Abstract:
A connector device enables universal compatibility and interchangeability between any work tool accessory having a boom feature and any skid steer loader as well as controlled support of the work tool accessory. The connector device also prevents machine instability issues.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/956,685 filed on Jun. 14, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to connectors useful for attaching accessory apparatus to earth moving machinery. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a connector device usable to attach an incompatible work tool accessory to an earth moving off road vehicle without machine instability. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a number of earth-moving machines in the construction and mining industries today. One of the most popular earth-moving machinery is the skid steer loader because it is compact, very maneuverable and its lift arms are usable to attach many different labor saving work tool attachments. Skid steer loaders are also highly desirable because of its favorable weight ratio balance, which is achieved by locating the engine at the rear of the machine, and the load (or work tool attachment) at the front of the machine. 
     Generally, skid steer loaders have a frame that is moved by independently driven wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle so that by turning the left and right wheel pairs (on each side of the machine) at different speeds and in different directions, the machine turns by skidding across the ground. 
     In Prior Art  FIG. 1 , the skid steer loader  10  has a main body frame  12 , which includes an operator compartment  14 , that is moved by a pair of right and left wheels  16  located on opposite sides of the frame  12 . A pair of lift arms  18  is pivotally mounted to the machine&#39;s frame  12  on opposite sides of the operator&#39;s compartment  14 . Each lift arm  18  is equipped with a hydraulic lift cylinder  20  that raises and lowers the lift arm  18  in a vertical direction as desired. 
     As depicted in Prior Art  FIG. 1 , a work tool accessory in the form of a bucket  22  is attached to the lift arms  18 . This attachment is accomplished by a work tool accessory mounting frame or coupler  24  illustrated in Prior Art  FIG. 2 . The work tool accessory coupler  24  is pivotally connected at  25  to a distal end of each lift arm  18 . Each lift arm  18  is equipped with a hydraulic tilt cylinder  21 , which is also attached to the work tool accessory coupler  24  as shown. As constructed, actuation of hydraulic tilt cylinder  21  causes the coupler  24  to tilt or retract backwards and forwards, away from and towards lift arm  18 . 
     At its upper and lower regions, the work tool accessory coupler  24  is constructed with a lip  26  and locking pin  28 , respectively, both of which fits matingly into corresponding upper and lower regions, respectively, of a work tool accessory attachment surface, that allows bucket  22  to be attached to the distal end of each lift arm  18 , as shown in Prior Art  FIG. 1 . 
     Different types of work tool accessories are interchangeably attached and released from the machine  10 . For this reason, a functional appeal of skid steer loaders is the ability to use a wide variety of work tool accessories or attachments for a variety of different uses. These work tool accessories or attachments are often powered by the loader&#39;s hydraulic system and include, for example, excavators, earth augers, specialized buckets, hydraulic breakers, snow blowers, trenchers, cement mixers, rippers, backhoes, pallet forks, wheel saws, etc. 
     In the illustration shown in Prior Art  FIG. 3 , the work tool accessory is in the form of a backhoe  34 . As depicted, the attachment surfaces  30 ,  32  of the backhoe  34  is configured to fit lip  26  and pin  28  in the corresponding upper and lower regions, respectively, of the work tool accessory coupler  24  in Prior Art  FIG. 2 . 
     The upper region of the work tool accessory coupler  24  that is constructed with a lip  26  (Prior Art  FIG. 2 ), for instance, fits matingly into a flange portion  30  (Prior Art  FIG. 3 ) located in an upper region of the attachment surface of work tool accessory  34 . Similarly, the lower region of work tool accessory coupler  24  that is constructed with a locking pin  28 , is matingly fitted into aperture  32  located in a lower region of the attachment surface of work tool accessory  34 . Once these mating connections are made, the work tool accessory  34  in Prior Art  FIG. 3 , like bucket  22  in Prior Art  FIG. 1 , is connected to the skid steer loader  10 . 
     However, unlike the attachment of a compact tool like bucket  22  in Prior Art  FIG. 1  to the skid steer loader  10 , attachment of any work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 , as shown in Prior Art  FIG. 3 , to any skid steer loader  10  causes undesirable and unwanted machine instability even when a pair of stabilizers  38 , on opposite sides of the boom feature  36  via work tool accessory  34 , are employed. Machine instability is caused by a number of factors including, for example, high stress load of the boom feature  36  on the skid steer loader machine  10  such as during operation. The non-compact nature of the boom feature  36  causes another problem—undesirable forward tipping of the skid steer loader  10  in the direction of the boom feature  36 , which is attached at the front or forward end of the loader machine  10 . Uncontrollable or unsteady boom feature  36  support is a persistent and pervasive problem when the work tool accessory  34  manufactured by one company is attached to a skid steer loader  10  manufactured by a different company. The complex arrangement of spring locking mechanisms needed to secure the boom feature to the mounting frame is yet another typical problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves these and other problems through the use of a connector device that is simplistic in design, does not employ any spring mechanism, and does not require complicated connection to the lift arms of the skid steer loader machine. 
