Patent Publication Number: US-2022213668-A1

Title: Multi-position hydraulic coupling attachment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/546,994 filed Aug. 21, 2019, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/020171 filed on Feb. 28, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/467,655 filed on Mar. 6, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to improved layout for hydraulic lines associated with heavy equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to a multi-position attachment mechanism for hydraulic lines subject to damage and repeated flexure during machine operation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many types of heavy equipment (loaders, skid steers, boom handlers, etc.) are employed in a wide variety of tasks including farming and construction. Many such vehicles operate using hydraulic power as a motivating source of power. In vehicles with lift arms, an attachment interface is typically used to allow the removable coupling of different implements to a vehicle to accomplish different tasks. Some implements require hydraulic and/or electrical power, while other implements do not. Therefore, many attachment interfaces are provided with hydraulic power via flexible hoses. However, these lines may become damaged during use of non-hydraulic implements. Therefore, improved arrangements for providing hydraulic power during some operations, but protecting the hydraulic hoses during other operations, is desired. 
     The invention provides such an arrangement. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments provide a lift arm including an attachment assembly and an electrical supply line having a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed in relation to the lift arm and the second end has a connector coupled to a mounting plate. The lift arm includes a first bracket affixed to the lift arm and a second bracket affixed to the attachment assembly. The mounting plate is moveable between and removably securable to the first bracket and the second bracket. 
     Some embodiments provide a lift arm including an attachment assembly and one or more of an electrical supply line or a first hydraulic hose being fixed in relation to the lift arm and having a coupling coupled to a first mounting plate. The lift arm also includes a first bracket affixed to the lift arm and a second bracket affixed to the attachment assembly. The first mounting plate is moveable between, and removably securable to, the first bracket and the second bracket. 
     Some embodiments provide a lift arm including an electrical supply line having a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed in relation to the lift arm and the second end has a connector coupled to a mounting plate. The lift arm also includes a hydraulic hose having a third end and a fourth end, the third end being fixed in relation to the lift arm and in fluid connection with a first hydraulic fitting and the fourth end including a quick connect hydraulic fitting that is coupled to the mounting plate. The mounting plate is moveable between, and removably securable to, a first bracket and a second bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an articulated front-end loader including a Z-bar lift arm and an attachment assembly comprising an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an articulated front-end loader including a telescoping lift arm and an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of the left side of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a detail view of the right side of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of the left side of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of the right side of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a detail top view of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of components of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention in an operating position; and 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of components of an attachment assembly having an embodiment of the present invention in an operating position. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein like numbers refer to like elements, articulated front end loaders  10  and  12  are shown. Loader  10  is a “Z-Bar” type front end loader having a movable arm, shown here as a z-bar lift arm  14 . Loader  12  is a telescoping type front end loader having another type of movable arm, shown here as a telescoping lift arm  16 . Movable arms such as z-bar lift arm  14  and telescoping lift arm  16  are typically provided with an attachment assembly  18  for attaching a variety of implements to the front end loader. Attachment assemblies as described herein may also be provided on other types of heavy equipment, for example skid loaders, track loaders, and telescopic handlers. 
     Attachment assembly  18  is typically tilted about a pivot point of z-bar arm  14  or telescoping lift arm  16  by hydraulic actuation, as is generally known in the art. To tilt an implement, the attachment assembly  18  is rotated about an axis parallel to the ground surface and perpendicular to the center line of the front end loader. For example,  FIG. 1  shows bucket  22  of loader  10  in a rotationally lowered position relative to the ground surface plane, while  FIG. 2  shows bucket  22  of loader  12  in a rotationally raised position relative to the ground surface plane. In many front end loaders, the attachment assembly  18  may be rotated in an arc of at least 150 degrees around pivot point  24 , and preferably about 180 degrees around pivot point  24 , thereby providing a substantial range of motion for an associated implement  20  and allow for loading, scooping, scraping, and emptying operations. 
