Adjustable part holding fixture, system and method
US10016866B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49998
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
There is provided an adjustable part holding fixture, system and method. The fixture has a base assembly with a container and a phase change material contained within the container. The fixture has a control device to convert the phase change material between a non-rigid state and a rigid state. The fixture has a plurality of part holding assemblies, each having a base anchoring portion for insertion into and positioning in the phase change material, and a part attachment portion configured to releasably attach to a surface of a part being held by the fixture. The phase change material in the non-rigid state allows for positioning of the base anchoring portion and adjusting to the part being held, and the phase change material in the rigid state holds the base anchoring portion in a desired position and holds the part in place during one or more processes performed on the part.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.