TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a quick coupler for coupling a hydraulically operated
tool/implement onto a boom provided with a tilt rotator and a bucket latch of an excavator,
and a mechanical coupling member adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tool/implement.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There currently exist several quick couplers and other connections between machines
and tools/implements for construction work within various construction operations.
Most common are simple couplers, requiring the operator to exit from the machine to
manually connect the tool/implement, but there are also quick couplers allowing for
the operator to attach the tool/implement without having to exit from the machine;
see, for example,
SE 524 668,
SE 535 681,
SE 1150837 A1,
DE 101 59 417 A1,
US 6,385,872 B1,
US 6,813,851 B2,
US 7,464,967 B2 and
US 2014/0030005 A1. Where there are quick couplers, the buyer is usually forced to choose coupler and
tool/implement from the manufacturer producing the machine. Thereby, the buyer is
secured into buying the coupler and tool/implement from the manufacturer of the machine,
which could be a very costly investment for the purchasing company.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The main object of the present invention is to provide a quick coupler which allows
the coupling of hydraulically operated products from different manufacturers.
[0004] This main object is achieved in that the quick coupler according to the present invention,
as specified in the first paragraph above, comprises:
- a mechanical coupling member adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tool/implement
and designed to be secured to the tilt rotator by means of the bucket latch;
- a first valve block for hydraulics, the valve block being adapted to be fixedly mounted
onto the tilt rotator; and
- a second valve block movably mounted onto the mechanical coupling member, and arranged
to be displaced by the bucket latch when the bucket latch secures the tool/implement
to the tilt rotator, into contact with the first valve block, such that the two valve
blocks are interconnected to allow the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough.
[0005] Such a quick coupler fits several different models/types of machines and is a universal
coupler of the quick-coupler type, with which the operator does not need to exit from
the cab to connect the hydraulics manually. If the tool/implement is already provided
with a quick-connect coupling or similar, it can be dismounted and replaced by the
quick coupler according to the invention. Furthermore, such a quick coupler offers
great opportunities to fulfil an additional object of the invention, namely the possibility
to manufacture the quick coupler at a low cost.
[0006] In a first embodiment, the mechanical coupling member is U-shaped in cross-section
and comprises a rectangular, planar bottom plate and two side walls protruding perpendicularly
from the long sides of the bottom plate, between which side walls two through-pins
extend, one at each short side of the bottom plate, one of which pins being located
at a greater distance from the bottom plate than the other. Thereby, a conventional
bucket latch can grasp and hold the mechanical coupling member.
[0007] It is preferable for the bottom plate to be provided with a plurality of through-holes
for facilitating the mounting onto the tool/implement. However, in a variant, the
bottom plate can be omitted and the two side walls can be fixed to the tool/implement
by means of e.g. welding.
[0008] Said second valve block is preferably divided into two valve block parts, located
on the outside of a respective one of the two side walls and adjacent to the pin with
which a locking tab of the bucket latch interacts, the valve block parts being interconnected
by a transverse bar extending through an opening in each of the side walls and having
an abutment for the bucket latch, the opening being slot-shaped to allow movement
of said second valve block towards said first valve block when the tool/implement
is being secured. Hereby, a hydraulic interconnection of the two valve blocks is automatically
achieved when the bucket latch secures the mechanical coupling member mounted onto
the tool/implement to the tilt rotator.
[0009] In order to facilitate for the bucket latch to move the second valve block towards
the first valve block, the bar's vertical position is preferably located underneath
the pin with which the locking tab interacts.
[0010] Furthermore, cooperating guide means are preferably arranged on each of the two valve
block parts and the outside of the side walls in order to guide the movement of the
second valve block towards and away from an active position where the second valve
block is hydraulically interconnected with the first valve block, and an idle position
where the second valve block is hydraulically disconnected from and spaced from the
first valve block. Hereby, the two valve blocks are oriented against each other in
such a way that interconnection can take place.
[0011] In order to ensure careful alignment, it is then preferable for said guide means
to comprise a guide rail or a guide carrier arranged on the outside of each of the
side walls, adjacent to the opening in each of the side walls, and for every valve
block part, a guide follower carried by the valve block part and grasping the guide
rail, or, a through channel for a guide rod carried by the valve block part and running
in the through channel.
