Patent Publication Number: US-6988696-B2

Title: Mounting member with snap in swivel member

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to mounting members or brackets for a gripper or other workpiece holder and, more particularly, to a mounting member or bracket which may receive or attach to a gripper or workpiece holder and which is adjustably mountable to a rod or support structure. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Mounting brackets or blocks for mounting a gripper or workpiece holder or the like to a support structure are well known in the art. The mounting brackets engage a cylindrical portion of the gripper and mount to a cylindrical support rod or arm. Some mounting blocks or the like may attach to a portion of the gripper, such as a rear plate or portion of the gripper. Such grippers or workpiece holders are typically implemented at assembly lines or other industrial applications and connected to support structures along the assembly line or machines. 
   In order to provide pivotable adjustment of the gripper relative to the bracket, while further providing pivotable or rotational adjustment of the bracket relative to the support structure, mounting brackets have been proposed which provide a cylindrical opening at one end for receiving the gripper therethrough and a second opening at the other end of the bracket. A partial spherical collar may be rotatably received in the second opening and may slidably receive a support rod or post. One known mounting bracket design provides a two piece mounting bracket or plate which is secured together by three fasteners, whereby the two plates define both of the openings therebetween. Accordingly, in order to insert the partial spherical collar into the opening of the bracket and/or in order to adjust the position of the support structure and the gripper with respect to the bracket, at least two, and maybe all three, of the fasteners must be loosened to loosen the clamping forces at both the support structure and the gripper. 
   Another proposed bracket which provides rotational adjustment with respect to the support post and pivotal adjustment of the gripper with respect to the bracket provides a one piece mounting bracket which defines a pair of openings which are adjustable via a single fastener. However, loosening of the fastener results in loosening of both the gripper and the support post. Also, during assembly of the bracket, the fastener must be substantially loosened and the bracket may have to be pried apart to sufficiently enlarge the opening to receive a swivel member therein for providing adjustable or pivotable attachment of the bracket to a support structure or post. 
   Therefore, there is a need in the art for a mounting member or bracket which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is intended to provide a snap in ball member or swivel member for a gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket or a rear mounting block for a gripper or workpiece holder. The bracket or mounting block may have an opening therethrough which receives the swivel member. The swivel member may have a chamfered portion or tapered edge which allows the ball member to roll or snap into the opening of the bracket or mounting block. The bracket may pivotally receive a gripper through one opening in the bracket and pivotally or rotatably mount the bracket and gripper to a support structure at the swivel member at another opening in the bracket. The mounting bracket or block may be a single piece or unitary bracket or block, which may have a fastener at each opening for adjusting a clamping force at each opening of the bracket or block. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, a mounting assembly for adjustably receiving a support structure includes a mounting member and a swivel member. The mounting member has an opening at least partially therethrough which defines an inner surface. The swivel member comprises a truncated generally spherical shaped swivel member having a curved outer surface for engaging the inner surface of the opening of the mounting member. The swivel member has a passageway therethrough, such as a generally cylindrical passageway, for at least partially receiving the support structure. The outer surface of the swivel member includes a reduced diameter portion or chamfered portion to facilitate insertion of the swivel member into the opening of the mounting member, whereby the inner surface of the opening is configured to substantially retain the swivel member within the opening after insertion of the swivel member into the opening. 
   The swivel member may define a split member with a gap extending therealong. The reduced diameter portion or chamfered portion may be located generally along and adjacent to the gap. The mounting member may define a second gap at the opening, with a diameter and clamping force of the opening being adjustable via compression and expansion of the second gap. The mounting assembly may include an adjustable fastener generally at the opening. The fastener may be adjustable to adjust a clamping force of the swivel member on the support structure received at least partially through the passageway via expansion or compression of the gap of the swivel member and the second gap of the mounting member. 
   The swivel member may include a plurality of grooves extending along the outer surface, whereby the grooves enhance gripping of the swivel member within the opening. The inner surface of the opening in the mounting member may have a curved surface having an arcuate cross section for generally uniformly engaging the outer surface of the swivel member when the swivel member is inserted into the opening. The mounting member may include a beveled portion around the opening. 
