Patent Description:
Wheeled or tracked machines such as excavators and backhoe loaders are commonly configured to operate a variety of interchangeable tools such as buckets, grabs, breakers, compactors and the like. Each tool is releasably mounted on a rigid mount attached to the machine so as to transmit forces between the tool and the machine in use. The mount forms part of a coupling assembly, commonly referred to as a quick coupler because it makes it easy to connect and disconnect the tool. The quick coupler includes a rigid retaining body movable by one or more actuators, typically hydraulic actuators, between a release position and a retaining position in which the tool is engaged by retaining portions of the retaining body to retain it in fixed relation to the mount. Some work tools include hydraulic actuators used to actuate the work tool. Hydraulic lines from the machine are connected to the work tool so that the hydraulic system on the machine may power the actuators. Some quick coupling systems may include hydraulic connections for connecting the hydraulic system on the machine to the work tool.

For example, <CIT>, entitled "Quick-change device," discloses a quick coupler fastened on the machine, an adapter which can be locked with the quick coupler and is connected to the tool, and a hydraulic coupling for producing a hydraulic connection between the hydraulic system on the machine and the hydraulics of the tool. The hydraulic coupling includes a first coupling part and a second coupling part mounted on the front of the quick coupler and adapter, respectively. The two coupling parts are held frictionally in the operating position, relative to one another, by the mechanical retaining means.

<CIT>, entitled "Rapid tool changing mechanism for excavator, bulldozer or mechanical loader includes quick release couplings for hydraulic lines at sides of mounting frame," discloses a change mechanism which has two side pieces joined by crossbars. The top crossbar projects outside the side pieces and may be engaged by hooks on frame pieces on the loading tool. The lower crossbar supports a hydraulic locking system and has a hydraulic plug-in system. Flexible and rigid hydraulic lines are connected to the system.

In accordance with the present disclosure there is provided a coupling assembly for releasably mounting a tool on a work machine.

The present disclosure provides a coupling assembly according to claim <NUM>.

Further features and advantages will be evident from the following illustrative embodiment which will now be described, purely by way of example and without limitation to the scope of the claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In this specification, a work machine means any machine, such as a fixed or mobile machine, which is configured to manipulate and operate a tool mounted on the machine. The machine may perform some type of operation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art. For example, the work machine <NUM> may be an earth moving machine such as an excavator (shown in <FIG>), a backhoe, a loader, material handler, or any other earth moving machine.

Referring to <FIG>, an illustrated embodiment of a coupling assembly <NUM> includes a rigid mount <NUM> pivotably attached to a distal end of an arm or stick <NUM> of a work machine <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the work machine <NUM> is configured as a tracked excavator having a machine body or house <NUM> rotatably mounted on tracks <NUM> and containing a seat <NUM> for the operator. The stick <NUM> is pivotably mounted at the distal end of another arm or boom <NUM> which in turn is pivotably mounted on the body <NUM>. One or more actuators <NUM> are arranged to move the stick <NUM>, the boom <NUM>, and the mount <NUM> by hydraulic pressure from a source such as an engine driven hydraulic pump <NUM> responsive to commands received from the operator via one or more user controls <NUM>, such as for example, a joystick.

Referring to <FIG>, an illustrated embodiment of a tool <NUM> is configured as a grab with arms <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the tool <NUM> may be any hydraulically-actuatable tool. The arms <NUM> are actuatable by hydraulic actuators <NUM> on the tool <NUM> responsive to hydraulic pressure which is transmitted from the hydraulic pump <NUM> to the tool <NUM> via a hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM>, described in more detail below. The tool <NUM> may include a tool bracket <NUM> configured to be releasably mounted to the coupling assembly <NUM>. The tool bracket <NUM> may be integrally formed with the tool <NUM> or attached to the tool <NUM> by any suitable means, such as for example, welding or fasteners. The tool bracket <NUM> may include the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> and structure to releasably mount to the coupling assembly <NUM> to form a coupling arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool bracket <NUM> includes two parallel side plates <NUM> (one of which has been removed in <FIG> to show the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM>, the other being a mirror image) and a base <NUM> extending between the side plates <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the base <NUM> is extends perpendicular to the side plates <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the base <NUM> may not extend perpendicular to the side plates <NUM>. Each of the side plates <NUM> define a front recess <NUM>, a rear recess <NUM>, and a wedge receptacle <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the mount <NUM> may be configured as a rigid steel casting or fabrication having parallel side plates <NUM> connected by a central portion <NUM> and supporting outwardly and oppositely projecting front lugs <NUM> and rear lugs <NUM>. At the forward end of the mount <NUM>, each side plate <NUM> may define an upper guide surfaces <NUM> and an opposed, spaced-apart, lower guide surface <NUM> (<FIG>).

