Patent ID: 12241219

With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally indicated by similar numerals, a retaining system1according to a first aspect of the invention is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS.1A and1Bthere is shown a quick coupler C. The quick coupler may comprise of a body2that may include a plurality of mounting points4A and4B for securing the quick coupler to the end of an arm7of for example an excavator5(as shown inFIG.2). The quick coupler is able to be attached and detached to an attachment A. In the example shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the attachment may be an excavator bucket. The attachment A presents two parallel spaced apart pins P1and P2which are able to be securely received at spaced apart receptacles R1and R2of the coupler C, respectively. For retaining the pin P1at receptacle R1, a retaining system1comprising a first retainer6(which may herein be referred to simply as retainer6) is used. For retaining the pin P2at receptacle R2, a second retainer3is used. The second retainer3may for example be retainer that is able to be moved between a retracted and an extended condition by way of a hydraulic ram40as shown inFIG.52. The second retainer3may be, or includes, a wedge shape and may be a bar or plate or rod or similar. At the first receptacle R1there is provided a retaining system1. The location of the retaining system1and the second retainer3could be swapped around in some embodiments.

The body2of the quick coupler C may comprise of two primary plates. InFIG.1Aa primary plate500is shown. The second primary plate is spaced apart from the first primary plate and connected to the first primary plate preferably in a parallel condition. The primary plates and/or other parts of the body preferably define the receptacle R1. The plates may include suitably shaped edge profiles for such purposes. At receptacle R1the pin P1(the front pin for example of the attachment A) is able to be received. The pin P1and also the pin P2when engaged to the body extend through and project from the lateral sides of the primary plates. For ease of illustration, the depth of the coupler is not shown in most of the Figures and instead a side view looking onto a primary plate is shown in most Figures.

In its fully retained condition as shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the retaining system is able to retain the pin P1, securely in the captive region CR of receptacle R1without the pin P1being able to be removed from the receptacle R1through the mouth of the receptacle.

With reference toFIG.11there is shown part of the body2of the coupler C at the receptacle R1. The receptacle R1has a mouth opening M that is sufficiently large to allow for the pin P1to pass therethrough and into the receptacle R1. The receptacle R1may comprise a captive region CR where a pin P1is able to be seat and be held captive at by the retainer6. The seating at the captive region may be loose or slack. Intermediate the captive region CR and the mouth M, is a passage P—as shown inFIG.23. A pin can pass to move through said passage P of receptacle R1to the captive region CR of the receptacle R1. The passage P of the receptacle R1is able to be occluded to prevent the pin from moving out of the captive region CR by the (first) retainer6that is biased to a position that occludes passage of a pin at the captive region through the passage P. In one embodiment, as seen in side view inFIG.11, able to project from one side of the passage, at least partially across the receptacle R1, is the retainer6. The retainer is preferably made of steel. The retainer6in its retaining condition also herein referred to as its first position, as shown inFIG.11, projects sufficiently far across the receptacle R1to prevent the pin P1from being removed from the captive region. The retainer6, in the preferred embodiment, is rotationally mounted relative to the body2(e.g. relative to and preferably mounted by the primary plates) about a retainer axis15. The retainer axis15is preferably parallel to the elongate pin axis16of the front pin P1when engaged.

In the alternative, the retainer6may be mounted to the body for linear movement.

The retainer6is preferably mounted to the body2on a retainer shaft17to allow for the retainer6to rotate on its retainer axis15. The retainer shaft may be secured at its ends to the primary plates of the body. The retainer6is able to pivot on its retainer axis15from its retaining first position, as shown inFIG.11, in a clockwise direction. This may occur when the pin P1is being inserted into the receptacle R1by the pin pushing the retainer towards its second position away from its first position, or by a driver as will herein after be described. A rotation stop33may be provided to prevent the retainer6from rotating in an anti-clockwise direction from its retaining position as shown inFIG.11. For clarity the rotation stop33has not been shown inFIG.11but is shown inFIG.49. It will be appreciated that many alternative forms of rotation stops may be provided to prevent over rotation of the retainer6.

The retainer6is able to be moved from its pin retaining position, as shown inFIG.11, to a pin release position as shown inFIG.16. This may be achieved by the use of a driver11. The driver11is able to be coupled to the retainer6. This may be achieved using the retainer lug8of the retainer. The retainer lug may be a pin or may be a surface of the retainer6or provided to the retainer6that is configured and adapted to allow the driver11to couple therewith. The driver11is able to be moved from a first position as shown inFIG.11to a second position as shown inFIG.16. The driver11may be moved by a driver actuator9. It will be appreciated that the driver actuator9may take the form of, for example, a mechanical or hydraulic ram9. However, it will more often take the form of a hydraulic ram9, to cooperate appropriately with the hydraulic configurations typically employed on excavators of the art.

It will be appreciated that reference to hydraulic ram9herein shall not exclude instances where the driver actuator9takes a mechanical or otherwise non-hydraulic form i.e., the terms driver actuator9and hydraulic ram9may be used interchangeably.

The movement of the driver11to its second position can cause the retainer6to rotate from its pin retaining position to its releasing position when the driver and retainer are coupled. The retainer lug8is positioned at a distance from the retainer axis15of the retainer6to allow for a rotational force to be applied to the retainer6by the driver11as it moves to the second position. The driver11may comprise of a coupling region19that is able to hook and/or otherwise releasably couple with the retainer lug8. In order to allow for the pin P1to be released from the receptacle R1, the driver11when coupled with the retainer is able to be moved from its first position as shown inFIG.11to its second position as shown inFIG.16to at least partially, if not completely, remove the retainer6from extending across the receptacle R1.