     In fact, the connector device of the present invention is durable, accommodates high stress loads, and prevents forward tipping and other machine instability issues. In addition, it is easy to install/remove safely and quickly, and ensures controlled support of the work tool accessory to the skid steer loader as well as work tool accessory compatibility. Indeed, the connector device of the present invention is universal in its application to connect any combination of skid steer loader machine to any work tool accessory having a boom feature without regard to whether the machine or work tool accessory is manufactured by different companies. All of the above translates into human and equipment time savings as well as health and cost savings due to, for example, universal equipment compatibility and interchangeability, minimum equipment downtime, danger-free installation and removal in a safe, convenient manner, and the like. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises an anchor pad, stop pad, anchor hook assembly and one or more c-shaped hooks, all made of high-strength steel to withstand the high and/or reciprocating stresses of the equipment involved. A pair of anchor pads is preferably fixedly attached to the front end frame of the loader machine, inside each lift arm and below the operator&#39;s compartment, one on the left and the other on the right. Each anchor pad is preferably in positional alignment for appropriate connection with the hook(s) attached to the work tool accessory. Each anchor pad is shaped to receive a curved hook of the anchor hook assembly. 
     Preferably, each anchor pad comprises an anchor plate, a pair of flanges and a pin. The flanges are substantially solid and rectangular in shaped, with semi-circularly rounded corners, and are positioned on opposite sides of the anchor plate. Each anchor plate is securely attached to the front end of the loader machine by fasteners, which apertures are preferably positioned one above each flange, and one along the lower edges of the flanges and below the pin approximately at the center. The pin, which may be formed as one element with the flanges and/or anchor plate, is nevertheless fixedly secured to the flanges through the center of both flanges such that the hook in the anchor hook assembly is securably attached to the pin between the flanges. 
     The stop pad, which is approximately rectangular in shape except for one corner, is preferably a solid block of high strength steel dimensioned to substantially, for example, absorb vibrational stresses caused by the tilt cylinder, resist the breakout force of the work tool accessory including those having a boom feature, overcome undesirable shaking, alleviate unwanted lateral movement, reduce equipment wear and tear, withstand reciprocating and/or vibrational and/or high loads and stresses, and the like. 
     Preferably, the stop pad is fixedly attached near a distal end on each lift arm in an angular position, which substantially prevents a rear surface of the coupler from retracting. As such, stop pad serves as a backstop or an additional support to backstop the coupler from further retracting movement in the direction towards the lift arm. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the stop pad covers a substantial length of the rear surface of the coupler that it backstops. By this design and arrangement, the stop pad serves to substantially eliminate slack between the skid steer loader and the work tool accessory especially during operation. 
     As to the one or more c-shaped hooks of the present invention that is preferably attached in alignment to a top surface of the work tool accessory, in a way that positions the open space of the hook towards the boom feature of the work tool accessory, the size of the open space of the hook substantially accommodates the contouring shape of the cylindrical pin for the anchor hook assembly. In addition, each hook is sized for strength to withstand high reciprocating and/or vibrational stress and loads generally associated with a work tool accessory having a boom feature. 
     As such, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, each hook&#39;s configuration in the general form of a “c” comprises a base portion, rear, sloping back region, width, and bottom substantially overcoming a maximum breakout force of the work tool accessory by, for example, a generally wide and thick base portion from front to rear below and behind the open space of the hook; a back region sloping upwardly from the rear to a top point of its “c” shape; a back region which slope inclines at each point between zero and 90 degrees between the hook&#39;s rear and a top point of its “c” shape; a width, which extends from the front to the rear and below the hook&#39;s open space (also bottom), that generally decreases from the bottom of the hook upwardly to a top point of its “c” shape (top); the hook&#39;s rear, which slope declines approximately at each point between zero and 90 degrees or, alternatively, which slope inclines approximately at a rate greater than the incline of sloping back region; a substantial portion of the base portion of the hook extends approximately beyond a beginning of the “c” shape configuration of the hook; the slope of the base portion declines approximately at each point between zero and 90 degrees. 
     Each hook, along the width of the hook, is preferably fixedly attached to a top surface of the work tool accessory, preferably in the vicinity of each side of the support base of the control panel. In this regard, one hook may be attached employing a cut-out in the control panel to receive the cylindrical pin of the anchor hook assembly, or a pair of hooks may receive the cylindrical pin in their open spaces on either side of the control panel. 
     Preferably, the pair of hooks comprises a first part, which includes two hooks fixedly secured in spaced relation to each other on one hook plate, for one side of the control panel, and a second part, which includes two hooks fixedly secured in spaced relation to each other on another hook plate, for the other side of the control panel. The hooks are as earlier described, and in the first and second parts may be formed as one element with the hook plate or as separate elements preferably secured through the use of an electrode suited to weld the materials loader machines and work tool accessories are made of, preferably with a minimum yield strength of approximately 68,000 psi and a tensile strength of approximately 78,000 psi. 
     Preferably, the first part and second part of the pair of hooks operate in complement with the work tool accessory, such as the control panel. For example, for the first part, while the pair of c-shaped hooks are in spaced relation to each other on the hook plate in such a way that the open space of each hook is facing the boom feature of the work tool accessory, one of the hooks is positioned nearest the left side edge of the hook plate, such as approximately one-half inch from the left edge of the hook plate. Preferably one or more apertures, to the right of this hook, is spaced alongside the width of the left-edge hook. As the second hook is already in spaced relation to the left-edge hook, in order to accommodate the cylindrical pin, accordingly another one or more apertures is spaced to the right thereof. 