   In one form, the mounting member may comprise a mounting bracket for mounting a workpiece holder to a support structure. The mounting member may define a second opening for at least partially receiving a mounting portion of the workpiece holder. The mounting member may comprise a unitarily formed mounting member. The mounting member may define a first gap at the opening for the swivel member and a second gap at the second opening. The clamping forces at the openings may be independently adjustable via compression and expansion of the respective gaps. 
   In another form, the mounting member may comprise a rear mounting block for a workpiece holder and may be configured to mount to a portion of the workpiece holder. The mounting member may comprise a base portion which is securable to the workpiece holder and a support structure receiving portion for pivotally receiving the swivel member. The mounting member may comprise a unitarily formed mounting block. The mounting member may define a gap at the opening in the support structure receiving portion, such that a clamping force at the opening may be adjustable via compression and expansion of the gap. The mounting member may define a second gap partially between the base portion and the support structure receiving portion to allow for flexing of the support structure receiving portion relative to the base portion. 
   Therefore, the present invention provides a snap in swivel member suitable for use with a unitary gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket or a rear mounting block for a workpiece holder or other types of mounting brackets or mounting blocks. The swivel member may allow for pivotable and rotational adjustment of the mounting bracket or block or the like with respect to a generally fixed support structure or rod or post or the like. Adjustment of the support structure or post and/or the swivel member within the opening in the mounting bracket or block may be performed via adjustment of a single fastener. The lateral dimensions of the unitary bracket of the present invention, and thus the material required to make the bracket, may be reduced over the prior art, since each fastener is positioned generally adjacent to the respective opening in the bracket and does not extend laterally outwardly of an outermost diameter of the bracket at which the bracket engages and retains the gripper assembly. Because the bracket or mounting block of the present invention may be a unitarily formed bracket or block, manufacturing and assembly processes of the bracket or block may be reduced. 
   These and other objects, purposes, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIG. 1 , with the swivel member partially inserted into the respective opening in the bracket; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the mounting bracket assembly of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the mounting bracket assembly taken along the line V-V in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a rear mounting block in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an end elevation of the rear mounting block of  FIG. 6 , with the swivel member partially inserted into the opening in the block; and 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the rear mounting block taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.  7 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket assembly  10  is adapted to mount a workpiece holder (not shown), such as a gripper or other holder or tool or the like, to a support structure (also not shown), such as a generally cylindrical rod or post, or other elongated, generally cylindrical support member (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). Mounting bracket assembly  10  includes a unitary bracket member  11 , which defines a generally circular opening  12 , which may pivotally receive the workpiece holder. Bracket member  11  also defines a second, generally circular opening  14  ( FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 ) for adjustably receiving a donut swivel or swivel member or ring  16 , which may receive the support structure or rod therethrough. A fastener  18  is provided at the opening  12  and may be adjustable to adjust a clamping force at opening  12 , while a second fastener  20  is provided at opening  14  to adjust a clamping force at opening  14 , as discussed below. Bracket member  11  may be a unitary or unitarily formed bracket to ease manufacturing and assembly of the bracket and to ease adjustment of the fasteners and of the bracket relative to the workpiece holder and support structure. Because the bracket member may be a one piece structure, the swivel member  16  may include a tapered or chamfered or narrowed diameter portion  16   a  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 ) to facilitate assembly of the swivel member  16  to bracket member  11 , as also discussed below. 
   Circular opening  12  functions to secure the gripper or workpiece holder assembly therein when fastener  18  is tightened, while providing adjustment of the gripper assembly relative to mounting bracket  11  when fastener  18  is loosened. The workpiece holder may be rotatably secured at a cylindrical portion of the workpiece holder, which may be at a reduced diameter region, or at an outer circumference of the workpiece holder body. The workpiece holder may be a gripper of the type disclosed in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,095 for ADJUSTABLE STROKE GRIPPER ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket CPI01 P-309), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, or may be any known gripper, workpiece holder or other tool, holders or the like, such as conventional gripper assemblies or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. 