A noteworthy feature in some modes and/or embodiments is that the retainer6is able to completely egress the receptacle R1such that there is not able to be any interference of the pin with the retainer6when the retainer is in its second position as shown inFIGS.16,33,46and73. If the retainer6was susceptible to interference with the pin P1, then the pin P1may push the retainer past a point to where the retainer lug8may de-couple with the coupling region19. This full rotation of the retainer6so that it is held outside the receptacle in its second position, or at least helps prevents accidental de-coupling.

In the position as shown inFIG.16the pin P1is able to egress from the receptacle R1without interference from the retainer6. Where reference is made to extending into or egressing from the receptacle, it will be appreciated that this is taken from a reference frame looking onto the primary plate500of the body/housing as seen inFIG.11for example. The retainer is located adjacent the first primary plate500and likewise a corresponding retainer may be provided adjacent the second primary plate (not shown) and other related retention system components may likewise be provided at the other side of the body of the quick coupler.

The driver11may be guided for movement (the movement preferably caused by the driver actuator9) along a path by a track or slot20of the housing along which an axle21of the driver11is mounted. The axle21is able to slide within the slot20for translational movement there along. The driver11is preferably mounted to rotate on a driver axis22. Such rotation allows for the driver11to move between a coupled condition as shown inFIG.11coupling the driver11with the retainer6at the retainer lug8and coupling region19and a decoupled condition as shown inFIG.22where the coupling region19and the retainer lug8are decoupled from each other. The slot20and axle21allows for such rotation to occur in the example shown inFIGS.11and22.

In addition the retaining system1comprises a trigger10. The trigger10is preferably rotationally mounted to the body2by a trigger axle23to allow for the trigger10to rotate on a trigger axis24. The trigger10is presented so that a trigger region25of the trigger projects or is able to project at least partially across the receptacle R1. Preferably the trigger10, and as such the trigger region25, projects at least partially across the passage P to be presented for contact with a pin moving through the passage. As such the trigger region25is contacted by the pin P1as the pin P1passes the trigger10and is thereby able to be moved in a rotational manner on its trigger axis24. The trigger may be mounted for linear movement instead relative the body2(as shown in alternative embodimentFIGS.32-41). Preferably the trigger is shaped and the receptacle is shaped so that a pin moving through the passage cannot avoid contact with the trigger.

In addition in some forms, the trigger10may have a tripping region26that is able to interact with the driver11in an appropriate manner to control the rotation of the driver11about its driver axis22. The driver11may comprise a trip pin27that is able to bear against the tripping region26of the trigger10.

In a preferred embodiment the driver axis22, retainer axis15and trigger axis24are all parallel to each other and when retained or entering, also parallel to the pin axis16.

In order to explain how the retainer system1of the present invention works reference will now be made to the sequence of drawings ofFIGS.12-23where the process of disengaging a pin P1is described and inFIGS.24-31where the process of engaging a pin P1is described.

InFIG.12there is shown a pin P1safely and securely retained at receptacle R1by the retainer6. To allow for the pin P1to be removed from the receptacle R1the driver11is caused to be displaced when it is coupled with the retainer lug8. A driver actuator9(hydraulic ram9) may be actuated by an operator to cause the driver11to displace in a direction to cause clockwise rotation of the retainer6as shown betweenFIGS.12and16.

In an optional embodiment, a hydraulic ram9actuates the driver11, and a hydraulic ram40actuates the second retainer3. Both the hydraulic ram9and hydraulic ram40are preferably fed from the same hydraulic circuit, as shown inFIG.52. For release of attachment, pressure is supplied to the hydraulic ram40and the second retainer3is retracted to release pin P2, simultaneously in a preferred embodiment, the first retainer6is retracted by the hydraulic ram9, via the driver11, to allow release of pin P1. The first retainer6however is reset to its retaining position without any hydraulic pressure being required due to the mechanical trigger mechanism10of the retaining system1being triggered by egress of the front pin P1. For attachment of an attachment A from the previously described state, the pins P1and P2are entered into the respective receptacles R1and R2. Via reversal or release of hydraulic pressure, the hydraulic ram40extends the second retainer3to retain the rear pin P2. The first retainer6is independent of this second retainer3extending, due to the operation of the trigger mechanism10as described. However, the driver11, is engaged with the hydraulic ram9, and upon reversal or release of hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic ram9, the driver11can return such as under bias (e.g. from a spring) to its first position.

Continued displacement of the driver11to its second position will cause the retainer6to rotate sufficiently in a clockwise direction to no longer interfere with the removal of the pin P1from the receptacle R1. Such displacement may be to completely remove the retainer6from projecting into the receptacle R1as shown inFIG.16or still have it partially projecting into the receptacle R1as shown inFIG.15. In the preferred form the retainer6is completely clear of the receptacle R1. Preferably a pin P1cannot push the retainer6to this position (as shown inFIGS.16-19), as this may allow the retainer6to re-latch with the driver11.

When the retainer6is in the retracted position, as for example shown inFIG.16, the operator is able to move the excavator arm and hence the quick coupler C in order to manoeuvre the pin out of the receptacle R1. Whilst the retainer6is clear of the receptacle R1, the trigger10is presented with its triggering region25projecting into the receptacle R1. The triggering region projects sufficiently far into the receptacle R1so that it will contact the pin P1as the pin P1leaves the receptacle R1.

It will be appreciated that different sized pins of different attachments may come to register at the receptacle R1. Therefore it is important that the trigger region25is sufficiently large so as to be able to present itself for contact with different sized pins as such leave the receptacle, without the pins being able to pass the trigger region25without actuating the trigger10. As such, for illustrative reasons, a small pin P1is shown egressing the receptacle R1—to show the extreme case and how the small pin can still activate the trigger10. Likewise, on pin entry, a large pin P1is shown entering the receptacle R1—the large pin P1is shown to show the extreme case and how the large pin will not cause the retainer6to engage with the coupling region25—as described later.

