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US 7,076,856 B2Granted
Adjustable system and method for supporting and joining structural members
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorBranko Sarh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and associated method for joining structural members are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure of extendable members, each with an adjustable support surface for engaging the structural members so that structural members of different sizes and shapes can be accommodated. Gantries, which are longitudinally adjustable, support a joining device having co-operable heads that engage the structural members. The heads are adjustable in a transverse direction along the gantries so that the heads can be configured in an opposing configuration and used to join the structural members therebetween.
Claims28
A method of joining at least one structural member in a desired configuration, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of pads extending from a first structural member;
- forming a plurality of elongate pockets in a second structural member to correspond with the pads of the first structural member, the elongate pockets being elongate relative to the pads of the first structural member in a longitudinal direction of the structural members such that the elongate pockets provide a longitudinal range of alignment with the pads;
- positioning the second structural member relative to the first structural member such that the elongate pockets of the second structural member correspond to respective pads of the first structural member;
- extendably adjusting a plurality of extendable members such that a support surface of each extendable member corresponds to and supports the at least one structural member;
- sequentially retracting the extendable members and adjusting a gantry in a longitudinal direction of the at least one structural member such that first and second beams of the gantry are disposed in an opposing configuration with the at least one structural member therebetween and the second beam is adjusted through a range of motion that intersects the extendable members in an extended position;
- adjusting a first joining head in a transverse direction along the first beam and a second joining head in a transverse direction along the second beam;
- extending at least one of the heads toward the at least one structural member to engage the at least one structural member between the heads;
- and
- actuating at least one of the heads to join the at least one structural member.
6 more elements
A method of joining at least one structural member in a desired configuration, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of pads extending from a first structural member;
- forming a plurality of elongate pockets in a second structural member to correspond with the pads of the first structural member, each elongate pocket defining a length in a longitudinal direction of the structural members and extending along only a portion of the second structural member, the elongate pockets being elongate relative to the pads of the first structural member in a longitudinal direction of the structural members such that the elongate pockets provide a limited longitudinal range of alignment with the pads;
- positioning the second structural member relative to the first structural member such that the elongate pockets of the second structural member correspond to respective pads of the first structural member;
- extendably adjusting a plurality of extendable members such that a support surface of each extendable member corresponds to and supports the structural members;
- adjusting a gantry in a longitudinal direction of the structural members such that first and second beams of the gantry are disposed in an opposing configuration with the structural members therebetween;
- adjusting a first joining head in a transverse direction along the first beam and a second joining head in a transverse direction along the second beam;
- extending at least one of the heads toward the structural members to engage the structural members between the heads;
- and
- actuating at least one of the heads to join the structural members.
6 more elements
A method of joining at least one structural member in a desired configuration, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of pads extending from a first structural member;
- forming a plurality of elongate pockets in a second structural member to correspond with the pads of the first structural member, the elongate pockets being elongate relative to the pads of the first structural member in a longitudinal direction of the structural members such that the elongate pockets provide a longitudinal range of alignment with the pads;
- positioning the second structural member relative to the first structural member such that the elongate pockets of the second structural member correspond to respective pads of the first structural member;
- extendably adjusting a plurality of extendable members such that a support surface of each extendable member corresponds to and supports the at least one structural member;
- adjusting a gantry in a longitudinal direction of the at least one structural member such that first and second horizontal beams of the gantry are disposed in an opposing configuration with the first beam above the at least one structural member and the second beam below the at least one structural member;
- adjusting a first joining head in a horizontal transverse direction along the first beam and a second joining head in a horizontal transverse direction along the second beam;
- extending at least one of the heads toward the at least one structural member to engage the at least one structural member between the heads;
- and
- actuating at least one of the heads to join the at least one structural member.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.