[0012] Preferably, a spring mechanism is arranged to move the second valve block towards
its idle position. Thereby, there is no risk of damaging any of the valve blocks during
disconnection or connection.
[0013] In order to eliminate or at least greatly reduce the risk of tilting the second valve
block in relation to the mechanical coupling member during movement, it is preferable
for the spring mechanism to comprise a spring for each valve block part.
[0014] These springs are then preferably located on the outside of the respective side walls,
thus not risking to be damaged by the bucket latch during coupling or decoupling of
the tool/implement from the tilt rotator.
[0015] To easily dimension the spring force and the working length, the springs are preferably
tension springs of the helical spring type.
[0016] Preferably, one of the valve blocks comprises at least one female fluid-coupling
member and the other one of the valve blocks a male fluid-coupling member matching
said at least one female member, the fluid-coupling members allowing fluid flow through
the valve blocks when connected, but preventing escape of hydraulic fluid when separated.
Such fluid-coupling members are well-known and of conventional design, and provide
the intended function at a reasonable cost.
[0017] It is preferable for said first valve block mounted onto the tilt rotator to comprise
at least two male fluid-coupling members, and for said second valve block the same
number of female fluid-coupling members. As a result of the protruding male members
thus being carried by the tilt rotator, the risk of them being damaged over time is
less than if they had been carried by the tool/implement.
[0018] It is also preferable for the two fluid-coupling members of the first valve block
to be mounted in a carrier with internal channels for in- and outflow of hydraulic
fluid. Thereby, a design which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture as well as easy
to mount onto the tilt rotator is achieved.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will be described below, with reference to preferred embodiments and
the accompanying drawings.
- Figure 1
- is a perspective view of a tilt rotator, onto which can be mounted a first valve block
of the quick coupler according to the invention.
- Figure 2
- is a perspective view of a sample tool/implement, here a surface grinder, onto which
can be mounted a mechanical coupling member with a movable second valve block in the
quick coupler according to the invention.
- Figure 3
- is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the quick coupler according to the
invention, with the first valve block to the right and the mechanical coupling member
with the movable second valve block to the left.
- Figure 4
- is a side elevational view of the mechanical coupling member with the movable second
valve block in the quick coupler according to Figure 3.
- Figure 5
- is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V in Figure 4.
- Figures 6a and 6b
- are an end view and a side elevational view, respectively, of a transverse bar in
the mechanical coupling member, connecting two mirror-inverted valve block parts contained
in the movable second valve block, and having an abutment for the bucket latch.
- Figure 7
- is a plan view of the mechanical coupling member.
- Figures 8a and 8b
- are an end view and a side elevational view, respectively, of the first valve block.
- Figure 9
- is a perspective view of the mechanical coupling member mounted onto a tool/implement,
here a surface grinder.
- Figure 10
- is a perspective view of the lower part of a tilt rotator provided with the first
valve block and having engaged the mechanical coupling member (here not mounted onto
a tool/implement).
- Figure 11
- is a perspective view similar to Figure 8, but with the mechanical coupling member
secured to the tilt rotator and the two valve blocks connected to each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In many types of work in the construction industry, it is necessary to be able to
hydraulically operate, from an excavator cab, a tool/implement which is mounted on
the excavator's boom and adjustable into many positions and angles. For the rotation
and tilting of the tool in various directions, the boom, at its free end, carries
a tilt rotator, which in turn carries the tool/implement. A tilt rotator makes it
possible to dig, rotate and tilt the backhoe (or other tools intended for excavators)
in one movement.
[0021] Many different tilt rotators are available on the market, Figure 1 showing one of
them, a Rototilt RT20, marketed by Indexator
Rototilt Systems AB, in Vindeln, Sweden. The bottom part
2 of the tilt rotator
1 can be rotated 360° and is provided with a so-called bucket latch
5 in the form of a hydraulic reciprocable tab, for securing the tool/implement to the
tilt rotator
1.