Trigger actuation occurs when the force of the pin P1upon its removal or entry to the captive region acts on the trigger10and causes the trigger10to move such as by rotation on its trigger axis24. In the orientation shown in the drawings such rotation is in an anti-clockwise direction. As the pin progresses out of the receptacle R1as seen in the sequence of drawings ofFIGS.18and19, the rotation of the trigger10in an anti-clockwise direction about the trigger axis24causes the tripping region26to apply a force to the trip pin27of the driver11. This causes a decoupling between the retainer lug8of the retainer6and of the coupling region19of the driver11.

Upon decoupling of the driver11with the retainer6, the retainer6is able to rotate back towards its retaining position. It is no longer being held by the driver11in its release position as shown inFIG.18but is able to rotate back in an anti-clockwise direction towards its retaining position. The retainer6is preferably biased to its retaining position by way of a spring such as a torsional spring31acting about the retainer axis15. An example of the spring biases is shown inFIG.49to51. This helps snap the retainer to its retaining position when the driver decouples.

The progression of the pin P1out of the receptacle R1after the decoupling of the driver11and the retainer6, may allow for the retainer6to rotate to its retaining position as shown inFIG.22. The pin P1and the retainer6may be in contact during this progression but the pin P1is no longer being retained in the receptacle R1by the retainer6.

As can be seen inFIG.20-22, the preferred geometry of the retainer6is such that its return to its retaining position is interfered with by the pin P1at the time the P1engages with the trigger region25of the trigger. This means that the trigger10may only be able to cause a tripping of the coupling between the driver and retainers (e.g. between the retainer lug8and the coupling region19) once the pin P1is sufficiently removed from the receptacle R1to then not be prevented from further movement out of the receptacle R1by the retainer6once the retainer6has been caused to trip. As can be seen inFIGS.20-22, the retainer6comes to bear against the pin P1once the tripping of the mechanism has occurred. However if the pin P1is removed faster, or the bias of the retainer6is weak or slower to cause movement of the retainer6(such as by use of a hydraulic accumulator) then the retainer6will not bear against the pin P1upon its exit.

FIG.23shows the retaining system reset to its first condition as shown inFIG.11. The step between the retainer6rotating to its lower most point (FIG.22) and the driver11recoupling with the retainer6(FIG.23) is that the driver actuator9has allowed or caused the driver11to return to its first condition. The driver11may travel back due to the rotational and lateral spring bias (via spring31) to its coupling condition, to recouple with the retainer6.

Should the operator cause the release of actuation of the driver11e.g. via releasing the driver actuator9(e.g. by releasing hydraulic pressure from the driver actuator9), eithera) before the retainer6has fully raised (i.e. the retainer6is still coupled with the driver11), then the retainer6will return back to its retaining position, orb) before the pin has egressed (i.e. the pin P1has not actuated the trigger10), then the retainer6will return back to its retaining position.

The Figures represent the operator causing release of the driver11at the stage ofFIG.23, when the pin P1has egressed the receptacle R1. However, the operator may release the driver11from the stage ofFIG.20—where the trigger10has been actuated to trip the driver11from coupling the retainer6at the retainer lug8.FIG.19shows the tipping point where the retainer lug8is going to trip off the coupling region19.

In a preferred form as previously mentioned the retainer6is preferably biased to its retaining position by for example a torsional spring30as shown inFIG.49-51. In addition, biasing of the driver11may occur. Such biasing may be by way of a spring31to push the driver11to its coupling condition as shown inFIG.49. InFIG.49the same spring31is shown acting between the body2and the driver11in a direction to bias the driver11in an anti-clockwise rotational direction. This encourages the driver11to move via its rotational and translational coupling to its first condition. In other embodiments, not shown, the function of the spring31may be achieved by more than one spring.

The trigger10may be free to float, apart from, in a preferred embodiment, the biased driver11is pushing against the trigger10—to in turn bias the trigger10. Alternatively a separate bias may also be applied to the trigger10. This bias may be provided by a spring (not shown in this embodiment, but shown as spring34in an alternative embodiment inFIG.55) acting between the body2and the trigger10in a clockwise direction as seen in the Figures. The direct or indirect bias of the trigger10will help reset the trigger10to a condition where the trigger region25projects into the receptacle R1.

Preferably the trigger is able to come into contact with the driver as the pin engages the trigger and out of contact with the driver when the pin is not in contact with the trigger. Alternatively the trigger is always in operative contact with the driver. In alternative forms as described herein after, the trigger and driver may move in concert relative the coupler body between the coupled and decoupled conditions of the driver. Preferably the trigger is able to cause the driver to decouple from the retainer so that the retainer is not constrained by the driver from moving to its first position.

An operator may enter a lift mode by proceeding from a coupler condition as seen inFIG.22to a condition as seen inFIG.23. A lifting mode is where both first and second retainers6&3are in the retaining position, but no pins are present in the respective receptacles. The operator, in a preferred embodiment, can case the coupler to move from the stage ofFIG.22to the stage ofFIG.23(i.e. to lifting mode) by causing a release or reversal of the hydraulic pressure so the second retainer3extends to its retaining position (shown inFIG.1B), and because the hydraulic pressure is released to the driver actuator9also, the driver11is allowed to be biased back to couple with the first retainer6.

