System integration
AssigneeBAE SYSTEMS plc
InventorsStuart William Parsons, Ronald John Freeman, Clive Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A large and massive panel is manoeuvred and supported by a work piece support which has an upper horizontal work piece support surface for receiving the panel in extended surface-to-surface contact. An array of apertures is provided in the work piece support surface, beneath same of which are provided low friction bearing elements moveable between a raised, load-bearing position in which the panel can be slid onto the work piece support and a retracted position in which the panel is left in extended surface to surface contact with the work piece support.
Claims11
A method of manoeuvring and supporting a panel, which comprises:
- providing a work piece support having a generally horizontal work piece support surface for receiving said panel in extended surface to surface contact, and a plurality of relatively low friction bearing members at spaced locations across said work piece support surface, each said bearing member being movable between a raised position in which it projects above said work piece support surface and a lowered position in which it is level with or below said work piece support surface;
- raising at least some of said bearing members;
- advancing said panel generally horizontally across and over said work piece support whereby the panel is at least partially supported by said bearing members and slides relative thereto;
- and
- lowering said bearing members so that said panel is left supported in extended surface contact with said work piece support surface.
A work piece support apparatus arranged to be disposed generally horizontally when in use and comprising:
- a generally horizontal work piece support surface for receiving a panel in extended surface to surface to contact;
- and
- a plurality of bearing members at spaced locations across said work piece support surface;
- each said bearing member being movable between a raised position in which at least a part of the bearing surface projects above said work piece support surface, and a lowered position in which said bearing surface is level with or below said work piece support surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.