DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a quick coupling for coupling tools with which an adapter provided with two coupling axes is associated . In particular, the present invention refers to a quick coupling for coupling tools with which an adapter provided with two coupling axes is associated, the quick coupling being provided with its own actuating device . In greater detail , the present invention refers to a quick coupling for coupling tools with which an adapter provided with two coupling axes is associated, the quick coupling being provided with its own actuating device and with a safety device adapted to provide a response of the respective coupling condition .

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

In the sector of operating machines provided with mechanical arms , the use of mechanical interfaces is known to rapidly connect or detach tools to/ from the free ends of said arms . These tools have an adapter member stably coupled to the tool ( regardless of whether it is permanent or releasable ) or made in one piece with the latter, provided with fixed coupling elements , making it compatible with an active interface , of the mechanically or hydraul ically operable type , designed for selectively coupling with the coupling elements of the adapter member . This interface is normally indicated by the expression "quick coupling" .

In particular, each adapter member has a box-shaped frame that has a seat delimited laterally by parallel sides which are designed to couple with the tool and the respective fixed coupling elements are formed by a pair of parallel axles , carried transversely at the sides symmetrically relative to a medial transverse plane of the adapter member, to make it usable in a reversible manner, i . e . , to allow the respective tool to be used in two opposite orientations .

The quick coupling is also provided with a box-shaped frame and provided with a pair of sides having a first forkshaped coupling portion, shaped for shape coupling with any one of the axles . The quick coupling further comprises a moving element carried between the respective sides in a freely movable manner under the thrust of an actuating device of any type . The moving element carries integrally at least one elongated member which extends parallel to the sides and is delimited longitudinally by a free wedge- shaped end on the side opposite to the coupling portion . The quick coupling may have a cover placed between the sides over the moving element and the elongated member can be operated through the moving element between an operatively neutral retracted position, in which the wedge-shaped end is stably maintained between the sides of the quick coupling, and an advanced interference position in which the wedge-shaped end is outside the sides facing an end portion of the cover in a position opposite to the first coupling portion and adapted to act as an upper abutment for the remaining axle . When the moving element maintains the wedge-shaped end facing the end portion of the cover, the quick coupling has a second fork-shaped coupling portion for one of the axles which is opposite to the first coupling portion and is adapted to complete the stable locking action of the adapter relative to said quick coupling .

The phase of coupling between the quick coupling and the adapter begins by orientating the arm of the operating machine with the first coupling portion of the quick coupling arranged parallel to a first of the two axles of the adapter that is intended to be grabbed . Once this coupling portion has grabbed this first axle, housing it, it will be possible to proceed with lifting the corresponding tool through this axle and begin to rotate the arm until bringing the second axle (of the adapter) into contact with the upper abutment of the cover of the quick coupling . At this point , it will be possible to intervene on the actuating device and move the moving element, and therefore each respective wedge-shaped end, from the operatively neutral retracted position between the sides of the quick coupling to the advanced interference position, so that the second axle is kept in contact with the abutment of the cover by each wedge-shaped end . When this condition is effective , the two axles are definitely rigidly coupled to the quick coupling and, from this moment on, it is possible to operate the arm freely, with the certainty that the tool will follow each respective movement .

On the other hand, it is also possible that the drawback occurs that the above-described condition does not occur . In this case , we are referring to a false coupling of the adapter, and therefore of the tool . It is easy to understand that an operator unaware of the failure to couple the tool could operate the arm of the operating machine , risking proj ection of the tool itself into the surrounding space, thus severely damaging things or people .

It is easy to understand that constant attention to the coupling and locking phases of the axles of the adapter associated with the tools is absolutely necessary to prevent accidents , even though in most cases the operators who operate the operating machines provided with articulated arms that move in the space surrounding these tools do not act as a team, so they must perform alone, and obviously in succession, both the grabbing operations and the control operations of the occurred grabbing, therefore in deferred times . This operative modality is therefore accompanied by the drawback of a great waste of time .