Reference will now be made toFIGS.24-31to show how a pin P1is able to be engaged with a coupler C, for retention therewith, in a first engagement mode. In a first engagement mode for example, an old pin has been removed from the receptacle R1and it is desired to be swapped for a new pin P1of another attachment. The operator has triggered the application of hydraulic pressure (or similar means for actuation such as mechanical screw or the like) to cause the second retainer3to retract, and the first retainer6to raise up. The old pin is removed, which trips the trigger10and the retainer6moves to its retaining position. Note that the driver11, is still located away from its biased condition (i.e. it is in its second position) because it is held there by the hydraulic ram9. The operator can then enter a new pin, as shown inFIG.24into the receptacle R1and this is secured at the receptacle R1by the retainer6. Even though the driver has not returned to a position to couple with the retainer that is in its first position. The operator enters pin P2into receptacle R2—and the retainer3is extended to move to a position to retain pin P2. Retaining of pin P2is able to be achieved independent of the retaining of pin P1.

The first engagement mode is the most typical mode when an operator is swapping attachments.

InFIG.24the retainer system1is shown in its retaining condition. The retainer6is in its retaining position (without a pin in the receptacle R1) and extends partially into the receptacle R1after being tripped and reset by the old pin egressing the receptacle R1. The driver11is still in its actuated position. The quick coupler C is then manoeuvred by an operator to introduce the new pin P1into the receptacle R1through the mouth M. This movement of the pin P1into the receptacle R1causes the retainer6to rotate clockwise as seen inFIG.25. The lug8may act against the driver11, and but does not re-latch.

A preferred feature that prevents re-coupling of the driver11and lug8(i.e. at the coupling region) is a guiding surface28as shown inFIG.24. The guiding surface abuts with the lug8, or another part of the driver11, to prevent coupling of the driver11and retainer6. As a pin P1enters into the receptacle, the pin P1engages the retainer6. The lug8of the retainer6abuts the guiding surface of the driver11and so prevents coupling between the driver and retainer until the driver has returned to a position where it can couple with the retainer when the retainer is in its first position. The driver is preferably slower to return to its first position than the retainer. The trigger10in this embodiment is free to float with respect to movement caused by the pin P1.

The pin P1is able to move to fully seat in the receptacle R1as a result of the retainer6able to rotate in idle and let the pin P1pass. Once the pin P1is sufficiently passed the retainer6as shown inFIGS.28and29, the retainer6is, under bias as previously described, able to rotate anti-clockwise to its retaining position.

During the movement of the pin P1into the receptacle R1, the trigger10may also be displaced from its active position as shown inFIG.24to its tripping position as shown inFIGS.25-26. However in doing so, the trigger10is not active in resetting the retainer6back to its retaining position nor active in establishing or disconnecting the coupling between the retainer lug8and the coupling region19—this is because the retainer8is not coupled to the driver11. In this instance the trigger10is merely idle and is able to move out of the way of the pin P1as the pin P1enters the receptacle R1.

Once the pin P1is fully seated in its receptacle R1, or the retainer6is able to get past the pin P1, the retainer6is moved, or moves, to its retaining position as shown inFIG.29, via its rotational bias. At this point the operator (once the front pin P1is retained), in a preferred embodiment, releases or reverses hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder40so the rear pin P2can be retained by the second retainer3—simultaneously the driver11can return to its biased position—shown inFIGS.30to31.

The driver11is able to be reset or is reset, to its first position, for coupling with the retainer lug8, upon actuation or hydraulic reversal or release of the driver actuator9, associated with the driver11—as shown inFIG.31.

The driver11is then coupled to the retainer6to again be able to rotate the retainer6to its release position to allow for release of the pin P1from the receptacle R1as indicated inFIGS.12-23.

The trigger region25of the trigger10is shaped to act as a camming surface allowing for the movement of the pin P1past the trigger10. The trigger region25preferably has rounded surfaces that do not inhibit the motion of the pin P1in and out of the receptacle R1. This allows for the trigger10to be rotated about its trigger pivot24yet not interfere with the motion of the pin P1during its movement in and out of the receptacle R1.

The shape of the retainer6is such that when the pin is in the receptacle R1and the retainer6is in its retaining position, it will retain the pin P1in the receptacle R1until such time as the retainer6is actively moved to its release position. A stop33as has herein been described helps prevents rotation of the retainer6beyond a certain limit thereby ensuring the pin P1remains secure in its receptacle R1when the retainer6is in its retaining position.

The geometry of the retainer6is preferably configured so the retainer6does not engage with the actuated driver11when a pin P1is received into the receptacle R1(and the retainer6is rotated to its release position as seen inFIG.26). As can be seen inFIGS.25to30, the driver11is not preventing (i.e. does not couple with the retainer6) the biasing back of the retainer6to its retaining position under the influence of its torsional spring30(shown inFIG.49). In alternative embodiment, it is solely the shape of the trigger10that causes the movement of the driver11to prevent coupling of the lug8with the driver11, when a pin P1enters the receptacle R1.

The geometry around the lug8region is important to ensure that the driver11does not restrict the movement back of the retainer6to its retaining position once the pin P1is sufficiently received in its receptacle R1. The shape of the retainer6and the tripping region26relative to the trip pin27is important to ensure that the retainer lug8is not inhibited, from movement between the retainers first and second positions, by the driver11once the pin P1is sufficiently inside of the receptacle R1.

Subsequent rotational displacement of the driver11back towards its coupling position can then occur.

An operator, in one embodiment, can cause engagement of the pin P1by way of a second and third coupler engagement mode.1) In a second engagement mode—the coupler was previously in a lifting (first) mode. I.e. at least the retainer6is in a retaining position and latched with the driver11. An operator manoeuvres the coupler C so the pin is moved into the receptacle R1—as shown inFIGS.42-45, without retracting the retainer6. The difference between the second engagement mode and the first engagement mode is that the driver11is not actuated to its second position in the second mode.2) In a third engagement mode—the coupler was previously in a lifting (first) mode. I.e. at least the retainer6is in a retaining position and latched with the driver11. An operator causes retraction of the retainer6by actuating the driver11. The operator manoeuvres the coupler C so the pin is moved into the receptacle R1, the trigger10is tripped to reset the retainer6to its retaining position—this process is partially shown inFIGS.46-48. The operator then enters pin P2into receptacle R2—then releases actuation pressure so the retainer3can move back to its retaining position to retain the pin P2. Retaining of pin P1, is independent of the retaining of pin P2.

