US 12,467,222 B2
Universal mounting structure for excavator attachments
Brutger Mrozek, Bellingham, WA (US); and Michael Howe, Bellingham, WA (US)
Assigned to Attach Acquisition Holdco LLC, Nashville, TN (US)
Filed by Attach Acquisition Holdco LLC, Nashville, TN (US)
Filed on Jul. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/218,777.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/377,478, filed on Sep. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0102260 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. E02F 3/36 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 3/3686 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A universal mounting structure for changing attachments or implements on a construction machine, comprising:
first and second ear plates mounted to a base and disposed in spaced relation, each ear plate including at least one elongated cutout pattern, the elongated cutout patterns of the first and second ear plates being aligned to define spaced first and second pair portions of the elongated cutout patterns,
a first collar/pin assembly comprising a first pin having opposing ends, and a first pair of collars, each collar having an eccentric bore configured to removably receive an associated end of the first pin and having surfaces configured to engage complementary surfaces of the first pair portion of elongated cutout patterns, the first pin extending between the first and second ear plates and within the first pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns, with surfaces of each collar being engaged with the complementary surfaces of the first pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns, and
a second collar/pin assembly comprising a second pin having opposing ends, and a second pair of collars, each collar of the second pair having an eccentric bore configured to removably receive an associated end of the second pin and having surfaces configured to engage complementary surfaces of the second pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns, the second pin extending between the first and second ear plates and within the second pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns, with surfaces of each collar of the second pair being engaged with the complementary surfaces of the second pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns,
wherein the first and second collar/pin assemblies are configured such that a center distance between the first pin and second pin can be adjusted in large increments by moving either one or both of the first and second collar/pin assemblies within the respective pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns, and
wherein first and second pairs of collars are configured such that the center distance between the first pin and second pin can be adjusted in small increments by axial rotation of a pair of collars about a respective pin of one or both of the collar/pin assemblies.