To overcome this drawback, it would be very useful to have a safety device associated with the quick coupling designed to show the actual operating condition of the quick coupling relative to the adapter to the operator on-board the operating machine, therefore sitting in the control cabin, in order to allow the operator to always perfect the coupling with the second axle of the adapter in an unequivocally safe manner without depending on the type of operation of said quick coupling . No safety devices of this type are currently known, and filling this technical gap represents an interesting challenge for the applicant .

In view of the situation described above, it would be desirable to have a quick coupling provided with a safety device which, in addition to limiting and possibly overcoming the drawbacks typical of the above illustrated state of the known art, defines a new standard for these types of equipment that can be used to couple tools to the mechanical arms of operating machines .

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a quick coupling for coupling tools with which an adapter provided with two coupling axes is associated . In particular, the present invention refers to a quick coupling for coupling tools with which an adapter provided with two coupling axes is associated, the quick coupling being provided with its own actuating device . In greater detail , the present invention refers to a quick coupling for coupling tools with which an adapter provided with two coupling axes is associated, the quick coupling being provided with its own actuating device and with a safety device adapted to provide a response of the respective coupling condition .

The problems exposed above are solved by the present invention according to at least one of the following claims .

According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, a safety device is achieved for a quick coupling installable at a free end of an articulated arm of an operating machine and designed to stably grasp an adapter associated with a tool and provided with two parallel axles ; said quick coupling comprising a box-shaped frame that extends in a given direction and has a seat at the front developed transversely to said direction for a first axle of said two axles ; said frame having two parallel sides that extend in said given direction; at least one elongated locking member delimited axially by a respective end portion being carried by a moving element coupled to said frame in a movable manner along said direction between a neutral position in which each said elongated member has the respective said end portion rearwardly distinct from a second axle of said two axles and an active position in which each said elongated member has the respective said end portion in locking contact with said second axle ; said safety device comprising visual signalling means which, when said first axle is housed in said seat and each said elongated member is arranged in the respective said active position, are adapted to visually distinguish a condition of incomplete coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter in which said second axle is distinct from said end portion from a condition of complete coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter in which said second axle is locked by said end portion; said visual signalling means comprising at least one signalling member associated externally with a first side of said two sides and arranged in position such as to be, in use, invisible only in case of complete coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, said visual signalling means comprise a prismatic member that extends parallel to said direction and is stably coupled to said moving element and has a contrasting colour relative to said frame ; said frame having a hole at the front for a head of said prismatic member .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above , said hole is obtained above said seat .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, each of said sides has a hook at the front for defining said seat ; said frame having a concave portion facing on the side opposite to said seat adapted, in use, to coact with each said elongated member arranged in said active position to rearwardly delimit a "C" shaped space, adapted to house said second axle .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, said signalling member is positioned close to said concave portion .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, said signalling member is delimited by a face detected relative to the respective said first side having a thickness less than or equal to a length calculated as half of the difference between a free longitudinal extension of said first and second axles and a distance between the outer surfaces of said sides .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a quick coupling is achieved installable at a free end of an operating machine and designed to stably grab an adapter associated with a tool and provided with two parallel axles ; said quick coupling comprising a box-shaped frame that extends in a given direction and has a seat at the front developed transversely to said direction for a first axle of said two axles ; said frame having two parallel sides that extend in said given direction; at least one elongated locking member delimited axially by a respective end portion and carried by a moving element coupled to said frame in a movable manner along said direction between a neutral position in which each said elongated member has the respective said end portion rearwardly distinct from a second axle of said two axles and an active position in which each said elongated member has the respective said end portion in locking contact with said second axle ; said quick coupling comprising visual signalling means which, when said first axle is housed in said seat and each said elongated member is arranged in the respective said active position, are adapted to visually distinguish a condition of incomplete coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter in which said second axle is distinct from said end portion, from a condition of complete coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter in which said second axle is locked by said end portion; said visual signalling means comprising at least one signalling member associated externally with a first side of said two sides and arranged in position such as to be, in use, invisible only in the case of complete coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, said visual signalling means comprise a prismatic member that extends parallel to said direction and is stably coupled to said moving element and has a contrasting colour relative to said frame ; said frame having a hole at the front for a head of said prismatic member . According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above , said hole is obtained above said seat . According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, each of said sides has a hook at the front for defining said seat ; said frame having a concave portion facing on the side opposite to said seat adapted, in use, to coact with each said elongated member arranged in said active position to rearwardly delimit a "C" shaped space, adapted to house said second axle .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, said signalling member is positioned close to said concave portion .

