Adjustable securing base
OwnerJames C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Paul P. Zebus +1inventors
InventorsJames C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Paul P. Zebus, Poley N. Packer
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Abstract
An adjustable securing base has a surface radius of curvature which can be adjusted to support an adjacent part on the base surface. The securing base comprises a flexible thin plate with an adjustment mechanism connected on opposite edges of the base for adjusting the plate curvature. An opening in the plate is coupled to a vacuum device for securing the part adjacent the plate surface.
Claims5
An adjustable securing base having a surface contour of curvature which can be adjusted to support an adjacent part on said surface of curvature comprising:
- a flexible thin plate forming said securing base, said plate being of elongate configuration and having a pair of ends;
- a fulcrum secured to the underside of said plate and extending along the central width of said plate in support thereof;
- an opening formed in said plate;
- vacuum means connectable in communication with said opening for applying vacuum pressure to one surface of said adjacent part when disposed on said plate for securing said part to said plate;
- and
- adjusting means connected to opposite ends of said plate which are remote from said fulcrum for simultaneously applying similarly directed leverage forces substantially perpendicular to said plate and at the ends thereof which are remote from said fulcrum for flexing said plate and thereby adjusting its surface of curvature in a selected convex or concave configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.