Quick change attachment

Claim 2

A quick change attachment for use on a loader boom assembly comprising: an implement carrier frame having a left and a right carrier attached to a transverse stabilizer and spaced apart from each other at either end of said transverse stabilizer; pin means for attaching said implement carrier frame to said boom assembly comprising first top and first bottom pair of mounting pins; a work implement having upper and lower apertures; second top and bottom mounting pins for insertion into said work implement apertures; means for attaching said work implement to said implement carrier frame having a pair of carrier saddles incorporated in said left and right carriers that are capable of receiving the second top mounting pins; means for aligning said work implement with said implement carrier frame comprising a pair of alignment slots that are capable of receiving said second bottom mounting pins; an automatic locking mechanism carried on each of said carriers of said implement carrier frame to secure said work implement to said implement carrier frame; a kickoff means mounted on said loader boom assembly of sufficient length that it will initiate locking action through interaction with said automatic locking mechanism when the implement carrier frame is rolled back past the vertical using the loader boom assembly.

Claim 3

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises: an outboard wall having a first top and a first bottom mounting pin receiving aperture; and in said outboard wall an aperture for receiving said locking pin; and a vertical crease in said outboard wall that divides a forward section from a rear section of said outboard wall while providing that said forward section be offset inwardly in relation to said rear section; an inboard wall having a first top and a first bottom mounting pin receiving aperture; and a vertical crease in said inboard wall that divides a forward section from a rear section while providing that said forward section be offset inwardly in relation to said rear section; an upwardly opening saddle connecting the forward upper section of said outboard wall to the forward upper section of said inboard wall for receiving said second top mounting pin; and a forward opening alignment slot connecting the forward lower section of said outboard wall to the forward lower section of said inboard wall for receiving said second bottom work implement mounting pins; a bracket mounted on the outboard wall having an offset forward portion for carrying said automatic locking mechanism.

Claim 4

In a loader boom assembly comprising extending adjustable arms each terminating at a forward portion having an aperture, implement operating links having apertured termination points, mounting pin means for attaching implements to said arms and said links through said apertures, and a detachable work implement having apertures for receiving locking pins and also having second top and bottom mounting pins installed therein, the improvement comprising an implement carrier frame for attaching and carrying said work implement on said loader boom assembly, said implement carrier frame having a left and a right carrier each carrier comprising: a carrier having inboard and outboard sidewalls said sidewalls deformed vertically such that said outboard wall is deflected inward toward said inboard wall and said inboard wall is deflected toward said outboard wall while both walls remain parallel and equidistant from each other at their respective forward and rear sections as defined by said vertical deformation; and said carrier having first top and bottom apertures on said rear section of said inboard and outboard walls for mounting said boom assembly using said first top and bottom mounting pins; and formed in the forward upper section of said carrier, a connected upper recess defining a saddle for receiving said second top mounting pin of said work implement; and formed in the lower forward section of said carrier, a connected lower recess defining a slot for aligning with said second bottom mounting pin of said work implement; an automatic locking mechanism fixedly attached to said rear section of said outboard wall of said carrier with the front portion of said automatic locking mechanism offset outwardly from the forward section of said outboard wall of said carrier; and a kickoff means mounted on said loader boom assembly for initiating locking action through interaction with said automatic locking mechanism when said carrier is rolled back past the vertical using the implement operating links.

Claim 5

In a loader boom assembly comprising extending adjustable arms each terminating at a forward portion having an aperture, implement operating links having apertured termination points, mounting pin means for attaching implements to said arms and said links through said apertures, and a detachable work implement having apertures for receiving locking pins and also having second top and bottom mounting pins installed therein, the improvement comprising an implement carrier frame for attaching and carrying said work implement on said loader boom assembly, said implement carrier frame having a left and a right carrier each carrier comprising: a carrier having inboard and outboard sidewalls said sidewalls deformed vertically such that said outboard wall is deflected inward toward said inboard wall and said inboard wall is deflected toward said outboard wall while both walls remain parallel and equidistant from each other at their respective forward and rear sections as defined by said vertical deformation; and said carrier having first top and bottom apertures on said rear section of said inboard and outboard walls for mounting said boom assembly using said first top and bottom mounting pins; and formed in the forward upper section of said carrier, a connected upper recess defining a saddle for receiving said second top mounting pin of said work implement; and formed in the lower forward section of said carrier, a connected lower recess defining a slot for aligning with said second bottom mounting pin of said work implement; an automatic locking mechanism fixedly attached to said rear section of said outboard wall of said carrier with the front portion of said automatic locking mechanism offset outwardly from the forward section of said outboard wall of said carrier; and a kickoff means mounted on said loader boom assembly for initiating locking action through interaction with said automatic locking mechanism when said carrier is rolled back past the vertical using the implement operating links.

