Gapped Support Patents (Class 269/296)
  • Patent number: 5681033
    Abstract: A workpiece pick-up and positioning tool or apparatus and, more particularly, a jig and fixture arrangement facilitating the controlled movement and positioning of a workpiece in order to enable the specific treatment thereof. The workpiece, particularly, such as an aircraft inlet duct, is moved to a pick-up jig inlet tool arrangement from an assembly jig whereby the inlet duct is then inserted into and supported by a cradle. The cradle, in turn, is supported above the floor by at least two workstands whereby one of the workstands is equipped with a swivel attaching and joining the workstands to the cradle. A specific linear motion device is then adapted to tilt the cradle upwardly and into a vertical position, thereby concurrently pivoting the duct supported therein into a similar position, whereupon latching mechanisms locks the cradle into the vertical position through the intermediary of a suitable cable which is coordinated with the movement of the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: George Nicholas Bullen
  • Patent number: 5676359
    Abstract: A modular model verification mounting system and method for building and verifying a production tooling verification model with a surface contour made of a workable material is disclosed. The mounting system can include at least one base member for supporting the production tooling verification model. The base member has a first uniform grid of apertures disposed in a first surface at a first predetermined distance from one another. At least one component member is provided for attaching to the base member in cooperation with the first grid of apertures. The component member has a second uniform grid of apertures formed in at least one second surface and disposed at a second predetermined distance from one another. At least one armature is connected to the component member in cooperation with the second grid of apertures. The armature member has at least one custom surface adapted to support the workable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Prototype Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Feltrin
  • Patent number: 5659939
    Abstract: An x-y-z motion jack unit is mounted on a base frame supported by precision made floor inserts at an assembly site. The inserts are precision positioned in the floor and each insert presents a horizontal support surface for the base frame and a vertical threaded bore receiving an anchoring pin provided by an anchoring unit mounted on the base frame. Multiple of the jack units can be integrated into a computerized adjustment system for positioning aircraft structural components during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Nicholson Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James A. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 5632475
    Abstract: The preferred apparatus is in the form of a service lift for holding a machine such as a walk-behind lawnmower during servicing and repair thereof. The lift includes a main support movable upwardly and downwardly on a column, a subsupport adapted to be rotated to and held in various angular positions relative to the main support, and side-by-side tubes on the subsupport for telescopically receiving bars for supporting the mower or other machine during servicing. The supporting bars extend in opposite directions from the side-by-side tubes and may be laterally adjusted relative to the tubes to match the width of the machine being serviced. Supporting bars for other types of machines may be inserted into the tubes, and the main support and the subsupport may be vice-mounted rather than column-mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: McCanse Engineering Incorporated
    Inventor: James E. McCanse
  • Patent number: 5630576
    Abstract: A workpiece clamping apparatus for securing a workpiece relative to a planar support surface has a pair of saddle clamp members each provided with a plurality of threaded apertures. A mounting member associated with selected ones of the plurality of threaded apertures is provided for operably attaching saddle clamp members to the planar support surface in a variety of orientations. Each saddle clamp member can engage a portion of a bar clamp. Each saddle clamp member can also engage a portion of a length of pipe which can have pipe clamps thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Willis R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5628500
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for a coil can exactly position a plurality of pre-assembled U-shaped wires at predetermined locations and clampingly hold their positions in a precise manner with extreme ease to thereby ensure smooth insertion of the wires into an iron core while avoiding inadvertent deformations of or damage to the wires upon assembly. A plurality of clamp pins are disposed on the support disk for rotation relative thereto and spaced from each other with predetermined circumferential intervals, each of the clamp pins being movable in a radial direction of the support disk and having a tapered tip end directed toward the central axis of the support disk. Each of the tip ends has two pairs of engagement grooves formed therein. A first drive mechanism drives the clamp pins to move in a direction radially of the support disk by a predetermined radial distance whereby the tapered tip end of each clamp pin is adapted to move into or out of adjacent ones of the U-shaped winding wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Iguchi
  • Patent number: 5615719
