Releasable backhoe boom lock

Claim 2

In an earthworking implement having a boom pivoted on a frame about a horizontal pivot axis, a material handling unit pivoted intermediate opposite ends on an outer free end of said boom by a fluid ram unit having one element pivotally connected to said material handling unit at one free end thereof and a second element pivoted on said boom adjacent said frame, and releasable lock means for locking said boom on said frame to prevent pivotal movement about said horizontal pivot axis, the improvement of said releasable lock means comprising a first member on said frame and a second member pivoted on a common pivot axis with said second element on said boom, and a linkage between said fluid ram unit and said second member, said linkage including at least a first link pivoted on said fluid ram unit adjacent said frame and interconnection means between said first link and said second member causing said second member to pivot away from said first member when said fluid ram unit is actuated and pivots away from said boom to release said lock means.

Claim 3

An earthworking implement as defined in claim 1, in which said interconnection means includes a second link pivoted intermediate its ends on said boom and spaced from said common pivot with one end of said second link pivotally connected to said first link and an opposite end operatively connected to said second member at a location spaced from said common pivot.

Claim 4

An earthworking implement as defined in claim 2 in which said operative connection includes biasing means defining a neutral position for said second member with respect to the opposite end of said second link.

Claim 5

An earthworking implement as defined in claim 3, in which said operative connection includes a third link interposed between said second member and the opposite end of said second link with said biasing means including first and second springs respectively interposed between said second and third links.

Claim 6

In an earthworking implement having a boom pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis on a support with an earthworking unit pivoted intermediate opposite ends on the free end of said boom through a fluid ram having one end pivoted on said boom and an opposite end pivoted on a free end of said earthworking unit, said support being pivoted about a vertical pivot axis on a base with said vertical pivot axis being defined by at least one pin fixed to said support and rotatable on said base, and releasable lock means between said boom and said support, said releasable lock means including a first member on said support, a second member on said boom, said second member including a ring structure pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis on said boom and including an opening within its confines for receiving said first member, said first member being an upper free end portion of said at least one pin, biasing means cooperating with said second member for normally maintaining said second member in a first position and accommodating movement from said first position, said members being positioned so that pivotal movement of said boom to a storage position will produce engagement between said members and cause movement of said second member from said first position, said biasing means returning said second member to said first position when said first member is aligned with said opening, and release means for moving said second member from said first position and separate said members, the improvement of said release means including a toggle linkage between said fluid ram and said second member, said toggle linkage being pivoted on said boom and pivotally connected to said fluid ram and said second member.

Claim 7

In an earthworking implement having a boom pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis on a support with an earthworking unit pivoted intermediate opposite ends on the free end of said boom through a fluid ram having one end pivoted on said boom and an opposite end pivoted on a free end of said earthworking unit, said support being pivoted about a vertical pivot axis on a base with said vertical pivot axis being defined by at least one pin fixed to said support and rotatable on said base, and releasable lock means between said boom and said support, said releasable lock means including a first member on said support, a second member on said boom, said second member including a ring structure pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis on said boom and including an opening within its confines for receiving said first member, said first member being an upper free end portion of said at least one pin, biasing means cooperating with said second member for normally maintaining said second member in a first position and accommodating movement from said first position, said members being positioned so that pivotal movement of said boom to a storage position will produce engagement between said members and cause movement of said second member from said first position, said biasing means returning said second member to said first position when said first member is aligned with said opening, and release means for moving said second member from said first position and separate said members, the improvement of said release means including a toggle linkage between said fluid ram and said second member, said toggle linkage being pivoted on said boom and pivotally connected to said fluid ram and said second member.

Claim 8

An earthworking implement as defined in claim 5, in which said biasing means is interposed between a pair of links of said toggle linkage and normally maintains said pair of links in an intermediate position, said biasing means accommodating relative movement of said pair of links in either direction from said intermediate position.