In one example the driver is preferably mounted relative the body to move in a rotational manner only for moving between a coupled and decoupled condition. Preferably trigger is mounted relative the body to move in a rotational manner only. Preferably the rotational mounting of the trigger and retainer and driver relative to the body is about respective rotational axes that are parallel each other. Preferably the trigger can cause the driver to move relative the body and relative the retainer to decouple the driver from the retainer. Preferably the trigger is presented for contact by the pin on both egress and ingress of the pin from and to the captive region. Preferably the retainer, when in said first position, prevents the egress of said pin when said pin is retained in the receptacle, and can be moved against the bias acting on the retainer to allow the ingress of said pin into the receptacle and past the retainer. Preferably the retainer in the second position does presents itself to not be contacted by the pin when in the receptacle.

A variation of the mechanism shown inFIGS.11-31&42-51is now described with reference toFIGS.32-41. In this variation rather than a driver11pulling the retainer6from its retaining position6ato its fully retracted position6b, the driver11is configured to push the retainer6from its retaining position to the retracted position. InFIG.32there is shown a coupler C that has a front receptacle R1within which a front pin P1is registered. TheFIGS.32-41show a pin P1being allowed to be removed from a coupler, via the retainer being actuated to a release positions, subsequent tripping of the trigger via the pin P1causes the retainer to move back to its occluding position. Figures of this embodiment, with ingress of the pin are not shown.

Provided as part of the retaining system1there is a retainer6pivotally mounted to the body2of the coupler C for rotation about its rotational retainer axis15. Forming part of, or engaged therewith, is a retainer lug8that also rotates with the retainer6. The retainer lug8is able to be engaged and coupled by a driver11that is able to be driven by a driver actuator9. In this embodiment, coupling and decoupling does not necessarily mean connecting and disconnecting respectively. The driver11may or may not be still connected to the retainer6when decoupled, but the driver11has no drive on or cannot impart force to the retainer6until it is coupled. I.e. the drive to the driver can be decoupled, instead of the driver11being decoupled with the retainer/lug8. In the embodiment shown, the driver11is decoupled mechanically via coming out of contact with the lug8.

The driver actuator9can be caused to displace (between position9aand9b) the driver11to, when coupled, push against the lug8and cause the retainer6to move from its retaining position as shown inFIG.32to a released position as shown inFIG.35. The driver11itself is able to both displace and rotate. The driver11may for example be mounted in a pivotal manner to the driver actuator9at a driver axle21to define a driver axis22for the driver11.

A preferred feature that prevents re-latching of the driver11and lug8(i.e. at the coupling region) is a guiding surface28as shown inFIG.39. The guiding surface abuts with the lug8, or another part of the driver11, to prevent coupling of the driver11and retainer6. As a pin P1enters into the receptacle, the pin P1contacts and rotates the retainer6. The lug8of the retainer6abuts the guiding surface of the driver11and so helps prevent coupling between the two. The trigger10in this embodiment may move due to the driver11being engaged with the trigger10.

Like the retaining system1as described with reference toFIGS.11-31, a trigger10is provided that is able to be displaced by the pin P1entering and exiting the receptacle R1. When the retainer6is in its retracted position as shown inFIG.35, removal of the pin P1from the receptacle R1as shown inFIGS.36-39can cause the trigger10to move and decouple the driver11from the retainer lug8. Similar to the retaining system1as described inFIGS.11-31, the trigger10comprise a slot to carry or guide the driver11. The slot26is formed by the trigger10, as shown inFIG.32, and retains the pin27of the driver11. The slot also comprises/or is the tripping region26that engages the pin27of the driver11. The tripping region26allows actuation of a trip pin27(between positions10aand10c) of the driver11to move along a defined tripping surface or slot26formed by the trigger10.

Decoupling of the driver11with the lug8can cause the decoupling to occur (when the trigger is at position10c) and for the retainer6to snap back to its retaining position once it is decoupled from the driver11. Decoupling may not occur between positions10aand10b, but will occur past10btowards position10c.

In this embodiment, it is clear that movement of the trigger10can be linear with respect to the body2. Other embodiments show a purely rotational movement of the trigger when triggered. It is envisaged it could also be a combination of rotational and linear movement.

A combination of the first variation (as shown in at leastFIG.11) and the alternative variations (as shown in at leastFIGS.32and54) is envisaged to be within the scope of the inventions.

The first embodiment as shown in at leastFIG.11, when in a decoupled condition, the driver11and retainer6are preferably disconnected. In other embodiments the driver11and retainer6are connected, but are in a decoupled condition, so the driver11cannot control the position of the retainer6. Thus the driver11is ineffective to drive but is still able to follow and be connected to the retainer6, much like the variation as shown in at leastFIG.32. And likewise for the coupled condition of the driver11and retainer6, the driver11and retainer6may be connected to each other or not connected to each other, but in both embodiments, in the coupled condition the driver11is able to affect the retainer6.

The actuation of the driver11may occur manually such as through a screw thread mechanism. Alternatively the actuation of the driver11may be by way of a hydraulic ram. In a preferred form there are two hydraulic rams provided for the coupler C for actuation of both the driver11(actuator9) as well as the second retainer3(actuator40)—this is shown inFIG.52.

Preferably one of the trigger and retainer (e.g. the retainer lug) is able to engage with a region of the driver to hold the driver in a position to prevent the driver from coupling with the retainer. Preferably the trigger is able to house and locate one or more of the driver actuator, the driver and the driver spring. Preferably the retainer lug engages with a region of the driver, to hold the driver and associated trigger when the retainer is not coupled with the driver in a condition to not allow said coupling.

