Modular fixture plate system for positioning a workpiece during a manufacturing and/or inspection process
OwnerSteven E. Phillipsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular fixture plate system comprising: at least one interlocking fixture plate comprising at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end comprises at least one male projection and the female end comprises at least one female recess; and a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess; wherein at least one male projection or female recess of the at least one interlocking fixture plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of the docking plate.
Claims18
A modular fixture plate system comprising:
- a plurality of interlocking fixture plates, wherein each of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates comprises at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein each of the male end comprises at least one male projection and each of the female end comprises at least one female recess;
- a ball plate, wherein the ball plate comprises a rounded end and at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end of the ball plate comprises at least one male projection and the female end of the ball plate comprises at least one female recess;
- and
- a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess;
- wherein the at least one male projection or female recess of one of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of at least one of (i) a second one of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates, and (ii) the docking plate;
- and
- further wherein the at least one male projection or female recess of the ball plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of at least one of (i) one of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates, and (ii) the docking plate.
A method for positioning a workpiece during a manufacturing and/or inspection process, the method comprising:
- providing a modular fixture plate system comprising:
- a plurality of interlocking fixture plates, wherein each of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates comprises at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein each of the male end comprises at least one male projection and each of the female end comprises at least one female recess;
- a ball plate, wherein the ball plate comprises a rounded end and at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end of the ball plate comprises at least one male projection and the female end of the ball plate comprises at least one female recess;
- and
- a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess;
- interlocking the at least one male projection or female recess of one of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of at least one of (i) a second one of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates, and (ii) the docking plate;
- interlocking the at least one male projection or female recess of the ball plate with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of at least one of (i) one of the plurality of interlocking fixture plates, and (ii) the docking plate;
- and
- positioning a workpiece on the at least one interlocking fixture plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.