     For the second part, one of the two hooks is positioned nearest the right edge of the hook plate, such as approximately one-half inch from the right side edge of the hook plate. Preferably one or more apertures, to the left of this hook, is spaced alongside the width of the right justified hook, as are the one or more apertures spaced adjacent the right of the second hook thereof. 
     The left justified configuration of the first part and the right justified configuration of the second part of the pair of hooks operates complementarily with the control panel of the work tool accessory in that placement of the left justified hook configuration of the first part complements the left hand side of the control panel, and placement of the right justified hook configuration of the second part complements the right hand side of the control panel. 
     In addition, this configuration and arrangement of the first and second parts of the pair of hooks significantly reduces cost, time, human effort and health dangers because in part it provides universal boom feature compatibility and interchangeability with minimum machine downtime in a safe, easy convenient way. 
     As will be discussed in more detail later, the anchor hook assembly of the present invention preferably comprises one of an adjusting bolt, hex nut, anchor hook, cylindrical pin and washer assembly. The anchor hook assembly is elongated in design and has two ends. In a preferred embodiment, one end comprises an anchor hook in the shape of a “c” that is threadedly attached to an elongated adjusting bolt, which has at its other end, a solid cylindrical pin, lock washer and a bolt head. Intermediate of both ends of the anchor hook assembly is an elongated hex nut, which is threadedly attached onto the adjusting bolt and the anchor hook. The anchor hook assembly is preferably made of alloy steel with a zinc finish designed to reduce corrosion. 
     The present invention is designed to withstand the maximum total machine rated capacity, which includes the rated operating loads for the lightest and heaviest skid steer loader machines. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention withstands the heaviest skid steer machine equipped with a work tool accessory having, for example, a boom, control panel, stick, stabilizer and a heavy duty bucket or backhoe. 
     There has been thus outlined, rather broadly, a summary of the invention in order that a detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will perform the subject matter of the claims appended thereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining an embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “side”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “width”, “length”, and the like, are used merely to describe a point of reference and does not necessarily limit the invention to any specific orientation. In a similar fashion, references to singular forms, such as “an”, “the”, “a”, for example, do not necessarily denote a limitation of quantity as used in the specification and claims, but rather denotes the presence of at least one of the referenced items, components or elements unless indicated otherwise. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be used as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several aims of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       Prior Art  FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional skid steer loader machine showing raised and lowered positions of its lift arms. 
       Prior Art  FIG. 2  is a side view of a conventional skid steer loader showing a mounting frame. 
       Prior Art  FIG. 3  is an angle view of a conventional work tool accessory having a boom feature. 
         FIG. 4  is the anchor hook assembly component of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C are an angular, front and side views of the anchor plate of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the hook component of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an angular view of the stop pad of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of an exemplary installation of the anchor hook assembly, anchor plate and hook of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an exemplary installation of a pair of anchor plates of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is an angular view of an exemplary installation of the stop pad of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial angle view of an exemplary illustration of two hooks of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a full angle view of an exemplary installation of a pair of hooks coupling one end of the anchor hook assembly of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 13A  is an angle view of the first part and second part of an exemplary pair of hooks of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 13B  is a full angle view of an exemplary installation of the first part of a pair of hooks coupling one end of the anchor hook assembly of the connector device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The connector device of the present invention comprises several elements or components including one or more anchor hook assembly  50 , anchor pad  60 , hook  70  and stop pad  80  that stably couples and/or anchors any work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36  to any skid steer loader  10 . 
     Referring to the figure drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in  FIG. 4  an anchor hook assembly of the connector device according to a preferred embodiment. 
     The anchor hook assembly  50  of the present invention comprises several components. One such component is a single adjusting end stud bolt  52 . In a preferred embodiment, adjusting bolt  52  is made of quenched and tempered medium carbon alloy steel having a proof load of approximately 120,000 pounds per square inch (psi), a minimum yield strength of approximately 130,000 psi, and a minimum tensile strength of approximately 150,000 psi. Generally, proof load refers to the axial tensile load that the product or material must withstand without evidence of any permanent set; yield strength refers to the maximum load at which a material exhibits evidence of permanent deformation; and tensile strength refers to the maximum load in tension (pulling apart) that a material can withstand before breaking or fracturing. 
     Bolt  52  is preferably a grade 8 strength SAE steel bolt with a diameter measuring one inch, configured to withstand the pulling power and reciprocating stresses of a skid steer loader  10  and work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, adjusting bolt  52  measures at least approximately eight inches in length, not including hexagonal bolt head  56 , and is preferably marked with six radial lines. Its maximum length varies, depending, for example, on the coupled distance between a loader machine  10  manufactured by one company and the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36  manufactured by the same or different company. 
     The length of bolt  52  ranges in measurement from approximately eight to sixteen inches, as desired, depending on the connectional distance between anchor pad  60 , which is preferably positioned on the skid steer loader  10 , and hook  70 , which is positioned on a top surface of the work tool accessory  34 , after the loader machine  10  and the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36  are coupled together via coupler  24 . If additional bolt length is desired or necessary, it is preferable to increase the length of the non-threaded portion of bolt  52  rather than increase its thread length so as not to diminish the strength of bolt  52 . 
