Patent · US Expired

Quick release tool holder for robots

US4624043A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
14References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 1982
Grant dateNov 25, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T483/1793
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A releasable tool holder (75) for quickly interchanging tools usable by a conventional robot (50) having one or more articulatable arms (60, 65, 70). The tool holder (75) is mounted to an arm (70) of the robot (50) and is provided with a plurality of variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) capable of engaging a surface (215) of a ring (205) mounting a preselected tool. A fluid motor (95) is connected to a translatable center link (105) that is pivotably attached to the variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) whereby when the motor (95) causes the link (105) to translate, the variable fulcrum clamping levers (110) engage the surface (215) of the tool mounting ring (205). A novel tool mounting ring (205) and a releasable fluid coupling (125) are also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.