The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2019
Filed:
Jan. 22, 2016
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Eric Eldon Deck, St. Louis, MO (US);
Steven J. Burpo, St. Charles, MO (US);
Allyson Antonio, Florissant, MO (US);
David John Sundquist, St. Peters, MO (US);
Trevor Lee Howard, St. Louis, MO (US);
Zachary Benjamin Renwick, Joliet, IL (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A drape forming apparatus for that includes a forming tool including an upper forming surface and a side forming surface extending from the upper forming surface. The forming tool receives a layer of composite material over the upper forming surface. The apparatus includes a flange forming device including an upper plate, a lower plate, and a receiving slot defined therebetween. The receiving slot receives a flange portion of the layer of composite material, and the flange forming device is translatable relative to the forming tool such that the flange portion of the layer of composite material is withdrawn from the receiving slot and draped over the side forming surface. The apparatus includes a pressurized bladder that extends over the forming tool and the upper plate. The pressurized bladder forces the flange portion against the side forming surface as the flange forming device translates relative to the forming tool.