   Opening  14  has an arcuate cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 5 , and functions to pivotally and rotatably receive and retain swivel member  16  therein. The arcuate cross section of opening  14  defines a curved surface  14   a  for engagement with an outer, correspondingly curved surface  16   b  of swivel member  16 . Swivel member  16  slidably mates and swivels within the opening  14  via generally uniform engagement of outer surface  16   b  with inner curved surface  14   a  of opening  14 . Swivel member  16  thus is adjustably or pivotally received within the opening  14  and provides a generally cylindrical passageway  17  therethrough which is adapted to slidably receive a generally cylindrical rod or post or support for adjustably mounting the bracket to the post. Swivel member  16  thus forms a pivot or swivel collar on a conventional mounting rod or post. Bracket  11  may include a beveled portion  14   b  along one or both faces or surfaces at one or both sides of mounting bracket  11 , to increase the pivotal movement of mounting bracket  11  relative to the support structure, as discussed below. 
   Swivel member or donut swivel  16  is a truncated generally spherical member, which includes outer, curved or partially spherical surface  16   b  and an inner, annular surface  16   c  which defines the generally cylindrical passageway  17  through swivel member  16 . Swivel member  16  may be a split ring having a gap or slot  16   d  extending along swivel member  16  to allow flexing of swivel member  16  to decrease or increase the diameter of the passageway  17  via compression or expansion of gap  16   d . This allows swivel member  16  to tighten its grip on the support structure as swivel member  16  is compressed within opening  14 , as discussed below. Swivel member  16  may also include a plurality of notches or grooves  16   e  extending along its outer surface  16   b  which function to enhance gripping of swivel member  16  at arcuate or concave inner surface  14   a  of opening  14 . 
   Swivel member  16  is configured to be snapped or rolled into opening  14  of mounting bracket  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , swivel member  16  includes chamfered or tapered portion  16   a  at one side of gap  16   d . Chamfered portion  16   a  facilitates insertion of swivel member  16  into opening  14  without having to pry the opening apart or open to receive swivel member  16  therein. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , swivel member  16  may be positioned partially within opening  14 , such that chamfered portion  16   a  is positioned generally within opening  14  and engages the inner surface  14   a  of opening  14  inward or adjacent to the beveled portion  14   b  around opening  14 . Swivel member  16  may then be pressed or urged toward and into opening  14  and thus may be pivoted about the contact area of chamfered portion  16   a  and inner surface  14   a  of opening to roll or snap swivel member  16  into opening  14 , whereby chamfered portion  16   a  provides a reduced diameter portion or swivel member  16 , which allows swivel member  16  to fit into opening  14  of bracket member  11 . When positioned within opening  14 , outer surface  16   b  of swivel member  16  engages inner concave surface  14   a  of opening  14 . Swivel member  16  may thus be pivoted within opening  14  until oriented such that the support structure or rod may insert into the generally cylindrical passageway  17  of swivel member  16 . Inner curved surface  14   a  defines reduced diameter outer ends which function to retain swivel member  16  within opening  14 , whereby swivel member  16  may swivel or pivot within opening  14 , but will not readily move outward from opening  14 . 
   Although described as defining a curved or arcuate opening  14  having concave or curved inner surface  14   a , it is envisioned that the mounting bracket member may define an opening or passageway which is generally cylindrical and which is further defined by a plurality of ridges or ribs extending therearound at or towards the outer ends of the opening. The chamfered or narrowed diameter portion of the swivel member may engage one of the ribs during insertion of the swivel member in the manner described above. The ribs engage corresponding portions of the outer curved surface of the swivel member and retain the swivel member in the opening, while allowing for rotation and pivotal movement of the swivel member relative to the bracket, without affecting the scope of the present invention. 
   Mounting bracket  11  defines a gap  22  at opening  14  and a generally cylindrical bore through portions  22   a ,  22   b  of bracket  11  at either side of gap  22  for receiving fastener  20  therethrough. The outward portion  22   a  of bracket  11  may have a generally cylindrical bore, while the inward portion  22   b  may have a threaded bore for threadedly securing fastener  20  therein. Fastener  20  may be tightened or loosened within the bore in bracket portions  22   a ,  22   b  to adjust gap  22  and, thus, to adjust a clamping force on swivel member  16  within opening  14 . Swivel member  16  may also flex to adjust a clamping force on the support structure or rod via expansion and contraction of gap  16   d  of swivel member  16  in response to adjustment of fastener  20  and gap  22  of mounting bracket  11 . 