    Abstract: A hockey stick curving apparatus which includes a rail having a first end, a second end, and an exterior surface. A movable pressure member support frame is mounted to the exterior surface of the rail and movable between the first end and the second end. A pressure member is mounted to the pressure member support frame and movable in a first direction toward the rail and in a second direction away from the rail. A pair of supports are secured to the rail in spaced relation. One of the pair of supports is on one side of the pressure member support frame and the other one of the pair of supports is on an other side of the pressure member support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Richard L. Balon
  • Patent number: 5604974
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a wing panel or other member for riveting or conducting other operations thereon. The member is loaded at floor level on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders spaced over the length thereof and raised to a position for conducting the operations thereon. The hydraulic fluid flow to and from the hydraulic cylinders is controlled to synchronize the movements of the cylinder piston rods so that each of the piston rods bears its share of the load throughout raising and lowering of the member. The cylinders are also individually operated to accommodate passage of riveting machine heads or other tooling relative to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Gemcor Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley M. Roberts, James J. Birke, Joseph Dionne, Kurt R. Kubanek
  • Patent number: 5605321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support apparatus for holding an object such as a ski, snowboard, bicycle surfboard or the like. A support base is attached to a work surface. The support base supports the object. In one embodiment, a base supports a ski or snowboard such that the user has access to the bottom and the side surface of the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Paul Jarvis
  • Patent number: 5605086
    Abstract: A compound miter saw comprises a base, an arm rotatingly connected thereto about a horizontal plane, and a pair of adjustable vertical saw supporting members on either end thereof. The improvement thereof comprises a plurality of longitudinally aligned rows of projections formed on the support surface of the base. A workpiece can be supported at an elevated angle along the support surface wherein one side thereof rests against a guide plate along one side of the base and an adjoining corner portion is ensconced between a selected pair of adjacent rows. Each pin of adjacent rows of projections provides a unique elevation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventors: Hsieh Huang-Mo, Mary Wang
  • Patent number: 5603474
    Abstract: An adjustable support for holding models in a working position for a hobbyist includes a quadrilateral frame having opposed side walls and opposing end walls which are each adjustable. The end walls and the side walls have overlapping portions having aligned longitudinal slots which can receive a securing pin so that the length, as well as the pitch of the walls, can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: George E. Weber
  • Patent number: 5590870
    Abstract: A universal system for supporting and holding a workpiece having a contoured work holding surface is provided with a spaced array of work holding fixtures mounted on a base. Each fixture includes a work engaging head having a vacuum cup and three work engaging projections spaced outwardly from the vacuum cup and disposed in a work contact plane. The work engaging head is supported by a ball joint on a rod mounted for axial movement relative to a base and the ball joint supports the work engaging head for tilting movement about axes orthogonal to each other and to the axis of the rod. The ball joint includes a ball and casing and a ball clamp in the casing with ball clamp operating means for selectively moving the ball clamp means into a ball clamped condition to a ball released condition. A rod clamp means is provided for selectively locking the rod in a rod clamp adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Machine & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Willy J. Goellner
  • Patent number: 5586754
    Abstract: A workpiece clamping apparatus for securing a workpiece relative to a planar support surface including a pair of contoured block members, each provided with a plurality of slots and apertures and having a base provided with structure for operatively attaching the block members to the planar support surface. A bar clamp has structure for securing a workpiece and further has opposite ends wherein each end of the bar clamp is operably associated with one of the pair of block members. The plurality of slots and apertures are axially aligned in both the vertical and horizontal planes. Each slot is operatively associated with a selected one of the plurality of apertures and is further dimensioned to receive one of the ends of the bar clamp. The plurality of apertures further include at least one aperture formed in the base of each contoured block wherein the at least one aperture is provided with structure for operably connecting the block member to the planar support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Willis R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5564683
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus for servicing or repair of snowmobiles. The apparatus includes a frame or rack, having a pair of generally parallel curved frame members which are located along a side of the snowmobile. Adjustable connecting bars connect the corresponding upper and lower ends of the curved frame members together. A base plate is secured to the lower end of the front frame member and is disposed to be positioned beneath a ski of the snowmobile. A pair of clamping screws are connected to a bracket attached to the front frame member and are adapted to clamp the ski against the base plate. An adjustable cushioned support member is connected to the front frame member above the base plate and is adapted to engage the suspension of the snowmobile, while a rear support member is connected to the rear frame member and is positioned to engage the running board and seat of the snowmobile. A flexible strap connects opposite sides of the snowmobile to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Andrew G. Stuck
