Work tool coupler linkage

Abstract

An electrically actuated coupling device for a machine and an implement is disclosed. The device includes a frame and an electric motor coupled to a drive shaft that extends between right and left ends of the frame. The motor causes the shaft to extend or retract from each end of the frame simultaneously. Each end of the frame includes a guide for receiving a latch. Each latch is pivotally coupled to a spring and each spring is pivotally coupled to a specially shaped lever which is pivotally coupled to the frame as well as an end of the shaft. The electric motor may be activated by the operator from within the cab.

1 . An electrically actuated coupling device, comprising:
 a frame having a right end and a left end;   an actuator or extendable member extending between the right and left ends of the frame, the actuator causing the extendable member to expand outwards towards the right and left ends of the frame simultaneously and to retract inwards away from the left and right ends of the frame simultaneously;   the right end of the frame including a right guide for slidably receiving a right latch, the left end of the frame including a left guide for slidably receiving a left latch;   the right latch pivotally coupled to a right spring, the right spring pivotally coupling the right latch to a right lever at a first pivot point, the right lever being pivotally connected to the frame at a second pivot point, the right lever being pivotally connected to the shaft at a third pivot point;   the left latch pivotally coupled to a left spring, the left spring pivotally coupling the left latch to a left lever at a fourth pivot point, the left lever being pivotally connected to the frame at a fifth pivot point, the left lever being pivotally connected to the shaft at a sixth pivot point;   wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°; and   wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling device of  claim 1  wherein the second and third pivot points are separated by a first length, the first and second pivot points are separated by a second length and the first length is greater than the second length; and
 wherein the fifth and sixth pivot points are separated by a third length, the fourth and fifth pivot points are separated by a fourth length and the third length is greater than the fourth length. 
 
     
     
         3 . The coupling device of  claim 2  wherein a ratio of the first length to the second length ranges from greater than 1 to about 1.75; and
 a ratio of the third length to the fourth length ranges from greater than 1 to about 1.75. 
 
     
     
         4 . The coupling device of  claim 3  wherein the ratios range from greater than 1.31 to about 1.45. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling device of  claim 1  wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°; and
 wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°. 
 
     
     
         6 . The coupling device of  claim 1  wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from greater than 27° to less than 31°; and
 wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from greater than 27° to less than 31°. 
 
     
     
         7 . The coupling device of  claim 1  wherein an angle between a second line extending through the second and third pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from greater than 10° to less than 25°; and
 wherein an angle between a fourth line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from greater than 10° to less than 25°. 
 
     
     
         8 . The coupling device of  claim 1  wherein an angle between a second line extending through the second and third pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°; and
 wherein an angle between a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°. 
 
     
     
         9 . A machine comprising:
 a cab;   right and left lift arms coupled to a frame having a right end and a left end;   an actuator with an extendable member extending between the right and left ends of the frame, the actuator causing the extendable member to expand outwards towards the right and left ends of the frame simultaneously and to retract inwards away from the left and right ends of the frame simultaneously;   the right end of the frame including a right guide for slidably receiving a right latch, the left end of the frame including a left guide for slidably receiving a left latch;   the right latch pivotally coupled to a right spring, the right spring pivotally coupling the right latch to a right lever at a first pivot point, the right lever being pivotally connected to the frame at a second pivot point, the right lever being pivotally connected to the shaft at a third pivot point;   the left latch pivotally coupled to a left spring, the left spring pivotally coupling the left latch to a left lever at a fourth pivot point, the left lever being pivotally connected to the frame at a fifth pivot point, the left lever being pivotally connected to the shaft at a sixth pivot point; and   wherein the second and third pivot points are separated by a first length, the first and second pivot points are separated by a second length and the first length is greater than the second length;   wherein the fifth and sixth pivot points are separated by a third length, the fourth and fifth pivot points are separated by a fourth length and the third length is greater than the fourth length; and   wherein a ratio of the first length to the second length ranges from greater than 1.31 to less than 1.75, and a ratio of the third length to the fourth length ranges from greater than 1.31 to less than 1.75.   
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9  wherein the ratios range from greater than 1.31 to about 1.45. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 9  wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°; and
 wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°. 
 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 9  wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from about 27° to about 31°; and
 wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from about 27° to about 31°. 
 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 9  wherein an angle between a second line extending through the second and third pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from greater than 10° to less than 25°; and
 wherein an angle between a fourth line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from greater than 10° to less than 25°. 
 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 9  wherein an angle between a second line extending through the second and third pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°; and
 wherein an angle between a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method for coupling and decoupling a tool to and from a machine having right and left lift arms, the method comprising:
 coupling a frame having a right end and a left end to the right and left lift arms, the frame supporting an actuator with an extendable member extending between the right and left ends of the frame, the right end of the frame including a right guide for slidably receiving a right latch, the left end of the frame including a left guide for slidably receiving a left latch, the right latch pivotally coupled to a right spring, the right spring pivotally coupling the right latch to a right lever at a first pivot point, the right lever being pivotally connected to the frame at a second pivot point, the right lever being pivotally connected to the shaft at a third pivot point, and the left latch pivotally coupled to a left spring, the left spring pivotally coupling the left latch to a left lever at a fourth pivot point, the left lever being pivotally connected to the frame at a fifth pivot point, the left lever being pivotally connected to the shaft at a sixth pivot point;   aligning the right and left latches with right and left openings in the tool;   activating the actuator to extend the extendable member outwards towards the right and left ends of the frame thereby causing the right and left latches to be received in the right and left openings of the tool; and   activating the actuator to retract the extendable member inwards away from the right and left ends of the frame thereby causing the right and left latches to be withdrawn from the right and left openings of the tool;   wherein an angle between a second line extending through the second and third pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18° and wherein an angle between a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the second and third pivot points are separated by a first length, the first and second pivot points are separated by a second length;
 wherein the fifth and sixth pivot points are separated by a third length, the fourth and fifth pivot points are separated by a fourth length; and 
 wherein ratios of the first length to the second length and the third length to the second length range from greater than 1.31 to less than 1.75. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the second and third pivot points are separated by a first length, the first and second pivot points are separated by a second length;
 wherein the fifth and sixth pivot points are separated by a third length, the fourth and fifth pivot points are separated by a fourth length; and 
 wherein ratios of the first length to the second length and the third length to the second length range from greater than 1.32 to about 1.40. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°; and
 wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from greater than 20° to less than 35°. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein an angle between a first line extending through the first and second pivot points and a second line extending through the second and third pivot points ranges from about 27° to about 31°; and
 wherein an angle between a third line extending through the fourth and fifth pivot points and a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points ranges from about 27° to about 31°. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein an angle between a second line extending through the second and third pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°; and
 wherein an angle between a fourth line extending through the fifth and sixth pivot points and an axis of the shaft ranges from about 13° to about 18°.