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, said signalling member is delimited by a face detected relative to the respective said first side having a thickness less than or equal to a length calculated as half of the difference between a free longitudinal extension of said first and second axles and a distance between the outer surfaces of said sides .

Possible further embodiments of the present invention are defined by the claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the quick coupling according to the present invention will be clearer from the following description, set forth with reference to the attached figures which illustrate at least one non-limiting embodiment thereof , wherein identical or corresponding parts of the quick coupling itself are identified by the same reference numbers . In particular :

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an arm of an operating machine provided with a quick coupling for a tool through a respective adapter according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged portion of figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a detail of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity;

- Figure 4 is a plan view of figure 3 in a first operating position and overturned by 180 ° ;

- Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of figure 4 on a reduced scale ;

- Figure 6 shows figure 4 in a second operating position;

- Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a three- dimensional view of figure 5 on an enlarged scale ;

- Figures 8- 13 are three-dimensional schematic views on different scales of different degrees of coupling between said quick coupling and said adapter .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Before describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention or details thereof , it is deemed useful to specify that the relative scope is not limited to the particular embodiments described below . The disclosure and description in the present document are illustrative and explicative of one or more currently preferred embodiments and variations thereof , and it will be clear to experts skilled in the art that various changes in design, organization, order of operation, operating means , in the structures of equipment and position, in the methodology and use of mechanical equivalents may be made without being extraneous to the spirit of the present invention .

Furthermore, it should be understood that the attached drawings are intended to clearly illustrate and disclose embodiments currently preferred to one of the experts skilled in the art, but are not drawings that illustrate how these embodiments should be carried out in reality or as actual representations of final products ; on the other hand, these figures may comprise simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding or allow for an easier and quicker explanation . Furthermore, the relative dimensions and arrangement of components may di ffer from those shown and still function within the spirit of the present invention . On the other hand, it will be understood that various references , such as "top" , "bottom" , " left" , "right" , " front" , "rear" and so on are used only for explanation in combination with the drawings and that the components can be orientated in a different manner, for example during transport and production, as well as during operation . Since many different and distinct embodiments may be devised all of which fall within the concepts taught herein, and since the modi fications that can be made to the embodiments described herein are multiple, it is to be understood that the details provided hereinafter are to be interpreted as having merely illustrative purpose and in no way limiting the spirit of the invention .

In Figure 1 , designated as a whole by 1 is a safety device for a quick coupling 100 designed to stably grab an adapter 200 associated with a tool U to be installed at the free end EE of an articulated arm B of a known and not illustrated operating machine to perform given tasks , such as , for example , ground work, excavations or other . The adapter being considered, in these cases , has two parallel axles 202 ' /202 ' ' having a substantially identical extension that are carried by two parallel sides 204 ' and 204 ' ' and are spaced apart by an axle spacing of length I .

With particular reference to Figures 2 , 3- 6, the quick coupling 100 comprises a box-shaped frame 102 that extends in a given direction D which coincides with the direction D ' of the adapter 200 transverse to the axles 202 ' and 202 ' ' when, in use, the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 are coupled together . For correct identi fication of the directions D and D ' , reference should be made to figure 10 . With particular reference to Figure 3 , the frame 102 has two ears 101 ' and 101 ' ' which can be used to couple with the free end EE of the arm B and two symmetrically identical parallel sides 1020 ' and 1020 ' ' that extend in the given direction D . Each side 1020 '/ 1020 ' ' has a two-position safety hook 1022 ' /1022 ' ' at the front which defines a seat 1024 (better visible in figures 3 and 4 ) developed transverse to the D direction for a first axle 202 ' of the two axles 202 ' and 202 ' ' .

