AU609510B2

AU609510B2 - Quick release connector system

Info

Publication number: AU609510B2
Application number: AU21455/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John C. Carrigy
Original assignee: JOHN CURTIN CARRIGY
Current assignee: Carrigy John Curtin
Priority date: 1987-08-31
Filing date: 1988-08-23
Publication date: 1991-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-23
Also published as: AU2145588A

Description

Australian attocnoyf/ iifgna re THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS This form must be accompanied by either a provisional specification (Form 9 and true copy) or by a complete specification (Form 10 and true copy).

'609 51

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1952 Form COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: .e *o 4 4.4 *9 *s S 4 .944 9 4 4. 9 4* s,9 49r 4 4.

Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: This document contains the amendments nade under Section 49 and is correct for printing.

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: 44 JOHN C. CARRIGY Cnr. Beaton Graham Streets Euroa, Victoria 3666 Australia John C. Carrigy GRIFFITH HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.

*4 4 4 o Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Complete Specification for the invention entitled: QUICK RELEASE CONNECTOR SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- GRIFFITH HACK CO PATENT AN D TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS j;! MELBOURNE SYDNEY PER H *9 *c 9 9ft9 9 9* 9 999 9 9. 9 f f 9, tr 9r 4 9, *C 9 91C 2 QUICK RELEASE CONNECTOR SYSTEM This invention relates to a connector system and in particular a quick release connector system for connecting implements such as buckets to machines such as diggers or the like.

It is often necessary to change buckets on digging machines and the like equipment and the time taken to perform the exchange results in the down-time for the machine. Thus, it is desirable that connector assemblies enable exchange of buckets and the like as quickly as possible.

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-3- The present invention is concerned with providing an implement connector which can securely and safely hold an implement to a machine whilst at the same time providing for quick release and exchange of the implement from the machine when desired.

The invention provides a connector system for connecting an implement to a machine, said system comprising a first pair of plates for connection to the implement, a second pair of plates for connection to the machine and for joining by at least two machine pins, said first pair of plates being spaced by a first distance when connected to the implement and the second pair of plates being spaced by a second distance when joined by the machine pins so that the a. first and second pair of plates can be meshed together in overlapping relationship, said first pair of plates having a +ro first pair of aligned open ended recesses for receiving one et of the machine pins and a second pair of aligned open ended recesses for opening in a directi'n transverse to the first pair of open ended recesses for receiving a second of the machine pins, a locking bar, connection means for connecting the locking bar to either the first or second pair of plates Ir,, with the other of the first or second pair of plates having t' an abutment shoulder, said locking bar being of sufficient S length to abut the abutment shoulder when connected to the t first or second pair of plates by the connection means to thereby lock the first and second pair of plates together and prevent movement of the first and second pins out of the first pair and second pair of openings respectively.

Since the two pair of plates are locked together by a locking bar which is coupled to one of the pair of plates and abuts the shoulder of the other pair of plates to securely join the pair of plates together, the connection between the members is secure and can be quickly released by simply removing the locking bar and withdrawing the pins from the recesses to separate the pairs of plates and therefore the implement from the machine.

RAI R14 7* 4 L. platcs in the- econd member co that tho platec of tho second member can be received between the plates of it I first member.

Preferably the pins of the firs ember are coupling pins of the machine and prerably said recesses comprise a first pair of align recesses in the plates of one of the members an d second pair of aligned recesses in the pla of that member.

Pre ably the abutment portion of the member comprise an inclined surface and preferably the other St mei r includes a notch for receiving the wedge and ocking the wedge against Said inclined surface.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in 15 which: St 4 Figure 1 is a view of the connector system separated according to the preferred embodiment of the ,invention; Figure 2 is a view of the connector system 20 connecting a bucket to a machine, according to the t preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective rear exploded view from the direction of arrow A in Figure 2.

t With reference to the drawings, the connector comprises first connector member 12 which is formed by a pair of plates which are welded to a bucket 14. Each of the plates 12 has an upwardly facing open ended recess 16 and a forwardly facing open ended recess 18. The plates 12 are also provided with a hole 20. The other connector member comprises a pair of plates 24 which are coupled to pins 26 of a machine 28. The pins 26 are the conventional pins used with the machine and can be provided with bushes (not shown) to reduce or eliminate wear of the pins 26. If necessary the pins 26 can be 7^ w v S) 0 extended slightly for use with the preferred embodiment of this invention. The pins 26 pass through openings in each plate.

The plates 24 are separated by a distance slightly less than the separation of the plates 12 and are adapted to be received between the plates 12 in order to couple the plates 12 to the plates 24 to thereby couple the bucket 14 to the machine 28. In order to couple the plates 12 to the plates 24, the plates 24 are located between the plates 12 and the extended pins 26 are located in the respective recesses 18 and 16 by first *r locating the front most pin 26 in the recess 28 by pivoting the plates 24 relative to the bucket 14 so that .99, the pin 26 can be received in the recess 18 and then the 999949 pin 26 is lowered into its recess 16.

