US4510684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Robot tool system
Assignee: Zymark Corp
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Filing: 1981-12-08
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Granted: 1985-04-16
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Expires: 2001-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A means for automatically replacing tool means on a robot arm comprising a novel automatically releasable tool means, comprising electrical control conduits communicating with said robot and, in proper circumstance, with a tool rack to signal its position and condition on said rack.
Inventors
- 👤 Burleigh M. Hutchins
- 👤 Louis Abrahams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:58
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/16; B25J9/1612; B25J15/00; B25J15/04; G; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/33; G05B2219/33182; G05B2219/33337; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36113; G05B2219/39; G05B2219/39468; G05B2219/42; G05B2219/42237; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49302; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53004; Y10T29/53009; Y10T29/53013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A tool assembly apparatus for use in connection with a robot, said tool comprising (1) a robot connector subassembly permanently attached to an arm of said robot and (2) a tool; said tool assembly comprising means to automatically connect and disconnect, both mechanically and electrically, said tool from said permanently attached subassembly in response to relative movement of said tool and said robot arm, and code means positioned on said tool to communicate information specific to its identity and condition from said tool, through said robot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A tool assembly apparatus for use in connection with a robot, said tool comprising (1) a robot connector subassembly permanently attached to an arm of said robot and (2) a tool; said tool assembly comprising means to automatically connect and disconnect, both mechanically and electrically, said tool from said permanently attached subassembly in response to relative movement of said tool and said robot arm, and code means positioned on said tool to communicate information specific to its identity and condition from said tool, through said robot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said robot and said tool assembly comprise connecting electrical connector means and wherein said tool assembly comprises motor means responsive to an electrical control signal through said robot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said robot and said tool assembly comprise connecting electrical conduit means and wherein said tool assembly comprises code means forming means to communicate through said robot information specific to identity and condition of said tool means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said code means is a read-only-memory device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claims 1,2, 3 or 4 wherein said tool comprises circuit means and connector means to facilitate electrical transmission information relating to the condition of said circuit from said circuit through electrical conduits in said robot connector subassembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said tool comprises, additionally, connector means to transmit information relating to the condition of said circuit to a rack means for said tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-15 | 1988-10-15 | 1989-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-15 | 1992-10-15 | 1993-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-15 | 1996-10-15 | 1997-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |