Patent ID: 7055408

Claim:
An apparatus for tightening a threaded member to a workpiece, the apparatus shuttling between the workpiece and a supplying section at which the apparatus is supplied with the threaded member, the apparatus comprising: an automatic robot arm; a screwing mechanism provided to the automatic robot arm and including a rotational part and a threaded engagement member threadedly engaging the rotational part; an axial movement means for axially moving to move the threaded engagement member axially of the rotational part to rotate the rotational part; a shaft member axially movably provided to the rotational part via a slide part slidable relative to the rotational part, the shaft member capable of rotating in unison with the rotational part; an urging means for urging the shaft member in a direction away from the rotational part; a socket portion provided to one end of the shaft member for receiving therein the threaded member in such a manner as to transmit the rotation of the shaft member to the threaded member; and a retention means for retaining the threaded member received in the socket portion or retaining the threaded member released from the socket portion.