates 
55 and 56 or 122 and 123 with respect to the depth of the arms carrying 
them must be such that the rear face of the work (members 46 and 47 in 
FIGS. 1-5, inclusive and plate 116 in FIGS. 6-10, inclusive) will lie flat 
and vertical against the plate 206, when the couple is engaged with the 
attachment in the manners previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-10, 
inclusive. 
In the case of the construction of FIGS. 14 and 15, of course, it is 
necessary that the attachment be brought to, raised over and moved toward 
the couple arms 216 and 217 and then lowered for engagement. That is, the 
transport is generally associated with the attachment in the construction 
of FIG. 14, rather than vice-versa as is the case with the constructions 
of FIGS. 1-10, inclusive, typically. Once the attachment is engaged with 
the couple in FIG. 14, the drive of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 
209 or the pull of cable 211 will raise and lower the coupled attachment 
to whatever position is desired for the working purpose. When it is 
desired to remove the attachment (such as replace it with another), the 
couple is lowered to its lowermost position, suitable transport and 
engaging means is moved to the attachment, such is lifted and pulled away 
from the couple. 
Alternatively, if base 200 is mounted on transport means or a suitable 
vehicle, the couple of FIG. 14 may be moved with respect to the 
attachments as described with respect to FIGS. 1-10, inclusive. 
A lock is not seen on the construction of FIG. 14. However, an identical 
lock to that seen in FIGS. 1-10, inclusive may be employed with the post 
57, 57' on the upper edge or face 206a of plate 206, the rocking cover 60, 
61, 63 (60', 61', 63') on pivot 62, 62' on the rear face of plate 206 with 
the deflecting bar 64, 64' mounted on the upper face of base 200. With 
such lock, the same loop engagement 58, 58', with passage 59, 59' therein, 
is provided on the rear face of the attachment, as is seen in the previous 
FIGS. 1-10, inclusive. 
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted 
to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with 
other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the 
apparatus. 
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of 
utility and may be employed without reference to other features and 
subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the 
claims. 
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing 
from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set 
forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as 
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.