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:
Jul. 28, 2020
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2018
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Matthew B. Moore, Mukilteo, WA (US);
Lile P. Squires, Spokane Valley, WA (US);
Patrick B. Stone, Monroe, WA (US);
Jeffrey A. Zornes, Mukilteo, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An airframe handling apparatus is operable to support and move a partially assembled aircraft fuselage. The aircraft fuselage is incomplete, lacking a wing and landing gear. The apparatus is attachable to the aircraft fuselage in place of the wing and landing gear, utilizing wing attachment structures on the aircraft fuselage that are designed for flight loads. With the aircraft fuselage attached to the apparatus, the entire fuselage is supported on the apparatus that can be operated to move and manipulate the aircraft fuselage as if the wing and landing gear were present. With the apparatus attached to the aircraft fuselage, movement of the fuselage by the apparatus imparts no handling-induced internal loads on the aircraft fuselage, and maximizes unobstructed access to the exterior surface of the fuselage for painting and other surface preparations.