MXPA94007498A - Mechanism for fixing bucket with remote pins with rem control - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a quick coupling to attach and detach an implement, such as a bucket, pick or ram, at the end of a quill or shovel sting from an excavator, backhoe or other ground mover. The quick coupling is compatible with the standard industrial type couplings used in a bucket. The quick coupling is primarily a hook-type piece, for receiving a front pivot pin on the top of the bucket and another implement, and a pivot pin assembly having axially moving end portions that move between a first position in which the end portions are contained within the main body of the coupling and the implement is separated, and a second position in which the end portions project from the main body and join the respective holes located in the implement and adapted to receive portions of the pivot pin coupled thus the bucket or other implement to the extreme part of the plu

Description

"MECHANISM FOR FIXING BUCKET WITH RETRACTABLE PINS WITH REMOTE CONTROL" INVENTOR AND OWNER: GEORGE J. CLARK NATIONALITY: NORTH AMERICAN CITIZEN ^ RESIDENCY: 7100 TRUMBLE LAÑE, ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN E.U.A.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a quick coupling to attach and detach an implement, such as a bucket, pick or ram, at the end of a quill or shovel sting from an excavator, backhoe or other ground mover. The quick coupling is compatible with the standard industrial type couplings used in a bucket. The quick coupling is primarily a hook-type piece, for receiving a front pivot pin on the top of the bucket or other implement, and a pivot pin assembly having axially moving end portions that move between a first position in which the end portions are contained within the main body of the coupling and the implement is separated, and a second position in which the end portions project from the main body and join the respective holes located in the implement and adapted to receive the portions of the pivot pin thus coupling the bucket or other implement to the end of the boom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a coupling for joints for excavating machines or for moving earth, such as an excavator or a backhoe. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low pressure quick coupler, which operates hydraulically, used to connect and disconnect a bucket or other operating tool to the boom or shovel boom of an excavator and which is fully operable from the inside of the cab or chair of the operator of the machine. 2. DESCRIPTION OF PREVIOUS TECHNOLOGY Traditionally, the bucket of an excavator, a backhoe or similar machine to move earth, is attached to the boom or arm of a shovel through the use of pins inserted by brackets in the bucket and a hole through the end of the boom . Typically, changing from one implement to another is a job for two people. The operator would move the boom or the arm of the shovel so that the end of the boom was placed next to the bucket so that the pivot pins could be inserted by a second person through the holes in the brackets in the top of the bucket and at the end of the boom. A person on the ground would make a hand signal to the operator, up, down, or forward in order to align the holes in the bucket with the boom. The pins are then inserted and secured. The whole operation, releasing a tool and fixing a new tool, took a lot of time and effort because * The tools that are being set are typically very heavy and very uncomfortable. Therefore, it became apparent that a quick coupling was required which would shorten the time necessary to carry out the operation described above and make it possible for only the operator, without the help of another person, to make the change from inside the backhoe cabin. or excavator. The previous technology shows many types of aco¬ 'ß Quick fixings for attaching a bucket or other tool to the boom or arm of the shovel loader machine of a backhoe loader, loader and similar machine to move earth. For example, the following patents present and teach couplings that are improvements over the traditional method but still require some type of physical intervention to carry out the tool change: U.S. Patent Nos. 4,030,624, to Matthews; 4,187,050, for Barbee; 4,295,287, for Natzke et al; 4,373,852, for Maurer; 4,632,595 for Schaeff; and 4, 643, 631 for Maurer et al. In addition to the above, Patent Number 4,836,741, for St. Louis et al. shows a quick coupling to detachably connect a bucket to a boom, an excavator or a backhoe. St. Louis et al. shows a main body adapted to be connected to a boom or shovel arm of an excavator or backhoe. A bucket or other implement has a pair of standard industrial brackets, spaced apart, profiled, welded there for connection to the boom or the arm of the blade. A first pair of aligned and opposite openings in each of the support brackets contain a first upper pin of the bucket. A second pair of aligned and opposite openings in each of the support brackets are spaced a predetermined distance from a first pair containing the first upper ladle pin. St. Louis et al. shows that the main body has a transverse hook formed therein for receiving the first upper pin of the bucket and a bore spaced at a predetermined distance from the transverse hook such that in the connected position the bore aligns with the second pair of aligned openings and opposite in the support brackets of the bucket. St. Louis et al. teaches that an eccentric bushing travels within the bore and then rotates to align the bore with the second bore for openings in the bucket so that a pin can be inserted and secured in place manually. U.S. Patent No. 4,480,955 to Andrews et al. It features a quick-release coupling and attachment for use with an excavation machine or to move earth. Andrews et al. discloses that a "V" -shaped groove is provided on one side of the boom head on which a bar or rocker arm of the tool is placed, then a movable skid on the head of the boom is moved by a hydraulic ram towards the joint with a hook or jaw in the tool to secure the head of the pen with the operating tool. A disadvantage of Andrews et al. it is that this requires that the operating tool be specially equipped in order to be used with the quick release and fixation coupling of Andrews et al. As a result the coupling of Andrews et al. it can not be used with what is considered a standard industrial coupling for an attachment to an excavator. Similar to that of Andrews et al. is Patent Number 4,297,074 for Ballinger, which also features a coupling for an implement, and like the Andrews mechanism, is not compatible with a standard industrial implement having a pair of pivot pins spaced apart for attachment to the excavator or backhoe. The Quick Coupling of Hendrix-J.B. published in the publication entitled "THE MOST VESATILE HYDRAULIC COUPLER IN THE WORLD", ("The most versatile hydraulic coupling in the world") discloses a quick coupling for use with an excavator that allows an operator to quickly switch from one implement to another . The presented quick coupling essentially consists of a pair of hooks arranged in such a way that they cooperate with a pair of pins located in the implement to be fixed. The first hook is fixed and the second hook of the quick coupling is hydraulically operable between an open position and a closed position. Springs are provided to tilt the second hook in the closed position and a hydraulic piston is operable to open the second hook in order to release or grasp the pin of the implement. However, Hendrix coupling is expensive because it requires a specially manufactured box to hold the second hook and springs hydraulically operable. In addition, the Hendrix coupling is not completely safe because if the weight of the implement and the load exceed the spring tilt force, the implement could be saved from the quick coupling.

