Loader quick coupling mechanism and loader assembly

Description

1 / 11 Quick coupler mechanism for wheel loader and wheel loader assembly.

[001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for quick coupling of a wheel loader to a tractor.

[002] The present invention further provides a loader wheel assembly comprising the quick coupler mechanism mentioned above. Description of the State of the Art

[003] The coupling between wheel loaders and tractors is usually done by means of pins inserted into holes in the tractor chassis and the wheel loader assembly. In these cases, the installation is done by aligning the holes and inserting the pins in order to keep the wheel loader assembly fixed, an operation that requires a certain degree of precision and a set of tools to assist the operator in performing the action.

[004] In order to facilitate the installation and removal of the loader assembly from the tractor, some quick-coupling systems have been developed, but they still present some complexity in their construction. The use of locking elements with a large number of parts stands out, and the locking and unlocking action requires movement of the assembly on different axes.

[005] The present invention describes a mechanism that facilitates the locking and unlocking of the loader assembly on a tractor by using a quick coupler with a loader support lock that can be rotated around an axis assuming two possible positions, defined by the position of a pin in an arched slot and an integral movement limiter that prevents or releases the movement of the loader assembly when interacting with the chassis. The use of the support lock is easy, requiring only a rotational movement along the slot. Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 6 / 33 2 / 11 Objectives of the Invention

[006] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a coupling mechanism for locking and unlocking a wheel loader to a tractor.

[007] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a coupling mechanism that allows a wheel loader to be installed and uninstalled simply and quickly, without the need for tools.

[008] A third objective of the present invention is to provide a loader wheel assembly that can be installed and uninstalled by means of the quick-release coupling mechanism described. Brief Description of the Invention

[009] The present invention relates to a quick-release coupling mechanism for a wheel loader comprising a movable tower comprising a pair of metal plates provided with an arc-shaped slot and a central hole, the quick-release coupling mechanism also comprises a support lock inserted between the pair of metal plates, the support lock provided with an upper hole, a lower hole and a limiter below the lower hole, the quick-release coupling mechanism further comprises a pin that is inserted into the slot and the upper hole and a fixing shaft that is inserted into the central hole and the lower hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the support lock comprises a metal plate equipped with a guide sleeve concentric with respect to the upper hole of the lock, a guide cylinder concentric with respect to the lower hole of the lock, and a limiter comprising a rectangular structure arranged at an angle with respect to the radial direction of the lower hole of the lock, with its upper end associated with the guide cylinder and a lateral end associated with the metal plate.

[0011] In another embodiment, each sheet of the pair of metal sheets Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, p. 7 / 33 3 / 11 cas is equipped with at least one intermediate hole and one lower hole.

[0012] In another embodiment, the quick-release mechanism of a wheel loader comprises a stop comprising a slot in the middle region of the vertical portion of a chassis equipped with a structure that has a first hook-shaped end configured to grip a first support bushing, a second end equipped with a notch configured to fit into a second support bushing, and a central region equipped with a flat vertical surface.

[0013] In another embodiment, the chassis comprises a pair of T-shaped structures comprising a rear end, a front end and an upper end, by means of which it is attached to the tractor.

[0014] In another embodiment, the quick-coupling mechanism (20) of a wheel loader (2) comprises a support, comprising a first pair of parallel profiles, a transverse profile, a second pair of parallel profiles and a linkage element, wherein the first pair of parallel profiles is pivotally associated at one end to a wheel loader and is pivotally associated at one end to the linkage element, wherein the second pair of parallel profiles is pivotally associated at one end to the linkage element, wherein the transverse profile is transversely associated between each of the profiles of the first pair of profiles and wherein the actuator is pivotally associated at one end to the linkage element.

[0015] In another embodiment, a second end of the second pair of parallel support profiles is pivotally associated with an upper portion of the side plates by means of the intermediate hole (2012B), a second end of the actuator is pivotally associated with a lower portion of the side plates by means of the lower hole Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 8 / 33 4 / 11 upper side plates through the lower hole.

