Tool for robotic application of liquid to a work surface

A tool adapted to be attached to a robot assembly for the robotic application of liquid to a work surface comprising:

• a compliance guide comprising a compliance housing having an elongated cylindrical bore extending therethrough and having an open upper bore end and an open lower bore end, closure means partially blocking said open upper end and having an opening therein which is smaller than the cross-sectional size of said bore;
• connecting means for connecting said compliance guide to said robot;
• an applicator holder body having upper and lower ends and being slidably fitted within said cylindrical bore of said compliance guide for reciprocating sliding movement within said bore, said holder body having an elongated passageway extending therethrough and having an upper passageway end and a lower passageway end;
• nipple means having a lower end attached to said holder body and extending upwardly therefrom through said opening in said closure means to an upper end located outside said bore of said compliance guide, said nipple means having a nipple bore extending therethrough and providing communication from outside said bore of said compliance guide to said upper passageway end of said holder body, said nipple means being slidable within said opening and being movable in unison with said holder body when said holder body slides within said bore of said compliance guide;
• connecting means on said upper end of said nipple means for connecting
• said nipple bore in communication with a source of said liquid;
• stop means on said nipple means above said closure member for limiting downward movement of said nipple and said holder body beyond a predetermined lower position relative to said compliance guide;
• spring means between said holder body and said closure member for yieldably urging said holder body and said nipple means toward said lower position:
• applicator means attached to said application holder body and being in liquid communication with said lower passageway end of said holder body for receiving said liquid therefrom, said applicator means being adapted for engaging said work surface and applying said liquid to said work surface.