X As disclosed in the aforementioned patent, it is well known that it provides a mechanism that will allow a quick change of the bucket or other work tool connected to the machine that works with earth, such as an excavator or a backhoe. It is also known that it is advantageous to provide a mechanism that carries out this task remotely from the position of the operator since the change from one bucket or tool to another consumes * Enough time and requires intensive work and therefore is expensive. Consequently, what is needed is to provide an apparatus that makes it possible for the operator, without any help and without any need to leave the controls of the machine, to quickly and easily exchange the bucket and other work tool connected to the boom of the machine. machine by another tool. However, none of the references of the prior technology presents a quick coupling mechanism for disconnection that is cost effective, requires a minimum amount of time for installation and is completely failsafe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for changing an implement, such as a bucket, a pick or a rammer, connected to the boom or arm of the shovel of an excavator or a backhoe. In particular, the present invention relates to a quick coupling for use in the detachably connecting an implement to an excavator or backhoe that is fully operable from the operator's seat, requires a minimum amount of time to install, operate and operate. maintain, and avoid the problems of an assistant and the difficulties associated with similar mechanisms of previous technology. The present invention achieves this operation without requiring equipment that is specially designed and, more importantly, without requiring the operator and other personnel to remove or insert the pivot pins used to attach the implement to the boom of the excavator . This invention completely eliminates the need to have someone in addition to the machine operator to change the bucket and also eliminates any need for the operator of the machine to leave the operating controls of the excavator or backhoe or any other machine to remove Earth. Additionally, the present invention provides a system that performs the above described but that can either easily and at low cost adapt to an accepted standard industrial current coupling, without the need for alterations or additional parts, or can be easily installed as part of the original equipment of the manufacturing process. Additionally, the above is achieved with a system that has a safety feature that makes the coupling completely safe for use in any job site and completely eliminates any possibility of the bucket being safe or dropped if there is a loss in hydraulic power . According to the present invention, the above is achieved by the use of a positively fixed, hydraulically retractable, remote control pivot pin assembly disposed in a bore for a coupling having a transverse hook part spaced at a distance predetermined pivot pin assembly. The upper end of the quick coupling of the present invention is attached to the end of the boom of the excavator. The lower end of the quick coupling is a transverse hook segment configured in the main body of the coupling to receive a pivot pin located in the upper part of the implement to be attached to the boom of the excavator. Spaced at a predetermined distance from the transverse hook, there are a pair of pivot pin portions disposed in a transverse bore located in the lower portion of the coupling. An elastic piece is located between the portions of the pivot pin to tilt the portions of the pivot pin outwardly in a direction extending from the hydraulic coupling controls provided to overcome the tilting mechanism and contract the pin portions of the pivot pin. pivot inside the coupling. The implement has a pair of spaced-apart flange pieces which cooperate with the main body of the coupling by using a pair of transversely oriented bores adapted to receive the portions of the pivot pin of the coupling. An object of the present invention is to provide a quick coupling to facilitate the exchange of implements at the end of a boom or shovel arm of an excavator or backhoe completely from the position of the operator inside the cab of the vehicle without any need for a person to help you connect the pivot pins or other mechanisms to attach the implement to the end of the boom. Another objective of the present invention is to carry out the above objectives with a quick coupling which quickly and safely facilitates the exchange of implements at the end of a boom of an excavator or similar and which eliminates the safety problems of an excavator. assistant of the mechanisms of the previous technology. It is another object of the present invention to carry out the foregoing objectives with a quick coupling which is capable of being installed during the original production process of the excavator or which can be easily modified retroactively for a standard excavator in the field. It is a further object of the present invention to carry out the above objectives with a quick coupling that is capable of being operated with relatively low pressure hydraulics compared to the main high pressure hydraulic used to operate the excavator or backhoe. A further object of the present invention is to realize the aforementioned objects with a quick coupling that is significantly simplified compared to the prior art mechanisms. It is still another object of the present invention to realize the aforementioned objectives with a quick coupling that is safer and yet significantly less expensive than the mechanisms of the prior technology due to its simplicity and its ability to be extremely safe while at the same time same time operates with a relatively low pressure hydraulic system. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings., which are presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the manner in which the coupling is interconnected between the end of the boom and the bucket. Figure 2 is a side view of the invention illustrating the coupling completely connected to the bucket. Figure 3 is an elevated view of the coupling shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pivot pin assembly of the quick coupling of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic detailed perspective view of the pivot pin assembly of the quick coupling of the present invention, and & Figure 6 is a side view of an excavator having a fixed bucket using the quick coupling of the present invention and its accompanying hydraulic lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED INCORPORATION With reference to the illustrations, Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a quick coupling 10 according to the present invention connected to an end 5 of a boom 2 of an excavator 1 and connected thereto an implement in the form of a bucket. The quick coupling of the present invention, generally designated 10, includes a main body 12 adapted to be connected to boom 5 of the excavator shown in Figure 6. The main body 12 of the quick coupling 10, see Figure 5, is a part having a pair of flange portions 14 and 15 which are held spaced apart from each other in the upper portion thereof at one end of the flange portions spaced apart from each other 14 and 15, each of the flanges 14 and 15 have a pair of transversely aligned opposing holes 30 and 31. The holes 30 and 31 are located in each of the respective portions of the flanges 14 and 15 and are aligned to receive a pivot pin or hinge. Similarly, the holes 32 and 33 are located near the opposite end of the flange portions 14 and 15, respectively, and are also in line with one another in order to receive a pivot pin or hinge. Additionally, the holes 32 and 33 are spaced a predetermined distance from the holes 30 and 31. The predetermined distance is chosen such that the holes coincide with the end of the boom 5 and the end of a second hook 8, both of which the excavator shown in Figure 6.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the end of the boom 5 has a first hook 6 connected to one end of the boom 5 and at the other end it is connected to a push rod 7 of a hydraulic cylinder that shown in Figure 6. The second latch 8 is interconnected to the end of the push rod 7 and to the first latch 6 of the flange portions 14 and 15 in the holes 32 and 33. The holes 32 and 33 are aligned with one another. hole (not shown) at the end of the second hook 8 and a pivot pin is inserted into it and then secured in place. The same is done for a hole in the end of the boom 5 and the holes 30 and 31 of the flange portion 14 and 15, respectively, refer to Figure 6. Again with reference to the main body 12, between the flange portions 14 and 15 spaced apart from each other, there is an upper surface 16 from which the flange portions 14 and 15 spaced apart from each other project upwards. Beneath the upper surface 16, the main body 12 has a narrower amplitude, thus resulting in a first subsurface 18 and a second subsurface 19 on the sides of the upper surface 16 and below the flange portions 14 and 15 In the narrowed region of the main body 12 are a pair of spaced apart side walls 20 and 21 which are aligned substantially parallel to the flange portions 14 and 15 spaced apart from one another. The side walls 20 and 21, at one end of the main body 12, have a hook part 22 integrated therein. The hook part 22 is preferably in a recessed cut in the front end of the main body 12. The hook part 22 has an angled front front surface 23 which is inclined towards the embedment of the hook part 22 in order to facilitate the alignment of the pivot pin or hinge adapted to receive the hook part 22. The side walls 20 and 21, at the opposite end of the main body have a through bore 26 to correspond with the quick coupling 10 as described below. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, bucket 4 is of a standard type and has a pair of profiled support bars 40 and 41, straight and spaced apart at a predetermined distance for the purpose of receiving the lower narrow portion of the main body 12 between them. Each of these bars 40 and 41 have a first and a second pair of transversely aligned opposing holes 46 and 47 and 48 and 49, respectively, therein. The first pair of holes 46 and 47 are located near the top and front of the bucket 4. The second pair of holes 48 and 49 are located at the end of the bars 40 and 41, respectively, near the rear of the bucket 4. The first pair of holes 46 and 47 are adapted to receive an upper ladle pin 42 that extends transversely. The second pair of opposed holes 48 and 49 transversely aligned are adapted to receive partial portions 60 and 61 of the pivot pin assembly, generally designated with the number 70, as best illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In assembly of the pin pivot 70 includes a pair of pivot pins or portions of pivot pin 60 and 61 which are adapted to fit in holes 48 and 49 of bucket 4. The portions of pivot pin 60 and 61 are essentially cylindrical in shape. Preferred incorporation; however, it will be readily apparent to someone skilled in the art that the pivot pins can have any shape that is convenient. The portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are contained within the bore 26 of the main body 12 of the quick coupling 10. The portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are also disposed in a cylinder 72 which is positioned in the main body 12 in alignment with the bore 26. The portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are located at the opposite ends of the bore 26. A spring 63 is located in the cylinder 72 between the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 such that the spring 63 , or any other suitable tilt means, tilt the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 to move outward from the main body 12. The pivot pin portions 60 and 61 are axially secured and guided within the cylinder 72 by skate portions 64 and 65, respectively. The skate portions 64 and 65 are fixed to the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 after the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 are inserted into the cylinder 72 with the spring 63 positioned in between. By way of example, the portion of the pivot pin 61 is placed in the cylinder 72 and then the slide portion 65 is inserted through a channel slot 67 and secured to the pivot pin portion 61. Similarly , after the spring 63 is inserted in the cylinder 72, the portion of the pivot pin 62 is inserted into the cylinder 72 and then the slide portion 64 is inserted through the channel slot 66 in the cylinder 72 and then it is secured to the pivot pin portion 60. The pivot pin portions 60 and 61 are tilted outwardly by the spring 63 to the point where the skate portions 64 and 65 are embedded in the end of the slots 66 and 67, respectively, of the cylinder 72. To overcome the spring 63 and retract the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61, a pair of hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 are provided. The hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 each have the ends of their rods piston connected to the skate portions 64 and 65, respectively. As shown in Figure 5, the hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 are connected to the cylinder 72 and are aligned in parallel there and spaced approximately ninety degrees apart. The spacing is determined by the spacing between the channel slots 66 and 67. It is contemplated that the channel slots 66 and 61 may be separated in a convenient manner to allow a more compact design. The hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 each have a hydraulic line (not shown) connected therein so as to provide pressure to retract their respective pivot pin portions. The hydraulic lines are provided by a hydraulic line 3 as shown in Figure 6, which runs from a point near the controls of the excavator 1 along the boom 2 to the end 5 of the boom and then enters the main body 12 and a rotating union 27. Hydraulic line 3 is connected to a pump (not shown) and a reservoir of hydraulic fluid (not shown). The pump is controlled from the operator's position inside the excavator 1 via a switch (not shown) which activates a standard servo (not shown). It should be noted that it is preferable to make the operator switch a constant pressure switch or double action in order to avoid accidental operation of the pivot pin assembly 70. The hydraulics that operate the quick coupling are of the low pressure type compared with the standard high-pressure hydraulics of an excavator. Even though it would be possible to connect the quick coupling hydraulics with the excavator hydraulics, this would unnecessarily increase the cost of the quick coupling and also make retroactive modification of the quick coupling more difficult for excavators that were already ^^^ 9 in service. In an alternative embodiment it is possible to provide a second hydraulic line for connecting the opposite side of the cylinders 74 and 75 in such a way as to provide a double acting cylinder in order to provide positive pressure for moving the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 to the extended position by tilting the pins in an outward direction. Naturally, in such a case this additional tilt may result in the use of a smaller spring and smaller hydraulics since the force to retract the pins and overcome the force of the spring can be significantly reduced. However, in such a case, if the hydraulic fails, the force of the spring still tilts the pins 60 and 61 to stay in the holes 48 and 49 of the bucket but would do so with a lower holding force to assist the spring 63.

The hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 have rod ends 84 and 85 connected to the skate portions 64 and 65, respectively. The rod ends 84 and 85 are essentially "U" shaped clamps that fit on the sides of the skate portions 64 and 65. The ends of the "U" shaped clamps have a pair of aligned holes 94 and 95, respectively, at the ends of their legs. The aligned holes 94 and 95 are designed to align with the holes 104 and 105 provided in the skate portions 64 and 65, respectively. Once the holes 94 and 95 of the "U" shaped clamps 84 and 85 align with the holes 104 and 105 of the skate portions 64 and 65, the pins 90 and 91 are inserted through the holes for securing the "U" shaped clamps 84 and 85 to the skate portions 64 and 65, respectively. Finally, the pivot pin assembly 70 is fixedly installed in the main body 12 such that the portion of the pivot pin 61 is located in the bore 26 near the side wall 21 and the portion of the pivot pin 60. is located in the bore 26 near the side wall 20. In the preferred embodiment operation, when the hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 are activated by the operator who is seated in the cockpit part of the vehicle, the pin portions of the pivot 60 and 61 are retracted from the holes 48 and 49 to a position where (they are completely contained within the bore 26). When the hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 are deactivated, the tilt spring 63 forces the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 towards the extended position in which the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 extend from the bore 26 in the opposite sides of the main skate 12 towards the holes 48 and 49 of the bars 40 and 41 of the bucket. Because the spring 63 must also overcome the back pressure in the hydraulic lines of the system, the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 will move slowly outward to their extended position. It is possible to choose a spring that will cause the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 to move out more or less rapidly. In addition, the spring 63 is also chosen in such a way that the hydraulic force required to move the pin portions of the pivot 60 and 61 toward the retracting position is substantial to prevent the pivot pins from easily coming out of place, ensuring This way a high degree of security.