[0016] In another embodiment, the support lock can, by selective manipulation of the pin, alternate between a locked position, when the limiter touches the vertical flat surface of the stop, and an unlocked position, when the limiter does not touch the vertical flat surface of the stop.

[0017] In another embodiment, the pin comprises a portion of larger diameter and a notch, the slot comprising an arc and circular holes of larger diameter at the ends of the arc, such that the support lock can only be moved along the slot when the notch of the pin is aligned with one of the metal plates.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a loader wheel assembly comprising the quick-coupling mechanism as defined above. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show: Figure 1 - is an isometric view of the wheel loader assembly installed on a tractor in a preferred configuration; Figure 2 - is a side view of the wheel loader assembly installed on a tractor in a preferred configuration; Figure 3 - is a side view of the uninstalled wheel loader assembly and a tractor in a preferred configuration; Figure 4 - is an isometric view of the support and quick-release mechanism in a preferred embodiment; Figure 5 - is an isometric view of the chassis in a preferred embodiment; Figure 6 - is an isometric view of the quick-release coupling mechanism in a preferred embodiment; Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 9 / 33 5 / 11 Figure 7 - is an isometric view of the pin in a preferred embodiment; Figure 8 - is a side view of the slot in the metal sheet in a preferred embodiment; Figure 9 - is a side view of the support lock in a preferred embodiment; Figure 10 - is a front view of the support lock in a preferred embodiment; Figure 11 - is a side view of the locked quick-release coupling mechanism, in a preferred embodiment; Figure 12 - is a side view of the locked quick-release coupling mechanism and chassis stop, in a preferred embodiment; Figure 13 - is a side view of the unlocked quick-release mechanism, in a preferred configuration; and Figure 14 - is a side view of the unlocked quick-release coupling mechanism and the chassis stop, in a preferred configuration. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0020] First, it should be noted that the preferred term used here refers to a particular efficient embodiment of the invention among the multiple possible embodiments. This preferred term should not be understood as limiting the possible embodiments of the present invention, that is, it should not be understood as imperative or mandatory for carrying out the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a tractor 1 with a loader assembly 2 in an isometric view, and Figure 2 shows the tractor 1 and the loader assembly 2 in a side view. The loader assembly 2 can be easily and quickly installed and uninstalled from the tractor 1 by means of a quick-coupling mechanism 20, which will be described later. In Figure 1 and Figure 2, the loader assembly Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, p. 10 / 33 6 / 11 loader 2 is installed on tractor 1.

[0022] Figure 3 shows, in a side view, the tractor 1 with the loader assembly 2 uninstalled. It is possible to visualize the chassis 11, the support 22 and the quick-hitch mechanism 20. The quick-hitch mechanism 20, which will be described in more detail later, preferably comprises a movable tower 201, which is pivotally associated with the rear end of the support 22 and with one end of an actuator 226, the actuator 226 having its other end pivotally associated with the articulation of the support 22. The chassis 11 is associated with the tractor 1 and is equipped with a stop 111 to which the quick-hitch mechanism 20 is associated, as will be detailed later.

[0023] In Figure 4 it is possible to see the support 22 and, pivotally associated with its rear end, the quick-release coupling mechanism 20. The support 22 preferably comprises a first pair of parallel profiles 221, wherein one of its ends is provided with means for pivoting to a loader bucket and its other end is pivotally associated with an articulation element 223. The support 22 also preferably comprises a transverse profile 222 positioned between each of the profiles of the first pair of profiles 221. The support 22 further preferably comprises a second pair of parallel profiles 224, wherein one of its ends is provided with pivoting means 225 and its other end is pivotally associated with the articulation element 223.It is also observed that the mobile tower 201 is preferably equipped with an upper hole 2012A, an intermediate hole 2012B that allows the pivoting association of the quick-release mechanism 20 with the rear end of the support 22, and a lower hole 2012C that allows the pivoting association of the quick-release mechanism 20 with one end of the actuator 226. Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, p. 11 / 33 7 / 11

