Device, system, and method for securing an irregularly shaped device, including those with discontinuous contours, in a fixture

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus, system, method of use, and method of manufacturing said apparatus, for securing an object having an irregular outer contour, including those objects having a discontinuous contour, in a standard fixture. While secured in the standard fixture modified as in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a secured object can easily be accessed at any point as pre-determined by the user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONA device for securing an irregularly-shaped object, including those objects having discontinuous contours, in a fixture, method of the device's use, and method of manufacture therefor.BACKGROUNDA need for a means to secure irregularly shaped bulky objects, including those with discontinuous contours, in standard fixtures was summarized in the following criteria: Capable of securing an object having an irregular external cross-section, that is not necessarily continuous, along an axis suitable for rotation of the object Capable of fitting within overall outer dimension of existing fixture(s) Capable of supporting an object that weighs within limits designed to be held by existing fixture(s) Capable of permitting ready access to all areas of the object Capable of meeting safety proof testing requirements to support handling equipment safety certification procedures, as per NAWCWPNS Memorandum 84E000D / 001, Jan. 2, 1997, incorporated by reference herein.There exist...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Advantages of preferred embodiments, include permitting: simplified testing by using COTS hardware as the basic holding fixture; simplified maintenance on objects having an irregular configuration; inexpensive fixtures that use inserts or adapters fitting standard COTS cradles; improved safety by providing a simple, inexpensive, stabilizing holding fixture manufacturing of necessary inserts or adapters on site if need be; reduced man-hours for maintenance and testing; reduced tooling complexity; reduced tooling inventory; reduced tooling capital costs; lower maintenance costs through improved productivity; increased flexibility; high reliability; and ready upgradability.

Employment of a preferred embodiment of the present invention saves capital equipment, as well as training and maintenance, costs. Further, a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be used as inserts or adapters for commercially available units thus providing a ready source of base fixtures for adapting to any future holding requirements.

Problems solved by technology

However, the fixture is specifically manufactured for that purpose and is not readily adaptable to existing tooling or commercially available fixtures.

Further, modular adjustable holding fixtures, such as those produced by the method detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,348, Method of Forming a Modularized Adjustable Holding Fixture, issued to Haas et al, Mar. 7, 2000, do not provide the accessibility required to meet the above stated criteria nor are they readily adaptable to existing commercially available fixtures.

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