Quick connect mechanism

Abstract

A coupling device for coupling a tool to a motor grader machine includes a main body assembly, a wedge assembly attached to the main body assembly, wherein the wedge assembly is configured to rigidly secure the tool to the main body assembly. A retainer assembly may be attached to the main body assembly, wherein the retainer assembly is configured to mount directly to a tool mount assembly of the motor grader machine.

1 . A coupling device for coupling a tool to a motor grader machine, comprising:
 a main body assembly;   a wedge assembly attached to the main body assembly, the wedge assembly is configured to secure the tool to the main body assembly; and   a retainer assembly attached to the main body assembly, wherein the retainer assembly is configured to mount directly to a tool mount assembly of the motor grader machine.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool mount assembly includes a drawbar and circle assembly of the machine. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retainer assembly includes a slide rail assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling device according to  claim 3 , wherein the tool mount assembly includes a retaining assembly configured to receive the slide rail assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling device according to  claim 4 , wherein the tool mount assembly further includes a sideshift cylinder connected to the main body assembly to provide lateral movement to the main body assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wedge assembly is movable between a coupling and decoupling position and the coupling device further includes an engagement indicator coupled to the wedge assembly to indicate the coupling and decoupling position. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling device according to  claim 6 , wherein the wedge assembly includes a hydraulic actuator having a rod coupled to a pin for engaging a locking surface of the tool to rigidly connect the tool to the main body assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pin includes a Belleville spring stack. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling device according to  claim 8 , wherein the wedge assembly produces approximately 18-20 kilonewtons of force to rigidly connect the tool to the main body assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling device according to  claim 7 , wherein the wedge assembly further includes a cam member and a connecting rod, the connecting rod being coupled to the hydraulic actuator by the cam member, the cam member being displaced past a center point location of the pin to lock said pin in a final engagement with the tool. 
     
     
         11 . The coupling device according to  claim 10 , wherein the hydraulic actuator, the cam, and the connecting rod are disposed within an interior of the main body assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein the interior of the main body assembly includes at least two hydraulic actuators for translating movement to at least two pins, at least two cams connecting to respective hydraulic actuator, and at least two connecting rods, each connecting rod coupling a respective pin to a respective cam. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wedge assembly includes at least one first wedge surface corresponding to at least one first mating surface of the tool and at least one second wedge surface corresponding to at least one second mating surface of the tool, wherein the at least one first wedge surface is translated away from the at least one second wedge surface to lockingly engage the corresponding at least one first mating surface and cause the at least one second wedge surface to lockingly engage the at least one second mating surface of the tool in a rigid connection. 
     
     
         14 . A method of coupling a tool to a motor grader machine, comprising:
 mounting a coupling device to a drawbar and circle assembly of the machine; and   mounting a tool to the coupling device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the main body assembly includes a wedge assembly and the tool mounting step includes engaging the wedge assembly to a mounting assembly of the tool to provide a rigid connection and thereby coupling the tool to the machine. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the main body assembly includes a pickup surface and the wedge assembly includes at least one first wedge surface and at least one second wedge surface, the engaging step including disposing the pickup surface within at least one first mating surface of the tool, translating the at least one first wedge surface in a direction away from the at least one second wedge surface into contact with the at least one first mating surface thereby also disposing the at least one second wedge surface into contact with a corresponding at least one second mating surface of the tool to lockingly engage the at least one first mating surface and the at least one second mating surface with the wedge lock couple assembly in a rigid connection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including hydraulically activating the wedge assembly to translate the at least one first wedge surface in a direction away from the at least one second wedge surface and hydraulically deactivating the wedge assembly to translate the at least one first wedge surface in a direction towards the at least one second wedge surface. 
     
     
         18 . A machine for performing displacement, distribution or leveling of material, comprising:
 a drawbar and circle assembly having a tool mount assembly;   a coupling device connected to the tool mount assembly; and   a tool rigidly connected to the coupling device.   
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the coupling device includes a retainer assembly and the tool mount assembly further includes a sideshift mount configured to receive the retainer assembly in sliding engagement. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 18 , wherein the coupling device includes a wedge assembly having at least one first wedge surface corresponding to at least one first mating surface of the tool and at least one second wedge surface corresponding to at least one second mating surface of the tool, wherein the at least one first wedge surface is translated away from the at least one second wedge surface to lockingly engage the corresponding at least one first mating surface and cause the at least one second wedge surface to lockingly engage the at least one second mating surface of the tool in a rigid connection.