A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on the body. The first latch member being movable into and out of the latching state
A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on the body. The first latch member being movable into and out of the latching state by an actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve is associated with the actuator. The valve has a first state wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state. The valve is adapted to adopt the first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and the second state when the coupling is in a working orientation.
대표청구항▼
1. A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on said body; said first latch member operatively connected with said body and being mo
1. A coupler for an excavator, the coupler comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on said body; said first latch member operatively connected with said body and being movable into and out of said latching state by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve is associated with the actuator, said valve having a first state, wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state, said valve being adapted to adopt said first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and said second state when the coupler is in a working orientation, wherein said valve comprises a flow passage in a hydraulic circuit of the actuator having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a portion of said flow passage defining a valve seat located between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, a valve stop member in the form of a ball being provided within the flow passage, said valve stop member being out of said valve seat under the action of gravity when the valve is in its first state due to rotation of the coupler to its non-working orientation, allowing fluid to flow through said flow passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, said valve stop member being located in the valve seat under the action of gravity when the valve is in its second state due to rotation of the coupler into its working orientation, preventing the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, said valve stop member being moveable within said flow passage into and out of said valve seat under the action of gravity, wherein the flow passage is substantially L-shaped having first and second sections arranged perpendicular to one another, the fluid inlet being provided in a side wall of said first section of the flow passage and the fluid outlet being provided at one end of the second section of the flow passage, said valve seat being provided at said one end of the second section upstream of the fluid outlet. 2. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of at least the second section of the flow passage is substantially equal to the diameter of the stop member such that fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the flow passage is prevented by the stop member when the stop member is located within the second section of the flow passage. 3. The coupler as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gravity operated valve is incorporated into the retract line of the hydraulic circuit for operating the actuator such that, in one or more orientations of the actuator, the gravity operated actuator adopts its second state under the influence of gravity to prevent said actuator from being retracted. 4. The coupler as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gravity operated valve is incorporated into the extend line of the hydraulic circuit for operating the actuator such that, in one or more orientations of the actuator, the gravity operated actuator adopts its second state under the influence of gravity to prevent said actuator from being retracted. 5. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gravity operated valve is provided on or in said actuator. 6. The coupler as claimed in claim 5, wherein said gravity operated valve is provided within a fluid supply manifold mounted on, or integrally formed within the actuator. 7. The coupler as claimed in claim 6, wherein said flow passage of the valve comprises drillings within the fluid supply manifold. 8. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gravity operated valve is provided on the coupler body, or on the excavator or other apparatus to which the coupler is attached. 9. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is provided with first and second spaced apart recesses for receiving respective pins of said excavator attachment, said first latch member retaining a respective attachment pin in said first recess when in its latching state. 10. The coupler as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coupler further comprises a second latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in said second recess, said actuator extending between the first and second latch members to simultaneously move said first and second latch members into and out of their respective latching states. 11. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gravity operated valve is incorporated into the retract line of the hydraulic circuit for operating the actuator such that, in one or more orientations of the actuator, the gravity operated actuator adopts its second state under the influence of gravity to prevent said actuator from being retracted. 12. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gravity operated valve is incorporated into the extend line of the hydraulic circuit for operating the actuator such that, in one or more orientations of the actuator, the gravity operated actuator adopts its second state under the influence of gravity to prevent said actuator from being retracted. 13. The coupler as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control system for the actuator, said control system comprising a source of pressurised fluid, such as a pump, a low pressure drain or reservoir, and a switch over valve, or other switching means, being operable between a first state, wherein said source of pressurised fluid is connected to an extend line connected to an extend side of the actuator to extend the actuator, and a second state, wherein pressurised fluid is supplied to a retract line connected to a retract side of the actuator to retract the actuator, said retract line being connected to said low pressure drain or reservoir when the switch over valve, or other switching means, is in its first state and said extend line being connected to said low pressure drain or reservoir when the switch over valve, or other switching means, is in its second state. 14. The coupler as claimed in claim 13, wherein said gravity operated non-return valve is provided in or is associated with said retract line whereby the valve prevents fluid from flowing through the retract line to retract side of the actuator when the switch over valve, or other switching means, is in its second state and when the gravity operated valve is in its second state, thus preventing retraction of the actuator when the coupling is in a working orientation. 15. The coupler as claimed in claim 13, wherein said gravity operated valve is provided in or is associated with said extend line whereby the valve prevents a return flow of fluid through the extend line to the low pressure drain or reservoir when the switch over valve, or other switching means, is in its second state and when the gravity operated valve is in its second state, thus preventing retraction of the actuator when the coupling is in a working orientation by preventing the escape of fluid from the extend side of the actuator as pressurised fluid is supplied to the retract side of the actuator.
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