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. 07, 1992
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1991
Peter D McCowin, Enumclaw, WA (US);
Hugh R Schlosstein, Renton, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A stringer clip end effector (21) suitable for use with a computer-controlled (CC) machine tool is disclosed. The stringer clip end effector (21) includes a pair of jaws (45,47) for picking up a clip (23) at a presentation location. After being moved by the CC machine tool to an insertion location adjacent to a hat-shaped stringer (31), a pair of cams (60a, 60b) located on opposite sides of the clip (23) are extended into the stringer cavity (25) and rotated to spread the stringer walls (27,29). Thereafter, the clip (23) is positioned in the stringer cavity (25). Then, the cams (60a, 60b) are rotated to a nonspread position, and clamp elements (49a, 49b, 51a, 51b) are actuated to press the walls (27, 29) of the stringer (31) against the clip (23). Next, drill bits (57a, 57b, 59a, 59b) that face the outer surface of the stringer walls (27, 29) are energized and moved toward the stringer walls. After holes are drilled through the stringer walls and the clip, the drill bits are withdrawn. Thereafter, the clip (23) is either released while lying between the walls of the stringer (31), or withdrawn from the stringer (31) and moved to a temporary storage location.