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. 03, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 02, 2005
Darrell D. Jones, Mill Creek, WA (US);
Kurtis S. Willden, Kent, WA (US);
Michael A. Lee, Kent, WA (US);
Richard B. Evans, Maple Valley, WA (US);
Darrell D. Jones, Mill Creek, WA (US);
Kurtis S. Willden, Kent, WA (US);
Michael A. Lee, Kent, WA (US);
Richard B. Evans, Maple Valley, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for securing a plurality of stringers to a mandrel during lay-up is provided, the plurality of stringers and mandrel forming a lay-up surface. The apparatus includes a vacuum source and a first vacuum attachment assembly in communication with said vacuum source to tightly secure the first vacuum attachment assembly down against the lay-up surface. A second vacuum attachment assembly is provided in communication with the vacuum source to force it tightly down against the lay-up. A flexible spacer is in rigid communication with the second vacuum attachment assembly and includes an extended end in communication with the first vacuum attachment assembly such that the flexible spacer presses one of the stringers against the mandrel.