     One end  54  only of adjusting bolt  52  is threaded. The remaining portion of bolt  52  is non-threaded and its non-threaded end has a hexagonal bolt head  56 . End  54  is depicted in dashed lines to indicate its hidden threaded view inside an elongated hex nut  62 . In a preferred embodiment, bolt  52  is coarsely threaded from end  54  inwardly, towards its non-threaded portion, and its thread length ranges from approximately two and three-quarter inches to three and three-quarter inches to facilitate appropriate axial adjustments of the adjusting bolt  52  along hex nut  62 . Preferably, the thread length of adjusting bolt  52  depends on the connectional distance between anchor pad and hook  70 , with a thread count of approximately nine threads per inch, or desired pitch and thread angle. 
     In a preferred embodiment, end  54  of adjusting bolt  52  is matingly threaded into a hex nut  62 . Hex nut  62  is preferably made of high strength steel and measures a minimum range of approximately four and one-half inches to ten inches in length, again, depending on the coupled distance between anchor pad  60  and hook  70 . In one application of the present invention where, for example, adjusting bolt  52  is a Grade 8 strength SAE steel bolt measuring approximately eight inches long, having an approximate thread length of two and three-quarter inches at nine threads per inch at end  54 , and a diameter measuring approximately one inch, hex nut  62  is approximately four and one-half inches long. 
     Yet another component of the anchor hook assembly  50  is an anchor hook  58 , preferably in the shape of a “c”, which using coarsely threaded element  55 , is threadedly attached to hex nut  62 . Like end  54  of adjusting bolt  52 , end  61  of element  55  is matingly threaded into hex nut  62 . In addition, end  61  is depicted in dashed lines to indicate its hidden threaded view inside of hex nut  62 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, anchor hook  58  and threaded element  55  are formed as one component also made of high strength steel. The length of element  55  that is available for threading into hex nut  62  ranges between approximately two and one-half inches to three and one-half inches, culminating at end  61 . Regarding the length of hook  58 , it is approximately four and one-quarter inches long, measuring from the bottom of its base portion  57  to a top surface of its “c” curvature. As depicted, the beginning of the “c” shape configuration of hook as at point  59  is sufficiently overhanging in order to facilitate a secure strength hooked connection onto pin  74  in anchor pad  60  without unfastening. Also, anchor hook  58  is preferably approximately one inch thick along its entire “c” shaped curvature including into its base portion  57 . Again, anchor hook  58  and threaded element  55  withstand the pulling forces, among other stresses and load, involved between the loader machine  10  and the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 . 
     Alternatively and optionally, hook  58  and threaded element  55  may be two separate components where threaded element  55  is fixedly attached to anchor hook  58  at its base portion  57 . The fixed attachment may be in the form of threading, welding or the like. Preferably here, between approximately two to three inches of element  55  is fixedly attached to the base portion  57  of anchor hook  58 , and between approximately two to three inches of element  55  is fixedly attached to hex nut  62  via end  61 , to withstand the pulling power, among other forces, involved between the loader machine  10  and the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 . 
     Yet another component of the anchor hook assembly  50  is a cylindrical pin  63 , which is preferably located between the threaded portion of adjusting bolt  52  and bolt head  56 . In a preferred embodiment, cylindrical pin  63  is a solid, tubular shaped pin made of high strength steel that slides axially along the diameter of adjusting bolt  52 . The length of cylindrical pin  63 , which is perpendicular to adjusting bolt  52 , is preferably between the range of approximately three and one-half inches to five inches, and its diameter is preferably between the range of approximately one and three-quarter inches to two inches. 
     Importantly and preferably, the axial areas of cylindrical pin  63  immediately adjacent to and on opposite sides of the diameter of adjusting bolt  52 , are supported to withstand the pulling forces and/or reciprocating stresses caused by the work tool accessory  34 . For example, in  FIG. 8 , these axial areas of cylindrical pin  63  are preferably supported on the one side by hook  70 , and on the other side in the base portion of control panel  40  via cut-out  86 . Similarly in  FIGS. 12 and 13B , for example, the axial areas of cylindrical pin  63  immediately adjacent to and on opposite sides of the diameter of adjusting bolt  52 , are preferably supported on both sides by a pair of hooks  70  via the open spaces  82  of those hooks  70 . In the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8 ,  12  and  13 B, for instance, a preferred support distance of these axial areas of cylindrical pin  63 —namely the axial areas of cylindrical pin  63  immediately adjacent to and surrounding the diameter of adjusting bolt  52 —is the approximate size of the lock washer  64 , which is approximately two inches. 
     In one application, cylindrical pin  63  is approximately three and one-half inches long with a diameter of approximately one and three-quarter inches of solid high strength steel, except for the one-inch diameter hole therethrough that accommodates adjusting bolt  52 . In addition, cylindrical pin  63  is preferably sized or shaped to fit matingly into open space  82  of hook  70 , and vice versa. 
     Adjacent to cylindrical pin  63  in  FIG. 4 , and another component of the anchor hook assembly  50 , is a washer assembly  64 ,  66 , also located on the unthreaded portion of adjusting bolt and preferably in the vicinity of bolt head  56 . Washer assembly  64 ,  66  comprises one or more types or kinds of washers designed to prevent loosening due to vibration and dynamic loads. 
     In a preferred embodiment, washer assembly  64 ,  66  takes the form of an unthreaded wedge lock washer assembly  64 ,  66  where wedge washer  64  is used in back-to-back relation with a plain or flat washer  66 . In facial engagement with each other and bolt head  56 , assembly  64 ,  66  exhibits vibration resistant qualities by resisting vibrational and/or dynamic load loosening of cylindrical pin  63  from open space  82  in hook  70 . Also preferably made of high strength alloy steel, lock washer assembly  64 ,  66  achieves desired wedge and axial tensile strengths to withstand equipment pulling forces involved. 
