Apparatus and method for connecting a dangling tool to a quick coupler

Abstract

A connector 60 for connecting a dangling tool (1, Fig 10) to a quick coupler (20, Fig 10) via a quick coupler attachment 40. The quick coupler attachment has a first connection surface 42 configured t

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to quick coupler attachments that are arranged for suspending a dangling tool such as a grapple from a quick coupler mounted on a work machine. Background

[0002] In this specification, a work machine means any machine that is operable in a work environment to manipulate a tool via a quick coupler assembly mounted on the work machine, to carry out work using the tool in the work environment.

[0003] Typically a work machine is a vehicle, which may be movable in the work environment on wheels or endless tracks. Typically the vehicle will have at least one articulated arm, often an assembly of articulated arms, typically a stick mounted at its proximal end on the distal end of a boom, and a system of hydraulic actuators that are operable to move the at least one articulated arm relative to the vehicle body. For example, the vehicle could be an excavator or a backhoe loader.

[0004] Typically the quick coupler is mounted at a distal end of the at least one articulated arm, typically at the distal end of the stick.

[0005] The quick coupler may include a body having interface features complementary to corresponding interface features of the quick coupler attachment so as to fittingly engage the quick coupler attachment, and a hydraulic actuator operable to selectively retain (lock) and release (unlock) the quick coupler attachment to and from the quick coupler. Typically, the interface features define only one possible use orientation of the quick coupler attachment relative to the quick coupler when the two parts are engaged together. Rarely, the interface features may provide a choice of two, opposite use orientations, in which case the user will select the appropriate orientation based on the type of tool connected to the quick coupler attachment. In use, the machine operator may command the machine to move the quick coupler, e.g. in translation and rotation so as to engage the body with the quick coupler attachment in the use orientation, and then to operate the hydraulic actuator of the quick coupler to lock the quick coupler attachment to the body of the quick coupler.

[0006] By connecting a tool to the connection surface of the quick coupler attachment, the tool may be mounted and dismounted to and from the work machine by operator commands from the cab or other control station of the machine. The operator may then use the machine to move the tool to carry out work in the work environment, using the mass of the machine to react forces applied via the tool to the workpiece by the hydraulic actuators of the machine.

[0007] By way of example, the tool could be a hydraulic breaker, or a fixed grab, or a crusher or multi-processor, that is bolted to the connection surface of the quick coupler attachment. The work machine may be moved into an off-road worksite or a mine or other work environment where the tool is used, for example, to break concrete or rock or to dig or move loose materials or the like.

[0008] Once locked to the quick coupler body, the tool may be fixed with relation to the quick coupler body, but more usually will include movable parts and an actuator system that can be connected to the hydraulic actuator system of the machine so that is operable by the machine operator from the cab or other control station of the machine to move the parts of the tool. For example, the tool may be a breaker with a reciprocating breaker bar or chisel, or a grab or crusher with movable jaws, or a bucket with at least one moving part that can be rotated to scoop or dump a load of loose material.

[0009] Common to all such tools however is that the moving parts are mounted on a tool body, and the tool body is mounted in fixed relation to the connection surface of the quick coupler attachment, typically by a set of bolts. For this reason, a tool of this type is referred to herein as a fixable tool. Thus, when the quick coupler attachment is locked to the quick coupler body, the tool body of the fixable tool cannot move relative to the quick coupler body. Rather, the movable parts of the fixable tool move relative to the tool body and the quick coupler which form a (temporary) fixed assembly.

[0010] The machine operator can change tools as required by detaching a first tool fixed to a first quick coupler attachment from the quick coupler body, and then attaching in its place a second tool fixed to a second quick coupler attachment of identical configuration. By providing a number of quick coupler attachments of identical configuration to fit the quick coupler, a number of different tools can be fixed, each to a respective one of the quick coupler attachments, so that the machine operator can mount all of the tools interchangeably on the same quick coupler as required.

[0011] Although many different tools can be mounted in this way to the same quick coupler, the fixed attachment of the tool body to the quick coupler attachment means that in each case, forces are transferred between the fixable tool and the quick coupler in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the connection surface of the quick coupler attachment. For example, a breaker will apply a percussive force along the axis of the tool bit acting perpendicular to the connection surface, which is reacted by the mass of the machine. A grab or bucket will transfer the mass of the loose material in a similar direction, acting in an opposite direction away from the quick coupler, so the load is supported by the articulated arm or arms acting as a cantilever and counterbalanced by the mass of the machine body.

[0012] Dangling tools are similar to fixable tools (i.e. tools of the above mentioned type) in that a dangling tool will often include moving parts mounted on a tool body and pivotable relative to the tool body by an actuator. For example, a dangling grapple or a dangling brick clamp will include arms or claws that are pivotable on the tool body to grip material.

[0013] Dangling tools can also be mounted on a work machine via a quick coupler attachment.

[0014] However, dangling tools are used in a different way to fixable tools. In consequence, unlike fixable tools, the tool body of a dangling tool is not mounted in fixed relation to the connection surface of a quick coupler attachment.