Claim 6

In a loader boom assembly comprising extending adjustable arms each terminating at a forward portion having an aperture, implement operating links having apertured termination points, first mounting pin means for attaching implements to said arms and said links through said apertures, and a detachable work implement having apertures for receiving locking pins and also having second top and bottom mounting pins installed therein, the improvement comprising an implement carrier frame for attaching and carrying said work implement on said loader boom assembly, said implement carrier frame comprising: a pair of carriers having inboard and outboard sidewalls said sidewalls deformed vertically such that said outboard walls are deflected inward toward said inboard walls and said inboard walls are deflected toward said outboard walls while both walls remain parallel and equidistant from each other at their respective forward and rear sections as defined by said vertical deformation; and said carriers having first top and bottom apertures on said rear section of said inboard and outboard walls for mounting said boom assembly using said first top and bottom mounting pins; and formed in the forward upper section of each said carriers, connected upper recesses defining a saddle for receiving said second top mounting pins of said work implement; and formed in the lower forward section of each carrier, connected lower recesses defining slots for aligning with said second bottom mounting pins of said work implement; a transverse stabilizer fixedly connecting said inboard plates of each of said pair of carriers; an automatic locking mechanism fixedly attached to said rear section of said outboard walls of each of said carriers with the front portion of said automatic locking mechanism offset outwardly from the forward section of said outboard walls of said carriers; and a kickoff means mounted on said loader boom assembly for initiating locking action through interaction with said automatic locking mechanism.

Claim 7

In a loader boom assembly comprising extending adjustable arms each terminating at a forward portion having an aperture, implement operating links having apertured termination points, first mounting pin means for attaching implements to said arms and said links through said apertures, and a detachable work implement having apertures for receiving locking pins and also having second top and bottom mounting pins installed therein, the improvement comprising an implement carrier frame for attaching and carrying said work implement on said loader boom assembly, said implement carrier frame comprising: a pair of carriers having inboard and outboard sidewalls said sidewalls deformed vertically such that said outboard walls are deflected inward toward said inboard walls and said inboard walls are deflected toward said outboard walls while both walls remain parallel and equidistant from each other at their respective forward and rear sections as defined by said vertical deformation; and said carriers having first top and bottom apertures on said rear section of said inboard and outboard walls for mounting said boom assembly using said first top and bottom mounting pins; and formed in the forward upper section of each said carriers, connected upper recesses defining a saddle for receiving said second top mounting pins of said work implement; and formed in the lower forward section of each carrier, connected lower recesses defining slots for aligning with said second bottom mounting pins of said work implement; a transverse stabilizer fixedly connecting said inboard plates of each of said pair of carriers; an automatic locking mechanism fixedly attached to said rear section of said outboard walls of each of said carriers with the front portion of said automatic locking mechanism offset outwardly from the forward section of said outboard walls of said carriers; and a kickoff means mounted on said loader boom assembly for initiating locking action through interaction with said automatic locking mechanism.

Claim 8

In an automatic locking mechanism for use on an implement carrier frame carried on the forward portion of a pair of boom arms said automatic locking mechanism comprises: a mounting bracket having a locking pin aperture in the forward portion thereof; a cylindrical container attached to said mounting bracket in alignment with said locking pin aperture being opened at the inboard and outboard ends; a locking pin rotatably carried inside said container capable of sliding through said locking pin aperture having a large diameter leading portion and a smaller diameter aft section; a biasing means inside said container carried on said locking pin between said leading portion of said locking pin and said outboard end of said cylindrical container to urge said locking pin into said locking pin aperture and said work implement locking pin aperture; a handle fixedly attached to said aft section of said locking pin to assist in retracting said pin against said biasing means, said handle comprising an extension to afford retention of the pin when retracted; a lockout stop mounted on said cylindrical container positioned to receive said extension of said handle when said handle is rotated such that said lockout stop and said handle extension are in contact; kickoff means attached to said boom arms having a projecting rod that upon contact with said handle will disengage said lockout stop and said handle extension and allow said biasing means to urge said locking pin through said cylinder until said handle limits the travel of said locking pin by coming to rest on said outboard portion of said cylinder.