     As to dimensions, washer assembly  64 ,  66  is appropriately sized to accommodate the connectional spacing involving the assembly  64 ,  66 , cylindrical pin  63 , hook  70  and, to some degree, bolt head  56 . In a preferred embodiment, wedge lock washer  64  is generally rectangular on the bottom end having rounded corners, and semi-circularly round on the top end. Wedge lock washer  64  is appropriately sized to substantially prevent, among other things, lateral movement of cylindrical pin  63 . 
     Wedge lock washer  64 , which has opposing flat faces on either side, is approximately three-eighths of an inch in thickness, and accommodates the one-inch diameter of adjusting bolt  52  near its semi-circularly rounded top end. The majority of its remaining approximately three inch length is sized and shaped to form a wedge on its rectangular-shaped bottom end, against the top surface of the work tool accessory  34 , that substantially locks cylindrical pin  63  into hook  70  (see  FIG. 8 ). Preferably, wedge lock washer  64  is approximately two inches wide and is also made of high strength steel. Washer  66  also slides axially along adjusting bolt  52 . 
     Anchor pad  60 , in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, preferably comprises an anchor plate  68 , a pin  74 , and a pair of flanges  76 . By design, anchor pad  60  is configured for secure connection onto the front end of the loader machine  10  via two or more fasteners  72 , and for secure hooking connection by the c-shaped anchor hook  58  of the anchor hook assembly  50 . 
     As illustrated in the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5A , anchor plate  68  includes two solid flanges  76  with semi-circularly rounded corners, facing each other and spaced on opposing sides of the plate  68 . Preferably, flange  76  is approximately four inches high by four inches wide, except for the rounded corners, and approximately one-half inch thick. 
     A pin  74 , such as a dowel pin shown in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, preferably having a diameter of approximately one and one-quarter inches and approximately three inches in length, fixedly attaches both flanges  76  approximately through the center of both flanges  76  such that anchor hook  58  is securably attachable to pin  74  between flanges  76 . The diameter of pin  74  may range between approximately one and one-quarter inches to one and one-half inches. Alternatively and optionally, flanges  76  and pin  74 , and/or flanges  76 , pin  74  and plate  68  may be formed as one element. 
     Preferably each element of the anchor pad  60  is made of high strength steel and constructed to withstand the digging and/or pulling forces of the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36  that is attached to the skid steer loader  10 . The thickness of anchor pad  60  may range between approximately one-half to an inch. 
     As is apparent to one skilled in the art, a change in one dimensional aspect (length and/or height and/or thickness) of anchor pad  60  generally results in a change in another dimensional aspect of the pad  60  in order to maintain a desired minimum component strength that withstands the reciprocating forces of the equipment involved. For example, if the size of flange  76  is reduced in size to occupy less space, such as from a four-inch square to an approximately three-inch square, then it follows that the thickness of flange  76  would necessarily increase from one-half inch to approximately three-quarter inch to be of sufficient strength to withstand the digging forces of boom feature  36 . 
     Anchor plate  68  is preferably dimensioned approximately five inches wide, six and one-half inches high, and three-quarter inch thick, and contains a plurality of apertures  78  for fastening onto the main frame of loader  10  via fasteners  72 . Fastener  72  preferably comprises an appropriate length hexagonal bolt and nut. In order to withstand the generally downwardly pulling forces of the boom feature  36  that are translated onto anchor plate  68 , a minimum of two apertures  78  is preferably located at the top of plate  68 . For best results, one aperture is preferably positioned above each flange  76 , which are approximately three inches apart. A third aperture  78  is preferably located below pin  74  and at a location approximately central between each flange  76  and in line with the vicinity of a bottom edge of flange  76 . 
     The third element in the connector device of the present invention is a hook  70 , sized not only to accommodate the contouring shape of the cylindrical pin  63  in anchor hook assembly  50  but also for strength to accommodate the high and/or reciprocating stresses generally associated with the boom feature  36  of work tool accessory  34 . 
     In a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , hook  70  is in the general form of a in order to accommodate the cylindrical pin  63  in open space  82 . In other words, in an exemplary application where cylindrical pin  63  has a diameter measuring approximately one and three-quarter inches, the inner contour of open space  82  is correspondingly sized to measure approximately one and three-quarter inches in order to accommodate pin  63 . Also, the thickness of hook  70  may range from approximately one-half of an inch to one inch. A horizontal base portion  79  of hook  70  is configured to absorb, accommodate or withstand the pulling power of the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36  without breakout, where its width ranges from approximately five and one-half inches to about six inches in the area proximately below open space  82  extending from the front (near reference number  79 ) to rear  84 . The height of hook  70  may range from approximately five to six inches, such as five and one-half inches. 
     Moving upwardly from rear  84 , behind open space  82  and towards point  83 , is a sloping back region  81 , similarly designed for strength in that back region  81  generally decreases gradually in width from rear  84  upwardly towards point  83 , and at an angle at one or more points along region  81  between approximately ten and 90 degrees. As such, the slope of back region  81  provides substantial strength support against breakout forces for the area of hook  70  below open space  82  as well as the area behind open space  82  (i.e. area between reference numbers  82  and  81 ). 