  • Patent number: 5553837
    Abstract: A vacuum cell device for holding work pieces on a work table, and a system comprising a plurality of the vacuum cells as needed to hold a particular workpiece, is disclosed wherein the individual vacuum cells comprises a pair of vacuum units connected together by an adjustment mechanism which allows the axial spacing of the vacuum units to be adjusted to fix the cell in a desired cell height. A first vacuum unit includes a workpiece interface surrounding an open top vacuum chamber, and the second vacuum unit comprises a work surface interface surrounding an open top vacuum chamber. A sealing element is carried about the periphery of each interface to seal against the workpiece and work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: David A. Kahle
  • Patent number: 5554067
    Abstract: The frame holder for prescription glasses (24) of the type featuring two jaws mounted in such manner that they slide in relation to each other so that they can move toward or away from each other, and also featuring a device (22) to center the frame (24) between the jaws (12) so as to hold said frame (24) in a reference plane (P), characterized by the fact that it features a device (30) to support frame (24) approximately in the reference plane (P) before the frame (24) is clamped inside the jaws (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Buchmann Optical Engineering
    Inventors: Michel J. M. Lecerf, Raynald G. M. Longuet
  • Patent number: 5549287
    Abstract: A automobile body parts holder assembly, for, in particular, fenders and automobile body parts is disclosed herein. An adjustable, portable automobile parts holder is removably attached to a fender attachment unit, an automobile door attachment unit, a hood attachment unit, or a workbench attachment unit. The base structure includes a base having a front and a rear. At the rear of the base, there is a vertically adjustable support leg extending vertically upward. This support leg is adjustable for various heights. At the top of the vertically adjustable support leg is a horizontally displaced rotatable cantilevered support arm. This support arm permits the attachment of the various automobile body part attachment units, such as the fender attachment unit, or the door attachment unit. The support arm rotates 360 degrees about its axis so that when an automobile attachment unit and body part is attached to the support arm, a mechanic may have access to all locations of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Howard C. Loucks
  • Patent number: 5538230
    Abstract: A single piece, high purity, full density semiconductor wafer holding fixture for holding a multiplicity of wafers and consisting essentially of chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide (CVD SiC). The wafer carrier is advantageous for the fabrication of electronic integrated circuits where high temperatures and/or corrosive chemicals present, where dimensional stability of the holder is advantageous to the process or where introduction of contaminating elements is deleterious to the process. The method for making such an article comprises shaping a substrate, e.g. graphite, which on one surface has the form of the desired shape, said form comprising raised longitudinal sections to support the silicon wafers at the edges of the wafers, chemically vapor depositing a layer of silicon carbide onto the substrate, removing the substrate intact or by burning, machining, grinding, gritblasting and/or dissolving, and grinding the silicon carbide in any areas where a more precise dimension is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas Sibley
  • Patent number: 5533718
    Abstract: A workpiece to be cleaned or otherwise operated upon, for example a musical cymbal, is supported by a holder having the form of a belt. The belt's lower edge rests on a work surface. Its upper edge supports the workpiece rim, holding the workpiece off the work surface. In use, the belt is constrained to lie in a closed curve by means which removably fasten its outer end to an intermediate place along its length. The belt's perimeter length is adjustable to accomodate workpieces of widely varying sizes. To prevent unwanted movement of the workpiece with respect to the belt, or of the belt with respect to the work surface, the belt is given friction means, which can be bands or strips of rubber, either running lengthwise along the belt or wrapped around it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Stephen B. Gray
  • Patent number: 5515588
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a balustrade for a passenger conveying device include a left-hand side, a right-hand side, and apparatus for consistently positioning a balustrade panel holder in a particular geometry. The left and right sides include a midsection, a lower landing section an upper landing section, for assembling a right-hand and a left-hand passenger conveyor balustrades, respectively. The upper and lower landing sections extend away from the midsections at an angle and the midsections may be adjusted lengthwise to accommodate different length balustrade assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Willy Adrian, Joachim Arens, Gerald Wente
  • Patent number: 5505438
