Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090249661 | EXCAVATOR COUPLER WITH TWO-STAGE LOCK MEMBER - A coupler for a construction attachment includes a frame including: (i) an upper portion adapted to be secured to an associated excavator; and, (ii) a lower portion adapted to be releasably coupled to a construction attachment. The lower portion of the frame includes a first hook and a second hook. A lock member is movably connected relative to the frame and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The first and second hooks include respective open mouths and the lock member obstructs the open mouth of the second hook when the lock member is in the extended position. An actuator is operably connected to the lock member and is adapted to move the lock member between its extended and retracted positions. The lock member slides and pivots sequentially relative to the frame when moved by the actuator from the extended position to the retracted position, and the lock member pivots and slides sequentially relative to the frame when moved by the actuator from the retracted position to the extended position. | 10-08-2009 |
20090297320 | FORK APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COTTON BALES - A fork apparatus includes a body adapted to be operatively connected to an associated loader machine. First and second forks include respective first and second fork mounting portions connected to the body and respective first and second fork working portions that project outwardly away from the body. A first powered roller device is connected to the first fork and includes a first roller that rotates about a first working portion axis. A first roller actuator selectively rotates the first roller about the first working portion axis. A second powered roller device is connected to the second fork and includes a second roller that rotates about the second working portion axis that is parallel to the first working portion axis. A second roller actuator selectively rotates the second roller about the second working portion axis. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297325 | GRAPPLE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING COTTON MODULES - A grapple apparatus for handling cotton modules includes a frame comprising first and second portions. The second portion is selectively movable relative to the first portion between an opened position and a closed position. The frame defines a module-holding space when the second portion of the frame is in its closed position. At least one powered roller device is connected to the frame and is selectively active to rotate an associated cotton module located in the module-holding space relative to said frame about a module axis of rotation. A method for handling cotton modules includes positioning a frame adjacent a cotton module and moving a second portion of the frame relative to a first portion of the frame from an opened position to a closed position to define a module-holding space in which the cotton module is received and retained. The method further includes activating at least one powered roller device that is connected to the frame to rotate the cotton module in the module-holding space relative to the frame about an axis of rotation. | 12-03-2009 |
20090304486 | ZERO OFFSET LOADER COUPLING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS - A loader coupling system includes an arm coupler and a link coupler each adapted to mate with an associated attachment. The arm coupler includes a body adapted to be connected to and extend between first and second spaced-apart arms of an associated loader machine. First and second plunger pins are located respectfully at opposite first and second ends of the body. At least one plunger actuator is operatively connected to the first and second plunger pins, and the at least one plunger actuator is selectively operative to move the first and second plunger pins between a retracted position and an extended position. The first and second plunger pins project outward from the respective first and second opposite ends of the body a greater distance in the extended position as compared to the retracted position, wherein the first and second plunger pins are adapted to extend into apertures defined in first and second arm attachment ribs of the associated attachment, respectively, when the first and second plunger pins are located in the extended position. The link coupler includes a tilt link with a first end adapted to be pivotally connected to a control link of the associated loader machine and a second end including a hook adapted to selectively engage and retain a cross-pin of the associated attachment. A lock system is connected to the tilt link and is adapted to selectively capture the cross-pin of the associated attachment in the hook. | 12-10-2009 |
20100031539 | SPREAD-STYLE COUPLER WITH SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY LOCK - A coupler for a backhoe or other excavator includes a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adapted to be secured to an associated backhoe or excavator arm. The lower portion includes a first hook adapted to mate releasably with a first associated attachment pin and includes a second hook adapted to mate releasably with a second associated attachment pin. A lock system includes at least a first safety lock that is movably connected to the frame and that moves relative to the first hook between an engaged position for capturing the first associated attachment pin in the first hook and a disengaged position for releasing the first associated attachment pin from the first hook. An actuator is adapted to move the first safety lock selectively between its engaged and disengaged positions. At least a first lock arm is movably connected to the frame. The first lock arm is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The first lock arm engages and retains the first safety lock in its engaged position when the first lock arm is in its locked position. The first lock arm is selectively movable from its locked position to its unlocked position by contact between a portion of the first lock arm and the associated backhoe or excavator arm when the frame is moved to a curled position relative to the associated backhoe or excavator arm. | 02-11-2010 |
20100104359 | DUAL CYLINDER DUAL PICK-UP COUPLER - A coupler for a front-end loader or other loader includes a body comprising a front region, a rear region, an upper region, a lower region, left and right lateral sides, a tilt actuator pin-on location, and left and right arm pin-on locations. Left and right laterally spaced-apart inner rib mounts are provided on the body and are adapted to mate respectively with left and right ribs of a first type of attachment receiver structure. Left and right inner locking regions are defined by the body and are vertically aligned with the left and right inner rib mounts, respectively. Left and right laterally spaced-apart outer rib mounts provided on the body and are adapted to mate respectively with left and right ribs of a second type of attachment receiver structure. Left and right outer locking regions are defined by the body and are vertically aligned with the left and right outer rib mounts, respectively. A lock system is connected to the body and includes: (i) a first actuator operatively connected to left and right first lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right first lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions; and, (ii) a second actuator operatively connected to left and right second lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right second lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions. | 04-29-2010 |
20120210613 | DUAL CYLINDER DUAL PICK-UP COUPLER - A loader coupler includes a body with spaced-apart inner rib mounts for mating respectively with ribs of a first type of attachment. The body also includes inner locking regions that are aligned with the inner rib mounts. Spaced-apart outer rib mounts are also provided on the body and are adapted to mate respectively with a second type of attachment. Outer locking regions are aligned with the outer rib mounts. A lock system is connected to the body and includes: (i) a first actuator operatively connected to left and right first lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right first lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions; and, (ii) a second actuator operatively connected to left and right second lock plungers and adapted to move the left and right second lock plungers between locked and unlocked positions. | 08-23-2012 |
20130045073 | ZERO OFFSET LOADER COUPLING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS - A loader coupling system includes an arm coupler and a link coupler. The arm coupler includes first and second plunger pins located respectfully at opposite first and second ends of the body. At least one plunger actuator is operatively connected to the first and second plunger pins, and the plunger actuator is selectively operative to move the first and second plunger pins between a retracted position and an extended position. The link coupler includes a tilt link with a first end adapted to be pivotally connected to a control link of the associated loader machine and a second end including a hook adapted to selectively engage and retain a cross-pin of the associated attachment. A lock system is connected to the tilt link and is adapted to selectively capture the cross-pin of the associated attachment in the hook. | 02-21-2013 |