Robotic MIG clamp
AssigneeInterservices, Inc.
InventorsErwin K. Kroulik, Richard J. Balaguer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to a clamp for retaining a fluid hose and/or electrical cable on a robot arm assembly. The clamp includes a base adapted to mount to the robot arm assembly and a top. The base and arm cooperate to allow the top to hinge or swing into an open and closed position to retain the welder. A grommet is preferably retained by the opening defined by the arcuate portions of the top and base. The base may be mounted to the robot arm assembly by a spring assembly or otherwise. A spring mount assembly utilizes a compression spring to provide coupling between the clamp and a mounting plate. Threaded studs are received into the ends of the spring which creates axial elongation for a radially inward force to retain the stud.
Claims18
A clamp assembly for releasably retaining one of a welder, a fluid hose and an electrical cable onto a robot, the clamp assembly comprising:
- a mount adapted to be secured to the robot assembly, said mount having a first threaded stud;
- a clamp adapted to releasably retain said one of said welder, said fluid hose and said electrical cable, said clamp having a second threaded stud, said second threaded stud mounted within said clamp, a threaded portion of said second threaded stud extending beyond said clamp;
- and
- a spring having a first end and a second end, said first threaded stud received in and contacting said first end, and said extending threaded portion of said second threaded stud received in and contacting said second end.
A clamp assembly for holding a fluid hose or electrical cable onto a robot, the clamp assembly comprising:
- a mount having a first threaded stud;
- a clamp having a second threaded stud, said second threaded stud mounted within said clamp, a threaded portion of said second threaded stud extending beyond said clamp;
- and
- a spring defined by a plurality of coils each having a coil diameter, said spring having a first end and a second end, said first threaded stud received into and contacting said first end of said spring and configured for axially expanding a first set of coils of said plurality of coils proximate said first threaded stud and for thereby reducing said coil diameter of said coils in said first set of coils and causing radially inward compression of said first set of coils against said first threaded stud;
- and said extending threaded portion of said second threaded stud received into and contacting said second end of said spring and configured for axially expanding a second set of coils of said plurality of coils proximate said second threaded stud and for thereby reducing said coil diameter of said coils in said second set of coils and causing radially inward compression of said second set of coils against said second threaded stud.
A clamp for releasably retaining a fluid hose or electrical cable onto a robot, the clamp comprising:
- a base having a top first retaining portion defining a first contact surface and having a bottom surface opposite said first contact surface, a first pivot portion on one end of said first contact surface, and a first latch portion on another end of said first contact surface, said base further including a mounting bore therethrough, said mounting bore extending from said first contact surface to said bottom surface;
- a threaded stud mounted in said mounting bore, a threaded portion of said threaded stud extending beyond said bottom surface of said base;
- said threaded stud adapted to be retained on the robot via a mounting assembly;
- said mounting assembly including a spring;
- said spring having a first end and a second end;
- said extended threaded portion being received in and contacting said second end;
- an arm having a second retaining portion defining a second contact surface, a second pivot portion on one end of said second contact surface, said first and second pivot portions defining a hinge, and a second latch portion adapted to cooperate with said first latch portion to provide a releasable clasp when abutting;
- said first and second retaining portions defining a containment area when said first and second latch portions abut;
- and
- a grommet sized to be retained in said containment area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.