Backhoe bucket quick coupler

Claim 1

A quick attachment and release mechanism for attaching a bucket to a loader scoop arm, said mechanism comprising: a quick coupler pivotally mounted to an end of said scoop arm for receiving various types and sizes of buckets, said quick coupler having a three-leg configuration including a pair of bucket mounting legs pivotally mounted to opposite sides of said scoop arm end, each bucket mounting leg including a hook portion engaging a lateral projection of a mounting pin on said bucket; a releasable latch mechanism rotatably mounted on a third leg of said quick coupler for engagement with a latch pin mounted on said bucket, said latch mechanism including a main body having a slot along its longitudinal extent, said main body rotatably mounted between spaced apart side members which form said third leg of said quick coupler; each side member including a bearing for rotatably holding one end of said main body, each bearing including a slot, said bearing slots forming an opening through said side members which is substantially the same size as the opening formed by the slot in said main body; a latch arm mounted to said main body, said latch arm being movable in the space between said side members for rotating said main body, said latch arm having an opening therein; and said side members having spaced apart first and second latching openings, said opening in said latch arm being aligned with and secured to said first opening through said side members by pin means thereby axially aligning said slot in said main body with said bearing slots so that said main body slot may be seated on said bucket latch pin, and said opening in said latch arm being aligned with and secured to said second opening through said side members by said pin means thereby providing a mounting for said bucket latch pin in said main body for coupling said bucket to said quick coupler.