A coupler

Abstract

A coupler assembly for coupling implements of the type having two connecting pins, to a vehicle. The coupler has a body component that is connectable to the vehicle, and the body component includes a forward recess for receiving a first connecting pin of an implement. The coupler also has a movable component which is supported by the body component and which is movable through a range of travel relative to the body component. The movable component includes, or forms a part of an aft recess for receiving a second connecting pin of the implement. An actuator selectively moves the movable component relative to the body component. A rear locking member is a part of the movable component and a rear lock actuator allows the rear locking member to be employed to prevent the second connecting pin from exiting the aft recess.

1 . A coupler assembly for coupling implements having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin, to a vehicle, the coupler having;
 a body component that is connectable to the vehicle, and which includes a forward recess for receiving the first connecting pin,   a movable component which is supported by the body component and which is movable through a range of travel relative to the body component, and which includes, or forms a part of, an aft recess for receiving the second connecting pin, and,   a movable component actuator for selectively moving the movable component relative to the body component,   a rear locking member which is a part of the movable component and which is movable relative to the movable component between an extended position in which the rear locking member prevents the second connecting pin from exiting the aft recess and a retracted position in which the rear locking member does not prevent the second connecting pin exiting the aft recess,   and a rear lock actuator for moving the rear locking member between its extended and retracted positions.   
     
     
         2 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a connection between the rear lock actuator and the rear locking member includes a link member. 
     
     
         3 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the rear locking member and the link member are configured in such a manner that;
 an initial range of movement of the link member pushes the rear locking member from its retracted position to its extended position, and   a second and further range of movement of the link member positions a stop member which prevents movement of the rear locking member away from its extended position.   
     
     
         4 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the stop member is a part of the link member. 
     
     
         5 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear lock actuator is mounted on the movable component. 
     
     
         6 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable component slides relative to the body component. 
     
     
         7 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the link member slides relative to the movable component. 
     
     
         8 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rear locking member is pivotally connected to the movable component. 
     
     
         9 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coupler further includes a forward locking member which is movable relative to the body component between an extended position in which the forward locking member prevents the first connecting pin from exiting the forward recess and a retracted position in which the forward locking member does not prevent the first connecting pin exiting the forward recess. 
     
     
         10 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the coupler includes a forward lock actuator for moving the forward locking member between its extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         11 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the forward lock actuator is pivotally connected to a hydraulic manifold of the coupler assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pivotal connection between the forward lock actuator and the hydraulic manifold is configured to provide a hydraulic fluid flow path between the hydraulic manifold and the forward lock actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a hydraulic system of the coupler includes sequence valves to control the sequence of operation of the movable component actuator, the rear lock actuator and the forward lock actuator during any engagement and/or disengagement processes. 
     
     
         14 . A coupler assembly for coupling implements having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin, to a vehicle, the coupler assembly having;
 a forward recess for receiving the first connecting pin,   an aft recess for receiving the second connecting pin,   a forward locking member for securing the first connecting pin within the forward recess,   a hydraulic system including at least one actuator configured to enable the coupler assembly to positively engage with the first and second connecting pins of an implement, and   the hydraulic system also including at least one hydraulic manifold block;   
       wherein the coupler assembly also includes a hydraulic forward lock actuator which is supported on, and receives a hydraulic supply from, the hydraulic manifold block. 
     
     
         15 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein forward lock actuator is pivotally connected to the hydraulic manifold block. 
     
     
         16 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the hydraulic supply from the hydraulic manifold block to the forward lock actuator passes through the pivotal connection between the forward lock actuator and the hydraulic manifold block. 
     
     
         17 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the forward lock actuator is a single acting actuator with a spring return mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . A vehicle incorporating at least one coupler substantially as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method of disengaging a work attachment or implement from a coupler having a body and a movable component, including the steps of;
 operating a forward lock actuator to move a forward locking member from an extended position to a retracted position,   operating a rear lock actuator to move a rear locking member from an extended position to a retracted position,   and when the rear locking member is in its retracted position, operating a movable component actuator to move a movable component out of engagement with a rear pin of the work attachment,   and then disengaging a forward pin of the work attachment from the body.   
     
     
         20 . The coupler assembly as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the method of disengaging includes an automatic operation of the forward lock actuator to move the forward locking member from the retracted position to the extended position a pre-determined time period after the operation of the forward lock actuator, the rear lock actuator or the movable component actuator to disengage the coupler from an implement.