   Similarly, mounting bracket  11  also defines a second gap  24  at opening  12  and a generally cylindrical bore through portions  24   a ,  24   b  of bracket  11  at either side of gap  24  for receiving fastener  18  therethrough. One portion  24   a  of bracket  11  may have a generally cylindrical bore, while the other portion  24   b  may have a threaded bore for threadedly securing fastener  18  therein. Fastener  18  may be tightened or loosened within the bore in bracket portions  24   a ,  24   b  to adjust gap  24  and, thus, to adjust a clamping force on the workpiece holder positioned within or partially within opening  12 . The cylindrical bores at bracket portions  22   a ,  24   a  may be countersunk at an outer end to allow the heads of fasteners  20 ,  18  to at least partially seat within the countersunk portion. The fasteners  20 ,  18  may include a lock washer  26  or the like to facilitate rotational movement of the fastener heads against bracket  11  and to substantially retain the fasteners in the desired position to retain the clamping force at the desired level for the respective opening. 
   Because bracket  11  may be unitarily formed or a unitary or one-piece bracket, the assembly processes of the bracket assembly may be reduced. After the bracket is formed or cast, the swivel member may be rolled or pressed or snapped into the opening in the bracket as described above, and the fasteners may be loosely threaded into their respective bores. No further assembly processes or positioning of multiple bracket components may be required to assemble the bracket assembly of the present invention. 
   During use of mounting bracket assembly  10 , the workpiece holder may be positioned at least partially within opening  12  and may be at least initially pivotable therewithin, prior to tightening of fastener  18 . Swivel member  16  is rolled or snapped into and positioned within opening  14  and is similarly at least initially pivotable therewithin prior to tightening of fastener  20 . When fastener  18  is tightened, gap  24  may be compressed, which results in an increase in clamping force on the workpiece holder or the like positioned within opening  12 . Likewise, as fastener  20  is tightened, gap  22  along bracket  11  may be compressed to increase the clamping force on swivel member  16  and thus on the support structure, in order to clamp and secure the support structure within and relative to bracket  11 . The grooves  16   e  of swivel member  16  function to enhance gripping of swivel member  16  within opening  14  as fastener  20  is tightened in bracket  10 . This reduces the torque requirement to get sufficient clamping of swivel member  16 , and thus of the support structure or post, by bracket  11 . Swivel member  16  may also or otherwise be roughened to further enhance gripping, as is known in the art, without affecting the scope of the present invention. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 3 , bracket  11  is formed such that the portion of bracket  11  that has the greatest width is generally at the larger circular opening  12  in bracket  11 . Fastener  20  is received at the smaller opening  14  at a location that is laterally inward of the outermost portion of bracket  11 , while fastener  18  is received and positioned in an orientation that is generally transverse to fastener  20  and that is also laterally inward of the outermost portion of bracket  11 . Accordingly, the lateral dimensions of the bracket assembly may be reduced, and thus the material required to make the bracket may be reduced, because the fasteners are positioned and inset laterally inwardly of an outermost diameter of the bracket which engages and retains the workpiece holder or gripper. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , a rear mounting assembly  110  for mounting a workpiece holder (not shown) to a support structure or rod or post (also not shown) includes a unitary mounting block  111 . Mounting block  111  includes a base portion  112  and a support structure receiving portion  113  extending from base portion  112 . Support structure receiving portion  113  defines a generally circular opening  114  for pivotally receiving a donut swivel or swivel member or ring  116 , which may receive the support structure or rod therethrough. A fastener  120  is provided at support structure receiving portion  113  at or near opening  114  to adjust a clamping force at opening  114  via compression and expansion of a gap  122  in support structure receiving portion  113  of mounting block  111  at opening  114 . Mounting block  111  may be a unitarily formed block to ease assembly of rear mounting block assembly  110  and to ease adjustment of fastener  120  and of mounting block  111  relative to the support structure. Because mounting block  111  may be a unitary or one piece structure, swivel member  116  includes a tapered or chamfered portion or narrowed diameter portion  116   a  to facilitate assembly of the swivel member  116  to mounting block  111 , as discussed below. 
   Mounting block  111  is configured to mount to a portion of a workpiece holder or gripper, such as via fasteners or the like through mounting apertures  112   a  in base portion  112  of mounting block  111 . The workpiece holder may be a gripper or any other type of holder or the like, such as a gripper of the type disclosed in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,095 for ADJUSTABLE STROKE GRIPPER ASSEMBLY, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, or may be any known gripper, workpiece holder or other tool, holders or the like, such as conventional gripper assemblies or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. 
