Working machine coupler device and working machine coupling method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021105926-A1
Application number	US-202017131882-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 23, 2020
Priority date	Aug 31, 2018
Publication date	Apr 15, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A working machine coupler device includes a top linkage, a lower linkage, a detachable frame including a second upper coupler to be coupled to a first upper coupler, and a second lower coupler to be coupled to a first lower coupler, and a top linkage controller. The second upper coupler is coupled to the first upper coupler when the lower linkage is pivoted upward, and the first lower coupler moves toward and be coupled to the second lower coupler when a front portion of the working machine is moved upward, and the top linkage controller regulates the stretching and shortening of the top linkage to hold the detachable frame inclining backward, and allows the top linkage to be shortened until the working machine takes a working posture after the lower linkage is pivoted downward from a state where the front portion of the working machine is lifted.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A working machine coupler device comprising:
a top linkage pivotally supported on a traveling vehicle upward and downward, the top linkage being configured to stretch and shorten; a lower linkage pivotally supported on the traveling vehicle upward and downward; a detachable frame connecting the top linkage and the lower linkage, the detachable frame including:
a second upper coupler to be coupled to a first upper coupler provided to a working machine; and
a second lower coupler to be coupled to a first lower coupler provided to the working machine; and
a top linkage controller to control stretching and shortening of the top linkage; wherein the second upper coupler of the detachable frame inclining backward is coupled to the first upper coupler when the lower linkage is pivoted upward, and the first lower coupler is configured to move toward and be coupled to the second lower coupler when a front portion of the working machine is moved upward; and the top linkage controller is configured to regulate the stretching and shortening of the top linkage to hold the detachable frame inclining backward, and to allow the top linkage to be shortened until the working machine takes a working posture after the lower linkage is pivoted downward from a state where the front portion of the working machine is lifted.

2 . The working machine coupler device according to claim 1 , wherein
the top linkage control mechanism includes:
an engagement groove; and
an engagement body to be engaged with the engagement groove;
the engagement groove includes:
a first regulator to hold the detachable frame inclining backward with the engagement body contacting to the first regulator; and
the engagement body moves relatively to the engagement groove while the working machine gradually takes a working posture from a posture where a front portion of the working machine is lifted and allows the top linkage to be shortened.

3 . The working machine coupler device according to claim 2 , wherein the engagement groove includes a lock portion to be engaged with the engaged body to lock the stretching of the top linkage when the working machine takes the working posture.

4 . The working machine coupler device according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement groove includes a floating portion to be engaged with the engagement body to regulate the stretching of the top linkage within a range allowing the working machine to follow a ground surface when the working machine takes the working posture.

5 . The working machine coupler device according to claim 4 , wherein the floating portion includes a second regulator to contact to the engagement body to regulate the stretching of the top linkage when the lower linkage is moved upward to lift the working machine from the working posture.

6 . The working machine coupler device according to claim 1 , wherein the top linkage controller includes a switch to selectively take either a first coupling configuration to lock the stretching of the top linkage when the working machine takes the working posture or a second coupling configuration to regulate the stretching of the top linkage within the range allowing the working machine to follow a ground surface when the working machine takes the working posture.

7 . The working machine coupler device according to claim 5 , wherein
the top linkage controller includes an engagement groove and an engagement body to be engaged with the engagement groove; the engagement groove includes:
a first regulator to hold the detachable frame inclining backward with the engagement body contacting to the first regulator;
a lock portion to be engaged with the engaged body to lock the stretching of the top linkage when the working machine takes the working posture in the first coupling configuration;
a floating portion to be engaged with the engagement body to regulate the stretching of the top linkage within a range allowing the working machine to follow a ground surface when the working machine takes the working posture in the second coupling configuration;
the engagement body moves relatively to the engagement groove while the working machine gradually takes a working posture from a posture where a front portion of the working machine is lifted and allows the top linkage to be shortened; and the floating portion includes a second regulator to contact to the engagement body to regulate the stretching of the top linkage when the lower linkage is moved upward to lift the working machine from the working posture.

8 . A working machine coupling method, which couples a working machine to a traveling vehicle with a working machine coupler device including a top linkage pivotally supported on a traveling vehicle upward and downward, the top linkage being configured to stretch and shorten, a lower linkage pivotally supported on the traveling vehicle upward and downward, and a detachable frame connecting the top linkage and the lower linkage, the detachable frame including: a second upper coupler to be coupled to a first upper coupler provided to a working machine, and a second lower coupler to be coupled to a first lower coupler provided to the working machine, the method comprising:
stretching the top linkage to incline the detachable frame backward; moving the lower linkage upward with respect to the working machine to engage the second upper coupler with the first upper coupler in a state where the detachable frame inclines backward; moving the lower linkage upward to lift a front portion of the working machine after engaging the second upper coupler with the first upper coupler to engage the second lower coupler with the first lower coupler; and moving the lower linkage downward until the working machine takes a working posture from a state where the front portion of the working machine is lifted.

9 . The working machine coupling method according to claim 8 , further comprising locking the stretching of the top linkage when the working machine takes the working posture.

10 . The working machine coupling method according to claim 8 , further comprising regulating the stretching of the top linkage within a range allowing the working machine to follow a ground surface when the working machine takes the working posture.

Assignees

• Kubota Kk

Inventors

• Aoyama Kenichi

Classifications

• A01B59/004

  Length-adjustable links · CPC title

• A01B59/043 Primary

  supported at three points, e.g. by quick-release couplings (A01B59/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A01B59/066 Primary

  of the type comprising at least two lower arms and one upper arm generally arranged in a triangle, e.g. three-point hitches · CPC title