Tool changing assembly for universal milling and drilling machines

A tool changing assembly for program controlled milling and drilling machines generally having a vertical milling head with a work spindle having an axis, a vertically movable knee-type unit and a tool magazine having a plurality of tool holders thereon, said tool magazine being horizontally disposed laterally behind the milling head, said assembly comprising:

• a vertical column mounted to said knee-type unit for vertical motion therewith;
• bracket means mounted at one end to said vertical column for horizontally pivotable movement;
• gripping plier means coupled to the end of said bracket, means spaced from said one end, said plier means having means for selectively gripping tool elements;
• means mounted to said vertical column and coupled to said bracket for selectively rotating said bracket through a predetermined arc;
• and
• driving means coupled to said bracket means for rotating said plier means in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said bracket means resulting from the pivoting movement of said bracket means;
• said plier means being adapted to transfer a tool element between said tool magazine and said work spindle.