Claim 9

In an automatic locking mechanism for use on an implement carrier frame carried on the forward portion of a pair of boom arms said automatic locking mechanism comprises: a mounting bracket having a locking pin aperture in the forward portion thereof; a cylindrical container attached to said mounting bracket in alignment with said locking pin aperture being opened at the inboard and outboard ends; a locking pin rotatably carried inside said container capable of sliding through said locking pin aperture having a large diameter leading portion and a smaller diameter aft section; a biasing means inside said container carried on said locking pin between said leading portion of said locking pin and said outboard end of said cylindrical container to urge said locking pin into said locking pin aperture and said work implement locking pin aperture; a handle fixedly attached to said aft section of said locking pin to assist in retracting said pin against said biasing means, said handle comprising an extension to afford retention of the pin when retracted; a lockout stop mounted on said cylindrical container positioned to receive said extension of said handle when said handle is rotated such that said lockout stop and said handle extension are in contact; kickoff means attached to said boom arms having a projecting rod that upon contact with said handle will disengage said lockout stop and said handle extension and allow said biasing means to urge said locking pin through said cylinder until said handle limits the travel of said locking pin by coming to rest on said outboard portion of said cylinder.

Claim 10

The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said automatic locking mechanism can be maintained in an unlocked position through the engagement of said handle and said lockout stop.

Claim 11

A quick change attachment means to be attached to the boom assembly of a work vehicle for permitting connection of a variety of implements to the boom assembly comprising: an implement carrier frame having carriers capable of supporting an implement; an automatic locking mechanism carried by said implement carrier frame and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; biasing means for urging said automatic locking mechanism toward its locked position; lockout stop means for retaining said automatic locking mechanism in said unlocked position; and kickoff means mounted on the boom assembly for disengaging said automatic locking mechanism from its retained position with said lockout stop means whereby said biasing means will urge said automatic locking means into a locked position in response to contact between said kickoff means and said automatic locking mechanism.

Claim 12

A quick change attachment means to be attached to the boom assembly of a work vehicle for permitting connection of a variety of implements to the boom assembly comprising: an implement carrier frame having carriers capable of supporting an implement; an automatic locking mechanism carried by said implement carrier frame and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; biasing means for urging said automatic locking mechanism toward its locked position; lockout stop means for retaining said automatic locking mechanism in said unlocked position; and kickoff means mounted on the boom assembly for disengaging said automatic locking mechanism from its retained position with said lockout stop means whereby said biasing means will urge said automatic locking means into a locked position in response to contact between said kickoff means and said automatic locking mechanism.

Claim 13

The invention as described in claim 7 wherein the implement carrier frame further comprises: a pair of carriers having inboard and outboard sidewalls deformed vertically such that said outboard walls are deflected inward toward said inboard walls and said inboard walls are deflected toward said outboard walls while both walls remain parallel and equidistant from each other at their respective forward and rear sections on either side of said vertical deformation; said carriers having first top and bottom apertures on said rear section of said inboard and outboard walls; connected upper recesses formed in the forward upper section of each carrier; connected lower recesses defining slots formed in the lower forward section of each carrier; a transverse stabilizer connecting said inboard plate of each carrier together; and an automatic locking mechanism attached to the rear section of said outboard walls of at least one of said carriers with the front portion of said automatic locking mechanism offset outwardly from the forward section of said outboard wall of said carrier.

Claim 14

The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein the automatic locking mechanism further comprises: a mounting bracket having a locking pin aperture in the forward portion thereof; a cylindrical container attached to said mounting bracket in alignment with said locking pin aperture being opened at the inboard and outboard ends; a locking pin rotatably carried inside said container capable of sliding through said locking pin aperture having a large diameter leading portion and a smaller diameter aft section; a biasing means inside said container carried on said locking pin between said leading portion of said locking pin and said outboard end of said cylindrical container to urge said locking pin into said locking pin aperture; a handle fixedly attached to said aft section of said locking pin to assist in retracting said pin against said biasing means, said handle comprising an extension to afford retention of the pin when retracted; a lockout stop mounted on said cylindrical container positioned to receive said extension of said handle when said handle is rotated such that said lockout stop and said handle extension are in contact; kickoff means having a projecting rod that upon contact with said handle will disengage said lockout stop and said handle extension and allow said biasing means to urge said locking pin through said cylinder until said handle limits the travel of said locking pin by coming to rest on said outboard portion of said cylinder.