Once the pivot pin assembly 70 is installed in the main body 12 and the quick coupling 10 is connected to the end of the boom 5, the quick coupling is ready to be used. With a bucket 4 or other implement placed on the floor, boom 2 of excavator 1, see Figure 6, moves by using the control that is within reach of the operator when seated. As previously discussed, the bucket 4 has an upper pin 42 which is adapted so that it can to be received by a hook piece 22. The bucket 4 also includes the pair of holes 48 and 49 in its spaced-apart straight support bars 40 and 41 which are adapted to receive the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 of the pivot pin assembly 70. The operator of the excavator 1 will first move the boom 2 of the excavator 1 to a position in which the opening of the hook part 22 is aligned with the pivot pin 42 of the bucket 4 and engaging to the hook piece 22 with the pin 42. At this point, the bucket is substantially in the position as shown in Figure 1. The end 5 of the boom 2 is then manipulated to move the cylinder 8 and thus advance the main body 12 towards the bucket until the pin The upper pivot 42 of the bucket 4 is caught by the front front surface 23 and directed towards the hook part 22 until it comes into contact with a partial cylindrical surface 24 of the hook part which is adapted to receive the pivot pin 42 If the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are not in the retracting position, then the operator must at this time activate the hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 to pull the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 into the side walls. 20 and 21 of the main body 12. The main body is then rotated from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2 to align the pins it is pivoted 60 and 61 with the holes 48 and 49 of the bars 40 and 41. The pivot pins 60 and 61 are then extended by the hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 to move towards the holes of the support bars 40 and 41. This is done once the upper pivot pin 42 of the bucket 4 is seated within the partial cylindrical surface 24 of the hook part 22, by extending the push rod 7 to cause the quick coupling 10 to rotate about the holes 30 * and 31 in the flange portions 14 and 15 that are spaced from each other, thereby making the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 move toward a position between the support bars 40 and 41 of the bucket 4 and approximately aligned with the holes 48 and 49 of the support bars 40 and 41. At this point, the cylinders 74 and 75 are deactivated, i.e., the hydraulic motor that is providing pressure is turned off, whereby the tilting force of the spring 63 causes that the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 begin to move towards the extended position and that the back pressure of the hydraulic line 3 expires. If the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are perfectly aligned with the holes 48 and 49 of the support bars 40 and 41, then these portions will move completely to the fully extended position, that is, to the point where they are fully extended. Skate portions 64 and 65 move towards the end of the grooves of the channel 66 and 67. If the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are not perfectly aligned with the holes 48 and 49 of the support rods 40 and 41, then the operator simply moves the push rod 7 back and forth until the portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 are properly aligned with the holes 48 and 49. The spring 63 is selected in such a way as to ensure that portions of the Pivot pin 60 and 61 will spring outward and will quickly overcome any back pressure in the hydraulic line 3. Accordingly, both of the methods mentioned above for extense The portions of the pivot pin 60 and 61 will result in them being inserted into the holes 48 and 49 of the support bars 40 and 41, respectively. At this point the bucket 4 or other implement is fixedly secured to the end 5 of the boom 2 by means of the use of the quick coupling 10. It must be taken into account that this is achieved when the operator is sitting inside the vehicle cabin making use of the The controls of the excavator 1 without the need of help and without any need for the operator to abandon the controls of the excavator l. Additionally, the bucket is fixed to the boom 2 in such a way that it becomes virtually impossible for the bucket to come off. Even a loss in hydraulic power will not result in the bucket 4 falling off the boom 2. Because the tilting force of the spring part keeps the pivot pin portions extended regardless of pressure loss in the hydraulic system. To separate the bucket 4 or other implement from the boom 2 of the excavator 1, all that will be necessary will be for the operator to move the bucket 4 to a safe location first and then activate the switch (not shown) to turn on the bucket. hydraulic motor (not shown) for providing hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinders 74 and 75 of the pivot pin assembly 70. This causes the pivot pin portions 60 and 61 to retract from the holes 48 and 49 of the bars 40 and 41 of the bucket 4 enabling pivoting of the main body around the front pivot pin 42. The operator then moves the end 5 of the boom 2 in order to pivot the main body 12 around the front pivot pin or upper 42 of the bucket 4 and retracts the hook part 22 in such a way that the hook part 22 is no longer contained around the pivot pin 42 of the bucket. The above described operation of the present invention can easily be repeated for implements other than bucket 4. It is also possible to operate the quick coupling of the present invention in such a way that the bucket 4 or other implement does not necessarily have to be placed in a optimal position in order that the quick coupling 10 of the present invention works. Even though the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by some person skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following clauses.