A variation of the mechanism described above is now described with reference toFIGS.54-83. This variation continues with the same reference numerals as used above in the previous two variations. In this variation the driver11is part of, and located and carried by a, driver assembly60. The driver assembly60, comprises the driver11, the driver actuator9, the return spring31, an extension that protrudes into the recess R1to act as a trigger10, as well as other parts. The trigger10can actuate the driver assembly to rotate about an axle21, when it is moved by an external force, such as a pin entering or egressing the receptacle R1.

Having the driver assembly60carry the trigger10means that there are less connections of the coupling system to the body2. For example in the variation shown inFIG.55, the driver assembly60/driver11uses the same connection point as the trigger10to the body2, which is the driver/trigger or driver assembly axle21. In this embodiment the driver assembly axle21acts as the axle that the driver11, and the trigger10, can rotate about relative the body.

The reduction of connection points to the body2allows the coupling system to be easily manufactured and/or modular between different sizes of body2. The modularity allows it to be used on different sized bodies for different sized machinery. The reduction of connection points may increase manufacturing efficiencies and may also aid in repair and/or maintenance of the coupling system.

In this embodiment the driver11moves with a purely translational movement, with respect to the trigger10, to drive the retainer6. However the driver11also moves on a rotational path due to driver assembly60being able to rotate about the axle21. The driver assembly60rotates when the trigger region25is caused to move by a pin P1.

The driver assembly60comprises a hydraulic ram9to drive the driver11. The driver assembly comprises a return spring31to bias back/return the driver11, much like in the previous variations. However in this variation the return spring31is a tension spring, instead of a torsional spring.

Like the previous embodiment, the trigger10preferably has two trigger regions25that extend into to the receptacle R1one for pin entry contact and one for pin exit contact. As seen inFIG.56, the driver assembly60has an intermediate housing portion510that is integral with or engages with the trigger10. The housing portion510is able to house the hydraulic ram9and the return springs31that drive and retract the driver11respectively.FIG.57shows the trigger10, the hydraulic ram9and the return springs31, but hides the intermediate housing portion for clarity. The return springs31are fixed at one end to the trigger10, and at the other end to the driver11.

The driver11is able to translate with respect to the trigger10. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the driver10translates with respect to the trigger10along a linear translational path that may extend radial to the rotational axis of trigger axle21. The driver11is able to be guided in operation along this linear translational path via guide means. In the embodiment shown, the guide means are a protrusion48and a complimentary guide channel47. The protrusion48is located on the driver11, and the complementary guide channel47is part of the drive assembly60. The protrusion48can be seen inFIG.55, and the guide channel47can be seen andFIG.57. There may be numerous mechanisms and configurations to allow the driver11to be mounted with the drive assembly in a translational manner with respect to the trigger10.

The driver11operates in a similar function to the previous embodiment described. The driver11comprises a coupling region19that can couple with a lug8on the retainer6. As the driver11is driven forward by the hydraulic actuator9, the retainer6is rotatably forced about its rotational axis so that the region of the retainer6that extends into the receptacle R1is removed from the opening of the receptacle to allow a pin P1to pass therethrough. As a pin P1passes there through, it will interfere with the region25of the trigger10, to therefore trip the trigger10to raise the driver assembly40, and trigger10about the axle21. In doing so, de-coupling the coupling region19so that the driver11no longer engages with the retainer6. As such, the retainer6is then biased back into the opening of the receptacle R1via a torsional return spring31.

A feature that prevents re-latching of the driver11and lug8(i.e. with the coupling region) is a guiding surface28as shown inFIGS.57-59. The guiding surface28abuts with the lug8, or another part of the driver11, to help prevent coupling of the driver11and retainer6. As a pin P1enters into the receptacle R1, the pin P1contacts and rotates the retainer6. The lug8of the retainer6abuts the guiding surface28of the driver11and so prevents coupling between the two. The trigger10in this embodiment moves with the driver11as the driver11is carried directly by the trigger10.

In this embodiment, there is no tripping region inFIG.26, as the trigger10now carries the driver11. As such, movement of the trigger10, when triggered, directly moves the carried driver11.

The driver11and the trigger10in combination may be called a trigger/driver assembly. The tripping region25may be located on the driver11or driver actuator of a trigger/driver assembly. This alternative is not shown.

In order to explain the retainer system1shown inFIGS.54-57, reference will now be made to the sequence of drawings ofFIGS.58-66where the process of engaging a pin P1is shown and inFIGS.67-83where the process of disengaging a pin P1is shown.

FIGS.58-66show a pin entering into the retaining system1, when the retaining system is the first engagement mode, which is the most typical mode when an operator is swapping attachments. In the first engagement mode the driver11is already extended from the previous disengagement process.

FIG.58shows the driver11, and in this embodiment, the associated trigger10, held up via the retainer lug8engaging with tripping region26(partially hidden in theses Figure for clarity to see the driver11, but can be seen inFIG.57). As the lug8is engaged with the tripping region26, the trigger10does not extend substantially into the passage P to occlude the passage P. The pin P1can enter into the passage P of receptacle R1, with or without contact to the trigger region25.

As the pin P1passes through the passage P to enter the receptacle, the pin P1contacts the retainer6, therefore rotating the retainer6about the retainer shaft17. The retainer6biases back to its biased condition once the pin P1has sufficiently passed. The trigger10does not bias back to its biased condition, until the user causes release of hydraulic pressure from the driver ram9, to allow the driver return spring31to pull back the driver11to its retracted position—as shown inFIGS.64-66. When the driver11returns to its retracted position, the trigger10is able to rotate about its trigger axle21, to its biased position, as the tripping region26is no longer hindered by the retainer lug8(FIGS.65to66). The trigger may be biased by the trigger return spring34. This may act on the trigger and/or on the driver to help cause the trigger/driver to rotate clockwise in the orientation shown in the Figures. Whilst the driver11is extended, the tripping region26of the trigger10, and the retainer lug8engage with each other.

