Quick-connect coupler for bucket on excavating machine

Claim 1

In a backhoe excavating machine having a dipper stick, a bucket, and coupling means for coupling said bucket to said dipper stick, said coupling means including yoke means mounted on the lower end portion of said dipper stick and complementary saddle means mounted on the top side of said bucket, said coupling means comprising: a. a first yoke pin mounted on and disposed transversely across the lower end portion of said dipper stick, said first yoke pin extending beyond the side faces of said dipper stick; b. side links pivotally mounted on said first yoke pin extensions, respectively, said side links being spaced from the ends of said first yoke pin thereby defining first pin free end portions, and said side links being normally disposed substantially at right angle to said dipper stick and extending forwardly thereof; c. first collar trunions on said first pin free end portions, respectively; d. means for fixing said first collar trunnions on the adjacent faces of said side links, respectively; e. a second yoke pin mounted on and across the free end portions of said side links, said second yoke pin being disposed parallel to said first yoke pin, and said second yoke pin extending beyond the side faces of said side links thereby defining second pin free end portions; f. second collar trunions on said second pin free end portions, respectively; g. means for fixing said second collar trunions on the adjacent faces of said side links, respectively; h. first oppositely disposed slots in the end edge portions of said free end portions of said side links, respectively, for laterally receiving a lock bar; i. cross-brace means for rigidly interconnecting said side links; j. control link means pivotally mounted, at one end, on said second yoke pin, intermediate said side links, and extending normally upwardly and substantially parallel to said dipper stick; k. spacer link means pivotally interconnecting the free end portion of said control link means and said dipper stick, said spacer link being normally substantially at right angle to said dipper stick; l. ram means on said dipper stick pivotally connected to said control link for actuating said control link; m. a pair of similar spaced parallel saddle elements mounted longitudinally on the top side of said bucket, said saddle elements having barlike central body portions terminating at one end in upstanding oppositely disposed substantially 180* recurved hook ends to receive and snugly seat said first collar trunnions, respectively, said hook ends being disposed at the open end of the rearwardly facing bucket, and the other end of said barlike central body portions terminating in substantially 90* upwardly curved seats to snugly receive said second collar trunnions, respectively, when said first collar trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends, said 90* curved seats beinG formed in upstanding tail portions extending from said barlike body portions, respectively, and said saddle elements being spaced apart a distance to receive said side links therebetween in a working fit; n. second oppositely disposed slots in the end edge portions of said tail portions for laterally receiving a lock bar, said slots being disposed aligned with said first slots when said first and second collar trunnions are operatively seated in said hook ends and 90* upwardly curved seats, respectively; o. a lock bar received in said first and second slots when said slots are operatively aligned; and p. means for securing said lock bar in said aligned slots.