A locking mechanism

Abstract

A locking mechanism 10 for a quick coupler A has a movable locking element 11. A biasing element 13 is adapted to bias the locking element 11 to move in a first direction. An operator 12 is arranged to move the locking element 11 against the bias of the biasing element 13. The locking element 11 has teeth or serrations 19 which, when the locking element 11 is moved by the biasing element 13 in the first direction, is engageable with further teeth or serrations 20 coupled to a movable wedge element F of the quick coupler A to lock the wedge element 11 against movement. The movement of the locking element 11 creates a compressive force that causes the teeth/serrations 19, 20 to positively mesh and remain meshed.

1 . A locking mechanism for a quick coupler the locking mechanism including a movable locking element, biasing means adapted to bias the locking element to move in a first direction and an operator arranged to move the locking element against the bias of the biasing means, the locking element has engagement means which, when the locking element is moved by the biasing means in the first direction, is engagable with further engagement means coupled to a movable wedge element of a quick coupler to lock the wedge element from moving. 
     
     
         2 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the biasing means is a mechanical biasing mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the mechanical biasing mechanism is at least one spring. 
     
     
         4 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 2  for wherein the operator is an hydraulically operated linear actuator. 
     
     
         5 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the operator is operated by hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure source of the operating means for the wedge element. 
     
     
         6 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the engagement means and further engagement means are both formed by a plurality of teeth that are arranged to intermesh. 
     
     
         7 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 6  wherein movement of the locking element creates a compressive force that causes the teeth to positively mesh and remain meshed. 
     
     
         8 . A locking mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims  claim 6  further including a stop that is engagable with the locking element when the locking element is restrained by the operator to thereby create a clearance between the engagement means and further engagement means. 
     
     
         9 . A locking mechanism as claimed in preceding claims  claim 6  wherein the further engagement means are part of a catch component that is adapted to couple to the movable element. 
     
     
         10 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the locking element is movably coupled to a drive component. 
     
     
         11 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the locking element and drive component have inter-engaging drive faces adapted translate movement of the locking element by the biasing means into a lateral movement of the locking element. 
     
     
         12 . A locking mechanism as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the locking element and drive component further include slidingly engaged rails and guides. 
     
     
         13 . A quick coupler that includes a movable element, operating means to move the movable element, a movable locking element, biasing means adapted to bias the locking element to move in a first direction and an operator arranged to restrain the locking element against movement in the first direction, the locking element has engagement means which, when the locking element is permitted to be moved by the biasing means in the first direction in the event of failure of hydraulic supply to the operating means, is engagable with the movable element to lock the movable element against movement. 
     
     
         14 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the biasing means is a mechanical biasing mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the engagement means and further engagement means are both formed by a plurality of teeth that are arranged to intermesh, wherein movement of the locking element creates a compressive force that causes the teeth to positively mesh and remain meshed. 
     
     
         16 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 15  further including a stop that is engagable with the locking element when the locking element is restrained by the operator to thereby create a clearance between the engagement means and further engagement means. 
     
     
         17 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the further engagement means are part of a catch component that is adapted to couple to the movable element. 
     
     
         18 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the locking element is movably coupled to a drive component. 
     
     
         19 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the operator is an hydraulically operated linear actuator that is operated by hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure source of the operating means for the movable element. 
     
     
         20 . A quick coupler as claimed in  claim 15  wherein there is a plurality of locking mechanisms. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)