The retainer6is seen at one of its full rotational limits inFIG.60with a pin P1as large as possible. Smaller pins would not rotate the retainer6to this extent (but can still be used effectively), but illustrating the large pin P1shows that the lug8of the driver11never leaves, or extends past, the guiding surface28, and as such the driver11does not couple at the coupling region19with the lug8whilst the driver11is extended.

FIGS.67-83show a pin egressing the retaining system1.FIG.67shows the pin P1in an operational working mode captured at the receptacle. The driver11is retracted, the trigger10is biased downwards, the retainer6is biased downwards to lock the pin P1in the receptacle R1, and the tripping region25extends into the passage P.FIG.68shows the driver11starting to extend via hydraulic pressure being applied to the driver actuator9.FIG.68-69shows the driver11coupling region19starting to engage the retainer6.FIGS.69-70shows the retainer6being rotated about its retainer shaft17until the retainer6reaches its rotational limit inFIG.73and so it is not occluding the passage P to prevent pin removal. At this stage, the operator/user can cause to move the retaining system1so that the pin P1can egress from the receptacle R1via the passage P.

FIG.74shows the pin P1starting to interfere with the tripping region25of the trigger10. This causes the driver to lift up and out of operative contact with the lug8.FIG.76shows the lug8of the retainer6at the crux of losing contact with the coupling region19of the driver10.FIG.77shows the lug8of the retainer6passing past the coupling region19to allow the retainer6to start rotating back to its retaining position—to be stopped by a rotational stop33(Shown inFIG.72). At this stage the pin P1is still lifting the driver11and trigger10upwards to fully release the retainer6from the driver10.FIG.78shows the retainer6and associated lug8fully clear of the driver10and associated coupling region19.

FIG.79shows the retainer6and the trigger10at their highest points, substantially fully or sufficiently retracted from the receptacle R1. FromFIG.80, the retainer6has started returning back to its biased position into the receptacle R1as the pin leaves the receptacle R1. The trigger10is at its highest point inFIG.80. InFIG.81, the trigger10starts to enter and return into the receptacle R1.FIG.83is now in the stage that is seen inFIG.58.

The geometry of the lug8and the driver11at the coupling region19should be such as to allow the coupling region19to be able to slide off the lug8when the retainer6is at, or close to, its rotational extent corresponding to being substantially clear of the receptacle R1. If there is too much undercut shape to the lug8the upward movement of the trigger by a pin may be prevented by the lug8.

In the numerous embodiments the lug8is shown as being integral or attached with the retainer6. However it is envisaged that the lug8or other coupling feature is separate or remote from the retainer6, such as being attached to the rotational shaft of the retainer6. The lug8may still be integral with the retainer6as the retainer6may also be integrally formed with its rotational shaft.

The position and shape of the trigger region25of the trigger relative to the operative regions of the retainer6are also important. As the pin P1leaves the receptacle R1, as seen inFIG.73-83, the pin P1should contact the trigger region25at an advancing direction facing surface of the pin P1and subsequently allow the retainer6to rotate back into the receptacle R1after the pin P1has advanced sufficiently in an outward direction from the receptacle R1. The retainer6should be shaped and/or positioned to not contact an advancing direction facing surface of the pin P1in a manner to prevent further advancement of the pin P1out of the receptacle R1. Ideally the retainer6may contact with the pin P1, as the pin P1advances out of the receptacle R1, with a trailing direction facing surface of the pin P1.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the coupling region19of the driver11is a geared rack type feature. A complementary geared rack, surface or gear—which acts to achieve a similar function to the lug8—is located on or integral with the retainer6. Linear action of the driver back and forth moves the geared rack coupling region to drive the rack, when engaged to the coupling region, on the retainer6. A trigger may still act upon this geared linear driver to decouple and couple the geared driver with the retainer6. Disadvantages of geared system is that the teeth of a geared system may wear faster than single surface engagements, or debris may inhibit functionality.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the coupling region of the driver is a geared rack or gear, which acts to achieve a similar function to the lug, but it is driven by a rotationally driven driver. I.e. the driver does not have a linear action, it is instead a rotationally driven gear wheel that has teeth to act as a coupling region to engage with like teeth on a retainer6. A trigger may still act upon this geared rotational driver to de-couple and couple the geared driver with the retainer6. The coupling and the de-coupling may be in a form of a mechanical system de-coupling or a de-coupling of the hydraulic/electric drive. The geared driver may be located on the end of a lever that is pivoted, and when triggered, the lever is lifted up to de-couple the geared driver from the gears of the retainer6. In alternative embodiments, the geared driver may have a hydraulic de-coupling so that the geared driver is able to free rotate when de-coupled, to allow the retainer6to bias back to its passage occluding position. In a further alternative embodiment of this alternative embodiment, the driver may be torsionally biased to rotate backwards to rotate the retainer6back to its occluding position, instead of the retainer being torsionally biased. Alternatively, both the driver and the retainer may be torsionally biased so as they are biased to rotate back to their rotational starting positions. In this embodiment, the driver may not be a full geared wheel, it may be a section/periphery of teeth between a chord that rotate about a shared pivot axis.

