Abstract:
Adapter for mounting on a work machine comprising an attachment for individually attaching one or more working implements to the work machine and allowing lateral rotation or tilting of the working implement, thereby raising one lateral end of the implement while simultaneously lowering the opposite lateral end. The adapter can be permanently mounted to the work machine (and remains dormant when not in use), or can be removably mounted thereto.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority of Provisional Ser. No. 60/644,551 filed Jan. 18, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Various utilitarian implements for powered work machines such as tractors, skid steer loaders, combines, excavating machines, bulldozers, front end loaders, etc. are well known. Typical tasks performed by such work machines include construction, digging, grading, excavating, etc. Exemplary attachments for these vehicles include buckets, scoops, forks, front-end loaders, dozer blades, plows, landscaping implements, trenchers, toothbars, brooms, rakes, tillers, backhoes, and other material-handling and general application tools.  
         [0003]     The interchangeability of these implements on a single work machine is generally desirable in order to enhance the versatility of these machines. Accordingly, quick attachment mechanisms for mounting and dismounting such implements have been developed to facilitate this interchangeability.  
         [0004]     However, conventional quick attachment designs generally do not allow for the tilting of the implement about a horizontal axis during operation. Such tilting can be desirable, where, for example, the work machine encounters uneven terrain, or where the operation to be carried out by the implement would be facilitated were the implement capable of being tilted. Attachment mechanisms that do allow for tilting suffer from other drawbacks, such as complicated and expensive designs, inability to support heavy loads, etc.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an attachment assembly for work machines that is inexpensive, easy to operate, is a compact and simplified design, and allows for tilting about a longitudinal axis of the work machine to which the implement is attached.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The problems of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention, which provides an adaptor for mounting on a work machine, the adapter comprising an attachment for individually attaching one or more working implements to the work machine and allowing lateral rotation or tilting of the working implement, thereby raising one lateral end of the implement while simultaneously lowering the opposite lateral end. Preferably the adapter is permanently mounted to the work machine (and remains dormant when not in use), although removable mounting of the adapter is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0007]     In a preferred embodiment, the adapter includes first and second plates, slidable with respect to each other. The first plate is adapted to be mounted to the working machine and remains stationary. The second plate is rotatably mounted to the first plate, and can be rotated in response to a suitable actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder. The working implement can be mounted to the second plate, which preferably includes a quick attachment configuration for ease of mounting.  
         [0008]     The tilting adjustment is particularly useful when the angle of attack of the work implement is not level, or when the angle of attack is level but the grading or other operation requires skewing of the implement.  
         [0009]     In certain embodiments, the adapter of the invention can include permanently or removably mounted quick attachment members on its front face, for quick attachment of utilitarian accessories thereto.  
         [0010]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the adapter of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the adapter of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of a adapter front plate slot with a bolt assembly in the slot;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the bolt assembly shown in  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the adapter in a tilted position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the adapter in a tilted position with the addition of wear plates; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the adapter configured to receive a conventional quick attach assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the adapter  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adapter  10  is illustrated as a generally rectangular member, and includes a front plate  12  and a rear plate  13  ( FIG. 2 ). Preferably the plates are planar or substantially planar, and are made of a rigid material such as steel, that is capable of withstanding the stresses generally associated with the application. A plurality of apertures such as slots  15   a - 15   n  is formed on the front plate  12 . In the embodiment shown, the slots  15   a - 15   n  are configured in an upper array and a lower array, with each array having three slots that are preferably uniformly spaced. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although six slots are shown (three in each array), the number of slots is not critical. Furthermore, depending upon the application, apertures could be formed closer to the lateral sides of the plate. Preferably the slots  15   a - 15   n  are arcuate in shape, with the length of the slots dictating the degree of rotation of the front plate  12  relative to the rear plate  14 , as discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0019]     One upper corner of the plate  12  includes an ear  16  that extends upwardly from the plate  12  as shown. The ear  16  allows for attachment of one end of an actuator  20 , preferably a hydraulic cylinder. The ear  16  can be an integral part of the plate  12 , or can be coupled to the plate by suitable means such as welding.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates the backside of the adapter  10 , and in particular, the rear face of rear plate  14 . The rear plate  14  also includes a plurality of apertures or slots  15 ′ a - 15 ′ n , each of which is configured and positioned to register or align with a corresponding slot on plate  12  when plates  12  and  14  are brought into aligning engagement. The upper corner of the plate  14  opposite ear  16  on plate  12  includes an ear  18  that projects upwardly from the plate  14  as shown. The ear  18  allows for attachment of one end of an actuator  20 , preferably a hydraulic cylinder. The ear  18  can be an integral part of the plate  14 , or can be coupled to the plate by suitable means such as welding.  
         [0021]     The rear plate  14  also includes various longitudinal brackets  21   a - 21   d  that provide stability to the adapter and also provide a means for connecting the adapter to the work machine. For example, holes  22  can be provided in the brackets that accommodate pins, bolts or the like for securing the adapter to the work machine. Alternatively, the plate  12  can be configured to receive a conventional quick attach member or members ( FIG. 6 ). For example, an upper soffit  36  or the like can receive forks or other conventional male quick attach members typically found on a skidsteer or tractor, and spikes can be actuated to insert into lower slots  37  to secure the adapter on the working implement.  
