System and method of attaching and detaching a loader attachment implement

Abstract

A manual locking subassembly for a loader system of a utility vehicle includes an actuator manually operable from an operator cab of the vehicle and a mechanical linkage extending from the actuator and affixed to a loader attachment carrier rotatable about an axis. Manipulation of the actuator in a first direction moves a linkage member of the mechanical linkage from a first position in which a loader attachment implement is uniformly movable with the attachment carrier to a second position in which the loader attachment implement is non-uniformly movable with the loader attachment carrier.

1 . A loader system for a utility vehicle, the utility vehicle including a cab configured to seat an operator for control of the utility vehicle, the loader system comprising:
 a loader attachment implement;   a loader attachment carrier to selectively couple the loader attachment implement to the utility vehicle; and   a locking subassembly including
 an actuator positioned adjacent the cab, wherein the actuator is manually operable from the cab, and 
 a pin portion adjacent the loader attachment implement and movable in a first direction in response to actuation of the actuator between a locked position and an unlocked position; 
   wherein when the pin portion is in a locked position, the loader attachment implement uniformly moves with the loader attachment carrier, and when the pin portion is in an unlocked position, the loader attachment implement is non-uniformly movable with the loader attachment carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The loader system of  claim 1 , wherein the loader attachment implement includes a protrusion with a first aperture extending through the protrusion, the protrusion configured to receive a portion of the pin portion. 
     
     
         3 . The loader system of  claim 2 , wherein the loader attachment carrier includes an opening configured to receive the protrusion of the loader attachment implement. 
     
     
         4 . The loader system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin portion is biased into the locked position by a biasing member. 
     
     
         5 . The loader system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a flexible cable assembly coupling the actuator and the pin portion. 
     
     
         6 . The loader system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is moveable in a second direction to maintain the pin portion in the locked position. 
     
     
         7 . The loader system of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator is rotationally moveable. 
     
     
         8 . The loader system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is axially movable in the first direction to move the pin portion between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     
     
         9 . The loader system of  claim 1 , wherein the loader attachment carrier moves the loader attachment implement about an axis and the pin portion linearly translates parallel to the axis. 
     
     
         10 . The loader system of  claim 9 , wherein the pin portion outwardly extends from the loader attachment carrier. 
     
     
         11 . A manual locking subassembly for a loader system of a utility vehicle, the manual locking subassembly comprising:
 an actuator manually operable from an operator cab of the vehicle; and   a mechanical linkage extending from the actuator and affixed to a loader attachment carrier, the loader attachment carrier rotatable about an axis, wherein manipulation of the actuator in a first direction moves a linkage member of the mechanical linkage from a first position in which a loader attachment implement is uniformly movable with the attachment carrier to a second position in which the loader attachment implement is non-uniformly movable with the loader attachment carrier.   
     
     
         12 . The loader system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is biased into the first position by a biasing member. 
     
     
         13 . The loader system of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring coupled to the loader attachment carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The loader system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is moveable in a second direction to inhibit movement of the mechanical linkage. 
     
     
         15 . The loader system of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator is rotationally moveable. 
     
     
         16 . The loader system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is axially movable in the first direction to move the linkage member between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         17 . The loader system of  claim 11 , wherein the linkage member is an inner cable, a portion of which, linearly translates parallel to the axis. 
     
     
         18 . The loader system of  claim 11 , further comprising a pin portion coupled to the linkage member, the pin portion engaging a portion of the loader attachment implement when the linkage member is in the first position. 
     
     
         19 . The loader system of  claim 18 , wherein the linkage member and the pin portion linearly translate parallel to the axis. 
     
     
         20 . The loader system of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical linkage is a flexible sheathed cable assembly and the linkage member is an inner cable body.