Method of using a universal intermediate support
AssigneeNovatec, Inc.
InventorsFrancis Bourrieres, Clement Kaiser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a method for using a universal support consisting of one or more modules having a deformable enclosure (3) connected to a vacuum source (5) through an orifice. Said enclosure is of concave shape forming a chamber (6) provided with a flexible body (7). The method consists in the following series of steps: applying a vacuum to the chamber (6) so that the deformable enclosure (3) collapses; positioning the part which is to be supported; breaking the vacuum in the chamber (6); and applying a vacuum inside the deformable enclosure (3).
Claims2
1) Method for using a universal support comprising one or more modules having a deformable sealed enclosure (3) filled with particles (4) and connected to a vacuum source (5) through an orifice and said enclosure contains a concave area forming a chamber (6) provided with an flexible body (7) that is able to crush and assure a return to the initial position of repose, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- applying a vacuum in the chamber (6) in such a way as to cause said concave area and the flexible body (7) to be crushed involving the collapse of the moldable enclosure (3),
- installing a part to be supported,
- breaking the vacuum from the chamber (6) so that the flexible body (7) slackens and pushes the deformable enclosure (3) into contact with the part to be supported, and
- applying a vacuum within the deformable enclosure (3) so as to stiffen it.
2) Device for using a universal support comprising one or more modules in a deformable sealed enclosure (3) filled with particles (4) and connected to a vacuum source (5) through an orifice and said enclosure contains a concave area forming a chamber (6) provided with an flexible body (7) that is able to crush and assure a return to the initial position of repose, characterized in that it includes at least one vacuum source (5) and a control with at least three positions, the first connecting the vacuum source (5) inside the chamber (6), the second ensuring the implementation of the chamber's (6) and the enclosure's (3) exhaust, and the third connecting the vacuum source (5) to the enclosure (3).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.