Operator assist tool cart
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJason Andrew Kerestes, Ashley Susan Rook, Kimberly-Alice Dendramis Gregersen, Akunnaya Onubogu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A motorized utility cart designed to assist in the precision operation of various handheld tools. In one embodiment, the cart is equipped with four wheels, a motor, and a drive mechanism that propels the cart forward or backward at user-defined speeds. The resulting consistent movement speed is advantageous for tools where speed consistency directly impacts performance. A user interface allows for speed selection and control. Initially developed to aid in handheld laser ablation for paint removal, its design versatility extends to various other applications.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- providing a cart comprising a control system, at least three wheels and a set of motors connected to the at least three wheels, the at least three wheels configured to contact a surface, the set of motors configured to rotate at least one of the at least three wheels and propel the cart across the surface, the cart having variable propulsion speed options;
- controlling a direction of the cart using the control system;
- controlling activation of at least one of the set of motors using the control system comprising propelling the cart across the surface;
- controlling and maintaining a consistent traversal speed of the cart across the surface using the control system;
- providing a handheld laser mounted on an adapter, the adapter mounted on top of a base of the cart;
- and
- controlling activation of the handheld laser to affect the surface.
A method, comprising:
- providing a cart comprising a control system, a handheld laser mounted on an adapter and the adapter mounted on top of a base of the cart, four wheels and a set of motors connected to the four wheels, the four wheels configured to contact a surface, the set of motors configured to rotate at least one of the four wheels and propel the cart across the surface, the cart having variable propulsion speed options;
- controlling a direction of the cart using the control system;
- controlling activation of at least one of the set of motors using the control system comprising propelling the cart across the surface;
- and
- controlling and maintaining a consistent traversal speed of the cart across the surface using the control system.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a cart comprising at least three wheels and a set of motors connected to the at least three wheels, the at least three wheels configured to contact a surface, the set of motors configured to rotate at least one of the at least three wheels and propel the cart across the surface, the cart having variable propulsion speed options;
- a handheld laser mounted on an adapter, the adapter mounted on top of a base of the cart, the handheld laser configured to affect the surface;
- and
- a control system coupled to the cart, wherein the control system controls a cart direction, activation of at least one of the set of motors, and maintains a consistent cart speed relative to the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.