Back to results
US 7,300,014 B2Granted
Centerless and openable tool carrier for processing of complex shapes
AssigneeLotus Designs, Inc.
InventorAbraham Keith Allen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus, and method for laying up structural filaments. The apparatus includes an openable race providing a circular path for a carrier bearing a filament source. The carrier moves circumferentially within the race and may be formed as a centerless wheel. The carrier may be formed in sections to facilitate opening of the race to insert a workpiece.
Claims9
An apparatus for laying up filaments, the apparatus comprising:
- a race comprising a fixed portion secured to a support structure and defining a first arcuate path forming a first angular portion of a circular path, and a hinged portion, hingedly secured to the fixed portion and defining a second arcuate path forming a second angular portion of the circular path;
- a carrier forming a circular structure positioned within the circular path, the carrier comprising a first carrier portion sized to occupy a substantial portion of the first arcuate path and a second carrier portion sized to occupy a substantial portion of the second arcuate path;
- a driver secured to the fixed portion and sequentially engaging the first and second carrier portions to move the first and second carrier portions within the circular path;
- and
- at least one filament source secured to at least one of the first carrier portion and the second carrier portion.
2 more elements
A method for laying up a filament, the method comprising
- providing a race comprising a fixed portion secured to a support structure and defining a first arcuate path forming a first angular portion of a circular path, a hinged portion, hingedly secured to the fixed portion and defining a second arcuate path forming a second angular portion of the circular path;
- providing a carrier forming a circular structure positioned within the circular path, the carrier comprising a first carrier portion sized to occupy substantially all of the first arcuate path and a second carrier portion sized to occupy substantially all of the second arcuate path;
- providing a driver secured to the fixed portion and sequentially engaging the first and second carrier portions to move the first and second carrier portions within the circular path;
- providing at least one filament source secured to at least one of the first carrier portion and the second carrier portion;
- rotating the hinged portion to open the race;
- positioning a work piece within the race;
- rotating the hinged portion to close the race;
- securing an initial portion of filament from the filament source to the workpiece;
- and
- activating the driver to cause the filament source to rotate about the workpiece.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.