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locating a work piece on a burn table. The apparatus has a locator which is moveable between a first position at which the locator is engageable with the work piece and a second position at which the locator assembly is spaced from the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Baldwin, Dave R. Draper, Ronald R. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5503173
    Abstract: A wafer cleaning tank including a tank body containing therein a cleaning solution, and wafer supporting device for substantially vertically supporting at least one wafer in the tank body, wherein the wafer supporting device includes a pair of confronting fixed wafer support members disposed in the tank body with a predetermined space therebetween and each having at least one side wafer-supporting portion, and a movable wafer support member vertically movably disposed centrally between the fixed wafer support members at a level below the fixed wafer support members and having at least one central wafer-supporting portion corresponding in position to the position of the side wafer-supporting portion of each of the fixed wafer support members, and wherein the side wafer-supporting portions and the central wafer-supporting portion jointly form a three-point support structure which supports the wafer at three points on the outer edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kudo, Isao Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5499666
    Abstract: A sanitary meat purge eliminator includes a circular upright wall that loosely fits within the opening of a supporting barrel and an outwardly protruding ledge that supports the device on the barrel top. A transverse wall extending across the upright wall includes a perforated section designed to support prepackaged meat and an adjacent discharge opening. The perforated section and discharge opening are separated by an upright divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: F & F Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Foster, Guy D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 5490664
    Abstract: A jig is provided which is capable of being selective locked in place to support a work piece and quickly dropped out of place to allow the work in progress to pass by. The jig includes a plurality of fingers which can be selectively configured to support a variety of work pieces. The fingers can be easily reconfigured to handle a variety of work pieces without requiring modification of the basic jig structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Justus, Vladimir Karasik
  • Patent number: 5485988
    Abstract: A vacuum-type clamping device for releasably holding a ski or other workpiece in a stationary position. The device is attached to a table by a C-clamp having the usual threaded rod. A suction cup is fixedly mounted on the non-clamping end of the rod and a nut carrying a rigid support ring having a pair of diametrically opposed contact portions is threadedly engaged with the rod. A surface of the workpiece is pressed into engagement with the upwardly facing, concave surface of the suction cup. The nut is then advanced on the threaded rod to bring the contact portions of the ring into engagement with the workpiece surface at positions on opposite sides of and spaced outwardly from the peripheral lip of the suction cup. Continued advance of the nut urges the workpiece away from the cup, thereby increasing the clamping force to the desired degree. The nut is rotated in the opposite direction to permit removal of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Leslaw Nobilec
  • Patent number: 5478060
    Abstract: A guide jig (1) for a wiring harness assembly plate comprises a support tube (3) mounted and fixed on a plate member (2), and an electric wire guide rod (4) having an electric wire guide portion (4c) for guiding a bundle of electric wires (15) and supported by the support tube (3) for extension and retraction along the axis thereof. The support tube (3) and the electric wire guide rod (4) are supported non-rotatably on their axes relative to each other. The electric wire guide rod (4) is operable to change the positions thereof between a guide extended position in which the electric wire guide portion (4c) guides and holds the bundle of electric wires (15) and a guide retracted position in which the electric wire guide portion (4c) is retracted to a level lower than the height of the bundle of electric wires (15) being laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Sugimoto, Satoru Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 5472180
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding firewood and dimension lumber during cutting includes an upright member having a generally triangular shaped plate attached near one end thereof, the plate includes a plurality of steps, each of the plurality of steps having a generally V-shaped portion facing downwards that is attached thereto. The V-shaped portions engage the butt end of any diameter of a log of sufficient size that is placed on the holder and prevents the butt end from becoming dislodged. A serrated plate is attached under the triangular shaped plate that is useful for securing the butt end of small logs and of dimension lumber. A first end of a longitudinal member is attached to the upright member under the serrated plate and extends away from the upright member and is generally perpendicular with respect thereto. A generally rectangular plate having a trough at the top is attached at a second end of the longitudinal member and is useful for the cantilevered placement of logs for cutting thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Bertram L. Bent
  • Patent number: 5467972
