Patent ID: 7877906

Claim:
A modular system for connecting any one of a plurality of modules 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 a standardized proximal mounting arrangement with a pair of spaced-apart parallel plates; b) a first plurality of modules, wherein each module has a first end adapted to be secured to the wing and comprises a standardized distal coupling arrangement adapted to be coupled with the standardized proximal coupling arrangement so that each module may be interchangeably secured to the wing; c) wherein each of the pair of wing plates associated with the proximal mounting arrangement is positioned adjacent to one of the pair of module plates associated with the distal mounting arrangement; 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 each of the at least one mating holes to restrict translation of the wing plate and the module plate relative to one another in a direction parallel to the plates; f) wherein the module is an intermediate module which further includes a second end comprising a standardized distal coupling arrangement such that the module at the first end has a standardized proximal coupling and at the second end has a standardized proximal coupling arrangement, wherein the intermediate module may be secured between two other modules having an identical distal coupling arrangement or proximal coupling arrangement; and g) wherein the intermediate module is a modified stick having a longitudinal axis and a hydraulic cylinder mounted to the stick and wherein the standard proximal coupling is pivotally attached to hydraulic cylinder.