     Attachment assembly  18  may be operationally coupled to a variety of functional implements  20 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as a bucket  22 . Other types of implements  20  that may be coupled to attachment assembly  18  include, without limitation, augers, bale movers, brooms, grapple buckets, rotary mowers, pallet forks, rakes, snow blowers, and material spreaders. Some implements, such as bucket  22 , do not require either auxiliary hydraulic power or electrical power. Other types of implements, such as augers, grapple buckets, mowers, and material spreaders, may require auxiliary hydraulic power or electrical power provided by loaders  10  or  12 . Still other types of implements, such as snow blowers, may require both auxiliary hydraulic power and electrical power provided by loaders  10  or  12 . Accordingly, auxiliary hydraulic hoses and electrical power lines are typical features of attachment assemblies of lift arms of various types of heavy equipment, such as front end loaders  10  and  12 . 
     In typical pieces of heavy equipment having a movable lift arm and a rotatable attachment assembly, hydraulic and/or electrical power may be supplied to an attached implement via quick-connect hydraulic couplings and/or electric couplings (plugs, sockets, etc.) attached to the rotatable attachment assembly. In such designs, two approaches are commonly used. More commonly, flexible connection hoses and/or electrical lines are used to route pressurized hydraulic fluid from a location on the movable arm to a hydraulic supply coupling location on the attachment assembly. Typically, such hoses and lines are routed in a “U” shape underneath the pivot point connection between the lift arm and the attachment assembly. However, flexible hoses and lines installed in this configuration are known to suffer excessive wear during operation of many types of implements, such as bucket  22 , that do not actually require hydraulic power. Wear may be caused by repeated flexure of hoses and lines during operation of the implement  20 , and may be exacerbated by abrasive wear due to contact with materials loaded with a bucket-type implement, for example stone, concrete, scrap metal, and the like. 
     Alternatively, hydraulic hoses and electrical lines may be terminated by a quick-connect on the lift arm rather than the attachment assembly. However, this configuration does not provide hydraulic and/or electrical power proximate to the implement attachment point. Accordingly, a powered implement will require longer hydraulic and electric lines, which may be dangerously exposed to pinch points or entanglement during operation of the implement  20 . This problem may be particularly severe during operations where the attachment assembly  18  and coupled implement  20  are significantly rotated. Thus, this configuration is generally viewed as less desirable for many front-end loader designs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , left and right side views of an attachment assembly  18  including an embodiment of the present invention are shown. As shown, attachment assembly  18  is coupled to the front  26  of extendible lift arm  16 . Attachment assembly  18  may be removably coupled to implements  20  by lifting the implement with flanges  17  (best shown in  FIG. 8 ), as is generally known in the art. In the preferred embodiments shown herein, attachment assembly  18  includes a hydraulically-actuated pin retention system  28  to secure an implement  20  to attachment assembly  18  during operation. Pin retention system  28  includes a securement pin  30  and an indicating arm  32 . Additional hydraulic lines  31 ,  33  are operatively coupled to the hydraulically-actuated pin retention system  28  of attachment assembly  18  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ). In other embodiments, a manually-actuated lever pin retention system may be used. 
     In the embodiment shown, auxiliary hydraulic power is provided by hydraulic hoses  34 ,  36 , and  38 . In this configuration, hoses  34  and  36  provide pressurized flow and return of hydraulic fluid via quick-connect couplings  40 ,  42  located on the right side of front  26  of lift arm  16 . Hydraulic power may thereby be provided to an implement  20  when operably connected to attachment assembly  18 . Hoses  34 ,  36  are removably coupled to permanent fittings  46 ,  48  of lift arm  16  at the ends distal to quick-connect couplings  40 ,  42 . Quick-connect couplings  40 ,  42  of hoses  34 ,  36  are removably affixed to a movable attachment plate  52 , as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 8-9 . 
     Attachment plate  52  is shown in  FIG. 4  in a non-operating position, wherein the attachment plate  52  is coupled to right bracket  56 . Hoses  34 ,  36  are thereby placed in a static position with respect to front end  26  of lift arm  16 , and distal from attachment assembly  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the lowest loop of hoses  34 ,  36  is above the bottom point  27  of front  26  of lift arm  16 . Accordingly, operation and rotation of attachment assembly  18  will not cause flexure of hoses  34 ,  36  and/or subject hoses  34 ,  36  to mechanical wear from contact with the ground or materials being handled. 
