Tool coupler having a modular frame construction

Abstract

A tool coupler for connecting a machine to a tool is disclosed. The tool coupler may have a first frame module having a first pair of side plates and a pair of aligned bores passing through the first pair of side plates. The aligned bores may be configured to receive pins that are connectable to a linkage of the machine. The tool coupler may also have a second frame module releasably attached to the first frame module. The second frame module may have a second pair of side plates and a pair of hooks fixedly connected to the second pair of side plates. The pair of hooks may be configured to receive corresponding pins that are connectable to the tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool coupler for connecting a machine to a tool, comprising:
 a first frame module, including:
 a first pair of side plates; and 
 a pair of aligned bores passing through the first pair of side plates, the bores configured to receive pins that are connectable to a linkage of the machine; and 
   a second frame module releasably attached to the first frame module, the second frame module including:
 a second pair of side plates; and 
 a pair of hooks fixedly connected to the second pair of side plates and configured to receive corresponding pins that are connectable to the tool. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame module further includes a bottom plate that extends outwardly beyond the first pair of side plates to form a first mounting flange that engages the second frame module. 
     
     
         3 . The tool coupler of  claim 2 , wherein the second frame module further includes a base flange that extends outwardly from the second pair of side plates to form a second mounting flange configured to mate against the first mounting flange. 
     
     
         4 . The tool coupler of  claim 3 , further including:
 holes in the first and second mounting flanges; and   fasteners configured to pass through the holes to secure the first and second frame modules together.   
     
     
         5 . The tool coupler of  claim 4 , further including:
 a first inclined mounting surface on the first frame module, the first inclined mounting surface angled relative to the first mounting flange;   a second inclined mounting surface on the second frame module, the second inclined mounting surface angled relative to the second mounting flange;   holes in the first and second inclined mounting surfaces; and   fasteners configured to pass through the holes in the first and second inclined mounting surfaces to further secure the first and second frame modules together.   
     
     
         6 . The tool coupler of  claim 4 , wherein the base flange of the second frame module defines an opening into a cavity between the second pair of side plates of the second frame module. 
     
     
         7 . The tool coupler of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom plate of the first frame module is configured to substantially seal the opening in the second frame module from the environment when the first frame module and second frame module are attached. 
     
     
         8 . The tool coupler of  claim 6 , further including a locking mechanism associated with the pair of hooks and configured to secure the second frame module to the tool, wherein at least a portion of the locking mechanism is located in the cavity between the side plates. 
     
     
         9 . The tool coupler of  claim 3 , further including at least one notch formed in the base flange of the second frame module, the at least one notch configured to receive a portion of the first frame module. 
     
     
         10 . The tool coupler of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one notch includes a pair of notches located on opposing sides at a leading end of the second frame module, wherein each of the pair of notches is configured to receive a portion of the first pair of side plates of the first frame module. 
     
     
         11 . The tool coupler of  claim 9 , wherein the first frame module further includes a lifting eye fixedly attached to the base plate of the first frame module. 
     
     
         12 . The tool coupler of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one notch includes a notch located at a rear end of the second frame module, the notch configured to receive a portion of the lifting eye. 
     
     
         13 . The tool coupler of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tool is a first tool;   the tool coupler further includes a third frame module including a pair of hooks configured to connect the machine to a second tool; and   wherein the pair of hooks of the third frame module are spaced or oriented differently than the pair of hooks of the second frame module.   
     
     
         14 . A method of using a tool coupler, comprising:
 releasably attaching a first frame module to a second frame module;   passing pins through bores in the first frame module and a linkage of a machine to couple the first frame module to the linkage; and   engaging hooks of the second frame module with pins of a tool.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein attaching the first frame module to the second frame module includes securing a first mounting flange extending outwardly of a first pair of side plates of the first frame module to a second mounting flange extending outwardly of a second pair of side plates of the second frame module. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the first frame module to the second frame module further includes inserting fasteners through corresponding holes in the first and second mounting flanges. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the first frame module to the second frame module further includes inserting a portion of the first pair of side plates into notches formed in the second mounting flange. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further including:
 disconnecting the first frame module from the second frame module; and   releasably attaching the first frame module to a third frame module.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the third frame module includes a pair of hooks that are spaced or oriented differently than the pair of hooks of the second frame module. 
     
     
         20 . A tool coupler for connecting a machine to a tool, comprising:
 a first frame module, including:
 a first pair of side plates; 
 a pair of aligned bores passing through the first pair side plates, the bores configured to receive pins that are connectable to a linkage of the machine; and 
 a bottom plate that extends outwardly beyond the first pair side plates to form a first mounting flange; and 
 holes in the first mounting flange; 
   a second frame module releasably attached to the first frame module, the second frame module including:
 a second pair of side plates; 
 a base flange that extends outwardly from the second pair of side plates to form a second mounting flange configured to mate against the first mounting flange; 
 at least one notch formed in the base flange of the second frame module, the at least one notch configured to receive a portion of the first frame module; 
 holes in the second mounting flange; 
 an opening into a cavity between the second pair of side plates, the opening defined by the base flange, wherein the bottom plate is configured to seal the opening from the environment when the first frame module and second frame module are attached; and 
 a pair of hooks fixedly connected to the second pair of side plates and configured to receive corresponding pins that are connectable to the tool; and 
   fasteners passing through the holes to secure the first and second frame modules together.