Manual robotic tool changer with rotating piston

A manually actuated robotic tool changer, comprising

• a first housing adapted to be connected to one of a robotic arm or a robotic tool, and having a generally cylindrical piston having a central axis disposed therein and partially extending therefrom, the piston rotatable with respect to the first housing about the axis;
• a plurality of tabs disposed about the circumference of a portion of the piston extending from the first housing, at least one tab having an angled cam surface facing the first housing;
• a second housing adapted to be connected to the other of a robotic arm or a robotic tool and having a bore sized and configured to receive a portion of the piston;
• a corresponding plurality of locking lugs disposed about the circumference of the bore;
• wherein the tool changer is manually actuated from an unlocked position wherein the piston assumes a position with respect to the first housing such that the extending portion of the piston may be moved within the bore with the tabs moving between the locking lugs, to a locked position wherein the piston is rotated with respect to the first housing such that the tabs move beneath the locking lugs to lock the first and second housings together, and wherein as the the piston is rotated from the unlocked to the locked position, the cam surface of a tab engages a locking lug with increasing force, so as to pull the first and second housings together;
• and
• a spring member biasing the piston away from the second housing as the piston rotates between unlocked and locked positions.