In other embodiments however, some of which are shown in the figures and described herein, the coupling region19and lug8are not a geared interface. The coupling region19and lug8have a sliding, gliding, abutting and/or single surface engagement. Benefits of such may allow reduced wear, chance of catching debris and/or manufacturing tolerances compared with geared or more complex or other systems. This can also be stated for the engagement (where there is engagement) of the retainer6or lug8with the guiding surface8.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the coupling region19is a shaft or axle that shares a rotational axis with the one or more retainers6. The axle is driven directly or indirectly by a driver such as a hydraulic or electric motor. Rotation of the retainers6to move them from their occluding to the raised position is via drive of the motor to drive the axle to rotate and drive the retainers6. To allow the coupling of the motor from the retainers6, the trigger system would need to trigger either a) the drive of the motor, i.e. a hydraulic or electric de-coupling to allow the motor to free spin to release the retainers6from their raised positions, or b) a mechanical trigger that is able to de-couple the motor to the retainers to allow the retainers6to bias back to their occluding positions.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown inFIG.84, the guiding surface28is now located below the protrusion48. The guiding surface20does not have interaction with the retainer6or lug8. Instead a spring latch system50is able to catch and prevent the driver11from engaging with the lug8of the retainer6after the driver11has been fully extended and triggered upwards to decouple. This allows the retainer6to move rotationally back to its occluding position in the passageway without engaging or contacting the driver11again until it moves back to its first position. The driver11when triggered by the trigger10is pushed above a latch51of the spring latch system50. Once a portion of the driver11, in this embodiment the protrusion48, is above the latch51, the driver11is prevented from biasing downwards to contact the retainer6. When the driver11is retracted, the protrusion slides off the latch51to allow the driver11to rotationally bias back to its original position. The spring52of the spring latch system50allows the latch51to slide a distance under the guiding surface28as the driver11driven upwards by the trigger10. Having the driver raised, and then held by the latch51allows the retainer to rotate freely without interaction with the driver.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) to the embodiment shown inFIG.84, the driver11may be guided by a path or slot. As the driver11extends to drive the retainer6to its raised position, the driver11follows a first extend path. As the driver11is triggered upwards, the driver11enters a return path, when the driver11retracts, the driver11follows the return path. The return path prevents interaction between the driver11and the retainer6, as the retainer6returns to its occluding position. As such the guiding surface28, does not have interaction with the retainer6or lug8. Instead the guiding surface28is part of the slot, which is fixed relative the body of the coupler, and the engaging surface28engages with a part of the driver11.

Further advantages with respect to the hydraulics provided as standard on an excavator are that the standard 4/2 valve that is supplied with most excavators can be utilised for the current system without any modification. The hydraulic system is shown inFIG.52, with a standard 4/2 valve41schematically shown. The coupler hydraulic system42that is supplied with the coupler C is shown with the second retainer3hydraulic ram40and first retainer6hydraulic ram9. A RETRACT and EXTEND line are illustrated, corresponding to hydraulic line that when pressurised operates retraction of the ram40and a hydraulic line that when pressurised operates extension of the ram40respectively.

In modern machines the hydraulic system pressure may drop, sometimes quickly, to conserve fuel. This may cause issues with the retraction and extension of the hydraulic ram9that indirectly actuates the retainer6. This is because if there is a lack of pressure during unlocking of the front pin P1, then the hydraulic ram9may retract, before it has been able to fully extend to completely unlock the receptacle R1by rotating the retainer6from the opening of the receptacle R1.

Addition of a pilot check valve44improves the usability of the system with such modern machines. The addition of a pilot check valve44is not essential on all systems.

An example of a hydraulic circuit with a pilot check valve44for the hydraulic ram9is shown inFIG.53. The pilot check valve44prevents the hydraulic ram9from retracting, or at least reduces the speed or rate of retraction, during the retraction (unlocking) procedure. This may be achieved by having the hydraulic ram9being feed from the RETRACT line, with an intermediary check valve44to prevent fluid from returning from the hydraulic ram9to the RETRACT line if the RETRACT line fluid pressure drops off.

A side effect of the check valve44is that then the hydraulic ram9cannot retract. This is overcome by having a pilot line47, running from the ‘high’ pressure EXTEND line to the pilot check valve44, to open the pilot check valve44during operation of the EXTEND circuit. When high pressure is fed through the EXTEND circuit, the pilot check valve44is opened to allow fluid to flow into the low pressure (RETRACT) line back to the TANK. The hydraulic ram9retracts due to its spring bias from spring31. Alternatively the pilot line47may be fed from other regions of the EXTEND circuit, such as after the pilot valve45, and before the ram40, or off the ram40.

The hydraulic ram40may also have a respective pilot check valve46to prevent the second retainer3and hydraulic ram40from retracting whilst the coupler is in the locked position, and there is no high pressure coming from the EXTEND line. A side effect of the check valve45, is that the hydraulic ram40can then not retract. To overcome this the pilot check valve46has a corresponding pilot line46to open the pilot check valve46. The pilot line46is fed from the RETRACT line.

Whilst pressure is being driven through the EXTEND line, the hydraulic ram40extends. When pressure is released, or reduced, from the EXTEND line, the hydraulic ram40is prevented or restricted from retracting due to the pilot check valve44. This is desirable as a safety feature, where the second retainer3(attached to the hydraulic ram40) won't retract (and open up the passage P) unless a user applies pressure to the RETRACT line.

It is envisaged that there are many ways to configure the hydraulic circuit so it can be used with a standard 4/2 valve, yet still comprise the benefits described above.

In some embodiments a sound may be emitted via a speaker43when the operator enters a particular mode. In a preferred embodiment as shown inFIG.52a lock out switch44is present also. When the switch44is activated by the operator, the coupler hydraulic system can be used. In the preferred embodiment, simultaneously when the switch44is activated, a buzzer43sounds. In this preferred embodiment, there can be no accidental release of any pins P1or P2without activation of the switch44, which would allow the hydraulics system to be operate, to release either of the retainers3and6.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.