Furthermore, with particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the quick coupling 100 comprises at least one elongated locking member 104 that is axially delimited by a respective end portion 1040 and is j ointly carried by a moving element 106 that is coupled to the frame 102 in a movable manner along the direction D through the interposition of at least one spring 107 between a neutral position PN ( see also Figure 7 ) in which each elongated member 104 has the respective end portion 1040 arranged at a distance smaller than the axle spacing I relative to the seat 1024 and an active position PA ( see also Figure 10 ) in which each elongated member 104 has the respective end portion 1040 arranged at a distance greater than the axle spacing I relative to the seat 1024 to lock the second axle 202 ' ' from below, as can be seen in figure 13 .

With particular reference to figures 3 and 4 , the frame 102 has a concave portion 1028 at the back which is delimited by two end portions 1029' and 1029' ’ , which belong, respectively to the sides 1020 ' and 1020 ' ’ ( figures 5 and 6 ) and are delimited by the respective flat faces 1030 which are parallel to the direction D . The concave portion 1028 , is furthermore delimited by an inclined portion 1032 that the frame 102 has at the centre for coupling with a known flattening 2020 ( figures 11 and 12 ) and that the two axles 202 ' and 202 ' ' have at their respective centre, for the purpose of stabilizing the coupling with the quick coupling 100 ( see figures 11 and 12 ) . This concave portion 1028 is adapted, in use , to couple with the second axle 202 ' ’ of the two axles 202 ' and 202 ' ’ and to coact with each elongated member 104 arranged in the active position to rearwardly delimit a "C" shaped space for fit housing the second axle 202 ' ’ .

With particular reference to figures 3 and 4 , the safety device 1 comprises visual signalling members 10 adapted to distinguish a condition of incomplete coupling between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 from a condition of complete coupling . Both conditions have, as a precondition, the first axle 202 ' housed in the seat 1024 and each elongated member 104 arranged in the respective active position PA, but in the condition of incomplete coupling (visible in figure 8 ) the second axle 202 ' ’ is distinct from the end portion 1040 , and therefore the adapter 200 can oscillate freely hung on the first axle 202 ' , while in the condition of complete coupling (visible in figure 13 ) the second axle 202 ' ’ is locked by the end portion 1040 , hence the adapter 200 is angularly fixed relative to the quick coupling 100 , therefore the tool U coupled to the adapter 200 is integral to the quick coupling 100 , to the arm B and, therefore, can be used in conditions of absolute safety .

In particular the visual signalling members 10 comprise a prismatic member 12 which extends in a direction parallel to the direction D and is stably coupled to the moving element 106 and has a contrasting colour relative to the frame 102 . The frame 102 has a hole 1026 at the front for a head 120 of the prismatic member 12 which is obtained above the seat 1024 and develops in a direction parallel to the direction D . The visual signalling members 10 comprise at least one signalling member 14 which is associated externally with a first side 1020 ' of the two sides 1020 ' and 1020 ' ' ( figures 4 , 8 and 11 ) for being at least partially visible in each condition of complete coupling between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 . In particular, the signalling member 14 is positioned on the first side 1020 ' close to the concave portion 1028 .

In some embodiments the signalling member 14 can be obtained by simply tracing a mark with paint , or by using an adhesive or can be applied on the side, similarly to a contrasting colour insert . In the latter case, the signalling member 14 can be delimited by an outer face 140 detected relative to the respective first side 1020 ' having a thickness less than or equal to a length calculated as half of the difference between a free longitudinal extension of the first and second axles 202 ' /202 ' ' and a distance between the outer surfaces 10200 of the sides 1020 ' and 1020 ' ' , of which only the one externally delimiting the side 1020 ' is visible in Figures 3 and 4 .

It may be useful to specify that, considering that the signalling members are two and arranged on opposite sides of the quick coupling 100 , they have been shown only in Figures 3- 6 with a reference line arranged in an intermediate position, without pointing to either of the two .