[0022] An example of a tool/implement
10 which can be coupled to the tilt rotator
1 by means of the bucket latch
5 is shown in Figure 2. Neither the tilt rotator
1 nor the tool/implement
10 is part of the present invention, but they are shown only as preferred examples.
The tool/implement
10 shown in Figure 2 is a hydraulically driven surface grinder, YTF-420, marketed by
YTF Sweden AB, in Falun, Sweden. The illustrated surface grinder
10 has a rotatable grinding disc
11 driven by a hydraulic motor
13 and with interchangeable rotatable slitting knives
12 of hard metal, its applications including the removal of tar from the outside of
exterior basement walls. The surface grinder
10 is provided with a quick-connect coupling
15, which can be grasped by the tilt rotator
1 and secured by means of the bucket latch
5 for quick securing of the surface grinder
10 to the tilt rotator
1, but to connect the hydraulics for driving the grinding disc
11, the excavator operator must exit his cab and connect the hydraulic hoses manually.
In a first embodiment the quick-connect coupling
15 consists of a generally U-beam-shaped undercarriage
16 with a transverse rear pin
17 and a transverse front pin
18. The tilt rotator
1 is provided with, firstly, two rearward oriented recesses
3 for initial engagement of the rear pin
17 at its rear ends, and, secondly, two downward oriented recesses
4 for subsequent engagement of the front pin
18 at its forward ends. During securing with the bucket latch, the locking tab
6 is inserted under the front pin
18, pressing it up against the upper edge of the downward oriented recess
4.
[0023] The main object of the present invention is to achieve a quick coupler
20 enabling the interconnection of hydraulically operated products (tools/implements
10 for tilt rotators
1 with bucket latches
5) from different manufacturers.
[0024] This main object is accomplished by the quick coupler
20 in accordance with the present invention comprising, as shown in the accompanying
drawings, maybe best in Figure 3:
- a mechanical coupling member 21 adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tool/implement 10 and designed to be secured to the tilt rotator 1 by means of the bucket latch 5,
- a first valve block 27 for hydraulics, the valve block being adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tilt
rotator 1, and
- a second valve block 28 movably mounted onto the mechanical coupling member 21, and arranged to be displaced by the bucket latch 5 when the bucket latch 5 secures the tool/implement 10 to the tilt rotator 1, into contact with the first valve block 27, such that the two valve blocks 27, 28 are interconnected to allow the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough.
[0025] Such a quick coupler
20 fits several different models/types of machines and is a universal coupler of the
quick-coupler type, with which the operator does not need to exit from the cab to
connect the hydraulics manually. If the tool/implement
10 is already provided with a quick-connect coupling
15 or similar, it can be dismounted and replaced by the quick coupler
20 according to the invention. Furthermore, such a quick coupler offers great opportunities
to fulfil an additional object of the invention, namely the possibility to manufacture
the quick coupler
20 at a low cost.
[0026] As is best illustrated in Figure 5, the mechanical coupling member
21 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and comprises a rectangular, planar bottom
plate
22 and two side walls
23 protruding perpendicularly from the long sides of the bottom plate
22. Between the side walls
23 two through-pins extends, namely a rear through-pin
24 at the rear short side of the bottom plate
22, and a front through-pin
25 at the front short side of the bottom plate
22, said rear pin
24 being located at a greater distance from the bottom plate
22 than the other
25. Thereby, a conventional bucket latch
5 can grasp and hold the mechanical coupling member
21, and the engagement of the rear pin
24 in the rearward oriented recesses
3 of the tilt rotator
1 is facilitated.
[0027] As shown in Figure 3, it is preferable for the bottom plate
22 to be provided with a plurality of through-holes
26 for facilitating the mounting of the mechanical coupling member
21 onto the tool/implement
10. The hole pattern must of course be adapted to the make of the tool/implement
10 to which the mechanical coupling member
21 is to be attached.
[0028] In the first embodiment said second valve block
28 is, as best shown in Figure 5, preferably divided into two mirror-inverted valve
block parts
29, located on the outside of a respective one of the two side walls
23 and adjacent to the transverse front pin
25, which is closest to the bottom plate
22. These valve block parts
29 are rigidly interconnected by a transverse bar
30 extending through an opening
34 in each of the side walls
23. Each valve block part
29 also comprises a screwed-on arm
43, shown in Figures 3-5, extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate
22 and along the adjacent side wall
23, connecting the transverse bar
30 transmitting the force with the valve block part
29.
