Coupling apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a coupling apparatus for coupling an attachment to a dipper arm of a machine. The apparatus includes a coupler body; a first, fixed engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a first coupling pin of the attachment, in use; a latch member associated with and pivotable with respect to the first, fixed engaging means between latched and unlatched positions; and a locking member pivotable about a pivot point between first and second positions, and provided in mechanical communication with the latch member. The latch member includes an aperture located therethrough, and the locking member includes a trunnion member or other such protrusion located thereon, extending into or through the aperture of the latch member and engaging the same such that when the locking member is in the first position, the latch member is in the latched position, and when the locking member is moved to the second position, the trunnion member moves the latch to the unlatched position.

1 . A coupling apparatus for coupling an attachment to a dipper arm of a machine, the apparatus including:
 a coupler body;   a first, fixed engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a first coupling pin of the attachment, in use;   a latch member associated with and pivotable with respect to the first, fixed engaging means between latched and unlatched positions;   a locking member pivotable about a pivot point between first and second positions, and provided in mechanical communication with the latch member;   wherein the latch member includes an aperture located therethrough, and said locking member includes a trunnion member or other such protrusion located thereon, extending into or through the aperture of the latch member and engaging the same such that when said locking member is in the first position, the latch member is in the latched position, and when said locking member is moved to the second position, the trunnion member moves the latch to the unlatched position.   
     
     
         2 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling apparatus includes second, movable engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a second coupling pin of the attachment, in use, and is movable between an engaged position wherein it engages the second coupling pin as the first, fixed engaging means engages the first coupling pin, in use, and a disengaged position. 
     
     
         3 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said latch member includes a pivot point located at or near a first, proximal end thereof, and the aperture of the latch member is located at or near a second, distal end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the latch member is formed as a slot, and the trunnion member is movable within and/or along the slot. 
     
     
         5 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the slot is formed as a substantially V-shaped slot within the latch member, and wherein when the locking member is provided in the first position and the latch member is consequently in the latched position, the trunnion member rests at an apex of the V-shaped slot. 
     
     
         6 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein as the locking member is movable from the first position to the second position, the trunnion member is movable along the first length of the V-shaped slot to a distal end thereof, thereby moving the latch member form the latched position to the unlatched position, and wherein the provision of a second length of the V-shaped slot permits pivoting movement of the latch member, while the locking member and trunnion member remain in their respective first positions, to a deadlock position, wherein the trunnion member is located at a distal end of the second length of the V-shaped slot, preventing further movement of the latch member. 
     
     
         7 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupling apparatus is provided to be hydraulically operable, and hydraulically operable drive means are provided to affect movement of the movable engaging means and the locking member. 
     
     
         8 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said drive means includes:
 a body portion, first piston and piston rod members, and second piston and piston rod members;   the first piston rod member engaging with and driving linear movement of the movable engaging means, along a longitudinal axis of the first piston rod member; and   the second piston and piston rod member engaging with and driving movement of the locking member, said movement being linear movement of the second piston rod member, along a longitudinal axis thereof, which in turn drives pivoting movement of the locking member about its pivot point, in use.   
     
     
         9 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein pivoting movement of the locking member causes arcuate movement of the trunnion member, such that the trunnion member moves within the aperture of the latch member, moving it between the latched and unlatched positions. 
     
     
         10 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupling apparatus is provided to be manually operable, such that movement of second, movable engaging means between engaged and disengaged positions is achieved by manual operation. 
     
     
         11 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said movable engaging means includes:
 a body portion having first and second opposing ends, wherein the first end thereof engages the second coupling pin, in use;   a shaft portion extending outwardly from the second end; and   one or more drive portions extending outwardly from the second end, parallel to but separate from the shaft portion.   
     
     
         12 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the shaft portion is arranged to extend into a first end of a housing or cowling body, located within the body of the coupling apparatus, said housing being fixed in position within the body of the coupling apparatus, the housing further being provided as a substantially elongate member having first and second opposing ends, and a cavity extending therethrough, the shaft portion being linearly movable within the cavity along a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein a screw member is provided, extending into the second end of the housing, and wherein a screw thread is provided on an outer wall or surface of the screw member. 
     
     
         14 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the shaft portion comprises a cavity located therein, extending towards an opening at a distal end of the shaft portion, and an interior wall or surface of the cavity of the shaft portion includes a screw thread, extending from the opening inwardly of the cavity along at least part of the length of the shaft portion, such that the screw member is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and is threadedly engaged with the shaft portion. 
     
     
         15 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein rotational movement of the screw member about its longitudinal axis causes linear movement of the shaft portion and hence the movable engaging means, between engaged and disengaged positions, and a distal end or ends of the one or more drive portions is/are arranged to engage the locking member as the movable engaging means is moved from the engaged position to a disengaged position. 
     
     
         16 . A coupling apparatus for coupling an attachment to a dipper arm of a machine, the apparatus including:
 a coupler body;   a first, fixed engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a first coupling pin of the attachment, in use;   a second, movable engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a second coupling pin of the attachment, in use, and movable between an engaged position wherein it engages the second coupling pin as the first, fixed engaging means engages the first coupling pin, in use, and a disengaged position;   a latch member associated with and pivotable with respect to the first, fixed engaging means between latched and unlatched positions; and   a locking member pivotable about a pivot point between first and second positions, and provided in mechanical communication with the latch member;   wherein hydraulically operated drive means are provided to affect movement of the second, movable engaging means and the locking member, said drive means including a body portion, first piston and piston rod members, and second piston and piston rod members, the first piston rod member engaging with and driving movement of the movable engaging means, and the second piston rod member engaging with and driving movement of the locking member.   
     
     
         17 . A coupling apparatus including:
 a coupler body;   at least first, fixed engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a first coupling pin of the attachment, in use;   a latch member associated with and pivotable with respect to the first, fixed engaging means between latched and unlatched positions; and   a locking member pivotable about a pivot point between first and second positions, and provided in mechanical communication with the latch member;   wherein the locking member is movable by a driving force provided associated with the coupling apparatus.   
     
     
         18 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus further includes a second, movable engaging means mounted on the coupler body for engaging a second coupling pin of the attachment, in use, and movable between an engaged position wherein it engages the second coupling pin as the first, fixed engaging means engages the first coupling pin, in use, and a disengaged position. 
     
     
         19 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the driving force is provided as hydraulically operated drive means provided to affect movement of the second, movable engaging means and the locking member. 
     
     
         20 . A coupling apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the coupling apparatus is provided to be manually operable such that movement of a second, movable engaging means between engaged and disengaged positions is achieved by manual operation, and one or more drive portions are provided on the movable engaging means and arranged to engage the locking member as the movable engaging means is moved from the engaged position to a disengaged position, thereby moving the locking member from the first position to the second position, and consequently the latch member from the latched position to the unlatched position.