# US 11,293,741 B2 · Sizing tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,293,741 B2 - Document ID: US11293741B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/537,405 - Filed: 2019-08-09 - Published: 2021-02-11 - Granted: 2022-04-05 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-09 - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Aaron Robert Barber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11293741B2 ## CPC - G01B 5/02: for measuring length, width or thickness (G01B5/004, G01B5/08 take precedence) - B25B 23/0021: {Prolongations interposed between handle and tool} - B25B 23/0028: {Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle} - G01B 5/24: for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes - G05B 19/4097: characterised by using design data to control NC machines, e.g. CAD/CAM (G05B19/4093 takes precedence) - B25B 13/481: {for operating in areas having limited access} - B25B 23/0035: {Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool} - G05B 2219/35043: Tool, fixture design - G05B 2219/35134: 3-D cad-cam - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A tool for sizing a workspace includes a first link with a link body and a tool element. The tool includes a second link connected to the first link, where the second link is capable of rotation or translation with respect to the first link, and where the first link and the second link are selectively securable relative to each other. The tool includes a third link connected to the second link, where the third link is capable of rotation or translation with respect to the second link, and where the second link and the third link are selectively securable relative to each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a first link comprising a link body and a tool element; a second link connected to the first link at least one of pivotally or slidingly, wherein the second link is capable of at least one of rotation or translation with respect to the first link, wherein the first link and the second link are selectively securable relative to each other; and a third link connected to the second link at least one of pivotally or slidingly, wherein the third link is capable of at least one of rotation or translation with respect to the second link, wherein the second link and the third link are selectively securable relative to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third links are configured to provide a template for a manufactured tool with custom offset angles and offset lengths for a target assembly environment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first fastener at a first pivot point between the first link and the second link to selectively secure a position of the first link relative to the second link; and a second fastener at a second pivot point between the second link and the third link to selectively secure a position of the second link relative to the third link. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener each comprise one of a clamping device and a locking assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the clamping device comprises and elastomeric clamp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the locking assembly comprises a nut and bolt assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second links define a first plane of rotation and translation and the second and third links define a second plane of rotation and translation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second plane is different from the first plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first link, the second link and the third link are produced with one of an additive manufacturing process and a subtractive manufacturing process. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third links are configured to provide a tool with adjustable offset angles and offset lengths for a plurality of target assembly environments. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising: in a sizing tool comprising a plurality of links, engaging a fastener in a target workspace with a tool head of a first link of the sizing tool; setting an effective length of the first link; setting a first angle between the first link and a second link to establish a first tool offset; setting an effective length of the second link; setting a second angle between the second link and a third link to establish a second tool offset; and setting an effective length of the third link. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein setting the effective length of the first link comprises adjusting a location on the first link of a first pivot point between the first link and the second link; setting the effective length of the second link comprises adjusting a location on the second link of a second pivot point between the second link and the third link; and setting the effective length of the third link comprises adjusting a location on the third link of the second pivot point. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein setting the first angle between the first link and the second link comprises rotating the second link with respect to the first link at the first pivot point between the first link and the second link; and setting the second angle between the second link and the third link comprises rotating the third link with respect to the second link at the second pivot point between the second link and the third link. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: securing the first link to the second link at the first pivot point with a first fastener; and securing the second link to the third link at the second pivot point with a second fastener. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener each comprise one of a clamping device and a locking assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second links define a first plane and the second and third links define a second plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the second plane is different from the first plane. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: entering the effective lengths of the first, second and third links into a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system; entering the first angle and the second angle into the CAD/CAM system; and fabricating a tool with custom offsets for the target workspace. ### Claim 19 A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing data, and instructions therein that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations using the data, comprising: entering the effective lengths of a sizing tool into a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system; entering the offset angles of the sizing tool into the CAD/CAM system; and fabricating a tool with custom offsets for a target workspace. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein fabricating the tool comprises one of three-dimensional printing the tool and machining the tool.