Work tool assembly and coupler

Abstract

A coupler for detachably coupling to a work tool includes a first coupling member connected with an arm of an equipment. The first coupling member includes a first pair of actuators. A second coupling member connected with a link of the arm includes a second pair of actuators. A plate member is adapted to couple with each of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The plate member includes a connecting member to engage with the work tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupler for detachably coupling to a work tool, the coupler comprising:
 a first coupling member connected with an arm of an equipment, the first coupling member includes a first pair of actuators,   a second coupling member connected with a link of the arm, the second coupling member includes a second pair of actuator; and   a plate member adapted to couple with each of the first coupling member and the second coupling member, the plate member includes a connecting member to engage with the work tool.   
     
     
         2 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of actuators and the second pair of actuators include a manual or electric screw actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of actuators includes a first pair of laterally moveable pistons partially enclosed in a first cylinder barrel and the second pair of actuators includes a second pair of laterally moveable pistons partially enclosed in a second cylinder barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The coupler of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of laterally moveable pistons are extended based on an application of hydraulic force. 
     
     
         5 . The coupler of  claim 3 , wherein the second pair of laterally moveable pistons are extended based on an application of hydraulic force. 
     
     
         6 . The coupler of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of laterally moveable pistons are extended and retracted based on a movement of the second pair of laterally moveable pistons. 
     
     
         7 . The coupler of  claim 3 , wherein the second pair of laterally moveable pistons are extended and retracted based on a movement of the first pair of laterally moveable pistons. 
     
     
         8 . The coupler of  claim 3 , wherein the first pair of laterally moveable pistons are resiliently biased in the first cylinder barrel and the second pair of laterally moveable pistons are resiliently biased in the second cylinder barrel. 
     
     
         9 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling member is adapted to be received in a pair of hooks of a connecting portion of the work tool and the second coupling member is adapted to be received in a pair of detents of the connecting portion of the work tool. 
     
     
         10 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member includes a slot provided on the plate member and the slot is engaged with a guide member of the work tool during a retracted position of the first pair of actuators and the second pair of actuators. 
     
     
         11 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member includes a guide member provided on the plate member and the guide member is engaged with a slot on the work tool during a retracted position of the first pair of actuators and the second pair of actuators. 
     
     
         12 . The coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the plate member includes a pair of bosses to allow an engagement of the plate member with each of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. 
     
     
         13 . A method of coupling a coupler with a work tool of a machine, the coupler having a first coupling member, a second coupling member, a first side plate member, a second side plate member, and a connecting member provided on a surface of the first side plate member and the second side plate member, the method comprising;
 retracting a machine actuator to place the coupler in an upright position;   engaging the first coupling member by a pair of hooks provided on a connecting portion of the work tool, wherein the first coupling member includes a first pair of actuators in a first position;   extending the machine actuator to place the second coupling member of the coupler on a pair of detents provided on the connecting portion of the work tool, wherein the second coupling member includes a second pair of actuators in the first position; and   moving the first pair of actuators and the second pair of actuators from the first position to a second position such that first side plate member and the second side plate member moves laterally towards each other and the connecting member on the first side plate member and the second side plate member engage with the work tool to lock the coupler with the work tool.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first position is an extended position of the first and second pair of actuators and the second position is a retracted position of the first and second pair of actuators. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first pair of actuators are laterally moveable pistons resiliently biased in a first cylinder barrel and the first pair of laterally moveable pistons is moved from the first position to the second position by disconnecting an application of hydraulic force in the first coupling member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second pair of actuators are laterally moveable pistons resiliently biased in a second cylinder barrel and the second pair of laterally moveable pistons is moved from the first position to the second position by disconnecting an application of hydraulic force in the second coupling member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first pair of actuators is moved from the first position to the second position based on a movement of the second pair of laterally moveable pistons from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second pair of actuators is moved from the first position to the second position based on a movement of the first pair of laterally moveable pistons from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting member includes a slot provided on the plate member and the slot engages a guide member of the work tool in the second position of the first pair of actuators and the second pair of actuators. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting member includes a guide member provided on the plate member and the guide member engages a slot on the work tool during a second position of the first pair of actuators and the second pair of actuators.