Apparatus and methods for suspending a tool

摘要

Apparatus and methods for suspending a tool from a support arm having a mounting location are disclosed. The tool has a virtual work axis and a center of gravity. The apparatus may include a tool holder and a mounting interface located between the support arm and the tool holder. The mounting interface extends substantially along the virtual work axis. Selectable locations, configured to enable adjustable engagement of the support arm and/or the tool holder with the mounting interface, are part of or otherwise associated with the mounting interface. The center of gravity of the tool may be positioned below the mounting location using the selectable locations such that the tool is supported in a selected attitude or orientation.

主权项

1. An apparatus for suspending a tool, the apparatus comprising:
a support arm having a single mounting location;clamps, configured to collectively engage the tool; and
a mounting interface, configured to extend substantially along a work axis of rotation of the tool, wherein the mounting interface is a rigid planar element that comprises:
a first plurality of selectable locations configured to provide direct pivotal adjustable engagement of the single mounting location of the support arm with the mounting interface, anda second plurality of selectable locations, spatially fixed relative to the first plurality of selectable locations and configured to provide adjustable engagement of the clamps with the mounting interface,wherein,
when the clamps are engaged with the mounting interface, but not engaged with the tool, each of the clamps is pivotable relative to the mounting interface, and when the clamps are engaged with the mounting interface and engaged with the tool, the clamps are not pivotable relative to the mounting interface, when the work axis of rotation of the tool lies in a virtual vertical plane and in a virtual horizontal plane, and when the support arm pivotally engages the mounting interface, and when the clamps engage the mounting interface and the tool:
at least one surface of the mounting interface is parallel to the virtual vertical plane, andthe virtual horizontal plane does not pass through the mounting interface, and when the mounting interface pivots relative to the single mounting location of the support arm, the work axis of rotation of the tool always remains in the virtual vertical plane.