Rigid temporary attachment device for a robotic gripper

Abstract

An attachment device includes a robot-engaging portion having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof for receiving a finger of a robot. The attachment device also includes a tool-engaging portion coupled to the robot-engaging portion. The tool-engaging portion is configured to be coupled to a tool that is to be used by the robot to perform a task. A damping member is positioned at least partially between the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion. The damping member is configured to be adjusted to vary a magnitude of oscillations that are transferred from the tool-engaging portion to the robot-engaging portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An attachment device, comprising:
 a robot-engaging portion configured to releasably engage with an end effector of a robot;   a tool-engaging portion coupled to the robot-engaging portion and configured to releasably engage with a tool that is to be used by a robot to perform a task;   a mechanical connector that releasably connects the robot-engaging portion to the tool-engaging portion; and   a handle support configured such that, during use, the handle support is placed in contact with the tool and the tool is positioned between the tool-engaging portion and the handle support.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a shaft that extends through the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the connecter further comprises a bolt that is positioned around the shaft; and   the bolt is positioned within a recess in the robot-engaging portion such that the bolt is prevented from rotating together with the shaft.   
     
     
         4 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the robot-engaging portion defines a recess; and   the tool-engaging portion is positioned at least partially within the recess of the robot-engaging portion.   
     
     
         5 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein the robot-engaging portion comprises a plurality of recesses that are configured to receive a plurality of fingers of the end effector. 
     
     
         6 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein the tool-engaging portion comprises a generally arcuate outer surface that is configured to engage with a corresponding arcuate surface of the tool. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle support comprises a plurality of recesses or openings configured to receive a plurality of straps or cables to secure the tool to the handle support and the tool-engaging portion. 
     
     
         8 . A robotic device, comprising:
 a robot comprising an end effector;   a tool that is to be used by the robot to perform a task; and   an attachment device, comprising:
 a robot-engaging portion configured to releasably engage with the end effector of the robot; 
 a tool-engaging portion coupled to the robot-engaging portion and configured to releasably engage with the tool; and 
   a mechanical connector that releasably connects the robot-engaging portion to the tool-engaging portion.   
     
     
         9 . The robotic device of  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a shaft that extends through the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion. 
     
     
         10 . The robotic device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the connecter further comprises a bolt that is positioned around the shaft; and   the bolt is positioned within a recess in the robot-engaging portion such that the bolt is prevented from rotating together with the shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The robotic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the robot-engaging portion defines a recess; and   the tool-engaging portion is positioned at least partially within the recess of the robot-engaging portion.   
     
     
         12 . The robotic device of  claim 8 , wherein the robot-engaging portion comprises a plurality of recesses that are configured to receive a plurality of fingers of the end effector. 
     
     
         13 . The robotic device of  claim 8 , wherein the tool-engaging portion comprises a generally arcuate outer surface that is configured to engage with a corresponding arcuate surface of the tool. 
     
     
         14 . The robotic device of  claim 8 , further comprising a handle support in contact with the tool such that the tool is positioned between the tool-engaging portion and the handle support. 
     
     
         15 . The robotic device of  claim 14 , wherein the handle support comprises a plurality of recesses or openings configured to receive a plurality of straps or cables to secure the tool to the handle support and the tool-engaging portion. 
     
     
         16 . A method for performing a task with a robot, comprising:
 coupling a tool-engaging portion of an attachment device to a tool; and   coupling a robot-engaging portion of the attachment device to an end effector of the robot,   wherein the tool-engaging portion is releasably connected to the robot-engaging portion using a mechanical connector.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mechanical connector comprises a shaft and the method further comprises extending the shaft through the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 positioning a bolt around the shaft; and   positioning the bolt within a recess in the robot-engaging portion such that the bolt is prevented from rotating together with the shaft.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising performing the task with the robot using the tool. 
     
     
         20 . An attachment device, comprising:
 a robot-engaging portion configured to releasably engage with an end effector of a robot;   a tool-engaging portion coupled to the robot-engaging portion and configured to releasably engage with a tool that is to be used by a robot to perform a task; and   a mechanical connector that releasably connects the robot-engaging portion to the tool-engaging portion, wherein the connector comprises:
 a shaft that extends through the robot-engaging portion and the tool-engaging portion; and 
 a bolt that is positioned around the shaft, wherein the bolt is positioned within a recess in the robot-engaging portion such that the bolt is prevented from rotating together with the shaft.