Claims (9)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore what is included in the following is claimed CLAUSES:

1. A quick coupling mechanism for fixing and releasing an implement to a boom of a vehicle to remove earth, such as an excavator, said quick coupling mechanism comprising: a main body having a first and a second end, said first end having said a hook piece integrally formed therein for engaging said implement, said second end of said main body having a bore therethrough; means for connecting said main body to said pen; a first portion of pivot pin located in said bore in said main body; a second portion of pivot pin located in said bore in said main body and aligned axially with respect to said first pivot pin portion; means for tilting said first and second pivot pin portions in directions that move away from each other so that said first and second pivot pin portions project from said main body; and means for selectively moving said first and second pivot pin portions in directions toward one another, such that said first and second pivot pin portions are contained within said main body, said movement means being capable of overcoming said tilting means, wherein said main body is connected to said boom, said hook piece engages said implement at a predetermined point on said implement, and said first and second pivot pin portions are contained within said main body, through said movement means, said main body is then aligned with said implement in such a way that said movement mechanisms are disengaged, said inclination means cause said first and second pivot pin portions to engage such an attachment, connecting from this said implement said main body of said pen.

2. The quick coupling mechanism established in clause 1 wherein said mechanism for tilting said first and second pivot pin portions is a spring axially aligned in said bore between said first and second pivot pin portions.

3. The quick coupling mechanism established in clause 1 wherein said mechanism for selectively moving said first and second pivot pin portions in one direction toward each other comprises: a first hydraulic cylinder secured to said first pivot pin portion for moving said first pivot pin portion to a position in which said first pivot pin portion is contained within the main body and, a second hydraulic cylinder secured to said second pivot pin portion for moving said second pin portion. of pivot to a position in which said second portion of pivot pin is contained within the main body.

4. The quick coupling mechanism established in clause 1 wherein said boom has there an end for receiving said main body, said end of the boom having a transverse bore and said mechanisms for connecting said main body to said boom comprise: f a first plate connected to said main body that has a hole in it; a second plate connected to said main body having in it a hole aligned with said hole of said first plate; said second plate being spaced at a predetermined distance from said first plate, and a pin passing through said hole in said first plate, said transverse bore at said end of said boom and said hole in said second plate.

5. The quick coupling mechanism established in clause 4 wherein said mechanism for tilting said first and second portions of the pivot pin is a spring located in said bore in said main body and aligned axially between said first and second portions of the pivot pin.

6. The quick coupling mechanism established in clause 4 wherein said mechanism for selectively moving said first and second portions of the pivot pin in one direction toward the other comprises: a first hydraulic cylinder secured to said first pivot pin portion for moving said first pivot pin portion to a position in which said first pivot pin portion is contained within the main body and, a second hydraulic cylinder secured to said second pivot pin portion for moving said second portion of said pivot pin. pivot pin to a position in which said second pivot pin portion is contained within the main body.

7. The quick coupling mechanism set forth in clause 1 wherein said implement has a cross-lifting bar connected thereto and said hook portion of said main body is adapted to receive said transverse lifting bar of said implement.

8. The quick coupling mechanism established in clause 1 wherein said means for moving said first and second portions of the pivot pin comprises means for remotely operating said movement means from the position of the operator inside said vehicle to remove the earth.

9. A quick coupling mechanism for attaching and releasing an implement to a boom of a vehicle for rowing land, such as an excavator, said quick coupling mechanism comprising: a main body having a bore therein; means for connecting said main body to said pen; a first portion of pivot pin located in said bore in said main body; a second portion of pivot pin located in said bore in said main body and aligned axially with respect to said first pivot pin portion; means for tilting said first and second pivot pin portions in directions that move away from each other so that said first and second pivot pin portions project from said main body; and means for selectively moving said first and second pivot pin portions in directions toward one another, such that said first and second pivot pin portions are contained within said main body, said movement means being capable of overcoming said tilting means, wherein said main body is connected to said boom, and said first and second pivot pin portions are contained within said main body by said movement mechanisms, said main body is then aligned with said pivot pin. Implement such that when said movement mechanisms are disengaged, said tilting means cause said first and second pivot pin portions to engage such an implement, thereby connecting said implement to said main body of said boom. IN WITNESS WHEREOVER, I have signed the above description and claims of novelty of the invention, as attorney-in-fact of GEORGE J. CLARK., In Mexico City, Republic of Mexico on September 29, 1994.