Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3622—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a locking element acting on a pin
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3618—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with two separating hooks
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3627—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with a hook and a longitudinal locking element
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/364—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat using wedges
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3645—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with auto-engagement means for automatic snap-on of the tool coupler part
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/365—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat with redundant latching means, e.g. for safety purposes
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
  • E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
  • E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
  • E02F3/28—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with digging tools mounted on a dipper- or bucket-arm, i.e. there is either one arm or a pair of arms, e.g. dippers, buckets
  • E02F3/36—Component parts
  • E02F3/3604—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like
  • E02F3/3609—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat
  • E02F3/3672—Devices to connect tools to arms, booms or the like of the quick acting type, e.g. controlled from the operator seat where disengagement is effected by a mechanical lever or handle

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a piece of construction equipment, for example an excavator, to which a tool, such as a bucket, is removably attached by means of a quick-coupler device comprising a coupler, also called a quick coupler, fixed to the machine, in particular to an arm of the machine, and a connecting device fixed to the tool to cooperate with the coupler.
• a quick-coupler device comprising a coupler, also called a quick coupler, fixed to the machine, in particular to an arm of the machine, and a connecting device fixed to the tool to cooperate with the coupler.
• the present invention also relates to a quick-coupler device of this kind as well as to a quick coupler or quick coupler of this kind.
• bucket should be understood as also encompassing any other tool or equipment intended to be mounted on a construction vehicle via the quick coupler and the connection device.
• connection device intended to be attached to the bucket comprises a cradle-shaped element having a base element and two left and right lateral sides between which extend, at a distance from each other, two parallel cylindrical circular trunnions or axes, arranged so that each can cooperate with at least one front hook, in particular two front hooks left and right, from the coupler for coupling between the coupler or quick coupler and the connection device, thus achieving the coupling of the bucket to the arm of the construction equipment.
• the front hook or each hook comprises a stem-forming portion and a hook head-forming portion which extends laterally from the stem-forming portion to define a receiving cavity for one of the trunnions, the cavity being open on top to allow entry or exit of the trunnion into or out of the cavity.
• the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a coupler-forming device, in particular a reversible one, as well as a coupler or quick-release fastener for use in such a device, which is safer to use.
• a coupler device comprising a coupler, or quick coupler, intended to be attached to a piece of construction equipment, such as an excavator, and a connection device, intended to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket, the connection device comprising at least one trunnion, preferably two trunnions, in particular parallel to each other;
• the coupler comprising a base body from which, on a front side, at least one front hook is issued, the front hook or each front hook having a stem part and a hook head part, which extends upwards from the stem part to define at least one receiving cavity for the trunnion or one of the trunnions having an opening on the top which extends between the base body and the respective head region of the respective hook, is characterized in that when the trunnion or one of the trunnions is in the receiving cavity or in contact with the stem part, the head part extends upwards beyond the center of the circular section of the trunnion.
• the part forming the head extends upwards beyond the trunnion.
• each receiving cavity has, on the rear side, a recess cut into the base body into which the trunnion can penetrate at least partially.
• the recess has a shape, in longitudinal section, complementary to substantially at least half of the circular section of the trunnion.
• At least one front hook with a hook head that extends higher than in the prior art relative to the trunnion, it is ensured that, when the front hook or each front hook is attached to the trunnion and the machine operator lifts the bucket away from the ground in order to lock the quick coupler to the connecting device, if the operator makes a mistake and rotates the coupler in the wrong direction, the trunnion does not come out of cooperation with the hook or each hook, and the bucket is thus prevented from falling back to the ground.
• a recess at least a semi-circular one, it is ensured that even if the operator continues rotating in the wrong direction, the upper edge of the recess will abut against the sides of the connection device, preventing any further rotation of the coupler relative to the bucket and thus preventing the bucket from disengaging from the coupler once the hook(s) are engaged with the trunnion. This results in a coupling device that is particularly safe to use.
• connection device comprises a lower base plate and on the upper side two lateral flanks, two trunnions spaced apart, being fixed to the two flanks so as to extend between them, at a distance from the base plate, to permit passage between them and the base plate of the front hook or each hook of the quick-release fastener.
• the coupler or quick coupler, has a top base plate from which two lateral sides project downwards, each side ending on the front side with a respective hook.
• the highest point of the part forming the head of the hook is beyond the trunnion, when the latter is placed in the cavity, in contact with the part forming the stem.
• the highest point of the inner wall of the part of the cavity formed by the part forming the head of the hook is located beyond the center of the trunnion section, and in particular substantially at a height between the radius and the diameter of the trunnion section, in particular equal to the diameter of the trunnion section.
• the present invention also relates to a quick-release fastener intended to be part of a device according to the invention.
• the connecting device has two trunnions and at least one second rear trunnion receiving cavity is defined in the basic body of the coupler for receiving the other trunnion once the first trunnion has been hooked to the hook or to each hook, this second rear cavity being open downwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to the direction in which the opening of the first front receiving cavity is turned.
