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. 30, 2010
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2006
Applicants:
Robert Dixon, Everett, WA (US);
Jon Buckmiller, Everett, WA (US);
Richard Irvine, Everett, WA (US);
Inventors:
Assignee:
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B23Q 1/25 (2006.01); B25B 1/22 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A device for positioning a workpiece includes a socket body rotatably held on a metallic ball by an array of permanent magnets arranged into a partial socket. An air delivery system controls a flow of air passing between the magnets and the ball to alter the friction between the socket body and the ball. A positive flow of air into the socket reduces the friction, allowing the workpiece to be more easily rotated during repositioning, whereas drawing air away from the socket produces a partial vacuum which increases the friction, causing the socket body to be locked in a single position on the ball.