Spread-style coupler with supplemental lock system
View Patent ↗A coupler includes a first hook assembly comprising a first hook adapted to receive a first associated attachment pin and a second hook assembly comprising a second hook adapted to receive a second associated attachment pin. The second hook assembly selectively pivots under force of an actuator relative to the first hook assembly by an actuator. The actuator comprises a screw jack that includes a locking sleeve to prevent unintended rotation of the screw member. The actuator can be a hydraulic cylinder and the coupler can include a locking cam that moves between a retracted position and an extended position, with a supplemental lock that selectively prevents movement of the locking cam from the extended position to the retracted position. In such case, the actuator is operatively coupled to the second hook assembly and the locking cam.
1. A coupler comprising:
an upper section including first and second spaced-apart ribs each defining first and second bores, said first bore of said first rib aligned with said first bore of said second rib on a first pin-on axis, and said second bore of said first rib aligned with said second bore of said second rib on a second pin-on axis;
a lower section including: (i) a first hook fixed in position relative to said upper section and adapted to receive a first associated attachment pin; and (ii) a second hook adapted to receive a second associated attachment pin, said second hook selectively movable relative to said upper section toward and away from said first hook;
a locking cam pivotally connected to said lower section, wherein said locking cam pivots relative to said first hook between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein said locking cam at least partially blocks said first hook when in said extended position;
an actuator including a first portion pivotally connected to said second hook and including a second portion pivotally connected to said locking cam, said actuator operable between a first position and a second position, wherein: (i) when said actuator is operated from said first position to said second position, said actuator moves said second hook away from said first hook and pivots said locking cam from said retracted position to said extended position; and, (ii) when said actuator is operated from said second position to said first position, said actuator moves said second hook toward said first hook and pivots said locking cam from said extended position to said retracted position;
a stop connected to said lower section in a fixed position; and,
a pendulum lock bar pivotally connected to the locking cam, wherein said pendulum lock bar freely pivots by force of gravity between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to changes in an angular orientation of said coupler, wherein: (i) said pendulum lock bar is located to engage said stop when said actuator is operated from said second position toward said first position to prevent movement of said locking cam from said extended position to said retracted position when said pendulum lock bar is located in said locked position; and, (ii) said pendulum lock bar is moved out of alignment with said stop when said pendulum lock bar is located in said unlocked position so that said locking cam is movable from said extended position to said retracted position when said pendulum lock bar is in said unlocked position.
2. The coupler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said actuator is connected to said locking cam by a first shaft, and wherein said pendulum lock bar is pivotally connected to said locking cam by said first shaft.
3. The coupler as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said locking cam is pivotally connected to said first hook by a second shaft.
4. The coupler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said stop is located adjacent said first hook.
5. The coupler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises one of: (i) a screw jack assembly comprising a rotatable screw member; and (ii) a hydraulic cylinder comprising a body and a rod that is selectively extensible from and retractable into said body under fluid pressure.
6. The coupler as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said second hook comprises first and second ears that are pivotally connected to said first and second ribs, respectively.
7. The coupler as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said first and second ears define first and second apertures that are rotatably supported on first and second bosses projecting from said first and second ribs, respectively.
8. A coupler comprising:
an upper portion defining a first pin-on axis and a second pin-on axis;
a lower portion including: (i) a first hook adapted to receive a first associated attachment pin, said first hook fixed in position relative to said upper portion; and (ii) a second hook adapted to receive a second associated attachment pin, said second hook movable relative to said upper portion toward and away from said first hook;
a locking cam pivotally connected to said lower portion and pivotable relative to said first hook between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein said locking cam at least partially blocks said first hook when in said extended position;
an actuator including a first portion operatively connected to said second hook and including a second portion operatively connected to said locking cam, said actuator being operable between a first position and a second position, wherein: (i) when said actuator is operated from said first position to said second position, said actuator moves said second hook away from said first hook and moves said locking cam from said retracted position to said extended position; and, (ii) when said actuator is operated from said second position to said first position, said actuator moves said second hook toward said first hook and moves said locking cam from said extended position to said retracted position;
a stop fixed in position relative to said lower portion; and,
a pendulum lock bar pivotally connected to said locking cam and freely pivotable b between a locked position and an unlocked position depending upon an angular orientation of said coupler, said pendulum lock bar comprising a lock bar stop face, wherein:
(i) said lock bar stop face is located to engage said stop when said actuator is operated from said second position toward said first position to prevent movement of said locking cam from said extended position to said retracted position by interference between said stop and said lock bar stop face when said pendulum lock bar is located in said locked position; and,
(ii) said lock bar stop face is moved out of alignment with said stop when said pendulum lock bar is located in said unlocked position so that said locking cam is movable from said extended position to said retracted position without interference between said stop and said lock bar stop face when said pendulum lock bar is in said unlocked position.