Quick-release fastener for construction machinery

Abstract

A device forming a coupler including a coupler, or quick-release fastener for attachment to a construction machine, such as a mechanical shovel; a connection device for attachment to a tool, such as a bucket; coupling means to couple the quick-release fastener to the connection device; and locking means to lock the coupling; the connection device including at least one trunnion and preferably two trunnions parallel with one another, the coupler including a base body defining a rear receiving cavity for at least one of the trunnions, characterised in that the coupler includes a lever mounted to pivot between a closed position holding one of the trunnions in the rear receiving cavity and an open position in which it does not hold the trunnion, the locking means being arranged to block or prevent rotation of the lever in the closed position.

1 . A device forming a coupler comprising a coupler, or quick-release fastener ( 1 ), which is intended to be attached to a construction machine, such as a mechanical shovel, a connection device ( 2 ), which is intended to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket ( 3 ), coupling means intended to couple the quick-release fastener ( 1 ) to the connection device ( 2 ) and locking means intended to lock the coupling; the connection device ( 2 ) comprising at least one trunnion ( 5 ), preferably two trunnions, which are in particular parallel with one another; the coupler comprising a base body in which a rear receiving cavity ( 300 ) for the or one of the trunnions is defined, a lever ( 103 ) being mounted such that it moves between a closed position in which it holds the trunnion ( 5 ) or one of the trunnions in the rear receiving cavity ( 300 ) and an open position in which it does not hold the trunnion ( 5 ), the locking means being arranged such that they block the lever ( 103 ) in the closed position, characterised in that a rear plate ( 500 ) forming a stop is mounted on a rear end of the coupler such that, in the closed position of the lever ( 103 ), part of the lever abuts against the rear plate ( 500 ). 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the part of the lever that abuts against the rear plate ( 500 ) comprises a lug ( 502 ), in particular mounted such that it pivots in relation to the lever ( 103 ), a tooth ( 509 ) protruding from the lug ( 502 ), a notch ( 501 ) being formed in the rear plate ( 500 ), and, in the locked position, the tooth ( 509 ) is received in the notch ( 501 ). 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the lug ( 502 ) is mounted such that it pivots in relation to the lever ( 103 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device according to either  claim 2 , characterised in that the lug ( 502 ) is mounted on an upper rear end of the lever ( 103 ). 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the tooth ( 509 ) protrudes downwards from the lug ( 502 ) and the notch ( 501 ) is formed on the rear side of the rear plate ( 500 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the lever ( 103 ) is mounted such that it pivots in relation to a rotating axle ( 104 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the lever ( 103 ) is mounted such that it is mobile in translation, in particular in the horizontal direction from the front side to the rear side, locking means being arranged such that they push the lever ( 103 ) in a translation movement to move it into a closed position, in particular to the blocked state. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the locking means comprise at least one spring ( 400 ), in particular two springs, which is/are attached on the one hand to the base body of the coupler, in particular a rear part ( 113 ) of the base body of the coupler, and on the other hand to a front end part ( 111 ) of the lever ( 103 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , characterised in that the or each spring ( 400 ) is a tension spring which is intended to draw the lever backwards. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the lever ( 103 ) comprises at least one upper branch ( 105 ), in particular two left and right lateral upper branches, and at least one lower branch ( 106 ), in particular two left and right lateral lower branches, which extend towards the rear from the axle ( 104 ) of the lever, the or each upper branch ( 105 ) extending further towards the rear than the or each lower branch ( 106 ), each pair of lower and upper branches, left and right respectively, defining a respective C-shaped cavity, in particular with an opening facing rearwards, in which the trunnion ( 5 ) is received in the closed position, the lug ( 502 ) being mounted in the region of the rear end of the upper rear branch or the rear ends of the upper rear branches. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the lug ( 502 ), comprises, on either side of its pivot axle ( 503 ), a rear part ( 506 ) and a front part ( 507 ), the front part having smaller dimensions than the rear part, and thus a lower weight, such that the lug ( 502 ), under the effect of its own weight, tends to swing in a direction such as to cause its rear part ( 506 ) to fall downwards. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that a torsion spring ( 505 ) is mounted such as to act on the lug, in particular such as to load the rear part downwards. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the rear receiving cavity ( 300 ) is open towards the bottom. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the coupling means comprise at least one front hook ( 7 ), in particular two left and right lateral front hooks, protruding from the front of the base body and the connection device ( 2 ) comprises two trunnions ( 5 ,  6 ), one of which is intended to be received in the rear receiving cavity ( 300 ) and the other in a front receiving cavity ( 200 ) or cavities defined by the front hook ( 7 ) or hooks. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , characterised in that the coupler, or quick-release fastener ( 1 ), comprises a base plate from which two lateral flanks ( 102 ) protrude downwards, each flank terminating on the front side in a respective hook ( 7 ). 
     
     
         16 . A construction machine comprising a lifting element, in particular a lifting arm, and a tool, in particular a bucket ( 3 ), and a device according to  claim 1 , the coupler or quick-release fastener ( 1 ) being attached to the lifting element of the machine, while the connection device ( 2 ) is attached to the tool.