     Preferably, several factors contributing to a configuration of hook  70  as depicted to overcome a maximum breakout force of boom feature  36  generally include: a relatively wide and thick bottom half, best represented by the area between and below reference numbers  81  and  82 , approximately forming a substantial portion or area of the hook  70 , approximating two-thirds of the area of hook  70 ; a back region  81  generally sloping upwardly from rear  84  towards the top of its “c” curvature, as at  83 ; a back region  81  sloping at one or more points therealong at a gradual incline between zero and 90 degrees to a top point on its “c” shape (in the vicinity of reference number  70 ); a hook width that generally decreases in a direction from the bottom—between rear  84  and the front (near reference number  79 )—upwardly towards a top point of its “c” shape, as at  83 ; a rear  84  which slope inclines at a rate greater than the slope of back region  81 ; the base portion  79  characterized by a slope that declines at each point approximately at an angle between zero and 90 degrees; and, a substantial portion of base portion  79  extending approximately beyond a beginning of the “c” shape configuration of hook  70  as at point  83 , and below open space  82 . 
     By way of exemplary installation ( FIG. 8 ), the bottom of hook  70  is fixedly attached to a top surface area of work tool accessory  34 , preferably in the vicinity of each side of the support base of control panel  40  and in alignment for a secure hooking connection of anchor hook  58  and pin  74  of anchor plate  60 . A preferred embodiment for fixedly attaching hook  70  is through the use of a low hydrogen covered electrode or an iron powder low hydrogen moisture resistant electrode, suited to weld the variety of materials that loader machines  10  and work tool accessories  34  are made of. Accordingly, use of a direct current electrode positive with a minimum yield strength of approximately 68,000 psi and a tensile strength of approximately 78,000 psi to fixedly attach hook  70  is preferable. 
     Fixedly attaching hook  70  on each side of the support base of control panel  40  is accomplished in an exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 8 ,  12  and  13 B. For ease of discussion, identification is made to the right and left hand sides of control panel  40 , which correlates in  FIG. 9  to the pair of corresponding anchor pads  60 , one on the right hand side of the operator compartment  14  and one the other on the left hand side of compartment  14 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8 , which illustrates the right hand side anchor pad  60  on the skid steer machine  10  and the right hand side of the support base of control panel  40 , hook  70  is spaced an appropriate distance from control panel  40  to receive cylindrical pin  63  in a way that positions the open space  82  of hook  70  towards the boom feature  36  of the work tool accessory  34 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , a cut-out  86  shaped in size and contour substantially the same as cylindrical pin  63 , is formed in one side of the support base of control panel  40 . In addition, the non-threaded end of adjusting bolt  52 , which contains bolt head  56  and wedge lock washer assembly  64 ,  66 , is positioned between hook  70  and one side of the support base of control panel  40 , in such a way that allows cylindrical pin  63  to be hooked into space  82  and cut-out  86 , and further allows wedge lock washer  64  to lock cylindrical pin  63  and adjusting bolt  52  in place, substantially preventing lateral movement therein. The other end of anchor hook assembly  50  in the form of anchor hook  58  is positioned for a hooked connection onto pin  74  of anchor pad  60 . 
     A similar arrangement of hook  70  and anchor hook assembly  50  as described above, is installed on the left hand side of the support base of control panel  40  involving the anchor pad  60  on the left hand side of skid steer machine  10 . 
     With both ends of anchor assembly  50  attached—namely, cylindrical pin  63  fixedly locked into cut-out  86  and open space  82  of hook  70  on one end, and anchor hook  58  securely hooked onto pin  74  of anchor pad  60  on the other end—on both sides of control panel  40 , the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 , on one end, is securely attached to the skid steer loader machine  10  on the other end. 
     As depicted in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 9 , a pair of anchor pads  60  receives the hooked connection of a pair of anchor hook assemblies  50  ( FIG. 4 ) on both sides of the control panel  40  (not shown). Each anchor pad  60  is preferably positioned on the body, not the lift arm, of the skid steer machine  10  and spaced apart in order to accommodate the width of the control panel  40 . 
     In addition, each anchor pad  60  is preferably positioned below the operator&#39;s compartment  14  and above the coupler  24  in such a way that eliminates vertical movement of the lift arm. In other words, the left hand side anchor pad  60  is preferably positioned on the left hand side of and below operator compartment  14  at an appropriate height in order for the hooked connection of anchor hook  58  onto pin  74  to be in horizontal alignment with cylindrical pin  63  positioned into hook  70  ( FIG. 8 ) and cutout  86  on the left hand side of control panel  40 , and the right hand side anchor pad  60  is preferably positioned on the right hand side of and below compartment  14  at an appropriate height that facilitates horizontal alignment of anchor hook  58  onto pin  74 , on one end of anchor hook assembly  50 , with cylindrical pin  63  into another hook  70  and cutout  86 , on the other end of anchor hook assembly  50 , on the right hand side of control panel  40 , as described above. Horizontal alignment of both ends of anchor hook assembly  50  connecting the skid steer loader  10  to the work tool accessory  34  substantially eliminates vertical lift arm movement. 
     Once work tool accessory  34  is coupled to skid steer loader  10  via coupler  24  and apertures  32  ( FIG. 12 ), hydraulic tilt cylinder  21  is actuated to retract the work tool accessory  34  in a direction towards operator compartment  14 , to facilitate coupling both ends of the anchor hook assembly  50  per  FIG. 8  and as described above. Preferably, securing an appropriate hooked connection of anchor hook  58  onto pin  74  is achieved by turning bolt head  56 , which in turn causes the threaded portion of adjusting bolt  52  to mate inwardly or outwardly into/out of hex nut  62  for appropriate adjustment and attachment. 
     Now, to achieve a stable and safe secure attachment of the work tool accessory  34  to the skid steer loader  10  without undesirable or unwanted machine instability, such as uncontrollable movement or dancing of the boom feature  36 , a final component in the connector device of the present invention is at hand; namely, stop pad  80 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , stop pad  80  is preferably a solid block of high strength steel useful to absorb and/or resist vibrational stresses caused by the tilt cylinder  21  and the breakout force of work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 . 
     By way of installation, referring now to  FIG. 10 , stop pad  80  is fixedly attached near a distal end on each lift arm  18  of the skid steer loader  10 . A preferred embodiment for fixedly securing stop pad  80  is by angular attachment to lift arm  18  in such a way that it serves as a backstop to coupler  24  by ensuring that a rear surface  88  of coupler  24  is substantially prevented from any further retracting movement in a direction toward lift arm  18 . In this attachment arrangement, stop pad  80  substantially serves as a dead stop, or additional support stop, for coupler  24 . Moreover, since the location of stop pad  80  on lift arm  18  is angularly positioned in the vicinity of lift hook  85 , when lift arm  18  is in a down position in front of machine  10  as depicted in  FIG. 10 , one corner  90  of stop pad  80  may be removed or cut-off as desired, to avoid conflict with or better accommodate the loader machine&#39;s lift hook  85 . 
     The dimension of stop pad  80  is sized to substantially: overcome undesirable equipment shaking; eliminate unwanted lateral movement; reduce equipment wear and tear; accommodate high reciprocating and/or vibrational stresses and/or loads; and the like. Stop pad  80  is preferably approximately one inch in thickness to accommodate any possible sideways movement of the rear surface  88  of coupler  24  that may occur during operation. Since a relatively small amount of lateral movement between the rear surface  88  of coupler  24  and lift arm  18  results in frequent and expensive re-bushing of the lift arm  18 , stop pad  80  not only reduces unnecessary wear on the lift arm&#39;s pivot point bushings but translates into longer bushing life. 
     In addition, stop pad  80  is preferably approximately at least two inches wide and at least five and one-half inches long, which dimensions successfully prevents shaking of each lift arm  18  because stop pad  80  not only substantially withstands the pressure of tilt cylinder  21  but also the high breakout force and digging force of work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36 . The length of stop pad  80  preferably covers a substantial length of the rear surface  88  of coupler  24  that it backstops. 
     As discussed above, a change in one dimensional aspect (length and/or height and/or thickness) of stop pad  80  generally results in a change in another dimensional aspect in order to maintain a desired minimum component strength, for instance, that withstands the reciprocating forces of the equipment involved. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown an exemplary illustration of two hooks  70  on the left hand side of control panel  40 . As depicted, hooks  70  are preferably spaced apart to receive cylindrical pin  63  in open space  82  (not identified). Hooks  70  are preferably fixedly attached to a top surface of work tool accessory  34  as described above. The characteristics of each hook  70  are as described above. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary installation of a pair of hooks  70  coupling one end of the anchor hook assembly  50  on the left hand side of control panel  40  of work tool accessory  34 , according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Use/operation of hook  70  is as earlier described with respect to  FIG. 8 . However, a pair of hooks  70  is preferably employed that is not only spaced an appropriate distance from the support base of control panel  40  to properly receive cylindrical pin  63 , but is also spaced for appropriate alignment of hook  58  onto pin  74 . 
     In addition, as earlier described, the pair of hooks  70  are positioned in such a way that each open space  82  of hook  70  is in a direction facing the boom feature  36  of the work tool accessory  34 . In this regard, the non-threaded end of adjusting bolt  52 , which contains bolt head  56  and wedge lock washer assembly  64 ,  66  ( 66  not shown), is positioned between both hooks in such a way that facilitates cylindrical pin  63  being hooked into space  82  and further facilitates wedge lock washer locking cylindrical pin  63  and adjusting bolt  52  in place, substantially preventing lateral movement therein. Anchor hook ( FIG. 12 ) is positionable for hooked connection onto pin  74  ( FIG. 8 ) of anchor pad  60  on the left hand side of compartment  14 . 
     A preferred embodiment for fixedly attaching each hook  70  to a top surface of work tool accessory  34  is through the use of an electrode, having a minimum yield strength of approximately 68,000 psi and a tensile strength of approximately 78,000 psi, that is suited to attach the materials that loader machines  10  and work tool accessories  34  are made of. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13A , there is shown an exemplary pair of hooks  70  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the connector device of the present invention. The pair of hooks  70  comprises a first part  92 , which includes hooks  70  and hook plate  94  for one side of control panel  40 , and a second part  98 , which includes hooks  70  and hook plate  100  for the other side of control panel  40 . In keeping with the two sided identification of control panel  40  in terms of FIG.  9 &#39;s anchor pads  60 , the first part  92  may be described as the pair of hooks configured for the left hand side of control panel  40 , and the second part may be described as the pair of hooks configured for the right hand side of control panel  40 . 