[0015] Instead, a different type of quick coupler attachment is used, which has a tool mount instead of a connection surface. Such attachments are sometimes referred to as grab plates or grab brackets. The tool mount may include a pin or a pair of pins, one of which is mounted for rotation about the other, to provide one or two degrees of freedom for the tool body. The tool body of the dangling tool is suspended from the tool mount so that it can pivot in use relative to the quick coupler attachment responsive to forces applied by the work machine and reacted by the workpiece.

[0016] For example, a dangling grapple may be suspended from a quick coupler attachment that is engaged by the quick coupler mounted at the distal end of the stick of an excavator. The grapple can be operated to grip loose material protruding from a pile. Then, by moving the stick and boom of the excavator, the operator may pull the grapple horizontally away from the pile to tear the loose material free from the pile, leaving it hanging from the grapple. As the grapple is moved away from the pile, it swings away from the vertical rest position into an inclined position as the loose material comes under tension, and then swings freely back to the rest position as the loose material comes away from the pile. The operator can then operate the machine to move the closed grapple dangling in the rest position to a dump location, and then open the grapple to dump the loose material, e.g. into a waiting truck.

[0017] Since the grapple must be free to swing under the quick coupler assembly, the tool mount is typically arranged at the end of the quick coupler attachment that is furthest from the stick when the quick coupler attachment is engaged with the quick coupler in its use orientation. The operator will typically operate the machine with the quick coupler inclined downwardly away from the machine so that the tool mount is well clear of the stick and the boom, giving the grapple room to swing without hitting the machine.

[0018] The interface features of a quick coupler and quick coupler attachment may conform to any of a variety of different, competing patterns, so that a given quick coupler attachment will only fit a quick coupler made to the same pattern, from the same manufacturer or group of manufacturers. In consequence, a machine operator who has fitted a quick coupler to a machine will require a set of matching quick coupler attachments in order to fit a variety of tools interchangeably to the machine.

[0019] Quick coupler attachments of the type having a connection surface can be used with a variety of different tools (for example, a variety of different hydraulic breakers) from different manufacturers, since the connection surface will typically have a generic pattern of fastener holes that corresponds to the fastener positions of many different tools (for example, different hydraulic breakers and crushers and multi-processors). So, for example, the machine operator can dismount the quick coupler attachment from a worn-out tool and remount it on a replacement tool from a different manufacturer, so that the replacement tool can then be engaged for use by the same quick coupler of the machine.

[0020] However, quick coupler attachments of the type having a tool mount for connecting a dangling tool are generally specific to the tool. So, for example, if the machine operator replaces a dangling grapple mounted on a quick coupler atttachment with a new dangling grapple from a different manufacturer or even with a different model from the same manufacturer, a new quick coupler attachment that is compatible with the quick coupler must be purchased to fit the new dangling grapple.

[0021] Since there are many different manufacturers of quick couplers, and many different manufacturers of grapples and other dangling tools, the need to match both the interface features between the quick coupler and quick coupler attachment, and the tool mount configuration between the quick coupler attachment and the dangling tool, presents a formidable array of possible combinations and hence drives up inventory size for the supplier and operating costs for the machine operator. Summary of the Disclosure

[0022] The present disclosure provides a connector for connecting a dangling tool, via a quick coupler attachment, to a quick coupler mounted on a work machine.

[0023] The quick coupler attachment has a first connection surface configured to receive a fixable tool fixed to the quick coupler attachment, and a first abutment surface non-parallel with the first connection surface.

[0024] The quick coupler is operable to selectively engage and disengage the quick coupler attachment so as to releasably mount the fixable tool, via the quick coupler attachment, for manipulation on the work machine.

[0025] The connector includes a mounting plate having a second connection surface extending in a connection plane; a tool mount extending from the mounting plate; and a shear abutment defining a second abutment surface.

[0026] The mounting plate is fixable to the quick coupler attachment, via a plurality of fasteners, in a use position wherein the first and second connection surfaces are opposed, and the plurality of fasteners act in tension perpendicular to the connection plane.

[0027] The tool mount is connectable to a dangling tool to suspend the dangling tool from the tool mount in a suspended position, wherein in the suspended position, the dangling tool is pivotable relative to the mounting plate.

[0028] The shear abutment extends in fixed relation from the mounting plate across the connection plane. The second abutment surface is opposed to the first abutment surface in the use position to react forces acting in the connection plane.

[0029] Optionally, the second connection surface extends in length and width dimensions of the mounting plate between first and second ends and first and second sides of the mounting plate; the first and second ends being spaced apart in the length dimension, the first and second sides being spaced apart in the width dimension; and the second abutment surface faces towards the first end.

[0030] Optionally, the tool mount is closer to the first end than to the second end.

[0031] Optionally, the mounting plate is configured to be slidably adjustable in the connection plane, relative to the quick coupler attachment, in the length dimension, when fixed to the quick coupler attachment in the use position.

