Method and apparatus for retaining weld fixtures

A method comprising:

• placing a latch on a welding fixture support assembly in an unlatched position, wherein the welding fixture support assembly is supported by a table;
• placing a clamp on the welding fixture support assembly in an unclamped position;
• placing a welding fixture atop a welding fixture support assembly that is supported by a table;
• sliding the fixture along a top surface of the welding fixture support assembly;
• inserting the clamp into a first generally V-shaped slot formed in the welding fixture, wherein the first generally V-shaped slot tapers at an angle less than about 45 degrees, and wherein the clamp contacts an edge of the first generally V-shaped slot at a contact area that has a length greater than ½ inch;
• and
• actuating an actuator to simultaneously move the latch to a latched position and the clamp to a clamped position.

A cobot welding table comprising:

• a table frame having downwardly extending legs;
• at least one modular connector on the table frame, wherein the modular connector is a generally flat and planar member that extends in a vertical direction, wherein the modular connector has an upper end connected to one leg of the table frame, a lower end connected the leg of the table frame, and a central portion that is offset from the leg, wherein the central portion defines an aperture that extends fully through the modular connector;
• a fixture support assembly positioned atop the table frame, the fixture support assembly including:
• a pair of lateral supports that are elongated to extend in a lateral first direction;
• a pair of longitudinal supports that are elongated to extend in a longitudinal second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction;
• a first rail and a second rail located between a first longitudinal support and a second longitudinal support, wherein the first longitudinal support and the second longitudinal support collectively define the pair of longitudinal supports, wherein the first rail and the second rail are at least as long as the pair of longitudinal supports;
• a first end of each of the first rail and the second rail;
• a second end of each the first rail and the second rail;
• a first latch plate adjacent the first end of the first rail, and a first alignment indicator formed as an arrow being centered relative to the first latch plate;
• a first latch adjacent the first end of the first rail and adjacent the first latch plate;
• a first clamp hook at the second end of the first rail, wherein the first clamp hook is shaped to fit within a first V-shaped slot formed below a fixture that is to be supported by and engaged with the fixture support assembly via the first clamp hook, wherein the first V-shaped slot tapers at an angle less than about 45 degrees, and a contact area at where the first clamp hook contacts a sidewall of the first V-shaped slot has a length greater than ¾ inch;
• a first actuator operatively connected to the first latch and the first clamp hook, wherein movement of the first actuator moves the first latch between a latched position and an unlatched position, and movement of the first actuator moves the first clamp hook between a clamped position and an unclamped position, wherein the first actuator causes the first clamp hook and the first latch to be unclamped and unlatched, respectively, at the same time and the first actuator causes the first clamp hook and the first latch to be clamped and latched, respectively, at the same time;
• a first biasing member in operative communication with the first clamp hook, wherein the first biasing member assists to move the first clamp hook between the clamped position and the unclamped position, and wherein the first biasing member is a spring;
• a second latch plate adjacent the first end of the second rail, and a second alignment indicator formed as an arrow being centered relative to the second latch plate;
• a second latch adjacent the first end of the second rail and adjacent the second latch plate;
• a second clamp hook at the second end of the second rail, wherein the second clamp hook is shaped to fit within a second V-shaped slot formed below a fixture that is to be supported by and engaged with the fixture support assembly via the second clamp hook, wherein the second V-shaped slot tapers at an angle less than about 45 degrees, and a contact area at where the second clamp hook contacts a sidewall of the second V-shaped slot has a length greater than ¾ inch;
• a second actuator operatively connected to the second latch and the second clamp hook, wherein movement of the second actuator moves the second latch between a latched position and an unlatched position, and movement of the second actuator moves the second clamp hook between a clamped position and an unclamped position, wherein the second actuator causes the second clamp hook and the second latch to be unclamped and unlatched, respectively, at the same time and the second actuator causes the second clamp hook and the second latch to be clamped and latched, respectively, at the same time;
• a second biasing member in operative communication with the second clamp hook, wherein the second biasing member assist to move the second clamp hook between the clamped position and the unclamped position, and wherein the second biasing member is a spring;
• a first cutout defined adjacent to the first end of the first rail, wherein the first cutout is adapted to prevent interference of weld spatter during cobot welding operation;
• and
• a second cutout defined adjacent to the first end of the second rail, wherein the second cutout is adapted to prevent interference of weld spatter during cobot welding operation.