Patent ID: 7204792

Claim:
An apparatus for automatically changing a tool tip member for a robot, said robot operating in the condition that said tool tip member is threadedly mounted on a tool body mounted on a robot arm, said apparatus comprising: a tip member changing jig disposed in an operational area of said robot; a controller for controlling operation of said robot; said tip member changing jig including a base member, a rotating member rotatably supported by said base member about a rotation axis, and tip member holding means for holding said tip member and disposed at a position that is offset from said rotation axis of said rotating member; and said tip member holding means adapted to hold said tool tip member so that a central axis of relative rotation, for threadedly mounting the tool tip member on said tool body, extends substantially parallel to said rotation axis and rotation of said tool tip member, with respect to said rotating member, is locked; wherein said tip member holding means has a rotation locking member for locking the relative rotation of said tool tip member with respect to said tip member holding means and said rotation locking member is supported on said rotating member via elastic element.