Patent ID: 8011121

Claim:
A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator, said coupler comprising: a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion adapted to be secured to an associated backhoe or excavator arm and said lower portion comprising a first hook adapted to mate releasably with a first associated attachment pin and comprising a second hook adapted to mate releasably with a second associated attachment pin; a lock system comprising at least a first safety lock movably connected to the frame and movable relative to the first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook; an actuator adapted to move the first safety lock selectively between its engaged and disengaged positions; at least a first lock arm movably connected to the frame, said first lock arm movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein said first lock arm engages and retains said first safety lock in its engaged position when said first lock arm is in its locked position, said first lock arm selectively movable from its locked position to its unlocked position by contact between a portion of said first lock arm and the associated backhoe or excavator arm when the frame is moved to a curled position relative to the associated backhoe or excavator arm.