Kenneth L Potts

US Patent:

20100059943, Mar 11, 2010

Filed:

Sep 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/205216

Inventors:

Daniel Allen Norton - Cary NC, US
Kenneth L. Potts - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

ATI Industrial Automation, Inc. - Apex NC

International Classification:

B23B 31/16

US Classification:

279 72

Abstract:

A manually actuated robotic tool changer comprises master and tool units, each adapted to be connected to a different one of a robotic arm and a robotic tool. The tool changer includes a plurality of rolling members retained in one of the units and a piston mounted in one of the units and moveable in an axial direction. The piston includes a multi-faceted cam surface including an initial contact surface, a locking surface, and a failsafe surface interposed between the initial contact surface and the locking surface. When the piston is in a locked position in the tool changer, the cam surface is operative to contact the rolling members in one of the units and to urge each rolling member against a surface of the other unit to couple the master and tool units together.

US Patent:

20100062919, Mar 11, 2010

Filed:

Sep 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/205187

Inventors:

Daniel Allen Norton - Cary NC, US
Kenneth L. Potts - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

ATI Industrial Automation, Inc. - Apex NC

International Classification:

B23Q 3/157

US Classification:

483 55

Abstract:

A manually actuated robotic tool changer includes a first housing having a generally cylindrical piston with a central axis partially extending from the first housing, the piston rotatable about the axis. A plurality of tabs are disposed about the circumference of a portion of the piston extending from the first housing. A second housing has a bore to receive a portion of the piston. A plurality of locking lugs are disposed about the bore. The tool changer is manually actuated from an unlocked position wherein the piston assumes a position with respect to the first housing such that the extending portion of the piston may be moved within the bore with the tabs moving between the locking lugs, to a locked position wherein the piston is rotated with respect to the first housing such that the tabs move beneath the locking lugs to lock the first and second housings together.