Tool connecting

Claim 2

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid crossmember extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said jaw defines a pair of said engagement surfaces, and said cross-member includes a pair of flat bearing surfaces extending generally axially thereof and projecting in generally opposite directions from spaced portions thereof, one of said flat surfaces projecting toward the rear of said opening from the upper half of said cross-member and being adapted for engaging the upper one of said hook engagement surfaces, and the other of said flat surfaces projecting from the lower half of said cross-member and being adapted to engage the other of said hook engagement surfaces.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cross-member is substantially cylindrical and said pair of flat bearing surfaces project generally tangentially thereof.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the front and rear of said hook member above said upper one engagement surface are of said overall width.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the bottom of said hook member is open.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening is in a wall of said cooperating structure and the top of said cross-member is in the plane of said wall.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook jaw includes generally parallel upper and lower engagement surfaces and a rear engagement surface extending between said upper and lower engagement surfaces and defining said minimum depth, said cross member is substantially cylindrical, and the diameter of said cross member is substantially equal to the distance between said upper and lower engagement surfaces.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rear engagement surface is generally perpendicular to said upper and lower engagement surfaces and parallel to said first axis.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said opening is in a top wall of said cooperating structure, and the top of said cross-member is tangential to the plane of said wall.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cross member includes a pair of axially-extending flat bearing surfaces projecting generally tangentially and in opposite directions from opposite sides of said cross member, one of said flat surfaces being adapted for engaging said upper hook engagement surface and projecting toward the rear of said opening, and the other of said flat surfaces being adapted for engaging said lower hook engagement surface.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said opening is in a top wall of said cooperating structure, and said one flat surface is substantially coplanar with said wall.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of said bearing surfaces is parallel to said wall, the one of said bearing surfaces nearer said wall extending tangentially of said cross member towards said rear edge of said opening.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said overall depth is greater than the distance from said one surface of said opening to the nearest portion of said cross-member.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said overall depth is not less than the sum of said distance from said one edge and one-half the front-to-back thickness of said cross member.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the difference between said overall depth and said minimum depth is not less than about said front-to-back thickness.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said locking members includes aperatures extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to said first axis, said hitch and said cooperating structure include stops for coaxially aligning said apertures with each other when said locking members are engaged with each other, and including a locking pin extending through said apertures and securing said locking members together.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooperating structure includes a pair of spaced bearing members defining the width of said opening, each of said bearing members having a height equal to not less than about one-half the height of said hook member above said rear engagement surface thereof.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hitch includes a downwardly-facing surface spaced from said hook member and arranged to engage an upwardly-facing portion of said handler spaced from said cross-member when said hitch and said handler are engaged and thereby vertically locate said locking members relative to each other.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said downwardly-facing surface is defined by the body of said hitch, and said opening and said upwardly-facing portion are defined by a top wall of said handler.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said downwardly-facing surface is defined by said locking member of said hitch.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook projects downwardly from the body of said hitch, said hitch locking member is above said jaw engagement surface, said opening is defined by a wall of said cooperating structure, and said locking member of said cooperating structure projects above said wall.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance between said hitch locking member and a point on said hook jaw adapted to engage said cross-member is substantially equal to the distance between said materials handler locking member and the portion of said cross-member arranged to be engaged by said point.

Claim 24

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, said body of said hitch and said hook member of said hitch being connected for pivotal movement relative to each other about a second axis generally perpendicular to said first axis, and said apparatus including an actuator connected thereto and operable for pivoting said hook member relative to said body.

Claim 25

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, said body of said hitch and said hook member of said hitch being connected for pivotal movement relative to each other about a second axis generally perpendicular to said first axis, and said apparatus including an actuator connected thereto and operable for pivoting said hook member relative to said body.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said actuator is substantially in line with said hook member and intermediate the axes of connection of said hitch to said boom.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said actuator includes a piston and cylinder, said piston being pivotally connected to said body of said hitch, and said cylinder being pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said hook of said hitch.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 23 including a pivot pin coaxial with said second axis and pivotally connecting said hitch body and said hook member together, said second axis being spaced from said hook jaw on the side thereof towards said hitch body.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 26 including a second pin coaxial with said second axis and adapted for removably connecting said hitch body and said handler together whereby said hitch body and said handler are pivotable relative to each other about said pivot pin and said second pin.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said actuator is pivotally connected to said body and to a portion of said hook member on the side of said pivot pin opposite said jaw.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein each of said locking members include apertures extending therethrough, each of said apertures is coaxial with said second axis, and said second pin is a locking pin extending removably through said apertures and securing said locking members together.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said hitch locking member defines a downwardly-facing surface, said locking member of said cooperating structure defines an upwardly-facing surface arranged to engage said downwardly-facing surface when said hitch and said handler are engaged, and each of said surfaces is generally semi-cylindrical and coaxial with said apertures and said second axis whereby said edges vertically and transversely relatively located said locking members and provide bearing surfaces for said pivoting of said handler relative to said hitch body.

