Modular fixture system
OwnerMichael J. Healyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular fixture or holding mechanism that includes modular portions to be interconnected according to a plurality of combinations to provide a plurality of positioning orientations. A one of plurality of a first modular portion and one of a plurality of a second modular portion can be selectively positioned relative to one another to provide for a plurality of selected holding positions. Different selected modular portions may be selected to provide different holding positions.
Claims38
A modular fixture for positioning a member to perform work on the member, the modular fixture comprising:
- an arm to operably orient the member while work is performed on the member;
- and
- a mid-plate to operably position said arm relative to a point;
- wherein said arm extends from said mid-plate while work is performed on the member;
- wherein said arm is selectively positionable relative to said mid-plate.
A modular portion of a fixture for positioning a member relative to a surface, the modular portion comprising:
- a mounting plate selectively connectable to a portion of the fixture;
- and
- an arm positionable relative to said mounting plate;
- wherein said arm operably positions the member.
A method of providing a fixture including a plurality of modular portions to hold a member, the method comprises:
- selecting a dimension at which to position the member;
- selecting a first modular portion of the plurality of modular portions;
- selecting a second modular portion of the plurality of modular portions;
- and
- interconnecting said selected first modular portion and said selected second modular portion;
- wherein said interconnected said selected first portion and said selected second portion substantially define said selected dimension.
A computer program for selecting a plurality of modules to be interconnected to hold a member, the program comprising:
- inputting a selected dimension;
- providing a look-up table including:
- listing of a plurality of modules;
- listing of a plurality of interconnections between said plurality of modules;
- determining from said provided look-up table at least a first module and a second module from said list of plurality of modules;
- determining from said look-up table at least one interconnection for said first module and said second module;
- and
- outputting said determined-first module, second module, and said selected interconnection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.