The central portion <NUM> of the mount <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and an opposed second portion <NUM> that extend from a forward end <NUM> of the mount <NUM> along a longitudinal central axis X1 mid-way between the side plates <NUM> to define a second upper guide surface <NUM> and an opposed, spaced-apart, second lower guide surfaces <NUM> (<FIG>). The coupling assembly <NUM> may include a pair of slots <NUM>, one in each of the first portion <NUM> and the opposed second portion <NUM>, to extend along the longitudinal central axis X1 and open through the respective one of the second upper and lower guide surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. The opposed walls of each slot <NUM> may be exactly superposed in plan view and may define another pair of opposed third guide surfaces <NUM> which extend in spaced relation in parallel with the central longitudinal axis X1 (<FIG>).

Each side plate <NUM> may also define a front mounting hole <NUM> and a rear mounting hole <NUM> through which front and rear pins <NUM> are inserted to attach the mount <NUM> to the stick <NUM> of the work machine <NUM>. The coupling assembly <NUM> includes a rigid retaining body <NUM> for attaching the coupling assembly <NUM> to the tool <NUM>. The mount <NUM> may be configured as a housing in which the rigid retaining body <NUM> is arranged to be movable relative to the mount <NUM> between a retaining position as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> and a release position as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The retaining body <NUM> may be configured in a variety of ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining body <NUM> is configured as an elongate solid bar, with its opposite end regions defining a first retaining portion <NUM> and a second retaining portion <NUM>. In use, the first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> may directly engage the tool bracket <NUM> and may extend outwardly of the side plates <NUM> on each side of the mount <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The first retaining portion <NUM> and a second retaining portion <NUM> may be slidably received between the upper guide surface <NUM> and the lower guide surfaces <NUM> (<FIG>). When considered in end view, as best seen in <FIG>, each of the first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> may be shaped to form a wedge which may taper towards the rear end of the mount <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, the tool <NUM> may be releasably mounted on the work machine <NUM> by manipulating the boom <NUM>, the stick <NUM> and the mount <NUM> to position the mount <NUM> over the tool bracket <NUM> so that the rear lugs <NUM> are received in the rear recesses <NUM>. Then, the mount <NUM> may be pivoted so that the front lugs <NUM> are received in the front recesses <NUM>, whereby the tool <NUM> is received on the mount <NUM> in the mounted position as shown in <FIG>. With the tool <NUM> in the mounted position, the retaining body <NUM> is then moved by a first actuator assembly <NUM> and a second actuator assembly <NUM>, as further described below, from the release position as shown in <FIG> to the retaining position as shown in <FIG>.

The first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> are configured, in the retaining position of the retaining body <NUM>, to retain the tool in the mounted position, and in the release position of the retaining body, to release the tool from the mounted position. The first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> may engage fittingly, each in a respective one of the wedge receptacles <NUM> of the tool bracket <NUM> to prevent the tool bracket <NUM> from rotating relative to the mount <NUM>. Thus, in combination with the front lugs <NUM>, the rear lugs <NUM>, and other contact surfaces, the first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> retain the tool <NUM> in the mounted position, as shown in <FIG>.

