Robot arm coupling apparatus
US5211501A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/604
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A robot arm coupling apparatus. This apparatus has an inner assembly attached to a robot arm, an outer assembly to which a tool or the like is attached and a locking means to lock both assemblies to each other. Said locking means comprises a piston member supported by the inner assembly slidably between the locking position and the unlocking position, a plurality of ball members surrounding said piston member and supported by the inner assembly, and a ball retainer which is provided at the outer assembly, which is contactable at its tapered surface with the ball member and holds both assemblies together, when the piston member moves to the locking position, in cooperation with the ball member. The working surface of the piston member including first and second tapered surfaces and at least an axially extending cylindrical surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.