Claim 33

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting downwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, said hitch including a downwardly-facing surface defined by said locking member of said hitch and arranged to engage an upwardly-facing portion of said handler spaced from said cross member, and said downwardly-facing surface and said upwardly-facing portion being generally semi-cylindrical whereby said downwardly-facing surface and said portion vertically and transversely locate said locking members relative to each other when said hitch and said handler are engaged.

Claim 34

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting downwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, said hitch including a downwardly-facing surface defined by said locking member of said hitch and arranged to engage an upwardly-facing portion of said handler spaced from said cross member, and said downwardly-facing surface and said upwardly-facing portion being generally semi-cylindrical whereby said downwardly-facing surface and said portion vertically and transversely locate said locking members relative to each other when said hitch and said handler are engaged.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein each of said locking members include apertures extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to said first axis, a locking pin extends through said apertures and secures said locking members together, and said semi-cylindrical edge is coaxial with said apertures of said hitch locking member and said semi-cylindrical portion is coaxial with said apertures of said handler locking member.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said body of said hitch and said hook member of said hitch are connected for pivotal movement about the axis of said apertures of said hitch locking member, said axis being perpendicular to said first axis; and including an actuator connected to said body and said hook member for causing said pivoting.

Claim 37

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, each of said locking members including an aperture extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to said first axis: said hitch and said cooperating structure including stops for coaxially aligning said aperatures with each other when said locking members are engaged with each other; a locking pin extending through said aperatures and securing said locking members together; and, a hydraulic piston and cylinder for actuating said locking pin mounted on said hitch, said pin being attached to said piston, and said cylinder being restrained against movement in a direction parallel to the axis of said aperatures but being free to float in the plane perpendicular to said axis of said apertures whereby said pin is self-aligning.

Claim 38

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, each of said locking members including an aperture extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to said first axis: said hitch and said cooperating structure including stops for coaxially aligning said aperatures with each other when said locking members are engaged with each other; a locking pin extending through said aperatures and securing said locking members together; and, a hydraulic piston and cylinder for actuating said locking pin mounted on said hitch, said pin being attached to said piston, and said cylinder being restrained against movement in a direction parallel to the axis of said aperatures but being free to float in the plane perpendicular to said axis of said apertures whereby said pin is self-aligning.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said piston and cylinder are operable to move said pin between a first position wherein said pin extends through said apertures and secures said locking members together and a second position wherein an end of said pin is positioned within the aperture of said hitch locking member nearest said cylinder and said locking members are free to move relative to each other.

Claim 40

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, and each of said locking members including a camming surface arranged for engaging the camming surface of the other of said locking members and urging said engagement surface of said hook jaw into engagement with said cross member when said locking members are moved into engagement with each other.

Claim 41

Apparatus for releasably securing a materials handler to a boom while permitting rotation of said materials handler about a first axis fixed with respect to said boom, said apparatus comprising: a hitch adapted for pivotal connection to said boom for rotation about said first axis and including a hitch body, a hook member of predetermined maximum width projecting outwardly from said body, and a hitch locking member spaced from said hook member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, said hook member defining a jaw having a jaw engagement surface, a tapering nose portion of width less than said predetermined maximum width facing away from said hitch locking member in a direction generally perpendicular to said first axis, and a rear surface intermediate said nose portion and said hitch locking member and facing generally towards said hitch locking member; and, cooperating structure secured to said materials handler for receiving and engaging said hook member and for engaging said hitch locking member, said cooperating structure defining an opening of width substantially equal to said maximum width of said hook member for receiving said hook member, a cooperating structure locking member spaced from said opening on one side thereof for engaging said hitch locking member, and a rigid cross-member extending transversely the width of said opening adjacent the side thereof opposite said cooperating structure locking member for engaging said jaw engagement surface when said hook member is inserted within said opening, the overall depth of said hook member being defined by said rear surface and the end of said nose portion most distant therefrom, the length of said opening being defined by one surface intermediate said rigid cross-member and said cooperating structure locking member and facing generally towards said cross-member, and a second and generally oppositely-facing surface on the side of said one surface opposite said cooperating structure locking member, said length of said opening being less than the distance from said jaw engagement surface to said hitch locking member, and each of said locking members including a camming surface arranged for engaging the camming surface of the other of said locking members and urging said engagement surface of said hook jaw into engagement with said cross member when said locking members are moved into engagement with each other.