Use of the safety device and the quick coupling 100 in combination with the adapter 200 is easily understood from what has been described above and requires no further explanation . However, it may be useful to specify that the hole 1026 is located above the height of the surface 1060 that delimits the moving element 106 at the top within the space between the sides 1020 ’ and 1020 ’ ’ of the frame 102 , as can be seen in figure 7 . For this reason, the prismatic member 12 must have an "S" shaped portion 121 that connects the respective head 120 to the moving element . Furthermore , the prismatic member 12 comprises a rectilinear portion 122 parallel to the direction D which is arranged between the "S" shaped portion 121 and the head 120 , where the rectilinear portion 122 has an extension greater than the length of the hole 1026 that longitudinally houses it . This is because when in use , the quick coupling 100 has the moving element 106 in the neutral position PN ( figure 5 and figure 8 ) , and each elongated member 104 has the respective end portion 1040 contained within the rear portion of the frame 102 , namely, outside the concave portion 1028 ; at the same time , the head 120 must be extracted at the front relative to the hole 126, so that the operator located in the control cabin can see it without visual obstacles and can immediately understand which is the operating situation in which the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 are arranged mutually ( figure 11 ) .

In addition, it may be useful to specify that when the first axle occupies the seat 1024 , the signalling member 14 is positioned on the first side 1020 ' in order to be at least partially laterally visible until the relative rotation between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 determined by adj usting the spatial position of the free end EE of the arm B is such that the second axle 202 ' ' is brought into contact with the flat face 1030 of the concave portion 1028 . When this situation occurs , the signalling member 14 is completely covered by the respective first side 204 ' of the adapter 200 , and the connection between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 is complete . In this situation, operation of the moving element 106, therefore of each respective elongated locking member 104 , is free and can determine the exit of each end portion 1040 from the frame 102 and the j oint connection of the second axle 200 ' ' with the inclined portion 1032 that the frame 102 has at the rear in a central position, and therefore with the quick coupling 100 in conditions of complete safety . When this condition has also been verified, the head 120 of the prismatic member 12 disappears from the front view of the quick coupling, so that the operator understands that the connection between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 , therefore with the tool U, is stable and secure .

I f this is not the case, therefore if even a small portion of the signalling member 14 is visible to the operator, a situation in which the connection between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 is incomplete and the angle of inclination between the two is such that the operation of mutual stable coupling is not possible, the coupling operation between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 must be repeated .

More generally, it can be said that when the moving element 106 is arranged in the respective neutral position PN each elongated member 104 has the respective end portion 1040 rearwardly distinct from the second axle 202 ' ' and when the moving element 106 is arranged in the respective active position PA each elongated member 104 has the respective end portion 1040 in locking contact with the second axle 202 ' ' , therefore when the first axle 202 ' is housed in the seat 1024 and each elongated member 104 is arranged in the respective active position PA, the visual signalling members 10 are adapted to visually distinguish a condition of incomplete coupling between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 in which the second axle 202 ' ' is distinct from each end portion 1040 from a condition of complete coupling between the quick coupling 100 and the adapter 200 in which the second axle 202 ' ' is locked by each end portion 1040 . Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to the safety device and to the quick coupling 100 in combination with the adapter 200 described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention .

In particular, it will be evident that no mention has been made of the type of operation of the quick coupling 100 , although the attached figures suggest that the description provided refers to a quick coupling with manual mechanical operation . What has been described above applies regardless of the type of operation of the quick coupling 100 . Furthermore, it may be useful to specify that the use of an adapter on a machine with an arm carried at the front yet rotatable in front of the control cabin allows the operator to continuously view the head 120 and the face 140 of the signalling member 14 in order to understand whether the coupling between the quick coupling 100 and the adaptor 200 is correct and therefore whether it is possible to move the arm B and therefore the tool U operating safely or whether it is the case to retry the mutual coupling before proceeding with movement of the arm B .

In the following claims , any reference symbol placed between parentheses must not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim . The word " comprises" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps in addition to those listed in a claim . Furthermore , the terms "one" or "a" , as used in this context, are defined as one or more than one . Furthermore , the use of introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" in the claims is not to be interpreted as meaning that the introduction of another claimed element identified by using the indefinite articles "one" or " a" , limits any particular claim in which this claim element appears singularly, even when the same claim comprises introductory phrases such as "one or more" or " at least one" and indefinite articles such as "one" or "a" . The same applies to the use of definite articles . Unless stated otherwise, terms such as " first" and " second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish the elements that these terms describe . Therefore , these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate the temporal or other priority of these elements . The mere fact that some measures are set out in mutually dif fering claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be advantageously used .