Abstract: An actuated mechanical thumb apparatus is provided that pivots in compliment to the hinging of a bucket or similar hydraulically actuated attachment, as employed with conventional heavy equipment, such as backhoes and excavators. The thumb co-operatively actuates with the bucket to prevent walking or shifting of the gripped object. The thumb apparatus is unitized, or of a single component, well suited for easy retrofit to conventional material handling and earth moving equipment. The frame of the thumb apparatus mounts to a heavy equipment boom member or arm. The frame can be held in place on the boom member by two pins. The frame includes two frame plates, and the thumb includes two thumb plates. Each frame plate hingably attaches to one of the thumb plates at a separate pivot. This allows the thumb to pivot straddle the bucket's hinge, and pivot on the same axis as the bucket. A thumb link can be used across a pivoting bell crank, actuated by the thumb's hydraulic cylinder to actuate the thumb.

Abstract: A rear end hook structure (44, 46) on a coupler (10) presents rearwardly directed hook throats (48, 50) which engage a rear coupler pin (96) on a attachment (94). An initially downwardly angled front end hook structure (52), presenting a forwardly directed hook throat (54), is movable by movement of a coupler (10) to move a forward coupler pin (96) on the attachment (94) into the hook throat (54). Then, the coupler (10) is moved further to swing the front end hook structure (52) upwardly into an up position in which it is against a bottom plate (40) on the coupler (10). Movement of the front end coupler structure (52) into its up position moves a hook tine (60) upwardly through a slot opening (62) in the bottom plate (40) of the coupler (10). The hook tines (60) moves upwardly until its rearwardly directed hook throat (78) is positioned to receive a lock member (66, 116, 180). Then, a spring (84, 190, 192) moves the lock member (66, 116, 180) into the hook throat (54).

Abstract: A first coupler component (12) is pivotally attached to a boom (14) for rotation about a first pivot axis (20) and is also pivotally attached to an actuation linkage (24) for pivotal movement about a second axis (22). A trunnion (26) surrounds and is concentric with the first pivot axis (20). A second coupler component (16) includes a notch (32) of a size and shape to engage the trunnion (26). The second coupler component (16) also includes an end portion (52) that is located above and is spaced from an end portion (54) on the first coupler component (12). A lock member (50) is received within a space between the end portions (52, 54). The lock member (50) is forceable into the space for spreading the end portions (52, 54) apart and forcing divergent side edges (34, 36) of the notch (32) into tight engagement with the trunnion (22). The second coupler component (16) is connected to a bucket (18) or other implement.

Abstract: A two-part implement combination for attachment to an excavator arm in which both implement parts share a common axis of rotation relative to one another and relative to the excavator arm and are independently movable. This allows a bucket and thumb combination to be quickly coupled or decoupled as a unit from an excavator arm without sacrificing independence of movement and a common rotational arc.