Quick-release fastener for construction machinery

Abstract

A device forming a coupler includes a coupler, or quick-release fastener ( 1 ) intended to be attached to a construction machine, such as a mechanical shovel, and a connection device ( 2 ) intended to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket ( 3 ), including at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), or hook respectively, which is intended to be coupled to at least one associated coupling hook, or trunnion respectively, of the quick-release fastener, and locking means intended to lock the quick-release fastener to the connection device, characterised in that it includes guide means ( 800, 810 ) intended to guide the pivoting movement of the quick-release fastener in relation to the connection device after coupling in order to lock the device, in particular self-centring means intended to allow relative self-centring of the quick-release fastener and the connection device.

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, and a connection device ( 2 ), which is intended to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket ( 3 ), comprising at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), or hook respectively, which is intended to be coupled to at least one associated coupling hook, or trunnion respectively, of the quick-release fastener, and locking means intended to lock the quick-release fastener to the connection device, is characterised in that it comprises guide means ( 800 ,  810 ) intended to guide the movement, in particular the pivoting movement, of the quick-release fastener in relation to the connection device after coupling in order to lock the device, in particular self-centring means intended to allow relative self-centring of the quick-release fastener and the connection device, the guide means also guiding the trunnion towards the cavity of the hook. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the guide means comprise at least one support pin ( 800 ), in particular protruding laterally from at least one lateral flank of the connection device, and at least one associated guide section ( 810 ) of the at least one support pin, in particular formed in the quick-release fastener, in particular in a lateral flank ( 102 ) of the quick-release fastener, the guide section ( 810 ) being open at least towards the bottom and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener, preferably towards the bottom, towards the rear and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the or each guide section ( 810 ) comprises a lower region ( 811 ), the lengthwise dimension of which, i.e. in the front-to-back direction of the quick-release fastener, tapers towards the top, followed by an upper region ( 812 ), the lengthwise dimension of which is substantially constant up to its top, the two regions being separated by an elbow ( 818 ) formed in a front wall of the section. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that, seen in longitudinal section, the or each section ( 810 ) comprises a longitudinal wall ( 814 ) forming a substantially horizontal top, followed by a substantially vertical upper front wall ( 815 ), which is itself followed by a lower front wall ( 816 ) that extends towards the lower opening such as to form the elbow ( 818 ) with the upper front wall. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the cavity comprises a respective recessed area, in particular created in the front edge of the or each lateral flank of the quick-release fastener such that, when the trunnion is inserted in the receiving cavity or cavities through the upper opening or openings, the trunnion may be inserted in the or each recessed area, preferably over at least half of its transverse cross-section, i.e. over a sector with an angle of at least 180°. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening, and, when the or each hook is beneath the front trunnion, the or each support pin abuts against the lower front wall. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and
 further characterised in that the cavity comprises a respective recessed area, in particular created in the front edge of the or each lateral flank of the quick-release fastener such that, when the trunnion is inserted in the receiving cavity or cavities through the upper opening or openings, the trunnion may be inserted in the or each recessed area, preferably over at least half of its transverse cross-section, i.e. over a sector with an angle of at least 180°, and, when the or each hook is beneath the front trunnion, the or each support pin abuts against the lower front wall.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and
 further characterised in that the cavity comprises a respective recessed area, in particular created in the front edge of the or each lateral flank of the quick-release fastener such that, when the trunnion is inserted in the receiving cavity or cavities through the upper opening or openings, the trunnion may be inserted in the or each recessed area, preferably over at least half of its transverse cross-section, i.e. over a sector with an angle of at least 180°, and, as the driver of the bucket causes the quick-release fastener to turn in the correct direction in relation to the connection device, the pin moves along the lower front wall until the trunnion reaches its position in the or each recessed area of the or each cavity of the or each hook.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and
 and, when the or each hook is beneath the front trunnion, the or each support pin abuts against the lower front wall, and, as the driver of the bucket causes the quick- release fastener to turn in the correct direction in relation to the connection device, the pin moves along the lower front wall until the trunnion reaches its position in the or each recessed area of the or each cavity of the or each hook.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and
 further characterised in that the cavity comprises a respective recessed area, in particular created in the front edge of the or each lateral flank of the quick-release fastener such that, when the trunnion is inserted in the receiving cavity or cavities through the upper opening or openings, the trunnion may be inserted in the or each recessed area, preferably over at least half of its transverse cross-section, i.e. over a sector with an angle of at least 180°   and, when the or each hook is beneath the front trunnion, the or each support pin abuts against the lower front wall, and, as the driver of the bucket causes the quick-release fastener to turn in the correct direction in relation to the connection device, the pin moves along the lower front wall until the trunnion reaches its position in the or each recessed area of the or each cavity of the or each hook.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the guide means comprise at least one support pin ( 800 ), in particular protruding laterally from at least one lateral flank of the connection device, and at least one associated guide section ( 810 ) of the at least one support pin, in particular formed in the quick-release fastener, in particular in a lateral flank ( 102 ) of the quick-release fastener, the guide section ( 810 ) being open at least towards the bottom and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener, preferably towards the bottom, towards the rear and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener,
 further characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and   further characterised in that the cavity comprises a respective recessed area, in particular created in the front edge of the or each lateral flank of the quick-release fastener such that, when the trunnion is inserted in the receiving cavity or cavities through the upper opening or openings, the trunnion may be inserted in the or each recessed area, preferably over at least half of its transverse cross-section, i.e. over a sector with an angle of at least 180°, and, as the driver of the bucket causes the quick-release fastener to turn in the correct direction in relation to the connection device, the pin moves along the lower front wall until the trunnion reaches its position in the or each recessed area of the or each cavity of the or each hook, and, when the trunnion reaches the recessed area, the pin reaches the elbow formed between the upper and lower front walls of the guide section.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the guide means comprise at least one support pin ( 800 ), in particular protruding laterally from at least one lateral flank of the connection device, and at least one associated guide section ( 810 ) of the at least one support pin, in particular formed in the quick-release fastener, in particular in a lateral flank ( 102 ) of the quick-release fastener, the guide section ( 810 ) being open at least towards the bottom and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener, preferably towards the bottom, towards the rear and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener;
 characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and   and, when the or each hook is beneath the front trunnion, the or each support pin abuts against the lower front wall, and, as the driver of the bucket causes the quick-release fastener to turn in the correct direction in relation to the connection device, the pin moves along the lower front wall until the trunnion reaches its position in the or each recessed area of the or each cavity of the or each hook.   
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the guide means comprise at least one support pin ( 800 ), in particular protruding laterally from at least one lateral flank of the connection device, and at least one associated guide section ( 810 ) of the at least one support pin, in particular formed in the quick-release fastener, in particular in a lateral flank ( 102 ) of the quick-release fastener, the guide section ( 810 ) being open at least towards the bottom and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener, preferably towards the bottom, towards the rear and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener;
 characterised in that the quick-release fastener comprises at least one coupling hook ( 7 ) and the connection device at least one coupling trunnion ( 5 ), and the or each hook ( 7 ) comprises a part forming a rod and a part forming a coupling head which extends upwards from the end of the part forming a rod to thus define a respective cavity in which a trunnion of the connection device is intended to be inserted via a respective upper opening; and   characterised in that the cavity comprises a respective recessed area, in particular created in the front edge of the or each lateral flank of the quick-release fastener such that, when the trunnion is inserted in the receiving cavity or cavities through the upper opening or openings, the trunnion may be inserted in the or each recessed area, preferably over at least half of its transverse cross-section, i.e. over a sector with an angle of at least 180°,   and, when the or each hook is beneath the front trunnion, the or each support pin abuts against the lower front wall, and, as the driver of the bucket causes the quick-release fastener to turn in the correct direction in relation to the connection device, the pin moves along the lower front wall until the trunnion reaches its position in the or each recessed area of the or each cavity of the or each hook.   
     
