Quick attachment for loader implements

Claim 2

A mounting unit for releasably attaching a work implement to a boom and tilt mechanism of a vehicle, comprising: a frame having end plates and a support beam extending transversely between the upper ends of said end plates, said frame being pivotally connectable at its upper end to said tilt mechanism and at its lower end to said boom; an upper trunnion-engaging member mounted on said frame intermediate the ends of said support beam and extending forwardly therefrom, said upper member having a saddle engageable with the upper end of said work implement to pivot said work implement about said frame upon elevation of said boom; a pair of pawls pivotally mounted on the lower ends of said end plates for simultaneous movement from a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower end of said work implement to an operative position engageable with the lower end of said work implement upon the pivotal movement of said work implement about the upper trunnion-engaging member; and lock means including a pair of latches engageable with said pawls for releasably securing said pawls in said operative position.

Claim 3

A mounting unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein: each of said pawls include a shoulder formed therein; and said latches include abutment ends pivotable to a position engaging said shoulders to secure said pawls in said operative position.

Claim 4

In a vehicle having a work implement, a boom for raising and lowering the implement, and a tilt mechanism for pivoting the implement, a quick attach assembly for releasably attaching the work implement to the boom and tilt mechanism comprising: upper and lower trunnion means mounted on the rear of said work implement in fixed spaced apart relationship, each of said trunnion means including a pin extending transversely between a pair of support plates projecting from said work implement; a frame pivotally connected at its upper end to said tilt mechanism and at its lower end to said boom; an upper trunnion-engaging member mounted on said frame and engageable with said upper trunnion means to pivot said work implement thereon upon elevation of said boom; a lower trunnion-engaging member pivotally mounted on said frame, said lower trunnion-engaging member being normally biased in a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower trunnion-engaging member being normally biased in a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower trunnion means on said work implement, and being freely pivotable to an operative position engaging said lower trunnion means upon the pivotal movement of said work implement about the upper trunnion-engaging member, said lower trunnion-engaging member comprising a pawl which includes a head portion pivotally attached to the lower end of said frame, and a mouth portion engageable with the lower trunnion pin of said lower trunnion means, said pawl includes a shoulder formed in its head portion; and lock means for releasably securing said lower trunnion-engaging member in said operative position, said lock means including a latch having an abutment end pivotable to a position engaging said shoulder to secure said pawl in said operative position.

Claim 5

In a vehicle having a work implement, a boom for raising and lowering the implement, and a tilt mechanism for pivoting the implement, a quick attach assembly for releasably attaching the work implement to the boom and tilt mechanism comprising: upper and lower trunnion means mounted on the rear of said work implement in fixed spaced apart relationship, each of said trunnion means including a pin extending transversely between a pair of support plates projecting from said work implement; a frame pivotally connected at its upper end to said tilt mechanism and at its lower end to said boom; an upper trunnion-engaging member mounted on said frame and engageable with said upper trunnion means to pivot said work implement thereon upon elevation of said boom; a lower trunnion-engaging member pivotally mounted on said frame, said lower trunnion-engaging member being normally biased in a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower trunnion-engaging member being normally biased in a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower trunnion means on said work implement, and being freely pivotable to an operative position engaging said lower trunnion means upon the pivotal movement of said work implement about the upper trunnion-engaging member, said lower trunnion-engaging member comprising a pawl which includes a head portion pivotally attached to the lower end of said frame, and a mouth portion engageable with the lower trunnion pin of said lower trunnion means, said pawl includes a shoulder formed in its head portion; and lock means for releasably securing said lower trunnion-engaging member in said operative position, said lock means including a latch having an abutment end pivotable to a position engaging said shoulder to secure said pawl in said operative position.

Claim 6

A vehicle in accordance with claim 3, wherein: said upper trunnion-engaging member includes a saddle engageable with said upper trunnion pin.

Claim 7

In a vehicle having a work implement, a boom for raising and lowering the implement, and a tilt mechanism for pivoting the implement, a quick attach assembly for releasably attaching the work implement to the boom and tilt mechanism comprising: upper and lower trunnion means mounted on said work implement in fixed spaced apart relationship, each of said trunnion means including a pin extending transversely between a pair of support plates projecting from the rear of said work implement; a frame pivotally connected at its upper end to said tilt mechanism and at its lower end to said boom, said frame including spaced pairs of end plates and a support beam extending transversely between the upper ends of said end plates; an upper trunnion-engaging member mounted on said frame intermediate the ends of said support beam and extending forwardly therefrom, said upper trunnion-engaging member includes a saddle engageable with said upper trunnion pin to pivot said work implement thereon upon elevation of said boom; a pair of pawls, one of said pawls disposed between the lower ends of each pair of end plates of said frame, each of said pawls include a head portion pivotally attached to said end plates and a mouth portion engageable with said lower trunnion means, said pawls normally being biased in a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower trunnion means on said work implement, and being simultaneously pivotable to an operative position in which their mouth portions engage the lower trunnion pins of said lower trunnion means upon the pivotal movement of said work implement about the saddle of said upper trunnion-engaging member; and lock means including a latch engageable with each of said pawls for releasably securing said pawls in said operative position.

Claim 8

In a vehicle having a work implement, a boom for raising and lowering the implement, and a tilt mechanism for pivoting the implement, a quick attach assembly for releasably attaching the work implement to the boom and tilt mechanism comprising: upper and lower trunnion means mounted on said work implement in fixed spaced apart relationship, each of said trunnion means including a pin extending transversely between a pair of support plates projecting from the rear of said work implement; a frame pivotally connected at its upper end to said tilt mechanism and at its lower end to said boom, said frame including spaced pairs of end plates and a support beam extending transversely between the upper ends of said end plates; an upper trunnion-engaging member mounted on said frame intermediate the ends of said support beam and extending forwardly therefrom, said upper trunnion-engaging member includes a saddle engageable with said upper trunnion pin to pivot said work implement thereon upon elevation of said boom; a pair of pawls, one of said pawls disposed between the lower ends of each pair of end plates of said frame, each of said pawls include a head portion pivotally attached to said end plates and a mouth portion engageable with said lower trunnion means, said pawls normally being biased in a non-engaged position out of engagement with the lower trunnion means on said work implement, and being simultaneously pivotable to an operative position in which their mouth portions engage the lower trunnion pins of said lower trunnion means upon the pivotal movement of said work implement about the saddle of said upper trunnion-engaging member; and lock means including a latch engageable with each of said pawls for releasably securing said pawls in said operative position.

Claim 9

A vehicle in accordance with claim 5, wherein said lock means further includes: a rod extending between the end plates and interconnecting said latches to permit simultaneous movement of said latches; and a handle mounted on said rod to permit manual movement of said latches.