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus having a fixed post with a pad and a clamping jaw post with a threaded hole, through which a screw with a handle on one end and a pad on the other passes. The clamping apparatus may be used with rails so that on the bottom rail the fixed post is placed within one hole and the clamping jaw post placed within another hole such that a workpiece may be clamped between the two, and additionally a top rail with holes that the other ends of the fixed and clamping jaw post engage with may be added to prevent the workpiece from buckling when clamping pressure is applied by turning the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: Leonard G. Lee, John S. Lynn, Francis A. McLean, Edwin C. Tucker, Lloyd Sevack
  • Patent number: 5462263
    Abstract: A modular model verification mounting system and method for building and verifying a production tooling verification model with a surface contour made of a workable material is disclosed. The mounting system can include at least one base member for supporting the production tooling verification model. The base member has a first uniform grid of apertures disposed in a first surface at a first predetermined distance from one another. At least one component member is provided for attaching to the base member in cooperation with the first grid of apertures. The component member has a second uniform grid of apertures formed in at least one second surface and disposed at a second predetermined distance from one another. At least one armature is connected to the component member in cooperation with the second grid of apertures. The armature member has at least one custom surface adapted to support the workable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Prototype Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Feltrin
  • Patent number: 5432990
    Abstract: A machine for applying frames to fabric in preparation for embroidering the fabric has a pair of table halves which are laterally adjustable in position to vary the spacing between them and to vary their positions relative to a frame holder. A neck piece at the front edge of each table half is also laterally adjustable relative to the table halves so as to more closely approximate the shape of a garment when it is slipped over the table. An apparatus for applying frames having an image projector and a two-bar linkage for advancing the upper frame half toward the lower frame half is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Robert W. Seneff
  • Patent number: 5383653
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing articles, such as jet skis, and including a pair of rings which are disposed in a parallel, spaced relation and connected together by a group of braces of adjustable length. Each ring is provided with a pair of flats, and the flats on one ring are oriented with the flats on the other ring. A support member extends generally chordwise across each ring, and is provided with a recess or cradle, and the ends of the water ski are received within the respective recesses. A clamping member, such as a rachet take-up belt, is associated with each ring and clamps the end of the jet ski against the respective support member. The jet ski in an upright condition is clamped to the respective support members and the rings are then manually rotated to invert the jet ski and enable the lower surfaces of the ski to be worked on. Engagement of the flats with the supporting surface maintains the rings in a position such that the jet ski is upright or inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Andrew G. Stuck
  • Patent number: 5358227
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for mounting a portion of a marine engine comprising:a clamp mechanism to clamp the portion;a frame to carry the clamp mechanism;the clamp mechanism being arranged to be moved from a floor location to a working location above the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Bennett, Reagh Mann
  • Patent number: 5351730
    Abstract: A carpenter's workbench is disclosed comprising a freestanding frame body (4) supported by four legs (6). A longitudinal channel (46) of T-shape profile and a V-shape groove (48) extend into a top surface (14) of the body (4) and are adapted to receive and render stationary lengths of lumber and tubular pipe, respectively, such that ends which overhang the workbench may be severed. Alternatively, a length of two by four inch wood may be situated horizontally and secured within an upper portion (50) of the channel (46) to provide a wood work surface if desired. Peripherally located surfaces (28, 36, 64) are provided having means (30, 32, 38, 62) for securing work tools to the workbench. Storage compartments (40, 42) are further provided to store hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard R. Lewellen, John A. Vura, Stacy L. Wolff
  • Patent number: 5328161
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing articles, such as jet skis, and including a pair of rings which are disposed in a parallel, spaced relation and connected together by a group of braces of adjustable length. Each ring is provided with a pair of flats, and the flats on one ring are oriented with the flats on the other ring. A support member extends generally chordwise across each ring, and is provided with a recess or cradle, and the ends of the water ski are received within the respective recesses. A clamping member, such as a rachet take-up belt, is associated with each ring and clamps the end of the jet ski against the respective support member. The jet ski in an upright condition is clamped to the respective support members and the rings are then manually rotated to invert the jet ski and enable the lower surfaces of the ski to be worked on. Engagement of the flats with the supporting surface maintains the rings in a position such that the jet ski is upright or inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Andrew G. Stuck
