Work platforms and methods of use
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsWilliam L. Serencsits, Luis F. Velasquez, Edward Ray Duncan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A work platform configured to support one or more workers in proximity to a workpiece. The work platform includes sliders that are aligned along the length of the workpiece. The sliders are laterally movable towards and away from the workpiece. The sliders are individually movable with a position of each of the sliders relative to the workpiece being a function of the rotational position of the workpiece.
Claims20
A work platform configured to be positioned in proximity to a rotating workpiece, the work platform comprising:
- sliders aligned along a length of the work platform, the sliders comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, and opposing lateral edges, the sliders are arranged with the leading edges positioned towards the workpiece;
- one or more motors that move the sliders towards and away from the workpiece to maintain the leading edges at the workpiece and with a position of the leading edges being a function of the sectional shape of the workpiece at the slider and the rotational position of the workpiece;
- a camshaft that is rotated by the one or more motors;
- cam paths spaced apart along the camshaft with each of the cam paths corresponding to the sectional shape of the workpiece at the cam path;
- and
- link members connected to the cam paths and the sliders.
A work platform configured to be positioned in proximity to a rotating workpiece, the work platform comprising:
- a base;
- sliders supported by the base and that extend along the workpiece with the sliders located at a different position along the length of the workpiece, the sliders being movable relative to the base to adjust a distance of leading edges of the sliders relative to the workpiece;
- one or more motors to move the sliders relative to the base;
- and
- a control unit configured to control the one or more motors to synchronize the movement of the sliders with the rotational position of the workpiece;
- the movement of each of the sliders being a function of the sectional shape of the workpiece at the position of the slider along the length of the workpiece and the rotational position of the workpiece.
A method of aligning a work platform relative to a workpiece, the method comprising:
- positioning the work platform along a length of the workpiece with leading edges of sliders on the work platform positioned at the workpiece;
- rotating the workpiece with a first motor while the work platform is positioned along the workpiece;
- individually moving the sliders towards and away from the workpiece with one or more second motors with the movement of each of the sliders being a function of the sectional shape of the workpiece at the slider and a rotational position of the workpiece;
- and
- controlling the first motor and the one or more second motors to synchronize the rotation of the workpiece with the movement of the sliders.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.