Conformable tool
US5168635A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B5/207
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for approximating a workpiece contour. The conformable tool includes a support plate having a plurality of apertures and a two dimensional arrangement of a plurality of pins, each of which is slidably disposed within a corresponding aperture of the support plate. A plurality of locking members works in concert to simultaneously lock the plurality of pins in position once the pins have effectively approximated the contour. The conformable tool is pressed against the three dimensional contour of the workpiece so that each pin is displaced in response to the workpiece contour. The pins are then simultaneously locked in place by the locking members and the conformable tool is removed from the workpiece contour so that the conformable tool can be used as a forming base to reproduce the workpiece surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.