Abstract: The invention is a method for continually adjusting fastener drilling and installation in response to part growth during assembly of certain aircraft components. A series of normal installation locations are initially selected where fasteners are to be sequentially installed one at a time. Part growth is monitored at a certain reference point ahead of the advancement of fastener installation, and is sensed immediately after each installation. The position of the next-in-line installation is adjusted proportionately to the part growth which resulted from the previous installation, and so on, until the series is installed.

Abstract: A "generic" jig is provided for assembling a wing box or, in other words, the major portion of a wing. The jig has an elongated base to which is attached one or more elongated strongback modules. The modules define the position of the wing box's lower spar. Modules may be interchanged as is directed by the particular wing box which is to be assembled. At one end of the jig's base is an inner stand-off module for defining the position of the wing box's root end, and at the other end of the base is an outer stand-off module for defining the position of the wing box's tip end. Both inner and outer stand-off modules are also interchangeable in accordance with the particular wing which is to be constructed.

Abstract: A jig is provided for assembling various different wing skin panels, all having different airfoil profiles. The jig includes a frame that has a plurality of colinear attachment points. These points define a center line axis that is generic for any panel assembled on the jig. A set of headers is distributed along the attachment points, such set being replaceable by another for a different panel. The headers have edge recesses in which are placed the panel's stringers. Both stringers and headers are covered by a skin sheet which is held in place by webbings that are pulled and tightened against the skin. The webbings hold the skin against the stringers while the stringers, skin, and headers are moved to a fastening location where the skin is riveted or otherwise fastened to the stringers.

Abstract: An assembly jig for making wing spars is adjustable in a manner so that it can be used to produce virtually any size of spar. The jig includes a plurality of vertical posts, each of which has upper and lower clamping mechanisms that are vertically adjustable. The upper mechanism holds the upper spar chord to the spar's web and the lower mechanism similarly holds the spar's lower chord. Adjustment of the clamping mechanisms relative to each other accommodates a variation in web width corresponding to different stations along the length of the spar, or alternatively, different spar designs. Each post is further adjustable in a transverse direction in order to construc spars which are not linear from end to end.

Abstract: A tack fastener comprising an elongate, tubular body (51), a stem (53) slidable in the body and a compression nut (91) is disclosed. The body (51) has an enlarged threaded hub (55) at one end, which supports the compression nut (91). The other end of the body is slit longitudinally to create a plurality of tangs (57)--preferably four. The tips (61) of the tangs (57) are enlarged and include an inner shoulder (63) that lies orthogonal to the axis of the body (51). The tangs (57) are heat treated to cause them to converge toward one another, resulting in the diameter of the enlarged tang tips (61) being the same or less than the diameter of the main part of the elongate, tubular body (51). When the slidable stem (53) is slid into the body (51), it forces the tangs (57) outwardly, positioning the tang shoulders (63) to impinge on the blind side of parts (105, 107) to be tack fastened together.

Abstract: A jig is provided for assembling various different wing skin panels, all having different airfoil profiles. The jig includes a frame that has a plurality of colinear attachment points. These points define a center line axis that is generic for any panel assembled on the jig. A set of headers is distributed along the attachment points, such set being replaceable by another for a different panel. The headers have edge recesses in which are placed the panels' stringers. Both stringers and headers are covered by a skin sheet which is held in place by webbings that are pulled and tightened against the skin. The webbings hold the skin against the stringers while the stringers, skin, and headers are moved to a fastening location where the skin is riveted or otherwise fastened to the stringers.

Abstract: A semi-automatic track drill for use in drilling fastener holes for an aircraft body includes a pair of generally spaced, parallel rails. A plurality of slider bars extend between the rails and are connected thereto in a manner so that each bar can be slid along the length of the rails. Positioned between at least two of the bars is a drill carriage which is also slidably connected to the rails. A template having a series of alternating lands and grooves registers the carriage at preselected drilling positions. The drill assembly, including the template, is secured to the aircraft body by temporary clamping bolts which are positioned in a line along the body's surface.

Abstract: A series of filaments are grouped into rovings (10), with each roving being impregnated with a viscous, tacky resin binder. The rovings are guided (12, 14, 16) to and compressed against a mandrel (18). By controlling intraroving spacing and compression force, the rovings are compressed such that their lateral expansion results in adjacent roving bonding, whereby a singular band (22) of defined width, height and filament count is formed. The height and width is controlled by varying the compression force and the intraroving spacing. Band contouring is realized by severing (24, 26) selected rovings prior to band formation. Linear and rotational relative motion is provided (FIG. 11: 110, 112, 114) between the roving guiding and compression means and the mandrel to precisely orient the band.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling apparatus (10) having a drilling member (20) that is rotatable about an axis (45) for drilling a bore in a workpiece (12). The drilling apparatus (10) includes a spindle (22) which drives the drilling member (20) and advances it towards and against the workpiece surface (32). The gimbal member (18) normalizes the drilling member (20) as the bore is drilled. The gimbal member (18) guides the drilling member (20) toward a drilling point (48) which is positioned on a datum plane (44) that is substantially tangent to the surface of the workpiece (32). As the bore is drilled, the guiding member (18) guides the drilling member (20) so that the drilling axis (45) remains substantially normal to the drilling point (48) at all times while the bore is drilled.

