Coupler with unitary mounting flanges

Abstract

A coupler for coupling attachments to a construction machine includes unitary mounting flanges for connecting the coupler body and the machine. The unitary mounting flange eliminates machining and/or shimming of the flanges after welding to the coupler body.

I (We) claim: 
     
         1 . A unitary mounting flange for connecting a coupler body to a machine, said mounting flange comprising:
 (a) a coupler interface portion including a coupler interface surface spaced apart from an opposing first surface; and   (b) a machine interface portion united with said coupler interface portion and including a machine interface surface spaced apart from said first surface a lesser distance than said coupler interface surface.   
     
     
         2 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  wherein said coupler interface surface and said machine interface surface are substantially planar and said machine interface surface is substantially parallel to said coupler interface surface. 
     
     
         3 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  further comprising a second machine interface surface substantially parallel to said first machine interface surface. 
     
     
         4 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 3  wherein said second machine interface surface is substantially co-planar with said first machine interface surface. 
     
     
         5 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  further comprising a third portion united with said coupler interface portion and said machine interface portion and having a second surface spaced apart from said first surface a lesser distance than said coupler interface surface. 
     
     
         6 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  further comprising a third portion united with said coupler interface portion and said machine interface portion and having a second surface spaced apart from said first surface a lesser distance than said machine interface surface. 
     
     
         7 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  further comprising a second machine interface surface substantially parallel to said machine interface surface. 
     
     
         8 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  wherein said coupler interface surface is further defined by a perimeter edge of said coupler interface portion and a second edge spaced apart from said perimeter edge and extending substantially parallel to a portion of said perimeter edge, said second edge defining a relief surface spaced apart from said first surface a lesser distance than said coupler interface surface. 
     
     
         9 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  further comprising a cast web portion uniting a cast coupler interface portion and a cast machine interface portion. 
     
     
         10 . The unitary mounting flange of  claim 1  further comprising a forged web portion uniting a forged coupler interface portion and a forged machine interface portion. 
     
     
         11 . A coupler for securing an attachment to a machine, said coupler comprising:
 (a) a coupler body; and   (b) a unitary mounting flange comprising:
 (i) a coupler interface portion including a coupler interface surface spaced apart from an opposing first surface, said unitary, mounting flange affixed to said coupler body with said coupler interface surface abutting said coupler body; and 
 (ii) a machine interface portion united with said coupler interface portion and including a machine interface surface spaced apart from said first surface a lesser distance than said coupler interface surface, said machine interface portion defining an aperture to receive a pin for securing said coupler to said machine. 
   
     
     
         12 . The coupler of  11  further comprising a web portion of said unitary mounting flange, said web portion uniting said coupler interface portion of said unitary mounting flange with said machine interface portion of said unitary mounting flange. 
     
     
         13 . The coupler of  claim 12  wherein said web portion, said coupler interface portion and said machine interface portion are cast. 
     
     
         14 . The coupler of  claim 12  wherein said machine interface surfaces comprises:
 (a) a stick interface surface; and 
 (b) a spaced apart control link interface surface. 
 
     
     
         15 . The coupler of  claim 14  wherein said stick interface surface is co-planar with said control link interface surface.