[0024] The pivoting association between the quick-release mechanism 20 and the rear end of the support 22 is illustrated in Figure 4, where the association means 225 of the second pair of parallel profiles 224 are shown, preferably comprising cylindrical elements 2251, arranged perpendicularly to the length direction of the second pair of profiles 224, and bushings 2252 inserted into the cylindrical elements 2251. Fastening elements 2253, 2254 are also shown, preferably comprising screws 2253 and nuts 2254, each nut 224 being fitted into a cavity concentric to the intermediate hole 2012B and each screw 2253 being inserted into the intermediate hole 2012B passing through the nut 2254 and the bushings 2252 inserted into the cylindrical elements 2251.

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates chassis 11, which comprises a pair of T-shaped structures, the rear end 112 of which is provided with connection means that allow chassis 11 to preferably be connected to the lower middle region of tractor 1, the front end 113 of which is provided with connection means that allow chassis 11 to preferably be connected to the lower front region of tractor 1, and the upper end 114 of which is provided with connection means that allow chassis 11 to preferably be connected to an upper region of the front portion of tractor 1. The vertical portion of chassis 11 is provided, in its middle region, with a stop 111 which preferably comprises a slot in this vertical portion configured with one end in the shape of a hook 1111 and the other end with a notch 1112, as will be seen in more detail later.

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates, in an exploded view, the quick-release coupling mechanism 20. It can be seen that the quick-release coupling mechanism 20 preferably comprises a movable tower 201 comprising a pair of substantially thin metal plates 2011. Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, p. 12 / 33 8 / 11 angular, parallel, separated by support bushings 2015, in Figure 6 the upper hole 2012A, the intermediate hole 2012B and the lower hole 2012C can be better visualized. Each plate of the pair of metal plates 2011 preferably comprises an arc-shaped slot 2013 whose ends are arranged on the same horizontal line, a central hole 2014. The quick-release mechanism also comprises a support lock 202 which is preferably arranged between the pair of metal plates 2011 and is provided with an upper locking hole 2022A, a lower locking hole 2022B and a limiter 2023 at the lower end below the lower locking hole 2022B. The quick-release coupling mechanism 20 further comprises a fastening shaft 204 which functions as a linkage for the support lock 202, the fastening shaft 204 is inserted into the central hole 2014 and into the lower hole of the lock 2022B of the support lock 202.The support lock 202, when inserted between the pair of metal plates 2011, and associated with the pair of metal plates 2011 by means of the fixing shaft 204, has its upper hole of the lock 2022A aligned with the slot 2013, being able to rotate around the fixing shaft 204 and assume the locked or unlocked position, depending on which end of the slot 2013 is aligned with the upper hole of the lock 2022A. To ensure that the support latch 202 remains in one of the locked or unlocked positions, a pin 203 is inserted into the slot 2013, in the upper hole of the latch 2022A, and into a compression spring 205 positioned between the pair of metal plates 2011. It can be seen from Figure 6 that the slot 2013 has a greater width at its ends than in its central region; this variation exists to interact with the pin 203, which has a notch around its entire perimeter.When at rest and at one end of slot 2013, pin 203 is tensioned by spring 205 so that the region with the largest diameter is in contact with the widest point of slot 2013, preventing its movement. Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 13 / 33 9 / 11 tion, the operator's action on pin 203 causes its notch to align with slot 2013, allowing its movement through the narrower region of slot 2013. The fixing shaft 204 and pin 203 are held in their respective positions by means of cotter pins 206.