  • Patent number: 5326085
    Abstract: A device for supporting slabs during the phases of punching and in general operations of plastic deformation has a plurality of jacks (6) placed under the slab in a position corresponding to at least a substantial portion of the surface of the slab during all the operations being carried out on the slab. These jacks are normally placed in contact with the lower surface of the slab and are capable of lowering for the purpose of avoiding interference with the portions of the slabs which have already been plastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Sapim Amada S.P.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Codatto
  • Patent number: 5312096
    Abstract: The present invention includes a welding jig having a first support plate and a second support plate rotatably connected to the first support plate. The second support plate has a template-shaped perimeter including arcuately shaped segments shaped to support pipe fittings of different sizes. By selectively positioning a particular segment and securing locking the particular segment in place, a particular pipe fitting such as a particular 90.degree. pipe elbow can be supported with one end resting on the selected particular segment and the other end resting on the first support plate. By this arrangement, particular pipe fitting can be supported in a predetermined and square position relative to a pipe, thus facilitating welding the particular pipe elbow to the pipe. This allows substantially a one-person welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas E. Jasper
  • Patent number: 5305992
    Abstract: Disclosed is a workpiece retention assembly including a plurality of measuring fixtures for supporting and positioning a workpiece. The measuring fixtures are aligned along a platform for positioning the measuring fixtures. The measuring fixtures include a selectively adjustable stanchion and a selectively rotatable clamping member for retaining the workpiece. Workpieces of widely varying types, shapes and sizes can thus be positioned using the measuring fixtures according to the teachings of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventor: William S. Kish
  • Patent number: 5297602
    Abstract: A method and fixture for placing a permanent bend into a wooden pole. In the preferred embodiment, a fixture includes a center block receiving the center portion of a pole having the opposite ends of the pole extending through the opposite ends of the fixture. A pair of cylindrical tubes are forced downwardly against the opposite ends of the pole by an external cylinder motor and, in turn, forces the opposite ends of the pole against the bottom wall of the fixture, thereby bending the pole. A pair of wedge shaped members are extended through the fixture and into the cylindrical tubes, thereby holding the cylindrical tubes downwardly against the pole in a bent configuration while the external force is removed. The method of permanently bending a green pole includes harvesting a tree during the warm growing season and then removing the limbs to produce a wooden pole. The pole is then heated to kill living things within the pole and stored for future use and/or bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Paul J. Nobbe
  • Patent number: 5294098
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a car door by a single mechanic is provided. The apparatus supports a car door to be mounted on a vehicle on a base. Arms connected to the base support the door upon the base. The apparatus is mounted upon a floor jack or an equivalent elevating device to effect chances in vertical orientation of the apparatus. The elements used to mount the apparatus on the elevating device also allow pivoting of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Douglas M. Bundy
  • Patent number: 5286951
    Abstract: A device for supporting a plastic spectacle frame in a plastic spectacle frame warmer of the type that, in use, retains a primary amount of a solid granular material such as glass beads, in a heating pan and that uses the glass beads as a heat transfer medium, is disclosed. The device comprises a base portion for maintaining the device in a substantially upright relation within the heating pan of the frame warmer. An intermediate portion is supported by the base portion and extends upwardly therefrom. A receptacle portion is supported by the intermediate portion and extends upwardly from the base portion, and is adapted to receive and retain a secondary amount of the glass beads therein above the level of primary amount of the glass beads in the heating pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Mark A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5280891
    Abstract: A plurality of telescoping tube members, each arranged for inter-locking relative to one another, are provided to include a threaded support rod threadedly directed within an uppermost of the tubes to position a pipe during a welding procedure. A modification of the invention includes support head structure arranged for mounting to the tube to accommodate various configurations of pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Rollin L. Estes
  • Patent number: 5277412
    Abstract: An orientation jig for facilitating assembly of a structure including a plurality of structural members and for positioning each structural member in predetermined orientation with respect to one another is provided. The orientation jig includes a mounting fixture and a pivotable orientation bracket mounted on the mounting fixture, wherein the mounting bracket is adapted to receive a structural member in a predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Pringle
  • Patent number: 5268067