[0029] As best shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the bar
30 is preferably composed of two flat bars screwed together, one
31 with its greatest width in the horizontal plane to resist deformation in that plane,
and one
32 with its greatest width in the vertical plane to provide an abutment
33 for locking tabs
6 of different designs. The bar
30 is preferably located vertically between the bottom plate
22 and the bottom of the front pin
25, and the abutment
33 preferably has a height such that it extends from the lower edge of the front pin
25 down to the bottom plate
22. The opening
34 in every side wall
23 is slot-shaped to allow movement of said second valve block
28 towards said first valve block
27, when, as the tool/implement
10 is secured to the tilt rotator
1, the locking tab
6 is inserted under the front pin
25, pressing it up against the upper edge of the downward oriented recess
4 in the lower part
2 of the tilt rotator
1. When the locking tab
6 secures the mechanical coupler member
21 mounted onto the tool/implement
10 to the tilt rotator
1, at the same time and automatically a hydraulic interconnection of the two valve blocks
27 and
28 is accomplished, as shown in Figure 11.
[0030] Furthermore, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5, cooperating guide means
35, 36 are preferably arranged on each of the two valve block parts
29 and the outside of the side walls
23 in order to guide the movement of the second valve block
28 towards and away from an active position, where the second valve block
28 is hydraulically interconnected with the first valve block
27, and an idle position, where the second valve block
28 is hydraulically disconnected and spaced from the first valve block
27. Hereby, the two valve blocks
27, 28 are oriented against each other in such a way that interconnection can take place.
[0031] In order to ensure precise alignment, it is then preferable for said guide means,
as shown in Figures 3-5, to comprise a guide rail
35 arranged on the outside of each of the side walls
23, the guide rail
35 being parallel to the bottom plate
22 and located adjacent to the opening
34 in each of the side walls
23, and for every valve block part
29, a guide follower
36 mounted in a recess of the valve block part, for example, and grasping the guide
rail
35, which is likewise preferably screwed-on. The guide follower
36 may be comprised of, for example, a saddle, slide or carriage with wheels, and if
desired, the guide rail
35 may be provided with longitudinal grooves, not shown, for the guide follower
36.
[0032] Preferably, a spring mechanism
37, shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, is arranged to move the second valve block
28 towards its idle position. Thereby, there is no risk of damaging any of the valve
blocks
27, 28 during disconnection or connection. In order to eliminate or at least greatly reduce
the risk of tilting the second valve block
28 in relation to the mechanical coupling member
21 during movement, it is preferable for the spring mechanism to comprise a spring
37 for each valve block part
29. These springs
37 are then preferably located on the outside of the respective side walls
23, thus not risking to be damaged by the reciprocable locking tab
6 during coupling or decoupling of the tool/implement
10 from the tilt rotator
1. To easily dimension the spring force and the working length, the springs are preferably
tension springs
37 of the helical spring type.
[0033] Preferably, one of the valve blocks
27, 28 comprises at least one female fluid-coupling member
38 and the other one of the valve blocks a male fluid-coupling member
39 matching said at least one female member
38, the fluid-coupling members
38, 39 allowing fluid flow through the valve blocks
27, 28 when connected, but preventing escape of hydraulic fluid when separated. Such fluid-coupling
members
38, 39 are well-known and of conventional design, and provide the intended function at a
reasonable cost.
[0034] As shown in Figures 3-8b, it is preferable for said first valve block
27 mounted onto the tilt rotator
1 to comprise at least two male fluid-coupling members
39, and for said second valve block
28 the same number of female fluid-coupling members
38. As a result of the protruding male members
39 thus being carried by the tilt rotator
1, the risk of them being damaged over time is less than if they had been carried by
the tool/implement
10.
[0035] It is also preferable for the two fluid-coupling members
39 of the first valve block
27, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, to be mounted in a carrier
40 with internal channels
41 with connections
42 for in- and outflow of hydraulic fluid. The connections
42 are coupled to the corresponding connections on the tilt rotator
1 with hoses or pipes. Thereby, a design which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture
as well as easy to mount onto the tilt rotator
1 is achieved.
[0036] Each one of the two mirror-inverted valve block parts
29 comprises a continuous channel
44, best shown in Figure 4, into one end of which a female fluid-coupling member
38 is screwed in, and the other end of which is designed to receive a male fluid-coupling
member
39.
[0037] Figure 9 shows the mechanical coupling member
21 mounted onto a tool/implement, here a surface grinder
10. From the female fluid-coupling members
38, hydraulic hoses
14 (one shown) lead to the hydraulic motor
13 of the surface grinder for driving the rotatable grinding disc.
[0038] Figure 10 shows the lower part of a tilt rotator
1, which is provided with the first valve block
27 with the male fluid-coupling members
39 and has engaged the transverse rear pin
24 on the mechanical coupling member
21 (here not yet mounted onto a tool/implement
10). During further rearward tilt of the tilt rotator
1, the lower end of the mechanical coupling member
21 will, by means of the gravity acting on the tool/implement
10, pivot the first valve block
27, such that the transverse rear pin
24 is inserted into the downward oriented recesses
4 of the tilt rotator
1. Thereafter, the tool/implement
10 can be secured by the bucket latch
5, which then also protrudes the movable second valve block
28 for interconnection with the first valve block
27, and consequently, hydraulic interconnection of the tilt rotator
1 with the tool/implement
10. Figure 11 shows the state when the mechanical coupling member
21 is secured to the tilt rotator 1 and the two valve blocks
27 and
28 are connected to each other.
[0039] A preferred embodiment shall now be described. In the preferred embodiment it is
mainly the construction of the two valve parts and the cooperating guide means which
are arranged outside the side walls that are different from the embodiment already
described. As far as other parts of the quick-coupler
20 are arranged as described in connection with the first embodiment, it will not be
repeated here. In the following description, only one set of cooperating guide means
are described unless otherwise required in order to understand the invention. A side
view of the preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 12.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the cooperating guide means comprise two opposite guide
bearing blocks
35' fixed, preferably by screws at its' lower part, on the outside of the side walls
23. The guide bearing blocks
35' comprise a through hole in their upper ends for a respective guide pipe
36' which are movable in the axial direction of the through hole. The through hole has
a diameter that is somewhat wider than the diameter of the guide pipe
36' in order to allow the guide pipe
36' to run through the hole with minimal resistance. In order to keep the guide pipe
36' aligned in the hole and to prevent particles from entering the space between the
guide pipe
36' and the inner wall of the through hole, a bushing is preferably arranged in the forward
and rearward opening. Hereby it is also possible in a manner known per se to inject
fluid of suitable type to lubricate the passage and to increase the dirt protection.
[0041] The respective guide pipe
36' has an extension in axial direction that is longer than the extension in the same
direction of the guide bearing block
35', and has a rearward portion
50 which extends outside a rearward face
52 of the guide bearing block
35' and a forward portion
51 that extends outside a forward face
53 of the guide bearing block
35'. A compression spring
37' of helical spring type is arranged around the rearward portion
50 and is further arranged to act against the rearward face
52 of the guide bearing block
35' in order to move the second valve block
28 towards its idle position. A spring stop for the spring to act upon, e.g. a nut,
is arranged at the guide pipe's end. A gaiter is preferably arranged around the spring
and rearward portion of the guide pipe
36'.
