Patent ID: 8539699

Claim:
A modular system for connecting a module to an extension arm of a construction machine comprising: a) a wing secured to the end of the extension arm, wherein the wing at an end opposite the extension arm has one of a standardized proximal mounting arrangement with a pair of spaced-apart parallel plates or a standardized distal mounting arrangement with two pairs of spaced-apart parallel plates, wherein the two pairs each have two closely spaced plates defining a slot therebetween, wherein the width of the slot is approximately the thickness of one of the plates associated with the standardized proximal coupling arrangement; b) a module made up of a modified stick having a first end adapted to be secured to the wing, wherein the first end comprises the other of the standardized distal coupling arrangement or the standardized proximal coupling arrangement adapted to be coupled to the coupling arrangement on the wing so that the module may be interchangeably secured to the wing; c) wherein each of the plates associated with the wing is positioned adjacent a plate associated with the module; d) at least one common mating hole extends through each wing plate and the adjacent module plate; and e) a pin adapted to slide into at least one mating hole to restrict translation of the wing plate and the module plate relative to one another in a direction parallel to the plates; and f) wherein the modified stick has a longitudinal axis and a hydraulic cylinder mounted to the stick and, wherein the standard proximal coupling is pivotally attached to hydraulic cylinder and, wherein the modified stick may be secured to the wing with the cylinder on top, such that extending the cylinder drives any member attached to the modified stick in a downward direction or, wherein the modified stick may be secured to the wing with the cylinder on the bottom such that extending the cylinder drives any member attached to the modified stick in an upward direction.