• the present invention also relates to a construction equipment comprising a lifting element, in particular a lifting arm, and a tool, in particular a bucket, and a quick coupler device according to the invention, the quick coupler or quick coupler being fixed to the lifting element of the equipment, while the connection device is fixed to the tool.
• the hook or each hook is not movable relative to the base body, in particular is immovable relative to the base body, in particular is of one piece or of one unit with it, in particular comes from the same material as the base body, in particular is integral with the base body.
• a quick coupler 1 is shown cooperating with a connecting device 2, itself attached to a bucket 3.
• connection device 2 comprises a base plate from the upper face of which two lateral sides 4 extend perpendicularly.
• Two trunnions respectively 5 upper and 6 lower (when the bucket is placed on the ground), parallel and of circular cylindrical shape, are fixed to the two sides so as to extend from one to the other, at a distance from the base plate, to allow passage between them and the base plate of two front hooks 7 from the quick coupler.
• the quick-release fastener is shown in detail, following an exploded view, at the figure 9 .
• the only things missing from this figure are the two lateral wings 8 which support axes allowing the quick coupler 1 to be attached to the lever arm of a construction vehicle, such as the arm of an excavator.
• the quick-release fastener 1 comprises a basic body including an upper base plate 101 and two lower side plates 102 (only one is visible at the figure 9 ) originating from the upper plate 101, each side 102 ending, on a side designated hereafter as the front side, by a respective front hook 7.
• a lever-like part 103 is pivotally mounted about an axis 104 parallel to the axis of the trunnions when the quick-release fastener and the connecting device are locked together.
• the axis 104 is linked to the quick-release fastener but can undergo limited movement through oblong openings 109 formed in the lateral sides 102.
• Two rollers 120 that can roll from one side to the other of the oblong openings 109 are fixed by screws (shown in the figure but not designated by numerical references) on each side of the axis 104.
• this fixing does not prevent a relative rotation of the rollers around the axis 104, thus allowing the axis 104, and therefore also the lever 103, to be driven in translation, even when the latter does not pivot.
• the lever 103 has two upper arms 105, left and right, and two lower arms 106, left and right, extending rearward from the axis 104.
• the upper arms extend further rearward than the lower arms.
• the upper and lower left arms define a left-hand C-shaped space with its opening facing rearward, and similarly, the upper and lower right arms define a right-hand C-shaped space with its opening facing rearward.
• the two distal sections 111 pass through two through openings 112, left and right respectively, formed through the base plate 101 of the quick-release fastener to emerge from the upper surface of the base plate and are each fixed to a front end of a spring 400, left and right respectively, while the other respective ends of each spring 400 are fixed to two hook-shaped studs 113, left and right, originating from the upper face of the base plate 101, approximately at the rear edge of the base plate 101.
• the 400 springs are compression springs tending to pull the front ends of the distal sections backwards.
• Two covers 114, left and right, are fixed by screws (shown but not referenced in the figure) against the lateral sides 102 to conceal and/or protect the openings 109 from the outside, in particular to prevent soil from getting trapped in the oblong openings 109 and hindering the movement of the rollers 120.
• a rear plate 500 substantially rectangular in shape, extends transversely between the two lateral sides 102, approximately at the rear edge of the base plate 101.
• the rear plate 500 is fixed to the sides by screws and holes, shown in the figure 9 but without numerical references.
• a rear 501 notch is formed centrally in the upper edge of the rear 500 plate, on the rear side of the plate.
• the rear face of the rear 500 plate is approximately vertically straight.
• the front face of the rear 500 plate it comprises, for its part, a first lower section that is substantially vertical, followed by an upper section that is inclined upwards towards the rear.
• a part 502 called a lug, is mounted on the lever 103, between the two upper arms 105 (left and right), pivoting relative to the lever 103, about an axis 503, parallel to the axis 104 and extending in the space between the two upper arms 105 of the lever 103.
• the axis 503 of the lug 502 is fixed to the lever 103 by means of a bridge-shaped support part 504, fixed to the upper face of the upper arms 105 by screws and corresponding holes shown in the figure. figure 9 but not designated by numerical references.
• a torsion spring 505 is mounted to act on the lug 502.
• the lug 502 has, on either side of the axis 503, a rear portion 506 and a front portion 507, the front portion 507 being smaller than the rear portion 506, and therefore lighter, so that the lug tends, under the effect of its weight, to tilt in a direction that causes its rear portion to fall downwards (counterclockwise in the figures).
• the torsion spring 505 is mounted to act on the lug 502 in such a way as to also force the rear portion downwards.
• the rear part 506 has an upper bump 508 and ends with a rear tooth 509 which projects downwards from the rest of the rear part and which has dimensions enabling it to penetrate into the rear notch 501 of the plate 500.
• a groove 510 is formed in the lower face of the base plate 101 for receiving the upper bump 508 when the upper arms 105 of the lever 103 are positioned against the lower face of the base plate 101.
• the quick-release fastener 1 defines, on the front side, two respective cavities 200 for receiving one or the other of the two trunnions 5 and 6 of the connecting device 2.
