Vacuum apparatus for aligning and securely positioning components

Apparatus for securely positioning at least two components relative to each another, comprising:

• a support frame;
• a plurality of alignment plates mounted on said support frame for abutment by the components, said plurality of alignment plates including a first alignment plate and a second alignment plate;
• a pivot means connected to said first alignment plate for permitting pivotal movement of said first alignment plate to permit positioning of the components at various angles relative to each other;
• and
• a vacuum means connected to at least one of said first and said second alignment plates for holding a respective component against said first alignment plate,
• wherein said support frame includes a first pair of elongated support arms pivotally connected at respective first ends to said first alignment plate and a second pair of elongated support arms pivotally connected to said second alignment plate, each support arm of said first pair of support arms being pivotally connected at a second end to one support arm of said second pair of support arms.

Apparatus for securely positioning at least two components relative to each another, comprising:

• a support frame;
• a plurality of alignment plates mounted on said support frame for abutment by the components, said plurality of alignment plates including a first alignment plate and a second alignment plate;
• a pivot means connected to said first alignment plate for permitting pivotal movement of said first alignment plate to permit positioning of the components at various angles relative to each other;
• and
• a vacuum means connected to at least one of said first and said second alignment plates for holding a respective component against said first alignment plate,
• wherein pivotal movement of one of said first and said second alignment plates causes pivotal movement of the other of said first and said second alignment plates.

An apparatus for aligning and securely positioning at least two components relative to one another in a predetermined aligned position to permit accurate connection of the components, comprising:

• a support frame;
• a plurality of alignment plates mounted on said support frame including a first alignment plate and a second alignment plate positioned adjacent one another, each of said first and second plates including a first side positioned adjacent the component and a second side formed opposite said first side;
• a vacuum means for holding a respective component against said first plate and said second plate, said vacuum means including a first flexible vacuum pad mounted on said first side of said first alignment plate, a second flexible vacuum pad mounted on said first side of said second plate and at least one vacuum pump mounted adjacent said second side on at least one of said first plate and said second plate,
• wherein said vacuum pump means includes a first vacuum pump mounted on said first alignment plate, a second vacuum pump mounted on said second alignment plate and an air supply means for supplying pressurized air to said first and said second vacuum pumps.

An apparatus for aligning and securely positioning at least two components relative to one another in a predetermined aligned position to permit accurate connection of the components, comprising:

• a support frame;
• a plurality of alignment plates mounted on said support frame including a first alignment plate and a second alignment plate positioned adjacent one another, each of said first and second plates including a first side positioned adjacent the component and a second side formed opposite said first side;
• a vacuum means for holding a respective component against said first plate and said second plate, said vacuum means including a first flexible vacuum pad mounted on said first side of said first alignment plate, a second flexible vacuum pad mounted on said first side of said second plate and at least one vacuum pump mounted adjacent said second side on at least one of said first plate and said second plate,
• wherein said support frame includes a first pair of elongated support arms pivotally connected at respective first ends to said first alignment plate and a second pair of elongated support arms pivotally connected to said second alignment plate, each support arm of said first pair of support arms being pivotally connected at a second end to one support arm of said second pair of support arms.