         [0022]     The front plate  12  and the rear plate  14  are placed in aligning engagement, such that each of the slots formed in the front plate  12  register with a corresponding slot in the rear plate  14 . The plates can be secured in alignment such as with nut and bolt  24 ,  25 . In addition, nuts and bolt assemblies  40  or the like are placed in each of the aligned slots, preferably with suitable bushings and washers, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Specifically, using slots  15   a  and  15   a ′ for purposes of illustration, a bolt  27  projects through slots  15   a  and  15   a ′ and is secured by nut  28 . A washer  29  and bushing  30  are preferably used on each side, with one bushing  30  abutting against the face of front plate  12  and the other bushing  30 ′ abutting against the rear face of rear plate  14  to facilitate the relative movement between the plates. If additional support and integrity is desired or necessary, a plate or disk can be attached to each bolt assembly to help dissipate the stresses encountered during movement of the plates. In addition, one or more slots can be formed near the lateral edges of the plates, such as between brackets  21   a  and  21   b  and between brackets  21   c  and  21   d  for added strength.  
         [0023]     The bolt assemblies  40  described above help maintain the plates in aligning engagement, and also provide stops that limit the extent of the rotation of one plate relative to another. For example, with reference to  FIG. 4 , the plates  12  and  14  are shown in a tilted configuration, wherein the bolt assemblies  40  in the top array of the slots in the top plate  12  are positioned in the far right portion of the slots, and the bolt assemblies  40  in the lower array of slots in the top plate  12  are positioned in the far left portion of the slots, each preventing further relative rotation of the plates.  
         [0024]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the length of the slots on either the plate  12  or the plate  14  will dictate the maximum relative rotation possible. Preferably the slots are of such a length that a relative rotation of from about 15-25°, preferably about 18-20° is possible.  
         [0025]     Preferably the relative rotation is in response to an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder  20 . Since upon rotation to the position shown in  FIG. 4 , the respective ears  16 ,  18  of the plates are closer than in the neutral position of  FIG. 1 , one can readily see that the actuator is contracted to create the movement from the neutral position to the tilted position, and expanded to urge the plates back towards their neutral positioning.  
         [0026]     The adapter  10  preferably attaches to the working implement with spring-loaded spikes  33  that are coupled to the adapter. The spikes position in slots in the working implement. In addition, working implements generally have a bar or the like that fits under soffit  36  formed on the front plate  12  to further secure the working implement to the adapter  10 . A conventional quick attach also can be used to secure the adapter to the working implement, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0027]     Although the foregoing description describes the adapter  10  as a separate member, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the adapter can be made as an integral part of the working implement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the front side of the adapter can itself include male quick attach members so that a utilitarian accessory such as a bucket can be attached to the adaptor. Such an attachment can be permanent or removable. Thus, in certain embodiments, two quick attach mechanisms are used; one to attach the adaptor to the working implement, and the other to attach a utilitarian accessory to the adaptor.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention where one or more lateral slots  45 ,  46  are positioned near the lateral sides of the plate  12  for added strength. Preferably the lateral slots  45 ,  46  are arcuate in shape.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  also illustrates optional adjustable wear plates. Specifically, a set of an outer wear plate  50  and inner wear plate  51 , each with apertures corresponding to bolts  40  and central aperture  25 , can be positioned on the front face of plate  12  and secured with bolts  40 . A second set of an outer wear plate and inner wear plate (not shown) is similarly positioned and attached on the rear face of plate  12 . Preferably the outer wear plates are made of steel, are about ¼ inch thick, and function to hold the respective inner wear plates in place. The inner wear plates are made of plastic, such as a polyolefin or polyurethane, or preferably nylon, or combinations thereof, and are from about ⅛ to about ¼ inch, preferably about 3/16 inches, thick. In the embodiment shown, each has a diameter of about 17 inches. Sets of outer and inner wear plates are similarly secured to the front and rear faces of rear plate  14 . Over time, as the inner wear plates wear due to relative movement of the plate  12  and plate  14 , the bolts  40  can be tightened to maintain the desired tension and maintain a preload on the plates  12 ,  14 . The wear plates also help prevent dirt and other debris from hindering the relative movement of the plates  12 ,  14 .  
         [0030]     Lateral wear plates  150 ,  151  also can be used at lateral slots  45 ,  46  as shown. As is with central wear plates  50 ,  51 , the outer lateral wear plates  150  are preferably made of steel and are about ¼ inch thick, and the inner war plates  151  are made of a polyolefin, polyurethane or preferably nylon, and are about 3/16 inches thick. In the embodiment shown, the lateral wear plates have a diameter of about four inches.  
         [0031]     A similar outer plate/inner wear plate arrangement can be used between plates  12  and  14 , if desired.