[0042] In order to move the second valve block
28 towards its active position, the forward portion
51 of the guide pipe
36' is attached to the valve block part
29. In the preferred embodiment the screwed-on arm
43 is not required in order to attach the bar
30 to the valve block part
29. Instead, the valve block part
29 is directly interconnected with the transverse bar
30, e.g. fixed by screws, against the transverse bar's end outside the side walls
23. The valve block part
29 comprise a carrier
29' that extend upwards, in parallel with the side wall
23. The carrier's upper end is provided with attachment means for the forward end of
a guide pipe
36'. The attachment means comprises a portion extending perpendicularly against the side
wall
23 and having a through hole
60 for the guide pipe
36'. The forward end of the guide pipe
36' further comprises a threaded nipple which extends outside the forward face
54 of the attachment means. Fixing means
61, here a nut, is arranged on the threaded nipple to secure the guide pipe
36' against the carrier
29'. A male fluid-coupling member
39 is arranged inside the guide pipe
36', at its forward end. Through a centre hole in the nipple and the nut
61, the male fluid-coupling member
39 protrudes. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the female and male fluid-coupling
members
38, 39 are reverse from the first embodiment described above but the male fluid-coupling
member
39 is hydraulically interconnected and disconnected with a corresponding female fluid-coupling
member
38 in the first valve block
27 in the active position according to the same principle as described above. In the
guide pipe's
36' rearward end means are arranged for attachment of hydraulic tubes.
[0043] During manoeuvring of the second valve block
29 towards and away from an active position, a rearward side
62 of the nut
61 and the forward face
54 of the carrier
29' is arranged to interact via pushing forces in opposite directions. For this reason,
the nut
61 has a relatively wide extension in transversal direction such that the rearward side
62 provides a press surface
62 which is approximately as wide as the opposing forward face
54 of the carrier
29'. When the locking tab
6 pushes the bar
30 forward, the force is transmitted to the carrier
29' and a pushing force in the forward direction is exerted by the carrier
29' on the locking nut
61. Upon retraction of the locking tab
6, the spring
37' will move the guide pipe
36' rearwards and the locking nut
61 will act upon the forward face
54 of the carrier
29' and pull the carrier
29' and the bar
30 rearwards at the same time as the fluid coupling members
38, 39 are hydraulically disconnected and spaced apart.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the quick coupler as described
and shown in the drawings, but can be varied within the scope of the appended claims.
The design may need slight modification for adaptation to different tilt rotators.
If desired, as shown in Figures 3 and 10, the top surface of the transverse front
pin
25 may be provided with a pair of recesses, which are transverse in relation to the
pin and the surface of which forms part of a substantially cylindrical interior surface.
[0045] In a variant, the bottom plate can be omitted and the two side walls can be fixed
to the tool/implement by means of e.g. welding. In this variant is shall be understood
that the bar's vertical position is located closely underneath the pin
25 with which the locking tab
6 interacts, in the space between the pin and the upper side of the tool/implement.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
[0046] The invention should find use primarily with contractors owning excavators, and with
companies offering construction equipment for rent, in order to enable them to connect
hydraulically operated products such as various tools/implements for tilt rotators
provided with bucket latches from different manufacturers. It shall be understood
that it may be sufficient to obtain several extra coupling members
21 to be mounted on different tools/implements but to obtain only one set of the first
valve block
27 as the same excavator may be used with various tools/implements. It shall therefor
be understood that these parts may be sold separately.
1. A quick coupler
(20) for connection of a hydraulically operated tool/implement
(10) onto an excavator boom provided with a tilt rotator
(1) and a bucket latch
(5), the quick coupler
(20) comprising
- a mechanical coupling member (21) adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tool/implement (10) and designed to be secured to the tilt rotator (1) by means of the bucket latch (5);
- a first valve block (27) for hydraulics, the valve block (27) being adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tilt rotator (1); and
- a second valve block (28) movably mounted onto the mechanical coupling member (21), and arranged to be displaced by the bucket latch (5) when the bucket latch (5) secures the tool/implement (10) to the tilt rotator 1, into contact with the first valve block (27), such that the two valve blocks (27, 28) are interconnected to allow the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough.
characterised in that
- the mechanical coupling member (21) comprising two opposite side walls (23) between which side walls (23) two through-pins (24, 25) extend, one at each end of the side walls (23),
- the movable second valve block (28) being divided into two valve block parts (29), located on the outside of a respective one of the two side walls (23) and adjacent to the pin (25) with which a locking tab (6) of the bucket latch (5) interacts, the valve block parts (29) comprising manoeuvring means (30) having an abutment (33) for the locking tab (6).