    Abstract: In one embodiment this is a method of clamping semiconductor wafers for processing with the active face down. The method comprises: supporting a face down wafer 10 on an intermediate support 15; placing a clamping surface 14 at least adjacent to a backside of the wafer; moving at least three bevel-edged pins 11 upward to engage the beveled edges 12 with portions of the periphery of the face to press the wafer 10 against the clamping surface 14; moving the intermediate support 15 away from the wafer 10, and removing photoresist from the wafer by ashing the photoresist, whereby photoresist is essentially completely removed and essentially no unremoved photoresist remains to contaminate later processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: William W. Dostalik, Lee M. Loewenstein
  • Patent number: 5251369
    Abstract: This invention relates to an alignment assembly jig for face-pumped slab laser heads of the type that are constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral jig structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow the face-pumped slab laser head components to be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John L. August, Jr., Mark J. Kukla
  • Patent number: 5246217
    Abstract: A clamping element (4) for the clamping of workpieces on a clamping surface (1b) with receiving recesses distributed over its surface in accordance with a predetermined division (Ra) has on its clamping body at least two attachment openings (9) spaced from each other by the division spacing (a) and at least two clamping holes (10) which are in each case distributed along at least one circle around a longitudinal axis (8) of the clamping element (4) in order to achieve high reproducibility with a great variety of possible uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Saurer-Allma GmbH
    Inventor: Waldemar Brot
  • Patent number: 5215297
    Abstract: A guide jig for an assembly plate for assembling a wire harness has a support sheath extending through the assembly plate, a guide lever axially movably inserted in the support sheath and a support plate secured to the support sheath. The guide lever can be held in its pulled-up position unrotatably relative to the support sheath. The support plate protrudes below the assembly plate by a smaller length than before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Sato, Kazutaka Yada
  • Patent number: 5205571
    Abstract: A cart apparatus for lifting and moving aircraft chair units is described. The cart comprises a U-shaped frame with two sets of swivel-mounted casters on the bottom of the frame for mobility. A pair of upright support tube members with angle support members at their ends extend above the frame to support the rear stretcher bar of the chair unit. The baggage bar of the chair unit is held in place by a stop at the end of each leg of the U-shaped frame. A releasable retaining device for holding the baggage bar against the stop is also provided. The cart enables a single person to easily place the chair unit on the cart and move the cart and chair unit from place to place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventors: Allen J. Geier, George F. Engebrecht
  • Patent number: 5191935
    Abstract: A table-top jig for a table-mounted power tool comprises an apertured platform, the aperture extending longitudinally along the platform to allow free passage of the power tool saw through platform as the platform is slid over the table-top. The table-top jig further comprises a rip-fence which extends transversely along one end of the apertured platform. The apertured platform is mounted to the table-top by guide rails attached to the platform so that the platform may slidably move over the table-top in a direction transverse to the rip-fence. Securing means, such as a clamp may be used to releasably secure the platform to the table-saw table-ttop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: James N. McCombie
  • Patent number: 5183091
    Abstract: A method and fixture for placing a permanent bend into a wooden pole. A channel shaped fixture receives the opposite ends of a wooden pole inserted therein and positions the pole above the bottom wall of the fixture. A cylindrical tube is forced downwardly against the pole by an external cylinder motor and in turn forces the pole against the bottom wall of the fixture thereby bending the pole. A pair of wedge shaped members are extended through the fixture and into the intermediate member thereby holding the intermediate member downwardly against the pole in a bent configuration while the external force is removed. The method of permanently bending a green pole includes positioning a green wooden pole shortly after harvesting in the holding fixture and then bending the pole to a bent configuration with the intermediate member. The fixture with pole in the bent configuration is then inserted into a dry kiln and heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Paul J. Nobbe
  • Patent number: 5182855
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a turbine nozzle for obtaining a predetermined value of throat area between adjacent ones of nozzle vanes includes providing a first vane, providing a datum for locating the first vane relative to an adjacent vane in the turbine nozzle, and fixturing the first vane relative to the datum for providing a trailing edge nest having six supports for predeterminedly locating the first vane relative to the adjacent vane. The trailing edge nest includes four trailing edge supports for locating the vane trailing edge to define a hinge axis extending along the trailing edge about which the vane is rotatable. A radial support radially locates the vane, and a throat support predeterminedly locates the vane about the hinge axis for obtaining the predetermined value of the throat area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jack R. Martin