Implement interface

Abstract

Disclosed is an interface for an implement that is to be operably coupled to a power machine. In one embodiment, a disclosed implement carrier is mountable to a power machine for securing an implement for use with the power machine. The implement carrier includes an implement carrier frame, a locking feature for securing an implement, and a coupler block that is pivotally mounted to the implement carrier frame for engaging couplers on the implement. Implements and adapters configured to interface with the implement carrier are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
 a tool portion; and   an implement carrier interface having a substantially flat surface and configured to engage an implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface including:
 a locking feature configured to be engaged by the implement carrier of the power machine for securing the implement to the implement carrier; 
 a plurality of implement couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine; and 
 a locating member extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the substantially flat surface and configured to interface a locating feature located on the implement carrier. 
   
     
     
         2 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the implement carrier interface includes an implement coupler assembly in which the implement couplers are mounted. 
     
     
         3 . The implement of  claim 2 , wherein the locating member extends from the implement coupler assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein a first coupler of the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface is a hydraulic coupler configured to be engaged with a first coupler on the implement carrier of the power machine, and wherein the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is configured to relieve hydraulic pressure therein when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine. 
     
     
         5 . The implement of  claim 4 , wherein the implement carrier interface further comprises a fluid relief path, and wherein a valve member of the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is configured to move between an open position when the one of the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface is engaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine and a closed position when the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is disengaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier, wherein in the open position the valve member prevents pressurized hydraulic fluid from traveling into the fluid relief path, and wherein in the closed position the valve member allows pressurized hydraulic fluid to travel into the fluid relief path to relieve hydraulic pressure in the first coupler on the implement carrier interface when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine. 
     
     
         6 . The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the weight of the implement urges the plurality of implement couplers of the implement carrier interface into engagement with the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine when the implement is mounted to the power machine. 
     
     
         7 . The implement of  claim 1 , and further comprising an adapter that is configured to be removably attached to the implement, wherein the adapter provides the implement carrier interface. 
     
     
         8 . An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
 a tool portion; and   an implement carrier interface configured to engage an implement carrier on the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface comprising:
 a locking feature configured to be engaged by a locking mechanism of the implement carrier of the power machine; 
 a plurality of implement couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine; 
 a primary locating member configured to interface with a primary locating feature on the implement carrier of the power machine to align the implement carrier interface with the implement carrier; and 
 a secondary locating member configured to interface a secondary locating feature on a coupler assembly of the implement carrier of the power machine to align the coupler assembly with the implement carrier interface. 
   
     
     
         9 . The implement of  claim 8 , wherein the implement carrier interface further comprises an implement coupler assembly in which the implement couplers are mounted, and wherein the primary locating member and the secondary locating member extend substantially perpendicularly from a surface of the implement carrier interface. 
     
     
         10 . The implement of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary locating member is a first secondary locating member and further comprising a second secondary locating member configured to interface with two secondary locating features on the coupler assembly of the implement carrier of the power machine to align the coupler assembly with the implement carrier interface. 
     
     
         11 . An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
 a tool portion; and   an implement carrier interface configured to engage an implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface having an implement coupler assembly comprising:
 a plurality of implement couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine, wherein a first coupler on the implement carrier interface is a hydraulic coupler configured to be engaged with a first hydraulic coupler on the implement carrier of the power machine; and 
 a pressure relief path configured to be selectively placed in communication with the first coupler to relieve hydraulic pressure in the implement coupler assembly when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine and the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is disengaged from the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine. 
   
     
     
         12 . The implement of  claim 11 , and further comprising a valve member configured to control connection of the fluid relief path to the first coupler on the implement carrier interface. 
     
     
         13 . The implement of  claim 12 , wherein the valve member is configured to move between an open position when the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is engaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine and a closed position when the first coupler on the implement carrier interface is disengaged with the first coupler on the implement carrier on the power machine, wherein in the open position the valve member prevents pressurized hydraulic fluid from traveling into the fluid relief path and wherein in the closed position the valve member allows pressurized hydraulic fluid to travel into the fluid relief path to relieve hydraulic pressure in the first coupler on the implement carrier interface when the implement is removed from the implement carrier of the power machine. 
     
     
         14 . A mounting adapter configured to be removably attached to an implement, comprising:
 an implement carrier interface configured to engage and be mounted to an implement carrier of a power machine, including a first plurality of couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine, wherein the implement carrier interface is configured such that the first plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface are urged into engagement with the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine when the implement carrier interface engages with the implement carrier of the power machine and such that disengagement of the implement carrier interface from the implement carrier of the power machine causes the first plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface to disengage from the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine; and   a second plurality of couplers in communication with the first plurality of hydraulic couplers and configured to be connected to conduits on the implement.   
     
     
         15 . The adapter of  claim 14 , and further comprising at least one releasable adapter locking mechanism configured to removably attach the adapter to the implement. 
     
     
         16 . The adapter of  claim 14 , wherein the implement carrier interface further comprises an implement locking feature configured to be releasably engaged by a locking mechanism of the implement carrier of the power machine. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter of  claim 14 , wherein the implement carrier interface has a substantially flat surface configured to engage with the implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface further comprising a locating member extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the substantially flat surface and configured to interface a locating feature on the implement carrier of the power machine to align the first plurality of couplers on the implement carrier interface with the plurality of couplers on the implement carrier. 
     
     
         18 . The adapter of  claim 17 , wherein the implement carrier interface includes an implement coupler assembly in which the implement couplers are mounted and from which the locating member extends. 
     
     
         19 . The adapter of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the second plurality of couplers is a hydraulic fitting. 
     
     
         20 . An implement configured to be mounted to a power machine, the implement comprising:
 a tool portion; and   an implement carrier interface having a substantially flat surface and configured to engage an implement carrier of the power machine to mount the implement to the power machine, the implement carrier interface further including:
 a locking feature configured to be engaged by a locking mechanism of the implement carrier of the power machine; and 
 a plurality of implement couplers configured to be engaged with a plurality of couplers on the implement carrier of the power machine, at least one of the plurality of implement couplers having a face that is substantially parallel with the flat surface. 
   
     
     
         21 . The implement of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the plurality of implement couplers extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the flat surface.