The retaining body <NUM> is pivotably connected to the mount <NUM> at a pivot axis X2 arranged between the first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM>. The pivot axis X2 may be located mid-way between the first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> when considered in the length direction of the retaining body <NUM>.

The retaining body <NUM> is movable in translation relative to the mount <NUM> along a translation axis X3 which is acollinear (which is to say, not collinear) with the pivot axis X2 between the release position and the retaining position, as shown respectively in <FIG> and <FIG>. The translation axis X3 may be collinear with the longitudinal central axis X1 of the mount <NUM>. The pivot axis X2 may be normal to the translation axis X3 and may intersect the translation axis X3, as shown.

The retaining body <NUM> is pivotable about the pivot axis X2 relative to the mount <NUM> when the pivot axis X2 is positioned along the translation axis X3 anywhere in a range of movement in-between the retaining and release positions, as shown in <FIG>. In the retaining position the first retaining portion <NUM> and the second retaining portion <NUM> are clamped by the first actuator assembly <NUM> and the second actuator assembly <NUM> (to the mount <NUM> and/or to the tool bracket <NUM>) so that the retaining body <NUM> is fixed relative to the mount <NUM> to retain the tool <NUM> in the mounted position.

The pivot axis X2 may be fixed relative to the retaining body <NUM> and movable in translation relative to the mount <NUM> along the translation axis X3 by movement of the retaining body <NUM> between the retaining and release positions. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, this may be achieved by providing an axle <NUM>, which may be a solid (optionally, cylindrical) body fixed to the retaining body <NUM> to extend outwardly from one or, as illustrated, from both of its opposite (upper and lower) sides, so that the central axis of the axle <NUM> defines the pivot axis X2.

In this specification, an "axle" means a shaft or pin, for example, a trunnion or a pair of oppositely directed collinear trunnions, that defines a pivot axis about which the retaining body <NUM> can rotate at least through a limited angular range. The axle <NUM> is slidably guided for translation between third guide surfaces <NUM> defined by slots <NUM> formed in first portion <NUM> and the opposed second portion <NUM> of the mount <NUM>. The middle region of the retaining body from which the axle <NUM> extends may be slidably received between the second upper guide surface <NUM> and the second lower guide surface <NUM> of the mount <NUM>, which may be generally normal to the third guide surfaces <NUM> of the slots <NUM>.

Thus, the retaining body <NUM> may both pivot and translate in the same plane while the third guide surfaces <NUM> constrain its translation at the position of the pivot axis X2 to one degree of freedom (along the translation axis X3) in the plane, and the first upper and lower guide surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> and the second upper and lower guide surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> prevent the retaining body <NUM> from moving out of the plane.

The first actuator assembly <NUM> and the second actuator assembly <NUM> include a first actuator <NUM> and a second actuator <NUM>, respectively. The first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM> are provided for moving the retaining body <NUM> between the retaining and release positions. The first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> and the first and second actuators <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged respectively at first and second sides of the mount <NUM>, in parallel, as shown in <FIG>.

The first actuator assembly <NUM> is pivotably connected to a first region <NUM> of the retaining body <NUM> between the first retaining portion <NUM> and the pivot axis X2, while the second actuator assembly <NUM> is pivotably connected to a second region <NUM> of the retaining body <NUM> between the second retaining portion <NUM> and the pivot axis X2.

As exemplified by the illustrated embodiment, the first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> may include, respectively, a first rigid connector <NUM> and a second rigid connector <NUM>. The first rigid connector <NUM> is pivotably connected to the first actuator <NUM> and pivotably connected to the first region <NUM> of the retaining body <NUM>, while the second rigid connector <NUM> is pivotably connected to the second actuator <NUM> and pivotably connected to the second region <NUM> of the retaining body <NUM>.