     On the left side of front  26  of lift arm  16 , a hydraulic case drain hose  38  is shown having a quick-connect coupling  44 . Case drain hose  38  may be used to provide pressure relief and hydraulic fluid drainage from an implement  20  when operably connected to attachment assembly  18 . Hose  38  is removably coupled to a permanent fitting  50  of lift arm  16  at the end distal to quick-connect coupling  44 . Quick-connect coupling  44  of hose  38  is removably affixed to a movable attachment plate  54 , as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 8-9 . Additionally, an implement plug end of an electrical supply line (not shown) may be coupled to movable attachment plate  54 , and the distal end of the electrical supply line may receive power from front end  26  of lift arm  16 . The implement plug end may be any configuration known in the art, such as a 14-pin connector. 
     Attachment plate  54  is shown in  FIG. 3  in a non-operating position, wherein the attachment plate  54  is coupled to left bracket  58 . Hose  38  and an electrical line (if present) are thereby placed in a static, raised position with respect to front end  26  of lift arm  16 , and distal from attachment assembly  18 . In a preferred embodiment, the lowest loop of hose  38  is above the bottom point  27  of front  26  of lift arm  16 . Accordingly, operation and rotation of attachment assembly  18  will not cause flexure of hose  38  and/or subject hose  38  to mechanical wear from contact with the ground or materials being handled. 
     Right and left brackets  56 ,  58  may be metal brackets that are welded or bolted to front  26  of lift arm  16 . Alternatively, brackets  56 ,  58  may be integrally formed on front end  26  of lift arm  16 . Generally, brackets  56 ,  58  are positioned above and to the rear of attachment assembly  18 , such that impingement of debris (dirt, mud, etc.) on quick-connects  40 ,  42 ,  44  is minimized. 
     In the embodiment shown, quick-connects  40 ,  42 , and  44  are essentially vertical when stowed in the non-operating position. In other embodiments, the quick-connects may be tilted backwards to shed any foreign materials (mud, dust, etc.) that may impinge on the quick connects. In other embodiments, brackets  56 ,  58  may further include a planar cover positioned above the quick-connects. In still other embodiments, brackets  56 ,  58  may be provided with a cover, for example a rubber boot, to prevent foreign materials from impinging on the quick-connects. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , an implement  20  using hydraulic power, shown as a grapple bucket  60 , is operationally affixed to attachment assembly  18 . Grapple bucket  60  includes a lower bucket portion  62  and grapple  64 . Grapple  64  may be opened and closed by actuation of hydraulic cylinders  66 . Grapple bucket  60  further includes implement hydraulic hoses  68 ,  70  in fluid connection with hydraulic cylinders  66 . 
     Attachment assembly  18  includes a right hose securement location  74  and a left hose securement location  76 . In a preferred embodiment, securement locations  74 ,  76  are brackets positioned on structural top bar  72  of attachment assembly  18 , and are integrally formed from the material of top bar  72 . In other embodiments, securement locations  74 ,  76  may be positioned elsewhere on attachment assembly  18 . In other embodiments, securement locations  74 ,  76  may be formed from separate components and affixed to attachment assembly  18 , for example by bolting, welding, etc. 
     Implement hoses  68 ,  70  may then be coupled to quick-connects  40 ,  42  as shown, such that hydraulic fluid is supplied to hydraulic cylinders  66 . For hydraulic implements requiring a case drain connection, an implement case drain hose may be further connected to quick-connect  44 . For hydraulic implements requiring electrical power, an implement electrical plug may be further connected to an electrical connection (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the attachment assembly  18  is shown removed from front end  26  of a lift arm, in assembled and exploded views. Mounting plates  52 ,  54  include a generally flat body having one or more annular openings  86 . Annular openings  86  are sized to receive hydraulic quick-connects  40 ,  42 ,  44  received therethrough. In typical embodiments, annular openings  86  are circular with a diameter between 0.25 inches and 1.25 inches. In the preferred embodiment shown, annular openings  86  have a diameter of approximately 1.09 inches for hydraulic lines  35  and  36  and associate quick-connects  40 ,  42 , and approximately 0.90 inches for hydraulic case drain line  38  and associated quick-connect  44 . 
