# US 5,704,599 A · Vacuum apparatus for aligning and securely positioning components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,599 A - Document ID: US5704599A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/588,303 - Filed: 1996-01-18 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1996-01-18 - Inventors: Stephen G. Slothower - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704599A ## CPC - B25B 5/142: {for windows and frames} - B25B 11/005: {Vacuum work holders} - B25B 11/007: {portable, e.g. handheld} - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING ## Abstract An apparatus is provided for aligning and securely positioning at least two components relative to each other, comprising a support frame, first and second alignment plates pivotally mounted on the support frame for abutment by the components to permit positioning of the components of various angles relative to each other, and a vacuum device for holding a component against the respective plate. The vacuum device may include first and second flexible vacuum pads corresponding to the plates, a respective vacuum pump associated with each alignment plate and a control valve for selectively controlling the flow of supply air to the vacuum pumps. A locking device may be provided for preventing relative pivotal movement of the plates by securing the plates in a predetermined alignment position. The alignment and securing apparatus of the present invention can be used to easily, quickly and securely position two components in a variety of relative orientations. Also, the vacuum assembly is designed to create a highly compact, unitized aligning and securing apparatus capable of generating extremely high holding forces to prevent relative movement of the components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 first and said second alignment plates each include an abutment surface for abutting a respective component, said vacuum means including a first flexible vacuum pad mounted on said first alignment plate adjacent said abutment surface and a second flexible vacuum pad mounted on said second alignment plate adjacent said abutment surface, said vacuum means further including a vacuum pump means mounted on at least one of said first alignment plate, said second alignment plate and said support frame, said vacuum pump means including 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second alignment plates are capable of being positioned in a single common plane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further including a locking means for preventing relative pivotal movement of said first and said second alignment plates by securing said first and said second alignment plates in a predetermined alignment position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pivot means includes a pivot hinge connected to said first and second alignment plates to permit pivotal movement of both said first and said second alignment plates, said pivot hinge forming a common pivot axis for both said first and said second alignment plates. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of said first and second alignment plates are capable of pivoting at least approximately 90 degrees around said common pivot axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vacuum pump means further includes a control valve means mounted on said support frame for controlling the flow of supply air to said first and said second vacuum pumps. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said vacuum pump means further includes a control valve means for controlling the flow of supply air to said first and said second vacuum pumps. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said control valve means is mounted on said support frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first and said second alignment plates each include a plurality of alignment rails extending outwardly from said first side of each of the alignment plates, each of said plurality of alignment rails including an abutment surface for abutment by said component, said first and said second vacuum pads being mounted on said first side between said plurality of alignment rails. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further including a pivot means connected to said first and said second alignment plates for permitting said first and second alignment plates to pivot relative to one another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, further including a locking means for preventing relative pivotal movement of said first and said second alignment plates by securing said first and said second alignment plates in a predetermined alignment position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, 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. ### Claim 17 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.