Apparatus for changing operating modules on a coordinate positioning machine

A storage port for separating a releasably coupled task module from a retaining module, said retaining module and storage port being located on different and relatively movable parts of a machine, the storage port comprising:

• a member for engagement with a task module;
• a second member for engagement with the retaining module and means to separate the two members on upwards movement of the machine and retaining module when the modules are located in the storage port.

A storage port for separating a releasably coupled task module from a retaining module, said retaining module and storage port being located on different and relatively movable parts of a machine, the storage port comprising:

• a relatively fixed member;
• a relatively movable member which is engageable with a task module, said movable member being rotatable with respect to the fixed member about a pivot thereby to tilt said task module;
• whereby when the task module is engaged with the movable member, linear movement of the retaining module relative to the storage port causes the movable member and the task module to rotate about the pivot, and thus breaking contact between the task module and the retaining module with a tilting action.

A storage port for separating a releasably coupled task module from a retaining module, said retaining module and storage port being located on different and relatively movable parts of a machine, the storage port comprising:

• a member which is engageable with a task module;
• a rotatable cam located between the task module and retaining module, when said modules are located in the storage port;
• whereby rotation of the cam separates the task module from the retaining module.