Couplers

Abstract

A coupler for attaching an implement to a machine, the coupler including a body portion, a first jaw configured to engage a first attachment portion associated with the implement; a moveable jaw configured to engage a second attachment portion associated with the implement; and a first sensor located on the body portion configured to detect the presence of the implement adjacent to the body portion and to indicate one of a safe position in which the implement is securely held by the coupler and an unsafe position in which the implement is not securely held by the coupler.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A coupler for attaching an implement to a machine, wherein the implement includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the coupler including:
 a body portion;   a first jaw configured to engage the first attachment portion;   a moveable jaw;   an actuator configured to move the moveable jaw with respect to the body portion between an engaging position in which it engages a second attachment portion associated with the implement and a disengaging position in which it does not engage the second attachment portion; and   a first sensor located on the body portion configured to detect the presence of the implement adjacent to the body portion;   a sensor configured to determine if the first attachment portion is engaged by the first jaw;   an indicator unit configured to provide an indication to a user that the first sensor detects the presence of the implement adjacent to the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first jaw is a fixed jaw. 
     
     
         3 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fixed jaw is formed integrally with the body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coupler is configured to attach to an articulated arm. 
     
     
         5 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first jaw is configured to engage with a first attachment portion in the form of a pin. 
     
     
         6 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first jaw is substantially ‘U’ shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the moveable jaw is slidably coupled to the body portion so that the moveable jaw moves in a sliding motion between the engaging position and the non-engaging position. 
     
     
         8 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , including a sensor configured to detect whether the movable jaw is in the engaging position. 
     
     
         9 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , including a sensor configured to detect whether the movable jaw is in the non-engaging position. 
     
     
         10 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable jaw includes a substantially ‘U’ shaped engaging portion configured to receive the second attachment portion. 
     
     
         11 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is located proximate the moveable jaw. 
     
     
         12 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first sensor is positioned so as to abut a portion of an implement when, in use, the implement is positioned such that the second attachment portion is engageable by the moveable jaw. 
     
     
         13 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first sensor is positioned so as to abut the second attachment portion of the implement, or part thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The coupler as claimed in  claim 1 , including a third sensor configured to detect the presence of the first attachment portion within the first jaw. 
     
     
         15 . A system for coupling an implement to a machine, the system including:
 a coupler having a body portion including a fixed jaw attached to the body portion and configured to engage a first attachment portion associated with the implement; a moveable jaw moveably attached to the body portion and configured to engage a second attachment portion associated with the implement;   an attachment between the coupler and the machine, the attachment configured to impart a rotation to the coupler about a pivot axis parallel to a width of the fixed jaw, wherein, in use, rotation of the coupler about the pivot axis allows the body portion of the coupler to be rotated relative to the implement first attachment portion, and   a first sensor located on the body portion configured to detect the presence of the implement adjacent to the body portion when the moveable jaw is not engaged with the implement and at a location spaced apart from the fixed jaw.   
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , including a second sensor configured to detect whether the movable jaw is in an engaging position. 
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , including a second sensor configured to detect whether the movable jaw is in a non-engaging position. 
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , including a third sensor configured to detect the presence of the first attachment portion within the fixed jaw. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , including an indicator unit that indicates a sensor status. 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the indicator unit is located remotely to the coupler. 
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , integrated with, or coupled to, a control system associated with the machine to which the coupler is attached. 
     
     
         22 . The system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the control system associated with the machine to which the coupler is attached limits one or more functions of the machine if in use, the second attachment portion of the implement is detected as not being adjacent to the body portion of the coupler. 
     
     
         23 . A method of coupling an implement to a machine using a coupler, the coupler having a body portion including a fixed jaw attached to the body portion and configured to engage a first attachment portion associated with the implement; a moveable jaw moveably attached to the body portion and configured to engage a second attachment portion associated with the implement, and a first sensor located on the body portion and configured to detect when the second attachment portion of the implement is adjacent to the body portion when the moveable jaw is not engaged with the implement and therefore in a position in which it can be engaged by the moveable jaw, the method including the steps of:
 a) engaging the implement first attachment portion with the fixed jaw;   b) rotating the coupler about a pivot axis parallel to a width of the fixed jaw so as to rotate the body portion towards the implement;   c) detecting, by way of the first sensor, whether the second attachment portion of the implement is in a position in which it can be engaged by the moveable jaw;   d) outputting a signal indicative of whether the second attachment portion is in a position in which it can be engaged by the moveable jaw.