   Opening  114  has a partial spherical or arcuate cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 8 , and functions to pivotally and rotatably receive and retain swivel member  116  therein. The arcuate cross section of opening  114  defines a curved inner surface  114   a  for engagement with an outer, correspondingly curved surface  116   b  of swivel member  116 . Swivel member  116  slidably mates and swivels within the opening  114 . Swivel member  116  thus is pivotally received within opening  114  via generally uniform engagement of outer surface  116   b  with inner curved surface  114   a  of opening  114 . Swivel member  116  provides a generally cylindrical passageway  117  therethrough which is adapted to slidably receive the cylindrical rod or post or support for movably mounting the bracket to the post. Swivel member  116  thus forms a collar on a conventional support rod or post. Support structure receiving portion  113  may include a beveled portion  114   b  along an outer face or surface  113   a  to increase the pivotal movement of mounting block  111  relative to the support structure. 
   Swivel member or donut swivel  116  is a truncated generally spherical member, which includes outer, curved or partially spherical surface  116   b  and an inner, annular surface  116   c  which defines the generally cylindrical passageway  117  through swivel member  116 . Swivel member  116  may be a split ring having a gap or slot  116   d  extending along swivel member  116  to allow flexing of swivel member  116  to decrease or increase the diameter of the passageway  117  via compression or expansion of gap  116   d . This allows swivel member  116  to tighten its grip on the support structure as swivel member  116  is compressed within opening  114 . Swivel member  116  may also include a plurality of notches or grooves  116   e  extending along its outer surface  116   b  which function to enhance gripping of swivel member  116  at arcuate or concave inner surface  114   a  within opening  114 . 
   Swivel member  116  is configured to be snapped or rolled into opening  114  of support structure receiving portion  113  of mounting block  111 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , swivel member  116  includes chamfered or tapered portion or reduced diameter portion  116   a  at and along one side of gap  116   d . Chamfered portion  116   a  facilitates insertion of swivel member  116  into opening  114  without having to pry the opening open to receive swivel member  116  therein. As best shown in  FIG. 8 , swivel member  116  may be positioned partially within opening  114 , such that chamfered portion  116   a  is at least partially within opening  114  and engages inner surface  114   a  of opening  114 , such as adjacent to beveled portion  114   b  around opening  114 . Swivel member  116  may then be pressed or urged toward and into opening  114  and thus may be pivoted about or rolled along the contact area of chamfered portion  116   a  and inner surface  114   a  to roll or snap swivel member  116  into opening  114 , whereby chamfered portion  116   a  provides a reduced diameter portion of swivel member  116 , such as at or near gap  116   d , which allows swivel member  116  to roll and fit into opening  114  of support structure receiving portion  113  of mounting block  111 . Base portion  112  of mounting block  111  may include an aperture  112   b  therethrough to provide clearance for swivel member  116  to be inserted generally sideways into support structure receiving portion  113  (as shown in FIGS.  7  and  8 ), and to provide clearance for an end of the support structure received at least partially through swivel member  116 . When positioned within opening  114 , outer surface  116   b  of swivel member  116  engages concave surface  114   a  of opening  114 . Swivel member  116  may be pivoted within opening  114  until oriented such that the support structure or rod may insert into the generally cylindrical passageway  117  of swivel portion  116 . Inner curved surface  114   a  defines reduced diameter outer ends which function to retain swivel member  116  within opening  114 , whereby swivel member  116  may swivel or pivot within opening  114 , but will not readily move outward from opening  114  of block  111 . 
   Although shown and described as defining an opening  114  having a curved or arcuate or concave surface  114   a , it is envisioned that the support structure receiving portion  113  of the mounting block may define an opening or passageway which is generally cylindrical and which is further defined by a plurality of ridges or ribs extending therearound at or towards the outer ends of the opening to engage corresponding portions of the outer curved surface of the swivel member, and to retain the swivel member in the opening while allowing for rotation and pivotal movement of the swivel member relative to the mounting block, without affecting the scope of the present invention. 