The pivot connection at each end of each of the rigid connectors <NUM>, <NUM> allows a static part of each of the actuators <NUM>, <NUM> to be mounted in fixed relation to the mount <NUM> while decoupling each of the actuators <NUM>, <NUM> from a bending moment resulting from torque applied by external forces acting on the first and second retaining portions <NUM>, <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, however, the actuators <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected via a differently configured linkage to the retaining body <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first actuator <NUM> and the second actuator <NUM> are configured as hydraulic cylinders. In other embodiments, however, the first and second actuators <NUM>, <NUM> may be any suitable actuator. The first actuator <NUM> include a first tube portion <NUM> and first piston-rod assembly <NUM> arranged within the first tube portion <NUM> to form a head-end pressure chamber and a rod-end pressure chamber. Likewise, the second actuator <NUM> includes a second tube portion <NUM> and a second piston-rod assembly <NUM> arranged within the second tube portion <NUM> to form a head-end pressure chamber and a rod-end pressure chamber. The pressure chambers may be selectively supplied with pressurized fluid and drained of the pressurized fluid to cause the first and second piston-rod assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> to displace within the first and second tube portions <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, thereby changing the effective length of actuators <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first and second piston-rod assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> are pivotably connected, respectively to the first and second regions <NUM>, <NUM> of the retaining body <NUM> via respective, first and second linkages, which may comprise first and second, rigid connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, for example as shown, while the first and second tube portions <NUM>, <NUM> forming the static parts of the first and second actuators <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are mounted in fixed relation to the mount <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first tube portion <NUM> includes a first cylindrical exterior surface <NUM> and the second tube portion includes a second cylindrical exterior surface <NUM>. Each of the first cylindrical exterior surface <NUM> and the second cylindrical exterior surface <NUM> are free of, or mostly free of, exterior fittings and hydraulic lines.

The first actuator assembly <NUM> may include a first resilient bias element <NUM>, and the second actuator assembly <NUM> may include a second resilient bias element <NUM>. The first and second resilient bias elements <NUM>, <NUM> may be any suitable bias elements, such as for example, a coil spring. The first and second resilient bias elements <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged to urge the first and second retaining portions <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, towards the engaged position of the retaining body <NUM>.

The forward end of each of the first and second bias element <NUM>, <NUM> may bear against the central portion <NUM> at the forward end of the mount <NUM> while the rigid connectors <NUM>, <NUM> pass through apertures in the central portion <NUM> of the mount <NUM> to connect pivotably with the retaining body <NUM>. Each of the apertures is dimensioned to accommodate the angular displacement of the respective rigid connector <NUM>, <NUM> as the retaining body <NUM> pivots under torque, as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling assembly <NUM> includes a hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM>. The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> may be configured in a variety of ways. Any hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> that can be arranged on the mount <NUM> between the first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> and use the first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> as a guide for hydraulically coupling to the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> on the tool <NUM> may be used. The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> can move between a coupled position, in which the tool <NUM> is hydraulically coupled to the work machine <NUM>, and an uncoupled position, in which the tool <NUM> is hydraulically decoupled from the work machine <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> has a generally rectangular manifold body <NUM> that extends between the first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, the manifold body <NUM> can be any suitable size and shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the manifold body <NUM> includes a first end portion <NUM>, a second end portion <NUM> opposite the first end portion <NUM>, a front face <NUM> extended between the first end portion <NUM> and second end portion <NUM> and facing the retaining body <NUM>, and a rear face <NUM>, opposite the front face <NUM> and extended between the first end portion <NUM> and second end portion <NUM>.

The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> is configured to be movable in translation relative to the mount in the direction of the translation axis X3. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> moves in the same plane as the retaining body <NUM>. In other embodiments, the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> may not move coplanar with the retaining body <NUM>. The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> uses the first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> as a guide for movement between the coupled position (<FIG>) and an uncoupled position (<FIG>). The coupled position refers to the position in which the hydraulic coupling manifold is hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM>. The decoupled position refers to the position in which the hydraulic coupling manifold is not coupled to the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM>. In some embodiments, the decoupled position refers to a fully retracted position of the hydraulic coupling manifold. The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> can be configured to use the first and second actuator assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> as a guide in a variety of ways.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first end portion <NUM> includes a first passage <NUM> configured to receive the first actuator <NUM> and the second end portion <NUM> includes a second passage <NUM> configured to receive the second actuator <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first passage <NUM> circumferentially surrounds the first exterior surface <NUM> of the first actuator <NUM> and the second passage <NUM> circumferentially surrounds the second exterior surface <NUM> of the second actuator <NUM>. In other exemplary embodiments, the first and second passages <NUM>, <NUM> may only partially surround the first exterior surface <NUM> and the second exterior surface <NUM>, respectively.

The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> may include a friction-reducing interface between the first exterior surface <NUM> of the first actuator <NUM> and the first passage <NUM> and a friction-reducing interface between the second exterior surface <NUM> of the second actuator <NUM> and the second passage <NUM>. Any suitable friction-reducing interface may be used, such as a lubricated bushing, a roller bearing, or other friction-reducing interface. In one embodiment, the friction-reducing interface is a grease bushing (not shown) and the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> may include one or more grease zerks for supplying grease to the bushings.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling assembly <NUM> includes a third actuator <NUM> associated with the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM>. The third actuator <NUM> is configured to move the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> between the coupled and uncoupled positions. The third actuator <NUM> may be configured in a variety of ways. Any suitable actuator may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the third actuator <NUM> is a hydraulic cylinder.

The third actuator <NUM> may be formed integrally with the manifold body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, or may be separate from the manifold body <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the manifold body <NUM> forms a cylindrical cavity <NUM> and a third piston-rod assembly <NUM> is arranged within the cylindrical cavity <NUM> to form a head-end pressure chamber and a rod-end pressure chamber. The third piston-rod assembly <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> that extends outward of the rear face <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM> and is fixably attached to fixed surface (not shown), such as a portion of the rigid mount <NUM> or a surface attached to the rigid mount <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> may be fixably attached in any suitable manner, such as for example, a threaded connection.

Selectively supplying one of the pressure chambers with pressurized fluid and draining pressurized fluid from the other chamber causes the third piston-rod assembly <NUM> to displace within the cylindrical cavity <NUM> thereby changing the effective length of third actuator <NUM>. Since the distal end <NUM> is fixed relative to the rigid mount <NUM>, supplying the head-end pressure chamber with pressurized fluid while draining pressurized fluid from rod-end pressure chamber, moves the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> toward the retaining body <NUM> and the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM>. Likewise, supplying the rod-end pressure chamber with pressurized fluid while draining pressurized fluid from head-end pressure chamber, moves the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> away the retaining body <NUM> and the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM>.

The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> includes one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM>. The one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, any suitable type, number, size, orientation, and arrangement of the one or more hydraulic quick connector <NUM> may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> includes five, female hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> arranged horizontally in-line across the front face <NUM> of the manifold body <NUM>. In other embodiments, the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> may include more or less than five hydraulic quick connectors <NUM>, the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> may be male connectors, and/or the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> may be arranged other than horizontally in-line.

The hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> includes hydraulic fluid inlets <NUM> and flow passages <NUM> connecting the hydraulic fluid inlets <NUM> to the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM>. The hydraulic fluid inlets <NUM> are in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump <NUM> to supply hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, hydraulic fluid inlets <NUM> are located on a top side <NUM> of the manifold block and the flow passages <NUM> are formed, generally, as <NUM>-degree elbows. In other embodiments, however, the hydraulic fluid inlets <NUM> may be positioned at any suitable location on the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> and the flow passages <NUM> may be configured in any suitable manner to fluidly connect the hydraulic fluid inlets <NUM> to the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> on the tool <NUM> is configured and positioned to couple to the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM>. The hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> may be configured in a variety of ways. Any configuration that can hydraulically couple to a corresponding hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM> associated with the coupling assembly <NUM> may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> is fixably mounted onto the tool bracket <NUM> at an angle α that is aligned with the translation axis X3 of the coupling assembly <NUM> when the coupling assembly <NUM> is attached to the tool <NUM>, as shown by line A in <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α may be in the range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees relative to the base <NUM>, such as for example, <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, or about <NUM> degrees.

The hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> includes a transmission body <NUM> including an upper rear face <NUM> and one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> positioned on the upper rear face <NUM>. The one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> are configured to couple to the one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> on the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM>. Therefore, the while one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> may be configured in a variety of ways, such as for example, any suitable type, number, size, orientation, and arrangement of the one or more hydraulic quick connector <NUM>, the one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> must be complementary to the one or more hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> on the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> includes five, male hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> arranged horizontally in-line across the upper rear face <NUM> of the transmission body <NUM> to connect to the corresponding five, female hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> on the hydraulic coupling manifold <NUM>.

The hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> includes a lower rear face <NUM> and a plurality of hydraulic fluid outlets <NUM> located on the lower rear face <NUM>. Flow passages (not shown) fluidly connect the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> to the hydraulic fluid outlets <NUM> to route hydraulic fluid received by to the hydraulic quick connectors <NUM> to the hydraulic fluid outlets <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydraulic power transmission coupling <NUM> includes five horizontally in-line hydraulic fluid outlets <NUM> on the lower rear face <NUM>, one for each corresponding male hydraulic quick connector <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the various actuators may be either electrically or hydraulically operated. The mount, retaining body, actuator assemblies and other components of the novel coupling assembly may be configured differently to those illustrated. The retaining body may be pivotably connected to the mount either directly or indirectly, for example, via a suitable linkage that guides it in translation.

All of the various hydraulic, electrical or other power supply and control functions may be connected to the hydraulic pump <NUM> or other hydraulic, electrical or mechanical power supply of the work machine <NUM> and operated by the operator of the work machine <NUM> responsive to input via the user controls <NUM>.

The novel coupling assembly may be used with any suitable work machine and any suitable hydraulically-powered tool. In the illustrated embodiment, by attaching the actuator assemblies to the first and second regions of the retaining body, the actuators can be arranged towards the sides of the mount to provide an open space between them to accommodate the hydraulic coupling manifold. Having the hydraulic coupling manifold positioned in the interior of the coupling assembly between the actuators and the side plates results in the hydraulic coupling manifold being less vulnerable to being damaged during operation than an externally mounted hydraulic coupling arrangement. The coupling assembly uses the actuators as guides for movement, thus not requiring other guide structure to be included in the coupling assembly. The hydraulic coupling manifold utilizes one or more quick connects for easy and reliable automatic connections when the hydraulic coupling manifold is moved into engagement with the hydraulic power transmission coupling on the tool. The quick connects are arranged horizontally in-line and the hydraulic coupling manifold is actuated by an integrated hydraulic cylinder resulting in a thin profile for the hydraulic coupling manifold that fits conveniently between to actuators and side plates. By using the actuators as guides, the hydraulic coupling manifold moves in the same horizontal plane as the retaining member.

Claim 1:
A coupling arrangement for releasably mounting, and hydraulically coupling, a tool (<NUM>) to a work machine (<NUM>), comprising:
a mount (<NUM>) attachable to the work machine (<NUM>) and configured to receive the tool (<NUM>) in a mounted position of the tool (<NUM>);
a rigid retaining body (<NUM>) movable in translation relative to the mount (<NUM>) along a translation axis between a retaining position for retaining the tool (<NUM>) to the mount (<NUM>) and a release position for releasing the tool (<NUM>) from the mount (<NUM>);
a first and a second actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>) operable to move the retaining body (<NUM>) between the retaining and release positions; and
a hydraulic coupling manifold (<NUM>) movable in translation relative to the mount (<NUM>) along the translation axis for hydraulically coupling the tool (<NUM>) to the machine (<NUM>), wherein the hydraulic coupling manifold (<NUM>) uses the first and second actuators (<NUM>, <NUM>) as guides for moving along the translation axis, characterized in that the hydraulic coupling manifold (<NUM>) includes a first passage (<NUM>) through which the first actuator (<NUM>) extends and a second passage (<NUM>) through which the second actuator (<NUM>) extends.