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US 2009/0139375 A1Published application
Quick change spindle
AssigneeCinetic Automation Corporation
InventorsThomas J. Hathaway, Michael A. Hageman, James W. Grimes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated tool includes a quick change spindle assembly. In another aspect of the present invention, the quick change spindle includes an attachment assembly for interchangeable fastener drivers. A further aspect of the present invention employs release member to actuate a drive member in the spindle assembly causing a retainer to uncouple a fastener driver with the spindle.
Claims34
An automated tool comprising:
- a controller;
- a fastener driver;
- a first member having a first bore with an open end on a periphery of the first member, and a second bore with a first end connected to the first bore and a second end on the periphery of the first member, the first member operable to receive the fastener driver;
- a second member, at least partially disposed in the first bore and having an exposed end extending towards the open end of the first bore, the second member movable between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a third member at least partially disposed in the second bore and movable between a first position and a second position,
- wherein the controller causes a fourth member to apply a force to the second member to move the second member from the first position to the second position which causes the third member to be moved from the first position to the second position.
4 more elements
An automated tool comprising:
- a robot arm;
- a fastener driver;
- a rotatable fastener driving spindle having a distal end with a first passageway with an open end on the periphery of the distal end, and a second passageway with a first end connected to the first passageway and a second end on the periphery of the spindle, the distal end operable to receive the fastener driver;
- a drive member, at least partially extending into the first passageway and having a drive end extending towards the distal end of the spindle, movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a locking member at least partially disposed in the second passageway and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- a holder assembly including a seat operable to receive the fastener driver;
- and
- a release member extending from the holder assembly,
- wherein the robot arm is operable to move the spindle from a workpiece to the holder assembly, and the release member is operable to apply a force to the drive member to move the drive member to at least one of the retracted position and the extended position, causing the locking member to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.
6 more elements
A method for changing a fastener driver on an automatic tool assembly, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning a tool coupled with a fastener driver into contact with a seat on a holder;
- (b) rotating the tool until the fastener driver aligns with the seat;
- (c) advancing the tool coupled with the fastener driver to engage the fastener driver with the seat and moving a release member to cause the fastener driver to decouple from the tool;
- (d) retracting the tool.
1 more element
A control system comprising:
- a programmable controller;
- at least one actuator;
- a spindle assembly including a rotatable spindle;
- a fastener-driver tool;
- and
- a fastener driver holder including a release member,
- wherein the programmable controller is operable to control the at least one actuator to position the spindle assembly into at least a first and a second position, and control the fastener driver holder to cause the release of a fastener driver from the fastener-driver tool.
4 more elements
An automated quick change socket driver comprising:
- a socket driver;
- a rotatable spindle having a distal end with an axial bore, and a second bore with a first end connected to the axial bore and a second end on the periphery of the spindle, the distal end operable to receive the socket driver;
- a plunger, having a recessed portion, disposed within the first bore of the spindle, and movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a ball at least partially disposed in the second bore, movable between a locked position in contact with the plunger and the socket driver and an unlocked position in contact with the recessed portion of the plunger;
- and
- an automated release member,
- wherein the automated release member is operable to move the plunger from the extended position to the retracted position causing the ball to move from the locked position to the unlocked position to release the socket driver.
4 more elements
An automated quick change bit driver comprising:
- a bit driver;
- a rotatable spindle having a distal end with an axial bore, and a second bore with a first end connected to the axial bore and a second end on the periphery of the spindle, the distal end operable to receive the bit driver;
- a plunger, having a recessed portion, disposed within the first bore of the spindle, and movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a collar, movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a ball at least partially disposed in the second bore, movable between a locked position in contact with the plunger and the socket driver and an unlocked position in contact with the recessed portion of the plunger;
- and
- an automated release member,
- wherein the automated release member is operable to move the collar causing the plunger to move from the extended position to the retracted position, and causing the ball to move from the locked position to the unlocked position to release the bit driver.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.