Tool track for use on aircraft
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMilton R. Jack, Quentin T. Woods
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A semi-automatic track drill for use in drilling fastener holes for an aircraft body includes a pair of generally spaced, parallel rails. A plurality of slider bars extend between the rails and are connected thereto in a manner so that each bar can be slid along the length of the rails. Positioned between at least two of the bars is a drill carriage which is also slidably connected to the rails. A template having a series of alternating lands and grooves registers the carriage at preselected drilling positions. The drill assembly, including the template, is secured to the aircraft body by temporary clamping bolts which are positioned in a line along the body's surface.
Claims5
A semi-automatic track drill for use in drilling fastener holes in overlapped parts on an aircraft body, comprising:
- a pair of generally parallel spaced rails;
- a plurality of at least two slider bars positioned transversely between said rails, each bar having opposite ends slidably connected to, respectively, one of said rails;
- gripping means, connected to each slider bar, for fixedly attaching said bar to a clamping bolt, wherein said clamping bolt is temporarily secured to the parts to be drilled, one clamping bolt each being secured to said part adjacent each respective slider bar, said bolts normally being spaced apart from each other a certain distance along said aircraft body;
- a drill carriage slidably engaged with said rails and normally positioned between said at least two slider bars, said carriage having a drill fixedly connected thereto;
- and
- a drill guide template securable to a pair of said clamping bolts and extending therebetween, said template having a plurality of sequential lands and grooves, wherein said drill carriage includes means for releasably registering said drill with any one of said grooves, for positioning said drill at certain desired locations along said aircraft body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.