   Support structure receiving portion  113  of mounting block  111  defines gap  122  at opening  114  and a generally cylindrical bore through portions  122   a ,  122   b  at either side of gap  122  for receiving fastener  120  therethrough. One portion  122   a  of mounting block  111  may have a generally cylindrical bore, while the other portion  122   b  may have a threaded bore for threadedly securing fastener  120  therein. Fastener  120  may be tightened or loosened within the bores in portions  122   a ,  122   b  to adjust gap  122  and thus to adjust a clamping force on swivel member  116  within opening  114 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , mounting block  111  defines a slot or gap  128  between base portion  112  and support structure receiving portion  113  along a portion of support structure receiving portion  113  that defines gap  122 . The separation gap  128  allows support structure receiving portion  113  to flex relative to base portion  112  and to expand or contract gap  122  in response to adjustment of fastener  120 . Swivel member  116  may also flex to adjust a clamping force on the support structure or rod via expansion and contraction of gap  116   d  of swivel member  116  in response to adjustment of fastener  120  at support structure receiving portion  113  of mounting block  111 . One of the block portions, such as portion  122   a , may be countersunk at an outer end to allow the head of fastener  120  to at least partially seat within the countersunk portion. The fastener  120  may include a lock washer  126  or the like to facilitate rotational movement of the fastener head against the mounting block and to substantially retain the fastener in the desired position to retain the clamping force at the desired level at opening  114 . 
   Because mounting block  111  may be unitarily formed or a unitary or one-piece block, the manufacturing and assembly processes of the mounting assembly may be reduced. After the block is formed or cast, the separation gap between the base portion and the support structure receiving portion may be machined or cut. The swivel member may be rolled or pressed or snapped into the opening in the support structure receiving portion as described above, and the fastener may be loosely threaded into the threaded bore. No further assembly processes or positioning of multiple components may be required to assemble the mounting block assembly of the present invention. 
   During use of mounting block assembly  110 , base portion  112  of mounting block  111  may be secured to a workpiece holder, such as via fasteners or the like. Swivel member  116  may be snapped into and positioned within opening  114  and may be at least initially pivotable therewithin prior to tightening of fastener  120 . When fastener  120  is tightened, gap  122  along support structure receiving portion  113  may be compressed to increase the clamping force on swivel member  116  and thus on the support structure, in order to clamp and secure the support structure within and relative to mounting block  111  and the workpiece holder. The grooves  116   e  of swivel member  116  function to enhance gripping of swivel member  116  within opening  114  as fastener  120  is tightened in support structure receiving portion  113  of mounting block  111 . This reduces the torque requirement to get sufficient clamping of swivel member  116 , and thus of the support structure or post, by mounting block  111 . Swivel member  116  may also or otherwise be roughened to further enhance gripping, as is known in the art, without affecting the scope of the present invention. 
   Although shown and described as being implemented with a unitary mounting bracket or mounting block, it is envisioned that the snap in swivel member of the present invention may be suitable for use in other brackets or mounting assemblies. For example, the snap in swivel member may be implemented with multiple piece bracket assemblies, such as the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/756,424, filed Jan. 8, 2001 by Attee for GRIPPER MOUNTING BRACKET, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,801, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, or any other type of mounting bracket or rear mounting block or the like. 
   Therefore, the present invention provides a snap in swivel member suitable for use with a unitary gripper or workpiece holder mounting bracket or a rear mounting block for a workpiece holder, or with other types of brackets or mounting blocks. The snap in swivel member may be snapped into a fully assembled or unitary bracket or mounting block. The snap in swivel member of the present invention is thus particularly suited for use in unitary brackets and/or mounting blocks, such as described above, because the bracket or mounting block does not have to be assembled around the snap in swivel member. The swivel member may allow for pivotable and/or rotational adjustment of the mounting bracket or block or the like with respect to a generally fixed support structure or rod or post or the like. Adjustment of the support structure or post and/or the swivel member within the partial spherical opening may be performed via adjustment of a single fastener. 
   Because the bracket or mounting block of the present invention may be unitarily formed or a unitary bracket or mounting block, manufacturing and assembly processes of the bracket assembly or mounting block assembly may be reduced. Additionally, the lateral dimensions of the unitary bracket of the present invention, and thus the material required to make the bracket, may be reduced, because each fastener is positioned generally adjacent to the respective opening in the bracket and does not extend laterally outwardly of an outermost diameter of the bracket at which the bracket engages and retains the gripper assembly. 
   Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law.