[0032] In a related aspect, the disclosure provides a method for connecting the dangling tool, via the quick coupler attachment, to the quick coupler mounted on the work machine. The method includes: fixing the mounting plate to the quick coupler attachment, via the plurality of fasteners, in the use position; connecting the dangling tool to the tool mount for use in the suspended position; and arranging the first and second abutment surfaces in opposed relation in the use position to react forces acting in the connection plane.

[0033] Optionally, the method further includes: slidingly adjusting the mounting plate, in the connection plane, relative to the quick coupler attachment, in the length dimension, to bring the second abutment surface into abutment with the first abutment surface. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] Further features and advantages will be understood from the following illustrative embodiment which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a prior art dangling grapple suspended from a prior art quick coupler attachment mounted on the quick coupler of a work machine, with the grapple shown in front and side view.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows the prior art quick coupler attachment of Fig. 1, respectively in top, front, and side view.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows another prior art quick coupler attachment 40, configured to receive a prior art fixable tool, respectively in side view (in the middle of the figure), top view and bottom view (respectively at the top and bottom of the figure), and front and rear end view (respectively to the left and right of the figure).

[0038] Fig. 4 shows how the prior art fixable tool is fixed to the prior art attachment 40 using fasteners.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows how the prior art fixable tool is mounted on a work machine by engaging the prior art attachment 40 with the quick coupler of a work machine.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows a first connector 60 in accordance with a first embodiment, respectively in top view (at the top right of the figure), and in front end and right side views (respectively to the left and right of the figure).

[0041] Fig. 7 shows how the first connector 60 is fixed to the prior art attachment 40 using fasteners to form a first connector assembly 60, 40.

[0042] Fig. 8 shows the first connector assembly of Fig. 7 after tightening the fasteners, with the shear abutment shown in enlarged scrap view.

[0043] Fig. 9 shows the first connector assembly of Fig. 8 after slidingly adjusting the first connector 60 relative to the prior art attachment 40 to bring the abutment surfaces together, with the shear abutment shown in enlarged scrap view.

[0044] Fig. 10 shows the dangling grapple connected to the first connector assembly.

[0045] Fig. 11 shows how the quick coupler is engaged with the first connector assembly.

[0046] Fig. 12 shows the quick coupler engaged with the first connector assembly with the grapple ready for use.

[0047] Fig. 13 shows the grapple suspended from the first connector assembly with the quick coupler pivoted in its use orientation.

[0048] Fig. 14 shows how the quick coupler pivots in use to apply forces acting in the connection plane of the first connector assembly.

[0049] Fig. 15 illustrates the steps of the method.

[0050] Reference numerals and characters that appear in more than one of the figure indicate the same or corresponding parts in each of them. Detailed Description

[0051] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a prior art quick coupler attachment 140 is configured to mount a dangling tool such as a dangling grapple 1 on a quick coupler 20 of a work machine 10.

[0052] The prior art attachment 140 has a tool mount 63 extending from a base plate 141 and two side plates that define fixed interface features 146, e.g. recesses, that are engaged by complementary interface features 26 of the quick coupler 20. The tool mount 63 is permanently attached to the base plate 141, e.g. by welding or forging.

[0053] Referring also to Fig. 10, the quick coupler 20 includes a body 21 having fixed interface features 26, e.g. stubs or protrusions, which engage the interface features 146 of the attachment 140 to mount the attachment 140 in a fixed position on the quick coupler 20. The quick coupler 20 also has a movable lock or a pair of movable locks 23 operable by a hydraulic actuator 24 to engage a further interface feature or features 143 of the attachment 140 so as to secure the attachment 140 in the fixed position.

[0054] As illustrated, the complementary interface features 26, 146 define only one possible use orientation of the quick coupler attachment 140 relative to the quick coupler 20 when the two are engaged together.

[0055] The illustrated work machine 10 is configured as an excavator having a boom 12 pivotably mounted on the machine body 11, and a stick 13 pivotably mounted at its proximal end on the distal end of the boom 12. The quick coupler 20 is pivotably mounted on the distal end of the stick 13 and operable via a linkage by one of the hydraulic actuators 14 of the machine. The quick coupler 20 and the boom and stick 11, 12 are movable by the hydraulic actuators 14 responsive to operator commands.

[0056] The dangling tool 1 may include a tool body 2, at least one actuator 3, and at least one moving part 4, with the actuator 3 being operable to pivot the at least one moving part 4 relative to the tool body 1. As illustrated, the dangling grapple 1 includes a set of claws 4 that are pivotable on the tool body 2 by a set of hydraulic actuators 3 to grip loose material, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. The tool body 2 may include one or more swivel connections 5, and a yoke 6 which also forms a pivot connection when the tool body 2 is suspended from the tool mount 63.

[0057] The tool mount 63 is configured to match the tool body 2 of the specific model of dangling grapple 1 which is connectable, for example, by passing a pin 7 through the yoke 6 and the tool mount 63, to suspend the tool body 1 from the tool mount 63 in the suspended position, as shown.