[0027] Figure 7 shows pin 203 in detail. It can be seen that pin 203 has different diameters along its length, configured so that pin 203 can be locked into slot 2013. Pin 203 comprises a cylinder 2031 with a notch 2032 near one of its ends. Figure 8 shows the shape of slot 2013, which comprises an arc 2013A and circular holes 2013B at its ends. The diameter of the circular holes 2013B allows the insertion of cylinder 2031. The arc 2013A has a width smaller than the circular holes 2013B and smaller than the diameter of cylinder 2031, so that pin 203 remains stationary when cylinder 2031 is aligned with one of the metal plates 2011. In the region of the notch 2032, pin 203 has a diameter smaller than the width of arc 2013A, allowing movement of pin 203 along arc 2013A when notch 2032 is aligned with one of the plates 2011.

[0028] Figure 9 and Figure 10 show the side and front views of the support lock 202. In Figure 9, it is possible to observe the arrangement of the upper hole of the lock 2022A, the lower hole of the lock 2022B, and the limiter 2023 in the metal plate 2021. The upper hole of the lock 2022A is located at the upper end of the metal plate 2021, and the lower hole 2022B is located below the upper hole of the lock 2022A, in a middle region of the metal plate 2021. The limiter 2023 preferably comprises a rectangular structure whose upper end is positioned on the edge of the lower hole of the lock 2022B and arranged at an angle to the radial direction of the Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 14 / 33 10 / 11 lower hole of latch 2022B. In Figure 10, it can be observed that the support latch 202 also preferably comprises a guide sleeve 2024, preferably welded to the outer face of the metal plate 2021, concentric with respect to the upper hole of the latch 2022A, and a guide cylinder 2025 preferably welded to the inner face of the metal plate 2021, concentric to the lower hole of the latch 2022B. The limiter 2023 having its upper edge preferably welded to the surface of the guide cylinder 2025.

[0029] Figure 11 shows the quick-release mechanism in its locked position. In this condition, the support lock 202 is positioned so that the limiter is in a vertical position; locking is done by moving the pin 203 through the slot 2013 in the rear direction of the quick-release mechanism 20, so as to rotate the support lock 202 and the limiter 2023. Figure 12 also illustrates the stop 111, showing its interaction with the limiter 2023. The upper end of the stop 111 preferably has a hook shape 1111, configured to rest on the first support bushing 2015A; the lower end preferably has a notch 1112, configured to rest on the second support bushing 2015B; and the middle portion of the stop slot 111 comprises a vertical flat surface 1113.When in the locked position, the limiter 2023 of the support lock 202 interacts with the vertical flat surface 1113 of the stop 111, preventing movement and consequent removal of the loader bucket assembly 2 from the tractor 1.

[0030] In Figure 13 and Figure 14, the quick-release mechanism 20 can be seen in its unlocked position. In this condition, the support lock 202 is positioned so that the limiter 2023 is in a horizontal position; unlocking is done by moving the pin 203 through the slot 2013 in the anterior direction of the engagement mechanism. Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 15 / 33 11 / 11 quick 20, so as to rotate the support lock 202 and the limiter 2023. As can be seen in Figure 14, when in the unlocked position, the limiter 2023 of the support lock 202 does not interact with the vertical flat surface 1113 of the stop 111, allowing movement and consequent removal of the loader wheel assembly 2 from the tractor 1.

[0031] Note, in Figure 12 and Figure 14, that the stop 111 is configured so that the quick-release mechanism 20 can fit into the chassis 11 without the need for any means of attachment. By supporting the hook-shaped end 1111 on the first support bushing 2015A and the notched end 1112 on the second support bushing 2015B, the quick-release mechanism 20 to which the loader support 22 is attached forms a lever that holds it in place. The arrangement of the support bushings 2015 on the stop 111 allows the quick-release mechanism to be installed and uninstalled on the chassis from the front direction, therefore, it is clear that the support lock 202, when in the locked position (Figure 12), creates a barrier to movement in the front direction with the vertical flat surface 1113 colliding with the limiter 2023 and preventing movement of the quick-release mechanism 20.When the support lock 202 is in the unlocked position (Figure 14), the limiter 2023 is no longer a barrier to the movement of the vertical flat surface 1113.