• two cutouts 300 are formed in the lateral sides 102 for receiving the other of the two axes 5 and 6 of the connecting device.
• Each hook 7 has a stem-forming portion 71 extending from the front end of one of the respective flanks 102, parallel to the plane of the plate 101, and terminating in a hook-head-forming portion 72 extending upwards from the end of the stem-forming portion 71.
• Each hook 7 thus defines, with the front edges of the lateral sides 102, two cavities 200 into which are intended to be inserted, by means of respective upper openings 201, one or the other, depending on the direction of introduction relative to the bucket, of the two axes 5 and 6 from the connection device 2 fixed to the bucket 3.
• the cavity 200 has a respective recessed area 202, cut into the front edge of each lateral side 102 and of complementary shape of at least half of the circular cross-section of the axes 5 and 6, so that when the axis 5 or 6 from the bucket is inserted into the receiving cavities 200 by the openings 201, the axis can be inserted into the recess 202 over at least half of its cross-section, that is to say over an angle sector of at least 180°.
• the highest end 203 of the head portion 72 extends vertically at least to the center of the cross-section of the axis 5 or 6, when the latter is located within the cavity 200, notably beyond the center, and particularly substantially to the diameter, or even beyond the diameter.
• the highest end 204 of the head portion surface on the side of the cavity 200 extends beyond the center of the axis 5 or 6, notably to a height between the radius and the diameter, or even could extend substantially to a height equal to the diameter of the axis.
• the dimensions of the axes of the trunnions of the connecting device fixed to the bucket and of the cavities 200 formed by the hooks 7 are chosen so that once the head part 72 has been inserted under the axis 5 or 6 of the bucket, as shown for example in the figure 4 and that the operator of the lifting equipment is turning the coupler in the wrong direction, that is, clockwise to figures 1 to 4
• the shoulder formed between the edge 205 of the opening 201 and the upper edge 206 of the plate 101 of the quick coupler 1 abuts against the edges of the sides 4 of the connecting device from the bucket 3, so that although the operator has begun to lift the bucket away from the ground, the quick coupler and the connecting device can no longer pivot relative to each other, the head of the hook thus remaining always below the axis and preventing it, and therefore also the bucket, from falling back to the ground, the stop at the shoulder preventing any disengagement untimely movement of the cavity axis 200.
• This stop is activated from a rotation in the wrong direction of approximately 15°.
• the cutouts 300 are placed over the other axis 5 of the bucket from above.
• the second pin 5 of the bucket bears against the upper arms 105 of the lever 103, causing the lever to pivot and move backward (forward).
• the upper faces of the two upper arms 105 are parallel to the lower face of the base plate 101, and simultaneously, the lug 502, pivotally mounted relative to the lever 103, is pushed rearward by the springs 400 so that its tooth 509 passes beyond the upper edge of the rear plate 500 and engages in the notch 501.
• the quick coupler is locked to the bucket.
• the lock is very secure, and in particular, even if one or more of the 400 springs break or come loose, there will be no unlocking of the quick coupler from the bucket, which is therefore held securely.
• the tooth 509 has a rear surface that is inclined upwards and backwards so that when the springs 400 push the lever 103 backwards once it is in position with the upper rear arms horizontal, the pushing force, in conjunction with the inclined shape of the rear face of the tooth, pivots the lug against the torsion spring and allows the tooth 509 to pass into the notch 501.
• a key 600 is shown allowing the attachment to be unlocked once it has been locked, that is, once the tooth 509 has flipped into the notch 501 of the plate 500.
• the wrench has an elongated handle 601 (only a portion of which is shown in the figure) ending in a head portion comprising two lateral arms, upper 603 and lower 604, and a central projection 605.
• a stud 606 extends transversely from the end of the upper arm 603, perpendicular to the handle, so as to fit into an eyelet formed in a stud 700 extending from the upper face of the fastener plate 101.
• a nose 609 extends from the lower lateral arm towards the upper arm.
• the user inserts the stud 606 into the eyelet and brings the end of the nose 609 against the rear face of the bump 508 of the tooth 502, the dimensions of the nose 609 being appropriate to enter the groove 511 in which the bump 508 is received, then exerts a rotational movement so as to drive the proximal end of the handle (end opposite to the head) downwards, which has the effect of pivoting the lug against the torsion spring 605 and of bringing the tooth 509 out of the notch 501, thus unlocking the quick fastener.
• the vertical is defined as the perpendicular to the plane of the upper face of the base plate 101 of the quick fastener, the upper side being the side towards which the opening of the cavity 200 is turned.
• proximal and distal are defined with respect to the middle of the quick fastener.
• top and bottom and lower and upper are defined in relation to this vertical, the connection device, fixed to the bucket, being located under the quick coupler, in the locked position.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Shovels (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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ID=92042727

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (3)

• 2024
  • 2024-04-19 FR FR2404080A patent/FR3161438A1/fr active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-04-18 EP EP25171446.5A patent/EP4644612A1/de active Pending
  • 2025-04-18 US US19/182,914 patent/US20250327268A1/en active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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