[0058] Referring to Figs. 3-5, another prior art quick coupler attachment 40, referred to below as the attachment 40, is configured to releasably mount a fixable tool 100, via the quick coupler attachment 40, for manipulation on the work machine 10. The tool 100 is illustrated as a hydraulic breaker, and is referred to as a fixable tool because it is configured to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the attachment 40 via fasteners, e.g. bolts 80.

[0059] The quick coupler 20 is operable, e.g. by the machine operator working from the cab of the machine, to selectively engage and disengage the attachment 40 so as to mount the tool 100 on the machine. The operator can then manipulate the tool, mounted on the attachment 40, by moving the boom 12 and stick 13, e.g. to position the tool bit 101 to break a mass of concrete.

[0060] The attachment 40 has a mounting plate 41 and interface features 43 and 46 similar to the interface features 143, 146 of the prior art attachment 140, and is engaged with the quick coupler 20 in the same way as the attachment 140. As shown in Fig. 5, the interface features 46 are engageable with the corresponding interface features 26 of the quick coupler 20 to define only one possible use orientation of the attachment 40 relative to the quick coupler 20. When engaged with the quick coupler in the use orientation as shown in Fig. 5, the interface features 43 are engageable by the corresponding movable locks 23 of the quick coupler to retain the attachment 40 to the quick coupler 20 so as to transfer forces between the machine 10 and the tool 100 mounted on the attachment 40.

[0061] The mounting plate 41 defines a first connection surface 42 which is configured to receive the fixable tool 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the tool 100 is fixed to the quick coupler attachment 40 by positioning the mounting plate 102 of the tool against the first connection surface 42. The mounting plate 41 has a set of fastener holes 47 opening through the first connection surface 42, which are arranged in the same standard pattern as the fastener holes 107 in the mounting plate 102 of the tool 100. Fasteners 80 are passed through the aligned fastener holes 47, 107 to secure the tool in fixed relation to the attachment.

[0062] Since the fastener holes 47 are arranged in a standard pattern, the same attachment 40 can be used to mount any of a variety of fixable tools to the same quick coupler 20, as long as each fixable tool has the standard pattern of fasteners or fastener holes 107.

[0063] The attachment 40 includes a first abutment surface 45 that is nonparallel with the first connection surface 42. The first abutment surface may be any surface of the attachment 40 that is non-parallel with the first connection surface 42.

[0064] As illustrated, the first abutment surface 45 may face generally away from a first end 56 of the mounting plate 41 in a length direction of the mounting plate 41, wherein the first end 56 of the mounting plate is arranged to form a distal end of the mounting plate 41 relative to the machine 10 when the attachment 40 is engaged with the quick coupler 20 in the single possible use orientation as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 12. As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, when used with a dangling tool 1, the machine operator will generally tilt the quick coupler 20 downwardly away from the machine 10 so that the distal, first end 56 of the mounting plate 41 is at the bottom, forward edge of the mounting plate, allowing the dangling tool 1 to swing clear of the machine 12.

[0065] As illustrated, the first abutment surface 45 may be arranged at a second end 57 of the mounting plate 41, opposite to the first end 56.

[0066] The first abutment surface 45 may be an incidental feature of the attachment 40, which is to say, it need not have any particular function when the attachment 40 is used to mount a fixable tool 100 on the quick coupler 20. However, since any prior art attachment 40 will generally include a mounting plate 41 of standard size to accept the mounting plate 102 of a variety of fixable tools 100, the second end 57 of the mounting plate will typically provide a suitable first abutment surface 45 which can be used to react shear forces acting in the connection plane Pc when the attachment 40 is used with the novel connector, as will now be described.

[0067] The first connector 60

[0068] Referring now to Figs. 6-9, the first connector 60 includes a mounting plate 61 that defines a second connection surface 62 extending in a connection plane Pc. A tool mount 63 similar to the tool mount 63 of the prior art dangling tool attachment 140 extends from the mounting plate 61, e.g. from a side of the mounting plate opposite the connection surface 62 as shown.

[0069] As illustrated, the second connection surface 62 may extend in length and width dimensions DI, Dw of the mounting plate 61 between first and second ends 66, 67 and first and second sides 68, 69 of the mounting plate 61. The first and second ends 66, 67 are spaced apart in the length dimension DI, and the first and second sides 68, 69 are spaced apart in the width dimension Dw. (It will be understood that the second connection surface 62 need not terminate at the respective sides and ends of the mounting plate; rather, it extends at least part way between them.)

[0070] The mounting plate 61 may include fastener holes 70 that open through the second connection surface 62 to receive the plurality of fasteners 80. The fastener holes 70 may be elongate in the length dimension DI to accommodate sliding movement of the first connector 60 relative to the attachment 40, so as to provide a tolerance for a range of relative positions of the two abutment surfaces 45, 65 in the length dimension DI of the assembly 60, 40, as further discussed below.

[0071] A shear abutment 64 (which is to say, a part that forms an abutment for reacting shear forces) extends in fixed relation from the mounting plate 61 across the connection plane Pc. The shear abutment 64 defines a second abutment surface 65. The shear abutment 64 may extend substantially (which is to say, most or all of the way) from the first side 68 to the second side 69, as shown, to engage the first abutment surface 45 of the attachment 40 which similarly may extend substantially across the width of the attachment 40.

[0072] The shear abutment 64 may be formed integrally with the mounting plate 61, e.g. by casting or forging or machining, or may be formed as an assembly, e.g. by welding. Similarly, the tool mount 63 may be welded to the mounting plate 61 or formed integrally with it.

[0073] As shown in Figs. 7 - 9, in use, the mounting plate 61 is fixed to the attachment 40 in its use position via a plurality of fasteners 80. The fasteners 80 may be inserted through fastener holes 70 of the mounting plate 61 which align with corresponding fastener holes 47 of the attachment 40. In the use position, the first and second connection surfaces 42, 62 are opposed, and the plurality of fasteners 80 act in tension perpendicular to the connection plane Pc to hold together the connector 60 and the attachment 40 in fixed relation. The second abutment surface 65 is opposed to the first abutment surface 45 in the use position to react shear forces Fs acting in the connection plane Pc.

[0074] Similarly to the tool mount 63 of the prior art dangling tool attachment 140, the tool mount 63 of the connector 60 may define at least one pivot axis Xp. The dangling tool 1 may be pivotable about the at least one pivot axis Xp in the suspended position.

[0075] Fig. 10 shows how the dangling tool 1 is connected to the tool mount 63 for use in the suspended position as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, in which the dangling tool 1 is suspended from the tool mount 63 and pivotable relative to the mounting plate 61. The connection can be made, for example, by inserting a pin 7 through the aligned holes in the yoke 6 and tool mount 63 as previously described.

[0076] The second abutment surface 65 may face towards the first end 66 of the mounting plate 61 as illustrated, so that in the use position, it can abut the first abutment surface 45 of the attachment 40 to react shear forces Fs acting in the direction towards the first end 56 of the mounting plate 41.

[0077] Conveniently, the shear abutment 64 may be arranged proximate the second end 67 of the mounting plate 61 so as to abut a first abutment surface 45 formed by the second end 57 of the mounting plate 41 of the attachment 40, which typically extends substantially across the width of a prior art attachment 40 and so presents a large surface area suitable for reacting the forces applied to the dangling tool 1 in use.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 14, in a typical use scenario of a dangling grapple, the machine 10 exerts a pulling force that appears as a shear force Fs in the connection plane Pc, acting in a direction towards the downwardly pointing distal or leading end 56 of the attachment 40. By arranging the second abutment surface 65 to face towards the first end 66 of the mounting plate in opposition to the first abutment surface 45 of the attachment 40 in the use position, this shear force Fs representing the major load applied to the dangling tool 1 is reacted between the opposed abutment surfaces 45, 65 and so is relieved from the fasteners 80.

[0079] As illustrated, the tool mount 63 may be closer to the first end 66 than to the second end 67, and may be equidistant between the first and second sides 68, 69.

[0080] In practice, in order to ensure that the tool 1 hangs free from the machine 10, the user will always arrange the connector 60 to position the tool mount 63 towards the first end 56 of the attachment 40 which faces away from the machine 10 when engaged in its defined use orientation with the quick coupler 20.

[0081] In consequence, by arranging the tool mount 63 to be closer to the first end 66 than to the second end 67 of the mounting plate 61, it is possible to define the orientation of the connector 60 with respect to the attachment 40, and so to define the positions of the first and second abutment surfaces 45, 65 relative to each other and to the direction of the applied shear force Fs.

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, the connector 60 may be configured with alignment features that engage or interfere with corresponding alignment features of the attachment 40 to define only one possible orientation of the connector 60 relative to the attachment 40. Depending on the configuration of the connector 60 and the attachment 40, the first and second abutment surfaces in combination with the fastener holes 70, 47 may form such alignment features.

[0083] Referring particularly to Figs. 8 and 9 and to Fig. 14, the mounting plate 61 may be configured to be slidably adjustable in the connection plane Pc, relative to the quick coupler attachment 40, in the length dimension DI, when fixed to the quick coupler attachment 40 in the use position. The sliding adjustment may be facilitated by elongate fastener holes 70 as mentioned above, to allow movement of the fasteners 80 in the fastener holes 70.

[0084] Conveniently, such sliding adjustment may occur responsive to the shear force Fs that is applied by the tool 1 that reacts force applied by the machine 10, via the tool mount 63, to the mounting plate 61 in use (Fig. 14). After tightening the fasteners 80 to clamp the first connector 60 to the attachment 40 in the position of Fig. 8, the shear force Fs is reacted by friction between the first and second connection surfaces 42, 62 until large enough to overcome the friction connection, at which point it causes sliding movement of the first connector 60 in the connection plane Pc to bring the first and second abutment surfaces 45, 65 into contact as shown in Fig. 9, arresting further movement.

[0085] Figs. 10 - 12 show how the first connector 60 is used to connect the dangling tool 1, via the conventional attachment 40, to the quick coupler 20 mounted on the work machine 10. The machine operator operates the quick coupler 20 to selectively engage and disengage the quick coupler attachment 40 so as to releasably mount the fixable tool 100, via the first connector assembly comprising the first connector 60 fixed to the quick coupler attachment 40, for manipulation on the work machine 10. The machine 10 is then operated to raise the dangling tool 1 so that it is suspended from the first connector assembly 60, 40 and operable, e.g. to pull and move the workpiece or material as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

[0086] The actuator or actuators 3 of the tool 1 may be releasably coupled to a hydraulic or other power supply system of the work machine 10. In this way the tool 1 is operable by the machine operator who commands the hydraulic or other power supply system of the work machine 10 to control the actuators 3 of the dangling tool 1. The dangling tool 1 may be releasably coupled to other systems of the machine 10, for example, fluid supply systems or communications systems, e.g. signal or sensing lines.

[0087] The connector 60 or the quick coupler attachment 40 may include a conductor coupling assembly (not shown) that engages and disengages a corresponding coupling assembly of the quick coupler (e.g. a set of zero loss couplers), so as to couple and decouple respective conductors (e.g. hydraulic or other fluid hoses and / or electrical cables, not shown) terminating at the quick coupler 20 with corresponding conductors (not shown) of the dangling tool 1.

[0088] Alternatively, flexible hoses or other conductors may be led through a conductor aperture (not shown) in the connector 60 and / or the quick coupler attachment 40 (for example, through aligned conductor apertures opening through the first and second connection surfaces 42, 62), or they may be led around the connector 60 and / or quick coupler attachment 40, so as to couple the dangling tool 1 to corresponding power or signal lines or other fluid supply systems of the work machine 10. Industrial Applicability

[0089] The novel connector 60 makes it possible to connect a dangling tool 1, via a standard quick coupler attachment 40 configured for use with fixable tools, to a quick coupler 20 mounted on a work machine 10. This avoids the need for a special quick coupler attachment 140 that is configured to match both the tool 1 and the quick coupler 20, thus reducing costs and inventory.

[0090] Advantageously, both the connector 60 and the quick coupler 40 may share a standard pattern of fastener holes 47, 70, configured for use with fixable tools, that provides a standardised interface between the dangling tool 1 and the attachment 40.

[0091] By way of example, a machine operator may have two different machines with two different, first and second quick couplers, and a set of first and second attachments that fit respectively the first and second quick couplers and share the same standard pattern of fastener holes so that they can be used to mount any of a selection of fixable tools on each respective machine.

[0092] If the operator buys a new dangling tool, it can be connected to the novel connector that has a tool mount configured to match the new tool, and the same standard pattern of fastener holes as the first and second attachments. The novel connector can be fixed to either one of the first and second attachments, making it possible to mount the new tool via the existing attachments on either of the two machines.

[0093] For an operator with a large fleet of machines with quick couplers and tools made by a number of different manufacturers, the novel connector can deliver a considerable saving in cost and inventory.

[0094] Since the standard quick coupler attachment 40 is designed to react forces acting generally perpendicular to the first connection surface 42, the first connector 60 is provided with a shear abutment 64 defining a second abutment surface 65 that abuts an opposed, first abutment surface 45 the attachment 40 to react shear forces Fs acting in the connection plane Pc between the two components. The contact between the opposed abutment surfaces 45, 65 relieves the shear forces Fs generated in use by pulling on the dangling tool 1 from the fasteners 80 which handle the remaining loads. By arranging for the first connector 60 to be slidable in the connection plane Pc, the assembly 60, 40 is made tolerant of manufacturing variations in the position of the first abutment surface 45 between different attachments 40, and is self adjusting in use to bring the opposed abutment surfaces 45, 65 together under load.

[0095] Fig. 15 illustrates the steps of the method for connecting the dangling tool 1 via the quick coupler attachment 40 to the quick coupler 20 mounted on the work machine 10. It will be appreciated that the steps A, B, C can be carried out simultaneously or in any order.

[0096] Step A is fixing the mounting plate 61 to the quick coupler attachment 40, via a plurality of fasteners 80, in a use position wherein the first and second connection surfaces 42, 62 are opposed, and the plurality of fasteners 80 act in tension perpendicular to the connection plane Pc.

[0097] Step B is connecting the dangling tool 1 to the tool mount 63 for use in a suspended position, wherein in the suspended position, the dangling tool 1 is suspended from the tool mount 63 and pivotable relative to the mounting plate 61.

[0098] Step C is arranging the first and second abutment surfaces 45, 65 in opposed relation in the use position to react forces acting in the connection plane Pc.

[0099] The method may further include slidingly adjusting the mounting plate 61, in the connection plane Pc, relative to the quick coupler attachment 40, in the length dimension DI, to bring the second abutment surface 65 into abutment with the first abutment surface 45. Conveniently, this can be done by the shear forces Fs applied when the tool 1 is suspended from the machine 10 in use.

[00100] In summary, a dangling tool 1 is pivotably connected to a connector 60 that is fixed to a quick coupler attachment 40 designed for use with a different, fixable tool 100 to form a connector assembly 60, 40. The quick coupler attachment 40 is engaged with a quick coupler 20 on a work machine 10 to suspend the dangling tool 1 from the connector assembly 60, 40. The connector 60 includes a shear abutment 64 defining a second abutment surface 65 that contacts a corresponding first abutment surface 45 of the quick coupler attachment 40 to react shear forces Fs acting in the connection plane Pc between the two components 60, 40. The connector 60 may be slidably adjustable on the quick coupler attachment 40 to bring the abutment surfaces 45, 65 into contact.

[00101] The connector 60 and the attachment 40 may be fabricated or otherwise formed (e.g. cast or forged) from steel.

[00102] In alternative embodiments, the novel connector may be shaped differently to the illustrated example. For example, the tool mount may be configured differently from that illustrated to fit any particular dangling tool. The tool mount could be arranged elsewhere on the connector, for example, to extend from the first end 66 of the mounting plate 61 rather than from the side opposite the second connection surface 62.

[00103] In alternative embodiments, the tool mount of the novel connector may define more than one pivot axis, for example, including a movable part (not shown) that is pivotable relative to the mounting plate 61, wherein the dangling tool 1 is connectable to the movable part. The novel connector could be used to suspend any dangling tool for use on any work machine.

[00104] The quick coupler and quick coupler attachment can have any of various different shapes and configurations as well known in the art, and the examples shown herein merely serve to illustrate how the novel connector is used in practice. For example, whereas the illustrated quick coupler and quick coupler attachment have, respectively, male and female interface features, the quick coupler might include recesses defining female interface features that engage corresponding male interface features, e.g. bars, stubs, or protrusions of the quick coupler attachment.

[00105] The first abutment surface may be any surface of the quick coupler attachment that is non-parallel with the first connection surface, with the shear abutment and second abutment surface of the connector being configured accordingly. In alternative embodiments, multiple second abutment surfaces may be arranged on one or more shear abutments of the connector to engage multiple first abutment surfaces of the attachment.

[00106] Many further adaptations are possible within the scope of the claims.

[00107] In the claims, reference numerals and characters are provided in parentheses, purely for ease of reference, and should not be construed as limiting features. LIST OF ELEMENTS TITLE: Apparatus and method for connecting a dangling tool to a quick coupler FILE: 23-0107 GB01 1 Dangling grapple 2 Tool body 3 Actuator 4 Claw 5 Swivel connection 6 Yoke 7 Pin 10 Work machine 11 Machine body 12 Boom 13 Stick 14 Hydraulic actuator 20 Quick coupler 21 Body 23 Lock 24 Hydraulic actuator 26 Interface features 40 Quick coupler attachment for fixable tool 41 Mounting plate 42 First connection surface 43 Interface feature First abutment surface Interface feature Fastener holes First end of mounting plate Second end of mounting plate Connector Mounting plate Second connection surface Tool mount Shear abutment Second abutment surface First end of mounting plate Second end of mounting plate First side of mounting plate Second side of mounting plate Fastener holes Fasteners Fixable tool Mounting plate Fastener holes Quick coupler attachment for dangling tool Base plate Interface feature Interface feature Length dimension Dw Width dimension Pc Connection plane Xp Pivot axis of tool mount

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A connector (60) for connecting a dangling tool (1), via a quick coupler attachment (40), to a quick coupler (20) mounted on a work machine (10);the quick coupler attachment (40) having a first connection surface (42) configured to receive a fixable tool (100) fixed to the quick coupler attachment (40), and a first abutment surface (45) non-parallel with the first connection surface (42);the quick coupler (20) being operable to selectively engage and disengage the quick coupler attachment (40) so as to releasably mount the fixable tool (100), via the quick coupler attachment (40), for manipulation on the work machine (10);the connector (60) including:a mounting plate (61) having a second connection surface (62) extending in a connection plane (Pc);a tool mount (63) extending from the mounting plate (61); anda shear abutment (64) defining a second abutment surface (65);the mounting plate (61) being fixable to the quick coupler attachment (40), via a plurality of fasteners (80), in a use position wherein the first and second connection surfaces (42, 62) are opposed, and the plurality of fasteners (80) act in tension perpendicular to the connection plane (Pc);the tool mount (63) being connectable to a dangling tool (1) to suspend the dangling tool (1) from the tool mount (63) in a suspended position, wherein in the suspended position, the dangling tool (1) is pivotable relative to the mounting plate (61);the shear abutment (64) extending in fixed relation from the mounting plate (61) across the connection plane (Pc);the second abutment surface (65) being opposed to the first abutment surface (45) in the use position to react forces acting in the connection plane (Pc).

2. A connector (60) according to claim 1, wherein the second connection surface (62) extends in length and width dimensions (DI, Dw) of the mounting plate (61) between first and second ends (66, 67) and first and second sides (68, 69) of the mounting plate (61); the first and second ends (66, 67) being spaced apart in the length dimension (DI), the first and second sides (68, 69) being spaced apart in the width dimension (Dw); andthe second abutment surface (65) faces towards the first end (66).

3. A connector (60) according to claim 2, wherein the tool mount (63) is closer to the first end (66) than to the second end (67).

4. A connector (60) according to claim 2, wherein the mounting plate (61) is configured to be slidably adjustable in the connection plane (Pc), relative to the quick coupler attachment (40), in the length dimension (DI), when fixed to the quick coupler attachment (40) in the use position.

5. A connector (60) according to claim 4, wherein the mounting plate (61) includes fastener holes (70) opening through the second connection surface (62) to receive the plurality of fasteners (80); and the fastener holes (70) are elongate in the length dimension (DI).

6. A connector (60) according to claim 4, wherein the tool mount (63) is closer to the first end (66) than to the second end (67).

7. A connector (60) according to claim 3 or claim 6, wherein the tool mount (63) is equidistant between the first and second sides (68, 69).

8. A connector (60) according to claim 2, wherein the shear abutment (64) is arranged proximate the second end (67).

9. A connector (60) according to claim 8, wherein the shear abutment (64) extends substantially from the first side (68) to the second side (69).

10. A connector (60) according to claim 1, wherein the tool mount (63) defines at least one pivot axis (Xp), and the dangling tool (1) is pivotable about the at least one pivot axis (Xp) in the suspended position.

11. An assembly including:a connector (60) according to claim 1,a quick coupler attachment (40), anda dangling tool (1);the quick coupler attachment (40) having a first connection surface (42) configured to receive a fixable tool (100) fixed to the quick coupler attachment (40), and a first abutment surface (45) non-parallel with the first connection surface (42);the dangling tool (1) being connected to the tool mount (63) for use in the suspended position and pivotable relative to the mounting plate (61);the second abutment surface (65) being opposed to the first abutment surface (45) in the use position to react forces acting in the connection plane (Pc).

12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein:the dangling tool (1) includes a tool body (2), at least one actuator (3), and at least one moving part (4);the actuator (3) being operable to pivot the at least one moving part (4) relative to the tool body (1); andthe tool mount (63) is connectable to the tool body (1) to suspend the tool body (1) from the tool mount (63) in the suspended position.

13. A method for connecting a dangling tool (1), via a quick coupler attachment (40), to a quick coupler (20) mounted on a work machine (10);the quick coupler attachment (40) having a first connection surface (42) configured to receive a fixable tool (100) fixed to the quick coupler attachment (40), and a first abutment surface (45) non-parallel with the first connection surface (42);the quick coupler (20) being operable to selectively engage and disengage the quick coupler attachment (40) so as to releasably mount the fixable tool (100), via the quick coupler attachment (40), for manipulation on the work machine (10);the method including:providing a connector (60), the connector (60) including:a mounting plate (61) having a second connection surface (62) extending in a connection plane (Pc);a tool mount (63) extending from the mounting plate (61); anda shear abutment (64) defining a second abutment surface (65), the shear abutment (64) extending in fixed relation from the mounting plate (61) across the connection plane (Pc);fixing the mounting plate (61) to the quick coupler attachment (40), via a plurality of fasteners (80), in a use position wherein the first and second connection surfaces (42, 62) are opposed, and the plurality of fasteners (80) act in tension perpendicular to the connection plane (Pc);connecting the dangling tool (1) to the tool mount (63) for use in a suspended position, wherein in the suspended position, the dangling tool (1) is suspended from the tool mount (63) and pivotable relative to the mounting plate (61); andarranging the first and second abutment surfaces (45, 65) in opposed relation in the use position to react forces acting in the connection plane (Pc).

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the second connection surface (62) extends in length and width dimensions (DI, Dw) of the mounting plate (61) between first and second ends (66, 67) and first and second sides (68, 69) of the mounting plate (61); the first and second sides (68, 69) being spaced apart in the width dimension (Dw), the first and second ends (66, 67) being spaced apart in the length dimension (DI); the method further including:arranging the second abutment surface (65) to face towards the first end (66).

15. A method according to claim 14, further including: arranging the tool mount (63) closer to the first end (66) than to the second end (67).

16. A method according to claim 14, further including: slidingly adjusting the mounting plate (61), in the connection plane (Pc), relative to the quick coupler attachment (40), in the length dimension (DI), to bring the second abutment surface (65) into abutment with the first abutment surface (45).

17. A method according to claim 16, further including: arranging the tool mount (63) closer to the first end (66) than to the second end (67).

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