The plates 24 are generally elongate in nature and have a downwardly extending flange portion 32. The flange portion 32 is provided with a generally square 99 i: shaped notch 34 which has slightly tapering side walls 36 and 38. The plates 12 are provided with an inclined shoulder 40 which is generally aligned with the ti-per surface 36 of the V-shaped notch 34 when the plates 24 are located between the plates 12.

t The plates 24 also have a hole 42 which is aligned with the hole 20 when the plates 12 and 24 are c coupled together. The plates 24 and 12 are joined by a plurality of struts, one of which is shown in Figure 4.

That strut 44 is arranged to extend between the plates 24 just in front of the notch 34. The strut 34 is provided with a hole 46.

The notch 34 is adapted to receive a wedge which is coupled to the strut 44 by means of a bolt 52 and nut 54 which passes through an opening 56 in the wedge 50 then through the opening 46 and the strut 44 and is secured in place by the nut 54. The wedge 50 has an upper surface 60 which is inclined to match the p!.

6 inclination of the upper wall 36 and the shoulder The wedge also has a bottom surface 62 which is inclined to match the inclination of the surface 38 of the notch 34 so that the wedge 50 can be securely and comfortably received in the notch 34. When the wedge 50 is secured in the notch 34 it abuts against the shoulders 40 and thereby prevents upward movement of the plates 24 relative to the plates 12. The bolt 52 also prevents the plates 24 from being moved longitudinally relative to the plates 12 and therefore the pins 26 are securely retained within the open ended recesses 16 and 18. Thus, the o wedge 50 acts to lock the plates 24 and 12 together to securely retain the plates 12 to the plates 24 and therefore the bucket 14 to the machine 28. In order to 990909 15 remove the bucket 14 and replace it with another bucket (which is already provided with the plates 12) all that is required is for the nut 54 to be undone and for the Z. °wedge 50 to be removed. The plates 24 can then be manipulated out of the recesses 16 and 18 by the machine and manipulated in between another pair of plates 12 on ,another bucket or implement. Thus, the connection of the preferred embodiment provides a quick release connection which can quickly allow replacement or exchange of buckets or r'her implements on a machine 28.

The aligned holes 20 and 42 in the plates 12 and 24 can receive a further locking pin as a safety measure if desired. The plates 24 are provided with a lifting opening 70 which can receive a D-shackle and may be used to enable the plates 24 to be used as a crane.

The shape of the wedge 50 and the notch 34 and shoulder 40 tends to ensure good engagement between the wedge 50 and the surfaces 36, 38 and shoulder 40 to securely lock the wedge in shape.

4 x 7 A strut (not shown) may extend between the plates 24 in the vicinity of the opening 42 and be provided with a through bore for receiving the additional pin (if desired).

Since modification within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

9 4 a •9 O 94 *a 0 *a o *0 0 9, *f

Claims

8- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: i. A connector system for connecting an implement to a machine, said system comprising a first pair of plates for connection to the implement, a second pair of plates for connection to the machine and for joining by at least two machine pins, said first pair of plates being spaced by a first distance when connected to the implement and the second pair of plates being spaced by a second distance when joined by the machine pins so that the first and second pair of plates can be meshed together in overlapping relationship, said first pair of plates having a first pair of aligned open ended recesses for receiving one of the machine pins and a second pair of aligned open ended recesses for opening in a direction transverse to the first pair of open ended recesses To: S for receiving a second of the machine pins, a locking bar, 'j 0 connection means for connecting the locking bar to either the c¢eo first or second pair of plates with the other of the first or second pair of plates having an abutment shoulder, said locking bar being of sufficient length to abut the abutment shoulder when connected to the first or second pair of plates by the connection means to thereby lock the first and second pair of plates together and prevent movement of the first and second pins out of the first pair and second pair of openings 4004 respectively. 2. The connector system of claim i, wherein said t' locking bar is a wedged shaped locking bar and said connecting means comprises a strut connected to the second pair of plates, a bolt for passing through the locking bar and for screw threaded engagement into the strut to secure the locking bar to the second pair of plates. 3. The connector system according to claim 2, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance so that the second pair of plates are received between the first pair of plates, the machine pins having extensions to ensure that the machine pins extend beyond the second pair of plates for receipt in the first pair and second pair of aligned openings in the first pair of plates. 6 f R. U
9- 4. The connector system according to claim 2, wherein the second pair of plates have a notch into which the locking bar is received when it is secured to the strut and wherein said abutment shoulder is provided on the first pair of plates and is aligned with the notch so that the locking bar extends beyond the second pair of plates when in the notch into abutment with the abutment shoulder on the first pair of plates. The connector system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first pair of aligned recesses is arranged at one end of the first or second pair of plates and the second pair of aligned recesses is arranged in an upper portion of the first or second pair of plates, said c: locking bar when connected to the first or second pair of .O plates, being opposite the first pair of aligned recesses. 6. A connector system substantially as hereinbefore described with the accompanying drawings. 0 0 *4 0 DATED THIS 13th DAY OF July 1990 JOHN C. CARRIGY By His Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CO. Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia o r°o at i i