Support assemblies for a flexible fixture
AssigneePaR Systems, Inc.
InventorsThomas E. Marrinan, Côme René-Bazin De Jouy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for supporting a workpiece includes a plurality of support assemblies with movable heads. Positional errors are ascertained for the heads based on different positions thereof and used to properly position the heads to support the workpiece. Other inventive aspects are directed to features of the support assemblies and heads thereof.
Claims19
A holding assembly comprising a plurality of support assemblies, each support assembly comprising a head adapted to support a workpiece, wherein each head includes a guided member having a contact surface configured to contact the workpiece a first guide component that moves with the guided member and a guide assembly having a second guide component configured to engage the first guide component to rotatably guide the guided member about an axis that coincides with a point of contact on the contact surface.
A holding assembly comprising a plurality of support assemblies, each support assembly comprising a head adapted to support a workpiece, a support rod having an axis and a first engaging surface fixedly attached to the support rod to move therewith, the support rod fixedly coupled to the head to move therewith and a second engaging surface held in a stationary position on the support assembly, the first and second engaging surfaces being complimentary to each other, and the complementary engaging surfaces configured to converge so as rotate the support rod about the axis to a selected position about the axis as the complimentary engaging surfaces slide relative to each other.
A holding assembly comprising a plurality of support assemblies, each support assembly comprising a head adapted to support a workpiece, a support rod arranged to maintain the corresponding head in a selected position, a brake slidable on the support rod and selectively fixed to the support rod, the brake having an expandable body having a throughbore through which the support rod is positioned such that the expandable body encircles the support rod, the expandable body being configured to selectively expand and provide a force to secure the brake and support rod relative to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.