Coupler with Magnet

Abstract

A coupler includes first and second attachment pin jaws. A first latching mechanism is associated with the first jaw. The first latching mechanism has an arm connected to and extending away from a latching member. A second latching mechanism is associated with the jaw. The first and second latching mechanisms are adapted to latch the first and second attachment pins of an accessory in or on the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively. The second latching mechanism is powered for movement between a latching position and a non-latching position. The first latching mechanism is operatively connected to, or connectable with, the second latching mechanism to allow it to selectively operate the first latching mechanism between latching and non-latching positions by means of a groove or flange or finger on the second latching mechanism. A magnet is provided to ensure a correct disengagement of the first latch latching mechanism.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 1104041.7 filed Mar. 9, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to a coupler for attaching an accessory, such an excavator bucket, to an excavator arm of an excavator. In particular, it relates to a fully automatic coupler for attachment, at its top half, to an excavator arm, and having, in its bottom half, two jaws and two latches for selectively securing (or releasing) two attachment pins of an accessory in (or from) the jaws of the coupler.[0006]2. Description of Related Art[0007]Not applicable.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0008]Many different couplers for attaching accessories to an excavator arm of an ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]There is also a further problem with couplers of this type—users occasionally use them incorrectly. Therefore, there is a further drive in the art to provide couplers that either prevent incorrect usage, or which counter incorrect usage by making such usage less dangerous by the provision of secondary or tertiary locking mechanisms, in addition to the primary locking mechanism provided by a latching hook, so as to provide mechanical back up mechanisms for preventing inadvertent release of the accessory from the coupler in the event of an improper use of the coupler.

[0057]Preferably a rear surface of the second latching mechanism is stepped in an area thereof, each step defining a location against which a free end of a blocking bar may bear. This is to allow multiple different blocking positions for the blocking bar. This permits the coupler to be used safely on a variety of different accessories, each having different accessory pin centers (distances between the pin centers).

Problems solved by technology

There is also a further problem with couplers of this type—users occasionally use them incorrectly.

There is also an issue with couplers in that with the automated operation, misalignment of elements within the coupler, due to operator shortcuts, can lead to errors in either or both of the coupling and decoupling procedures, whereby the coupling or decoupling procedure will not complete successfully, thereby leading to repeated attempts at coupling / decoupling, and thus lost operator time.

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