EP0142373A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool change apparatus
Assignee: Renishaw PLC
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Filing: 1984-11-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A tool (12) is releasably supported on a head (10) by a kinematic support (35) having elements (36,37) provided respectively on the head (10) and the tool (12) and extending in a plane (A-A) transverse to an axis 10A) of the head (10) by a releasable coupling (17) which comprises a first element (21) provided on the head (10) and engaged with a second element (26) provided on the tool. To release the tool (12) from the head (10) the latter is moved to position the tool (12) at a magazine (16) and by such movement to connect the second element (26) with an operating member (41) provided on the magazine (16). Rotation of the second element (26) by the operating member (41) releases the second element (26) from the first element (21) and frees the head (10) for withdrawal in the direction of its axis (10A). To connect the tool (12) to the head (10) the latter is moved in the direction of its axis (10A) to bring the elements (36,37) of the kinematic support (35) into proximity and to bring the coupling elements (21,26) into proximity. The operating member (41) is then rotated to connect the coupling elements (21.26) and establish engagement of the kinematic support (35). Thereafter the head (10) can be moved to remove the tool (12) from the magazine (16).
Inventors
- 👤 David Roberts Mcmurtry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:03
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/0063; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/155; B23Q3/1552; B23Q3/15553; F; F16; F16D; F16D1/00; F16D1/02; F16D1/033; G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/002; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/94; Y10T408/95; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/309352; Y10T409/309408; Y10T409/309464; Y10T483/00; Y10T483/13; Y10T483/136; Y10T483/17; Y10T483/1733; Y10T483/1736
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
Tool change apparatus comprising a tool (12), a storage device (16) having means for releasably supporting the tool in a stored position a head (10) which is capable of movement relative to the storage device for removal of the tool from the stored position and return of the tool thereto the head having an axis (10A) and including first support surfaces (36) arranged at a plane (A-A) transverse to said axis, the tool having second support surfaces (37) engageable with the first support surfaces, the first and second support surfaces being adapted to define a kinematic support (35),and operating means (19) for engaging the tool with the head at said support surfaces and disengaging the tool therefrom, characterised by a first coupling element (21) provided on the head, a second coupling element (26) provided on the tool, oneof the coupling elements being supported on one of the tool and the head for movement between positions of engagement with or disengagement from the other coupling element thereby to respectively secure the tool to the head and release it therefrom, the one coupling element being arranged, during said movement thereof in the sense of securing the tool to the head, to exert on the tool a force in the direction of said axis thereby to establish engagement between said first and second support surfaces, and in that said operating means (19) is provided on one of the head and the storage device for operating said one of the coupling elements to effect said engagement and disengagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
Tool change apparatus comprising a tool (12), a storage device (16) having means for releasably supporting the tool in a stored position a head (10) which is capable of movement relative to the storage device for removal of the tool from the stored position and return of the tool thereto the head having an axis (10A) and including first support surfaces (36) arranged at a plane (A-A) transverse to said axis, the tool having second support surfaces (37) engageable with the first support surfaces, the first and second support surfaces being adapted to define a kinematic support (35),and operating means (19) for engaging the tool with the head at said support surfaces and disengaging the tool therefrom, characterised by a first coupling element (21) provided on the head, a second coupling element (26) provided on the tool, oneof the coupling elements being supported on one of the tool and the head for movement between positions of engagement with or disengagement from the other coupling element thereby to respectively secure the tool to the head and release it therefrom, the one coupling element being arranged, during said movement thereof in the sense of securing the tool to the head, to exert on the tool a force in the direction of said axis thereby to establish engagement between said first and second support surfaces, and in that said operating means (19) is provided on one of the head and the storage device for operating said one of the coupling elements to effect said engagement and disengagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said coupling elements (21) is supported on the one (10) of the tool (12) and the head (10) through the intermediary of the spring (24).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising first electric contacts (33) provided on the head at a plane (A-A) transverse to said axis (10A), second electric contacts (34) provided on said tool (12) said second contacts being arranged to engage said first contacts when the tool engages the head at said support surfaces (36,37).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, said operating means (19) being provided on said storage device (16) and including an operating member (41),said one of coupling elements (26) being arranged to be connectable to and disconnectable from said operating member by said movement of the head (10) for removal of the tool from and return of the tool to the storage device (16).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said coupling elements (21,26) are arranged to that, for the purpose of a said movement of the head (10) for removal and return of the tool (12), the first coupling element (21) is respectively withdrawn from and returned to a position of proximity with the second coupling element by movement of the head in the direction of said axis (10A) , and so that said one coupling element is connected to and disconnected from said operating member by movement of the head in one of said axial and transverse directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, one (21) of said coupling elements (21,26) being secured to one (10) of said head (10) and tool (12) and arranged to project therefrom in the direction of said axis (10A), the other coupling element (26) being supported on the other one (12) of the head and the tool for movement transversely to said axis and arranged by such movement to become connected to or disconnected from the one coupling element (21) when the latter is situated at said position of proximity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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