2. The quick coupler according to claim 1, characterised in that the valve block parts (29) is interconnected by the manoeuvring means (30) which comprises a transverse bar (30), said bar's (30) vertical position being located underneath the pin (25) with which the locking tab (6) interacts.
3. The quick coupler according to claim 2, characterised in that the transverse bar (30) extends through an opening (34) in each of the side walls (23), the opening (34) being slot-shaped to allow movement of the second valve block (28) towards the first valve block (27) when the tool/implement (10) is being secured.
4. The quick coupler according to claim 1, characterised in that cooperating guide means (35, 36) are arranged outside the side walls (23) in order to guide the movement of the second valve block (28) towards and away from an active position, where the second valve block (28) is hydraulically interconnected with the first valve block (27), and an idle position, where the second valve block (28) is hydraulically disconnected and spaced from the first valve block (27).
5. The quick coupler according to claim 4, characterised in that said guide means (35, 35', 36, 36') comprise any of a guide rail (35) and a guide bearing block (35') arranged on the outside of each of the side walls adjacent to the opening (34) in each of the side walls (23),
6. The quick coupler according to claim 5, characterised in that said guide rail (35) is located adjacent to the opening (34) in each of the side walls (23) and comprises a guide follower (36) carried by the valve block part (29) and grasping the guide rail (35).
7. The quick coupler according to claim 6, characterised in that said guide bearing block (35') is located adjacent to the opening (34) in each of the side walls (23), and comprises a through channel (60) for a guide pipe (36').
8. The quick coupler according to claim 7, characterised in that said guide pipe (36') has a forward end extending outside a forward face (54) of the carrier (29'), said forward end comprising a threaded nipple for a locking nut (61), a rearward side (62) of said locking nut (62) and said forward face (54) of said carrier (29') being arranged to interact via pushing forces in opposite directions during movement
of the second valve block (28) towards and away from an active position.
9. The quick coupler according to any of claim 4 - 7, characterised in that a spring mechanism (37) is arranged to move the second valve block (28) towards its idle position.
10. The quick coupler according to claim 9, characterised in that the spring mechanism comprises a spring (37, 37') for every valve block part (29), said springs (37, 37') being any of tension springs (37) or compression springs (37') of the helical spring type.
11. The quick coupler according to claim 9, characterised in that said guide pipe (36') has a rearward portion (50) which extends outside a rearward face (52) of said guide bearing block (35'), said spring (37') being arranged around said rearward portion (50) and further arranged to act against the guide bearing block (35').
12. The quick coupler according to any one of claims 1-1, characterised in that one of the valve blocks (27, 28) comprises at least one female fluid-coupling member (38) and the other one of the valve blocks (27, 28) a male fluid-coupling member (39) matching the female member (38), the fluid-coupling members (38, 39) allowing fluid flow through the valve blocks (27, 28) when connected, but preventing escape of hydraulic fluid when separated.
13. The quick coupler according to claim 12, characterised in that the male fluid-coupling member (39) is arranged inside the forward end of the guide pipe (36) and extend outside the locking nut (61).
14. The quick coupler according to claim 1, characterised in that the mechanical coupling member (21) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and comprises a rectangular, planar bottom
plate (22), said side walls (23) protruding perpendicularly from the long sides of the bottom plate (22).
15. A mechanical coupling member
(21) adapted to be fixedly mounted onto the tool/implement
(10) and designed to be secured to an excavator boom provided with a tilt rotator
(1) and a bucket latch
(5), by means of said bucket latch
(5), said mechanical coupling member (21) comprising
- a second valve block (28) movably mounted onto the mechanical coupling member (21), and arranged to be displaced by the bucket latch (5) when the bucket latch (5) secures the tool/implement (10) to the tilt rotator (1), characterised in that
- the mechanical coupling member (21) comprising two opposite side walls (23) between which side walls (23) two through-pins (24, 25) extend, one at each end of the side walls (23),
- the movable second valve block (28) being divided into two valve block parts (29), located on the outside of a respective one of the two side walls (23) and adjacent to the pin (25) with which a locking tab (6) of the bucket latch (5) interacts, the valve block parts (29) comprising manoeuvring means (30) having an abutment (33) for the locking tab (6).