     Preferably, in first part  92 , a pair of hooks  70  is positioned on hook plate  94  in spaced relation to each other, as earlier described, except that one of the hooks  70  is fixedly secured nearest the left edge of hook plate  94 , such as between the range of approximately one-half to one inch from the left edge (near reference number  96 ) of hook plate  94 . To the immediate right of this left-edge or left-justified hook  70 , spaced alongside its width, are one or more apertures  78  for securing hook plate  94  to the work tool accessory  34 . As the second hook  70  is already in spaced relation to the left-edge hook, in order to accommodate cylindrical pin  63  as earlier described, another set of one or more apertures  78  is preferably located immediately to the right thereof. 
     As with the cylindrical pin  63  depicted in  FIG. 12 , for example, in  FIG. 13A  the axial areas of cylindrical pin  63  in the vicinity of the diameter of adjusting bolt  52 , are also preferably supported on both sides each by hooks  70  in first part  92 . As earlier discussed, the support distance of cylindrical pin  63  between the two hooks  70  on hook plate  94  is preferably the size of the wedge lock washer  64  positioned therebetween, which is approximately two inches. 
     Preferably two apertures  78 , which support each hook  70 , are spaced along the width of the hook  70  it supports. Since, in one application, for example, one hook  70  is left justified approximately one-half inch or less from the left edge of hook plate  94 , this means that two apertures  78  to the immediate right of this hook are spaced along the width of this hook  70 . Approximately two inches from the left-justified hook  70  is the second hook  70  with another two apertures  78  spaced along its width, also preferably one-half inch or less, to its right. 
     In addition, hook plate  94  approximates the shape of the bottom surfaces  96  of each hook  70 . As described above, the shape of the bottom surfaces  96  of hook  70  and thereby the shape of hook plate  94 , preferably approximates the shape of the top surface of the work tool accessory  34 . Preferably, hooks  70  in first part  92  as well as in second part  98  are fixedly attached through the use of appropriate materials suited for attachment to loader machines  10  and work tool accessories  34 , or the first and second parts  92 ,  98  may be integrally formed or of unitary construction with hook plate  94 ,  100 , respectively. 
     Hooks  70  are as earlier described herein without further repetition, therefore hook plate  94 ,  100  is sized to accommodate the above described arrangement of hooks  70  in first and second parts  92 ,  98 , respectively. Preferably, fasteners  72  attach hook plate  94 ,  100  to the work tool accessory  34 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 13A , second part  98  includes a pair of hooks  70  and apertures  78  on a hook plate  100  as similarly described above with reference to first part  92 , except that in second part  98  one of the hooks  70  is positioned nearest the right edge of hook plate  100 , such as approximately one-half inch or less from the right edge of hook plate  100 . 
     Preferably two apertures  78  (some not viewable), which support each hook  70  in second part  98 , are spaced along the horizontal width to the left of the hook  70  it supports. Similarly, since approximately two inches separate the right-justified hook  70  from the other hook  70 , hook plate  100  is also sized to accommodate the above described arrangement of the pair of hooks  70  for second part  98 , and fasteners  72  are usable to attach hook plate  100  to the work tool accessory  34 . 
     The left- and right-justified hook configuration of first and second parts  92 ,  98 , respectively, operates complementarily with the control panel  40  of the work tool accessory  34  having a boom feature  36  in that placement of the left-justified hook configuration of first part  92  complements the left hand side of control panel  40 , and placement of the right-justified hook configuration of second part  98  complements the right hand side of control panel  40 . 
     Accordingly, the left-justified and right-justified hook configuration of first and second part  92 ,  98 , respectively, of the pair of hooks  70  not only eliminates user dangers, error and confusion, but it also provides for safe and convenient quick attachment and removal, if necessary, all of which translates into valued savings of time, health and cost. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13B , there is shown an exemplary installation of first part  92 . A similar installation arrangement is configured on the other side of control panel  40  involving the other anchor pad  60  on that side of the skid steer machine  10 . 
     Once work tool accessory  34  is coupled to skid steer loader  10  via coupler  24  ( FIG. 9 ) and apertures  32  ( FIG. 13B ), for example, where a rear surface  88  of coupler  24  is retracted to its fullest position against stop pad  80  ( FIG. 10 ), and locked adjustment of anchor hook  58  ( FIG. 13B ) onto the pin  74  in anchor pad  60  has occurred, conditions are ideal for alignment and attachment of the first part  92  (hooks  70  and hook plate  94 ) and second part  98  (hooks  70  and hook plate  100 ) onto the work tool accessory  34 . 
     Preferably, alignment and locked connection of the cylindrical pin  63  of anchor hook assembly  50  into hooks  70  of first part  92 , in alignment with hooked connection of anchor hook  58  onto pin  74  is as previously described. Similarly, this procedure is repeated for alignment and locked connection of cylindrical pin  63  into hooks  70  of second part  98 , in alignment with hooked connection of anchor hook  58  onto pin  74 , also as previously described. Upon completion, hook plate  94 ,  100  is fixedly attached to work tool accessory  34  via fasteners  72 , and safe, stable operation of the boom feature  36  can be had. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiment(s) and exemplary application(s), which are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention without limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments in addition to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein may be made from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed apparatus, without departing from the scope of the following claims and equivalents. All suitable modifications and equivalents of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.