[0032] Having described a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the claims alone, including possible equivalents. Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 16 / 33

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Quick-release coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2) characterized by comprising a movable tower (201) comprising a pair of metal plates (2011) provided with an arc-shaped slot (2013) and a central hole (2014), the quick-release coupling mechanism (20) also comprising a support lock (202) inserted between the pair of metal plates (2011), the support lock (202) provided with an upper lock hole (2022A), a lower lock hole (2022B) and a limiter (2023) below the lower lock hole (2022B), the quick-release coupling mechanism (20) further comprising a pin (203) that is inserted into the slot (2013) and the upper lock hole (2022A) and a fixing shaft (204) that is inserts into the central hole (2014) and the lower lock hole (2022B).

2. Quick-release coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2), according to claim 1, characterized in that the support lock (202) comprises a metal plate (2021) provided with a guide sleeve (2024) concentric with respect to the upper hole of the lock (2022A), a guide cylinder (2025) concentric with respect to the lower hole of the lock (2022B), the limiter (2023) comprising a rectangular structure arranged at an angle with respect to the radial direction of the lower hole of the lock (2022B), with its upper end associated with the guide cylinder (2025) and a lateral end associated with the metal plate (2021).

3. Quick coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2), according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each plate of the pair of metal plates (2011) is provided with at least one intermediate hole (2012B) and one lower hole (2012C).

4. Quick coupling mechanism (20) for wheel loader (2), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized Petition 870250007563, dated 01 / 29 / 2025, page 17 / 33 2 / 3 by the fact that it comprises a chassis (11) provided with a stop (111) with a first hook-shaped end (1111) configured to grip a first support bushing (2015A), a second end provided with a notch (1112) configured to fit into a second support bushing (2015B) and a central region provided with a vertical flat surface (1113).

5. Quick coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2), according to claim 4, characterized in that the chassis (11) comprises a pair of T-shaped structures comprising a rear end (112), a front end (113) and an upper end (114), by means of which it is coupled to the tractor (1).

6. Quick coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support (22), comprising a first pair of parallel profiles (221), a transverse profile (222), a second pair of parallel profiles (224) and a linkage element (223), wherein the first pair of parallel profiles (221) is pivotally associated at one end to a wheel loader and is pivotally associated at one end to the linkage element (223), wherein the second pair of parallel profiles (224) is pivotally associated at one end to the linkage element (223), wherein the transverse profile (222) is transversely associated between each of the profiles of the first pair of profiles (221), wherein the actuator (226) is pivotally associated at one end to the linkage element (223).

7. Quick coupling mechanism (20) for wheel loader (2), according to claim 6, characterized in that a second end of the second pair of parallel profiles (224) of the support (22) pivotally associates with an upper portion of the side plates (2011) by means of the intermediate hole (2012B) and a second end of the actuator (226) pivotally associates with a lower portion of the side plates (2011) by means of the lower hole (2012C).

8. Quick-release coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support lock (202) can, by selective manipulation of the pin (203), alternate between a locked position, when the limiter (2023) touches the vertical flat surface (1113) of the stop (111), and an unlocked position, when the limiter (2023) does not touch the vertical flat surface (1113) of the stop (111).

9. Quick-release coupling mechanism (20) for a wheel loader (2), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (203) comprises a larger diameter portion (2031) and a notch (2032), the slot (2013) comprising an arc (2013A) and larger diameter circular holes (2013B) at the ends of the arc (2013A), such that the support latch (202) can only be moved along the slot (2013) when the notch (2032) of the pin (203) is aligned with one of the metal plates (2011).

10. Loader wheel assembly (2) characterized by comprising the quick coupler mechanism (20) as defined in any of the preceding claims. Petition 870250007563, dated 29 / 01 / 2025, p. 19 / 33

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