     
         15 . A construction machine comprising a lifting element, in particular a lifting arm, and a tool, in particular a bucket, and a device according  claim 1 , the coupler or quick-release fastener being attached to the machine and the connection device being attached to the tool. 
     
     
         16 . A connection device of a device forming a coupler, in particular according to  claim 1 , comprising a coupler, or quick-release fastener, which is intended to be attached to a construction machine, such as a mechanical shovel, and the connection device comprising attachment means intended to allow it to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket, and at least one coupling trunnion, or hook respectively, intended to be coupled to at least one associated hook, or trunnion respectively, of the quick-release fastener, is characterised in that it comprises guide means intended to guide the pivoting movement of the quick-release fastener, in particular self-centring means intended to allow relative self-centring of the quick-release fastener and the connection device, for example at least one pin protruding laterally from the inner surface of at least one lateral flank of the connection device, in particular two pins, left and right respectively, protruding laterally from the respective inner surfaces of two left and right lateral flanks of the connection device. 
     
     
         17 . A coupler or quick-release fastener of a device forming a coupler, in particular according  claim 1 , comprising the coupler, or quick-release fastener, which is intended to be attached to a construction machine, such as a mechanical shovel, and a connection device intended to be attached to a tool, such as a bucket, the coupler or quick-release fastener comprising at least one coupling hook, or trunnion respectively, which is intended to be coupled to at least one associated trunnion, or hook respectively, of the connection device, characterised in that it comprises guide means intended to guide the pivoting movement of the connection device, in particular self-centring means intended to allow relative self-centring of the quick-release fastener and the connection device, for example at least one guide section formed in a lateral flank of the quick-release fastener, the guide section being open at least towards the bottom and towards the outside of the quick-release fastener, in particular two guide sections formed in two left and right lateral flanks of the quick-release fastener.