     In the preferred embodiment shown, mounting plate  52  receives hydraulic fluid supply hose and coupling  34 ,  40  and hydraulic fluid return hose and coupling  36 ,  42 , while mounting plate  54  receives a hydraulic fluid case drain hose and coupling  38 ,  44  and further includes an annular opening  88  sized to receive an implement electrical supply plug (not shown). Other configurations may also be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, three hydraulic lines  34 ,  36 , and  38  may be provided on a single mounting plate to provide hydraulic supply, return, and case drain connections. In other embodiments, other arrangements of any number of hydraulic hoses and/or electrical lines may be provided. 
     In the embodiment shown, mounting plates  52 ,  54  include a generally flat body  78  securement tabs  82 . Securement tabs  82  and body  78  define a slot  84 , wherein slot  84  is sized to receive the thickness of brackets  52 ,  54  and top bar  72  when installed respectively thereupon. As will be appreciated, different geometries for a mounting plate and bracket may be employed to carry out the present invention. In combination with a securement pin or mechanism, securement tabs  82  and body  78  permit the rapid and tool-less positioning of mounting plates  52 ,  54  and associated hydraulic hoses and electrical lines in non-operating positions on brackets  56 ,  58  and operating positions  74 ,  76  respectively. 
     Brackets  56 ,  58  are generally flat and each include U-shaped or J-Shaped openings  96  on one side of each bracket, thereby allowing mounting brackets  52 ,  54  and associated hydraulic hoses to be slidably affixed to and removed from brackets  56 ,  58  respectively, without removal of the hydraulic hoses from the mounting plate. Similarly, brackets  74 ,  76  are also generally flat and include U-shaped or J-Shaped openings  98  on one side of each bracket, thereby allowing mounting brackets  52 ,  54  and associated hydraulic hoses to be slidably affixed to and removed from brackets  74 ,  76  respectively. In a preferred embodiment, each bracket includes opposed J-shaped openings defining a protrusion  99 ,  101  respectively therebetween. 
     Brackets  56 ,  58  each include an annular opening  90  on protrusion  99  sized to receive a pin  94 , bolt, or similar securement mechanism. Each mounting plate  52 ,  54  may also include an annular opening  91  such that opening  91  is coaxial with opening  90  when mounting plates  52 ,  54  are engaged with brackets  56 ,  58  respectively. When brackets  52 ,  54  are positioned on brackets  56 ,  58 , the mounting plates may be secured in position by a pin  94  passing through openings  90 ,  91 . Brackets  74 ,  76  of attachment assembly  18  similarly include an annular opening  92  on protrusions  101  that are coaxial with opening  90  when mounting plates  52 ,  54  are received by brackets  74 ,  76 . Mounting plates  52 ,  54  may thereby also be secured to attachment assembly  18  during operation of a hydraulically-powered implement. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, two or four brackets (e.g., bracket  52 ,  74  or brackets  52 ,  54 ,  74 , and  76 ) and compatible mounting plates (e.g., mounting plate  52  or plates  52 ,  54 ) may be provided as a kit for retrofitting multi-position coupling assemblies of the present invention to existing equipment. Brackets are provided as pairs with a compatible mounting plate, a first bracket associated with the lift arm and a second bracket associated with the attachment assembly. Brackets may thereby be affixed to the lift arm and attachment assembly (bolted, welded, etc.) to provide a multi-position coupling attachment configuration according to the present invention. 
     In typical embodiments of the present invention, vehicle hydraulic power is supplied to an implement via hoses  34 ,  36  and quick-connects  40 ,  42  at a pressure of about 3000 psi. In some embodiments, hydraulic fluid may be supplied to an implement at a standard flow rate of about 18 gpm. In other embodiments, hydraulic fluid may be supplied to an implement at a higher flow rate of about 25-30 gpm. In a typical embodiment, hydraulic fluid is supplied by a hydraulic pump positioned on a vehicle, for example loaders  10  and  12 . 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.