J. I. Case Company

Herman J Maurer

Carl O Pedersen

John F Shumaker

Wayne G Smith

Gary L Cochran

Louis T Jensen

Donald C Baker

Barry C Nudd

Edward L Coyle

A quick coupling and release mechanism for attaching a material handling bucket to the free end of a scoop arm extending from a loader or backhoe. The quick coupler has three spaced apart ends including a first end connected to a push-pull link by a releasable pin, a second end pivotally mounted between bifurcated ends on the loader arm, and a third end which is slotted for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the bucket. The push-pull link may be connected at a first location to the quick coupler when it is desired to permit more angular displacement of the quick coupler or to a second location on the quick coupler when it is desired to permit less angular displacement of the quick coupler. Further, the quick coupler and bucket are pivotally connected to the loader arm by a single releasable pin for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis. A single operator can easily handle the entire coupling or uncoupling operation without special tools. Further, the quick coupler does not require a special bucket construction or the attachment of special parts to the bucket for its operability.

Quick coupling and release mechanism for buckets

An improved hydraulic swing mechanism is disclosed for operation of the boom assembly of a backhoe or similar implement. The swing mechanism includes a pair of double-acting hydraulic motors pivotally interconnected between the backhoe frame and the backhoe boom assembly. A novel multi-position sequencing spool valve is disposed in fluid communication between the head ends of the hydraulic motors and a manually operated directional control valve which directs swinging movement of the boom assembly. A straight-forward valve control linkage operatively connects the sequencing spool valve with the boom assembly so that the spool valve is selectively operated as the boom assembly is pivoted through its arc of travel. An improved hydraulic cushioning circuit is provided in association with the sequencing spool valve, with the entire system providing improved operation of the boom assembly, with significant improvement in the hydraulic cushioning and torque characteristics of the system.

Backhoe swing mechanism

A quick coupler assembly for attaching a material handling bucket or the like to the free ends of lift arms extending from a loader. The quick coupler assembly includes an elongated cross member having hitch brackets on its opposite ends. Each hitch bracket includes an end which is received within a socket coupling member on the rear wall of the bucket near the top edge thereof. The opposite end of the hitch bracket is configured for engagement within a lower coupling member on the bucket rear wall. The coupler assembly further includes an attaching lever which is rotatably secured to the backside of the cross member substantially at its mid-portion. The lower end of the attaching lever is movable into engagement within a coupling member on the rear wall of the bucket. The upper end of the attaching lever includes a slidable or rotatable locking bracket assembly which is selectively moved into locking engagement with a locking member on the bucket rear wall. A tilt cylinder preloads the bucket against the quick coupler assembly such that the only force required from the operator is a simple manual movement of the locking bucket assembly into a position for final coupling.

Quick coupler assembly

An improved hydraulic control system is disclosed for operating the swing tower and boom of a backhoe. The system includes a pair of hydraulic motors interconnected between the backhoe frame and swing tower. A sequencing valve is hydraulically associated with respective ends of the hydraulic motors and operates to direct the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the motors for improved performance as they rotate the swing tower and boom. A hydraulic cushioning circuit associated with the sequencing valve provides an improved arrangement for cushioning of the swing mechanism as the swing tower and boom are moved toward either of their travel stops without the use of conventional cushioning devices.

An improved hydraulic swing mechanism for a material handling implement, such as a backhoe, includes a multi-position, hydraulic sequencing valve for directing the flow of hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motors which rotate the swing tower and boom of the implement. A unique valve operating mechanism is provided for selectively repositioning the sequencing valve as the boom and swing tower are rotated in order to improve the operating characteristics of the swing mechanism. The valve operating mechanism includes a pivoted, frame mounted actuating arm connected with the sequencing valve by a lost-motion linkage, and flexible linkages connecting the actuating arm with the hydraulic motors of the swing mechanism.

Operating mechanism for a swing mechanism valve

A digging tooth assembly for an excavating machine including a digging tooth having a resilient housing for mounting the tooth to the forward end of a digging tooth shank. A wedge-shaped projection or retaining member is mounted to the top surface of the shank for locking engagement within a cut-out or socket formed in the housing for mounting the digging tooth. The digging tooth is held on the tip of the shank by the locking coaction between the wedge-shaped projection and cut-out and the resiliency of the housing. The top surface of the digging tooth abuts against the flat bottom surface of the shank such that impact forces are transmitted through the resilient digging tooth housing to the shank thereby providing the digging tooth with increased flexibility and longer wear life. The present construction provides for vertical cutting action by the digging tooth shank and horizontal cutting action by the digging tooth for improved loosening of the earth being excavated.

Tooth assembly

An improved hydraulic system is disclosed for a backhoe having a rotating boom operated by a hydraulic swing mechanism. The system includes a hydraulic rotary sequencing valve which is operatively connected with the swing tower which supports the rotating boom. During rotation of the swing tower and boom by the hydraulic motors of the backhoe, the rotary valve is operated to selectively direct pressurized fluid to the motors for improved torque characteristics. A hydraulic cushioning circuit is provided in association with the rotary sequencing valve so that hydraulic cushioning of the motors, and thus the boom, is effected during the approach of the boom toward its travel stops, eliminating the need for conventional cushioning mechanisms in the motors themselves, and improving overall performance of the machine.