Abstract: A pair of support members and a pair of drilling units are mounted for reciprocal movement along a carriage. The support members secure to latch bolts on an elongated surface to be drilled. The drill units move along the carriage in both an X and Y direction to automatically drill holes in the surface. The drill units are then secured to latch bolts and the carriage with support members advanced on rollers located in the support members. The support members are secured to the next latch bolts and the process continued until holes are drilled throughout the length of the surface to be drilled.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging cartons in a wire-bound box assembly includes a folding assembly which supports the unassembled box in a horizontally positioned blank, a shuttle platform which is loaded with a number of cartons and the end boards of the box assembly, a drive mechanism for reciprocatably carrying the loaded shuttle platform to a position above the bottom board of the blank, a stripper assembly including a plate which is downwardly pivotable from a position above the shuttle to a position engaging the ends of the cartons and end boards after the shuttle platform has been moved above the bottom panel, and clamping arms for holding the end boards against the cartons while the shuttle platform is removed. After the stripper plate has been lowered and the clamping arms are in place, the shuttle platform is retracted past the stripper plate such that the end boards and cartons drop onto the bottom panel of the blank.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a carton into a thermoplastic bag includes a table for supporting the bag, a pusher assembly for transferring a carton into the bag, and a guide assembly for first opening the bag mouth and for thereafter guiding the carton into the mouth of the bag while supporting the carton above the table until after it has been fully inserted into the bag. A vacuum is applied through apertures formed in the table to initially hold the bottom panel of the bag against the table, and a reciprocatable suction cup assembly is mounted above the suction apertures for engaging the top panel of the bag and for partially opening the mouth of the bag so that the guide assembly may be inserted therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying segments of sealing tape to both ends of a carton and for forming pull-tabs at both ends of the segments of sealing tape so applied. Cartons are conveyed in indexed fashion at uniform intervals on a conveyor. Sealing tape is dispensed from two rolls and is applied to the ends of the cartons by lay-down rollers at the margins of the conveyor. The conveyor is indexed so as to stop the conveyor after a section of tape linking two adjacent cartons on the conveyor is provided at each end of the cartons. Short segments of masking tape are applied to the adhesive side of the sealing tape at specific locations thereon and at a station spaced upstream from the point where the sealing tape is applied to the cartons whereby after the sealing tape is applied to the cartons, the masking tape segments will be disposed on the linking sections of sealing tape midway between two adjacent cartons.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat-sealing the mouth of a bag supported on a conveyor includes a nozzle assembly for both spreading the mouth of the bag and evacuating the bag and a press assembly having confronting die units and resilient strip assemblies mounted to scissorable arms. The vacuum-sealing apparatus is positioned adjacent the side margin of the conveyor, and the bag having an article therein is horizontally supported on the conveyor with the mouth of the bag extending toward the heat-sealing apparatus over said side margin of the conveyor. The nozzle assembly includes a pair of parallel nozzle members of generally flat shape which are mounted to a drive mechanism such that the nozzle members may first be concurrently driven into the mouth of the bag and thereafter separated in a horizontal plane against the side margins of the bag mouth to an extent such that substantially all wrinkles are removed from the area of the bag to be sealed.

Abstract: A body having rubber material thereon is positioned on a lower member, and an upper member is moved toward the lower member, such relative movement causing tread-forming shoes to move to inward positions to form a tread on the rubber material. As an alternative, the upper and lower members may be brought together, and rubber material may be injected into position to have a tread formed thereon. Upon movement of the upper and lower member relatively apart, the rubber material is made to remain in contact with the shoes, and the body is removed, whereupon an annular core having rubber material thereon is disposed on the lower member, and the upper and lower members are again brought together to deposit the rubber material in contact with the shoes onto the rubber material on the core.

Abstract: A body having rubber material thereon is positioned on a lower member, and an upper member is moved toward the lower member, such relative movement causing tread-forming shoes to move to inward positions to form a tread on the rubber material. As an alternative, the upper and lower members may be brought together, and rubber material may be injected into position to have a tread formed thereon. Upon movement of the upper and lower member relatively apart, the rubber material is made to remain in contact with the shoes, and the body is removed, whereupon an annular core having rubber material thereon is disposed on the lower member, and the upper and lower members are again brought together to deposit the rubber material in contact with the shoes onto the rubber material on the core.

Abstract: A body having rubber material thereon is positioned on a lower member, and an upper member is moved toward the lower member, such relative movement causing tread-forming shoes to move to inward positions to form a tread on the rubber material. As an alternative, the upper and lower members may be brought together, and rubber material may be injected into position to have a tread formed thereon. Upon movement of the upper and lower member relatively apart, the rubber material is made to remain in contact with the shoes, and the body is removed, whereupon an annular core having rubber material thereon is disposed on the lower member, and the upper and lower members are again brought together to deposit the rubber material in contact with the shoes onto the rubber material on the core.

Abstract: A process for field preparation of a fibrous turf on a surface by steps including: (a) inserting fibers into a backing to obtain a backing with inserted fibers; (b) laying a receiving matrix on the surface; (c) bringing a portion of the backing with inserted fibers into connection with the receiving matrix so as to immerse the inserted fibers in the matrix; and (d) maintaining said portion of the backing stationary for a sufficient period of time so that the fibers will stay in the matrix upon removing the backing from the fibers.Preferably the receiving matrix is a thermoplastic substance comprising sulfur, especially plasticized sulfur.