US4155169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compliant assembly system device
Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1978-03-16
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Granted: 1979-05-22
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Expires: 1998-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A compliant assembly system device including operator means for holding parts to be assembled; first and second interconnected deformable structures for supporting the operator means; the first deformable structure including a deformable portion having a first center being responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about the first center; the second deformable structure including a deformable portion having a second center spaced from the first center and remote from the system, being responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about the second remote center; the force causing generally equal and opposite offsetting rotations about the first and second centers which result in translational motion of the assembly device and a moment causing generally equal and opposite offsetting translations which result in rotation of the assembly device about an intermediate compliance center between the first and second centers at or near the parts to be assembled.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel H. Drake
- 👤 Sergio N. Simunovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:56
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/10; B23P19/102; B23P19/12; B25; B25J; B25J17/00; B25J17/02; B25J17/0208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A deformable structure compliance for a compliant system comprising: operator means for holding parts to be assembled; first and second interconnected deformable structures for supporting said operator means; said first deformable structure including a deformable portion having a first center and being responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about said first center; said second deformable structure including a deformable portion having a second center spaced from said first center and remote from said system and being responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about said remote second center; said force causing generally equal and opposite offsetting rotations about said first and second centers which result in translational motion of the operator means and said moment causing generally equal and opposite offsetting translations which result in rotation of the operator means about a remote intermediate compliance center between said first and second centers at or near the points to be assembled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A deformable structure compliance for a compliant system comprising: operator means for holding parts to be assembled; first and second interconnected deformable structures for supporting said operator means; said first deformable structure including a deformable portion having a first center and being responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about said first center; said second deformable structure including a deformable portion having a second center spaced from said first center and remote from said system and being responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about said remote second center; said force causing generally equal and opposite offsetting rotations about said first and second centers which result in translational motion of the operator means and said moment causing generally equal and opposite offsetting translations which result in rotation of the operator means about a remote intermediate compliance center between said first and second centers at or near the points to be assembled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 in which said first deformable structure includes at least three deformable portions extending radially outwardly from said first center.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 in which said second deformable structure includes at least three deformable portions interconnected with the first deformable structure, remote from the first center and extending transversely to the first deformable structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
198 words
A deformable structure compliance for a compliant assembly system comprising: operator means for holding parts to be assembled; first and second interconnected deformable structures for supporting the operator means; said first deformable structure including at least three deformable portions extending radially outwardly from a first center and responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the free end of the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about said first center; said second deformable structure including at least three deformable portions interconnected with the first deformable structure, remote from said first center and extending transversely to said first deformable structure and responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the free end of the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about a remote second center spaced from said first center; said force causing generally equal and opposite rotations about said first and second centers which result in translational motion of the operator means and said moment causing generally equal and opposite offsetting translations of the operator means which result in rotation of the operator means about a remote intermediate compliance center between said first and second centers' operator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
A deformable structure compliance for a compliant assembly system comprising: operator means for holding parts to be assembled; first and second interconnected deformable structures for supporting the operator means; said first deformable structure including at least three deformable portions extending radially outwardly from a first center and responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the free end of the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about said first center; said second deformable structure including at least three deformable portions interconnected with the first deformable structure, remote from said first center and extending transversely to said first deformable structure and responsive to a force and to a moment applied to the free end of the operator means to permit rotation of the operator means about a remote second center spaced from said first center; said force causing generally equal and opposite rotations about said first and second centers which result in translational motion of the operator means and said moment causing generally equal and opposite offsetting translations of the operator means which result in rotation of the operator means about a remote intermediate compliance center between said first and second centers' operator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 4 in which said deformable portions of at least one of said deformable structures are discrete elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 4 in which said deformable portions of at least one of said deformable structures are integrally formed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 4 in which said deformable portions of said second deformable structure converge towards said second center.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 4 further including an intermediate rigid member for joining deformable portions of said first and second deformable structures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 4 in which the operator means interconnects with the center of said first deformable structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 4 in which said deformable portions of said first deformable structure extend generally in the same plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-21 | 1982-11-20 | 1983-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-21 | 1986-11-20 | 1987-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-21 | 1990-11-20 | 1991-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |