Connector for earth moving implements

Abstract

A connector for connecting an implement to a digger or other prime mover is mountable on the digger and has a recess for receiving a connecting pin mounted on the implement. The connecting pin is retained in the recess by a retaining pin that is mounted on the connector. The retaining pin has a head that is seated on a face of the recess and a cylindrical tail portion that is received in a passage formed in the connector to secure the retaining pin on the connector with the head projecting into the recess adjacent the connecting pin. There is clearance between the head and the connecting pin and the head is shaped so that the clearance is reduced to a minimum when the retaining pin is rotated in the passage. The connector advantageously comprises spaced apart side walls joined together by across member in the form of a bent plate.

1 . Apparatus for connecting an implement to a prime mover, the apparatus including a connector that is mountable on the prime mover and has at least one recess for receiving a connecting pin mounted on the implement to enable the connector to engage the implement, CHARACTERISED IN THAT means is provided for mounting on the connector a retaining element positioned so that a head of the retaining element serves to retain the connecting pin in the recess.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the retaining element has a tail portion connected to the head and the connector has a formation in which the tail portion can be inserted and which serves to secure the retaining element on the connector with the head of the retaining element projecting into the recess adjacent the connecting pin.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the dimensions of the retaining element and the formation are such that there is a clearance between the head and the connecting pin which clearance is reduced when the retaining element is rotated after the tail portion has been inserted in the formation.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the tail portion and the formation have a common axis about which the tail portion is rotated.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT at least a portion of the head is larger than the formation so that the head is unable to enter the formation.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the head has a face that bears on a face of the connector after the tail portion has been inserted in the formation.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the face of the connector is at least partly located in, the recess.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the connector comprises spaced apart side walls joined together by a cross member that is prefabricated and in which the recess is formed before the cross member is joined to the side walls.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the connector comprises spaced apart side walls joined together by a cross member in the form of a plate that is bent to form the before the cross member is joined to the side walls.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , CHARACTERISED IN THAT the formation is formed in the cross member before the cross member is joined to the side walls.