Implement interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9885167-B2
Application number	US-201615146117-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2016
Priority date	Jul 16, 2013
Publication date	Feb 6, 2018
Grant date	Feb 6, 2018

Abstract

An interface for an implement that is to be operably coupled to a power machine includes an implement carrier mountable to a power machine for securing the implement for use with the power machine. The implement carrier includes an implement carrier frame, a locking feature for securing an implement, and a coupler block that is pivotally mounted to the implement carrier frame for engaging couplers on the implement. Implements and adapters configured to interface with the implement carrier are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
a tool portion; and
an implement carrier interface having a substantially flat surface with engagement features on opposing sides thereof that are configured to engage complementary features on an implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface including:
a locking feature configured to be engaged by the implement carrier of the power machine for securing the implement to the implement carrier;
a plurality of implement couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine; and
a locating member extending substantially perpendicularly from the substantially flat surface and configured to interface a locating feature located on the implement carrier.

2. The implement of claim 1 , wherein the implement carrier interface includes an implement coupler assembly in which the implement couplers are mounted.

3. The implement of claim 1 , wherein a first coupler of the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface is a hydraulic coupler configured to be engaged with a first coupler on the implement carrier of the power machine, and wherein the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is configured to relieve hydraulic pressure therein when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine.

4. The implement of claim 3 , wherein the implement carrier interface further comprises a fluid relief path, and wherein a valve member of the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is configured to move between an open position when the one of the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface is engaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine and a closed position when the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is disengaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier, wherein in the open position the valve member prevents pressurized hydraulic fluid from traveling into the fluid relief path, and wherein in the closed position the valve member allows pressurized hydraulic fluid to travel into the fluid relief path to relieve hydraulic pressure in the first coupler on the implement carrier interface when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine.

5. The implement of claim 1 , wherein the weight of the implement urges the plurality of implement couplers of the implement carrier interface into engagement with the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine when the implement is mounted to the power machine.

6. The implement of claim 1 , and further comprising an adapter that is configured to be removably attached to the implement, wherein the adapter provides the implement carrier interface.

7. An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
a tool portion; and
an implement carrier interface configured to engage an implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface having an implement coupler assembly comprising:
a plurality of implement couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine, wherein a first coupler on the implement carrier interface is a hydraulic coupler configured to be engaged with a first hydraulic coupler on the implement carrier of the power machine; and
a fluid relief path configured to be selectively placed in communication with the first coupler to relieve hydraulic pressure in the implement coupler assembly when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine and the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is disengaged from the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine.

8. The implement of claim 7 , and further comprising a valve member configured to control connection of the fluid relief path to the first coupler on the implement carrier interface.

9. The implement of claim 8 , wherein the valve member is configured to move between an open position when the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is engaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine and a closed position when the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is disengaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine, wherein in the open position the valve member prevents pressurized hydraulic fluid from traveling into the fluid relief path and wherein in the closed position the valve member allows pressurized hydraulic fluid to travel into the fluid relief path to relieve hydraulic pressure in the first coupler on the implement carrier interface when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine.

10. A mounting adapter configured to be removably attached to an implement, comprising:
an implement carrier interface configured to engage and be mounted to an implement carrier of a power machine, including a first plurality of couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine, wherein the implement carrier interface is configured such that the first plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface are urged into engagement with the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine when the implement carrier interface engages with the implement carrier of the power machine and such that disengagement of the implement carrier interface from the implement carrier of the power machine causes the first plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface to disengage from the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine; and
a second plurality of couplers in communication with the first plurality of hydraulic couplers and configured to be connected to conduits on the implement.

11. The adapter of claim 10 , and further comprising at least one releasable adapter locking mechanism configured to removably attach the adapter to the implement.

12. The adapter of claim 10 , wherein the implement carrier interface further comprises an implement locking feature configured to be releasably engaged by a locking mechanism of the implement carrier of the power machine.

13. The adapter of claim 10 , wherein the implement carrier interface has a substantially flat surface configured to engage with the implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface further comprising a locating member extending substantially perpendicularly from the substantially flat surface and configured to interface a locating feature on the implement carrier of the power machine to align the first plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface with the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier.

14. The adapter of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the second plurality of couplers is a hydraulic fitting.

15. An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
a tool portion; and
an implement carrier interface having a substantially flat surface with engagement features on opposing sides thereof that are configured to engage complementary features on an implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface further including:
a locking feature configured to be engaged by a locking mechanism of the implement carrier of the power machine;
a plural

Assignees

• Clark Equipment Co

Inventors

• Behr Eric J
• Becker Brandon
• Binstock Mark W

Classifications

• E02F3/3663 Primary

  hydraulically-operated · CPC title

• E02F3/364

  using wedges · CPC title

• E02F3/3672

  where disengagement is effected by a mechanical lever or handle · CPC title

• F16L37/08

  in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members (F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence) · CPC title

• E02F9/2275

  Hoses and supports therefor and protection therefor · CPC title