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:
Feb. 29, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 13, 1998
Allen D Hertz, Boca Raton, FL (US);
Anthony A Imm, Sunrise, FL (US);
J Stephen Wiggs, Parkland, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for a flexible support system using elongated support members to support a face of a workpiece. The flexible support members are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material, where the elongated support members are raised to the maximum designed position, the shafts of the elongated support members are subjected to a resistive force, the position of the elongated support members are adjusted by the contacting forces applied by bringing the workpiece and the flexible support assembly together, then applying a locking force to secure the elongated support members where the elongated support members can sustain the loads applied during the operation onto the workpiece. Additionally, methods are disclosed which allow the elongated support members to optionally drop upon reaching a designed position.