A quick coupling and release mechanism for attaching a material handling bucket, blade, compactor, impact hammer, or other attachment to the free end of a scoop arm extending from a loader or backhoe. The quick coupler has a three-leg configuration, including a hub, a pair of spaced apart depending legs adapted to be pivotally connected to the end of a loader arm, and a third leg extending from the hub in a cantilevered fashion with a slotted end for selective engagement with a permanent mounting pin on the bucket. The conventional push-pull links operatively connected with the loader arm are pivotally connected at one end to the third leg of the quick coupler, and the hub of the quick coupler is attached to the bucket by a releasable bucket mounting pin, thereby completing the coupled connection between the bucket and loader scoop arm. A single operator can easily handle the entire coupling or uncoupling operation without special tools. Further, the quick coupler does not require a special bucket construction or the attachment of special parts to the bucket for its operability.

A lock for holding a boom in a storage position on a boom support is disclosed herein. The lock consists of a first member or vertical pin that is carried by the boom support, a second member or locking ring that is pivoted on the boom about a horizontal axis and that has an opening for receiving the first member, and a deformable biasing element or spring interconnecting the first and second members. The second member is biased to a first position by the spring and engages the vertical pin when the boom is moved to its storage position. When the opening in the locking ring and the vertical pin are axially aligned, the spring returns the second member to the first position latching the first and second members together.

Boom lock

An improved, highly utilitarian bucket is described. The bucket incorporates two traversely spaced side walls connected by a backwall plate so as to form a generally scoop-shaped enclosure. The leading edge of the backwall is provided with a one-piece cutting-edge plate disposed between the side walls and formed with a plurality of tangs along its leading edge. The tangs are adapted to removably carry a plurality of generally flat tooth-plates. Each tooth-plate defines two oppositely disposed beveled edges. Because of the symmetric nature of the tooth-plates, they may be reversed to extend, if not double their useful life. Several embodiments of the tooth-plates are described. In addition, the bucket is particularly adaptable to serve as a mount for a easily connected back-fill blade.

Bucket with removable cutting plate

A unique hydraulic circuit is provided for converting rectilinear motion to rotational motion about an axis through the use of two pivotally mounted hydraulic motors. The hydraulic motors are pivotally interconnected between a pivoting member and a fixed member. A source of hydraulic fluid under pressure is directed to each hydraulic motor by a conduit system incorporating a flow control valve and a sequencing valve. The flow control valve selectively delivers fluid power to the hydraulic motors to rotate the pivoting member in one direction or the other. The sequencing valve senses the angular position of the two hydraulic motors and redirects the flow of fluid to the hydraulic motors in such a manner as to maintain the torque applied to the pivoting member relatively constant. The sequencing valve acts to redirect the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors so that only one of the hydraulic motors is pressurized at the end of the arc of swing of the pivoting member. The other hydraulic motor, at the beginning of the arc of swing of the pivoting member, has pressure applied to both sides of its piston by the sequencing valve. Both hydraulic motors are pressurized by the sequencing valve to develop their maximum output force when those hydraulic motors are between their overcenter positions.

Hydraulic control valve circuit for a swing mechanism

In heavy mobile construction machinery such as backhoes, power shovels and boom cranes, wherein hydraulically actuated outriggers are extended for lateral stabilization, an automatically self-locking and self-releasing latching mechanism is provided to restrain an outrigger in its retracted inoperative position when not in use. The latching mechanism is operable in response to simple hydraulic actuation of the outrigger, and does not require manual operation or remote controls to effect locking or release of the mechanism.

Latching mechanism for machine stabilizer arms using hydraulic cylinders

A releasable locking mechanism for holding a boom in a stored position on a support consists of a latch pivotally supported on the boom and normally held in a first position with a pin carried by the swing tower and aligned with the latch. The pin and latch are positioned such that movement of the boom to the stored position will automatically pivot the latch and produce an interlocking relationship. The release mechanism consists of first and second pivotally interconnected elements, one of which is supported along the pivot axis for the swing tower on the vehicle and the second element having a control member extending therefrom to the operator's station. A universal connection is provided between the control member and the second element, and is located along the vertical pivot axis for the swing tower.

Boom lock means

An articulated vehicle having two frame sections interconnected for pivotal movement about a vertical axis as well as a longitudinal axis is disclosed herein. The joint between the two frame sections includes upper and lower spaced pivotal connections between the two frame sections which define a vertical pivot axis and one of the pivotal connections is movable along a plane extending transversely of the frame sections to accommodate pivotal movement of the frame sections about a longitudinal axis.

Articulated vehicle with movable joint

A lever with a powered accessory for forcing against a resistance so that an initial manual operation can be applied to the lever and subsequently a powered force will be applied to the lever. The powered apparatus is shown to be a fluid cylinder assembly attached with the lever for assisting the pivot of the lever, and linkage attaches to the lever and extends to a valve or the like which is to be operated and which presents the resistance to be overcome. Fluid switches are disposed adjacent the lever and are activated according to the initial pivoting of the lever for controlling the flow of fluid to the cylinder assembly and thus to achieve the power assist in the pivot of the lever and the actuation of the resisting valve.

Growing community of inventors

Burlington, IA, United States of America

Herman J Maurer