US5408407A — System and method for positioning a work point

Claim 1

Independent Claim 179 words

A system for moving a work point, the system comprising: a plurality of reeving systems spaced apart from one another; a plurality of adjustable support elements, each of said support elements connected to the work point and to a corresponding reeving system to support the work point, the length of each support element between the work point and the respective reeving system determining the location of the work point with respect to at least two different spatial coordinate axes that define a vertical plane; a plurality of actuators, each of said actuators associated with a corresponding reeving system, for releasing and taking up the support element connected to the corresponding reeving system to move the work point with respect to the at least two different spatial coordinate axes; and a programmable control system for controlling at least one motion parameter of the work point in a predetermined manner by controlling the release and take up of each of said support elements to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 179 words

A system for moving a work point, the system comprising: a plurality of reeving systems spaced apart from one another; a plurality of adjustable support elements, each of said support elements connected to the work point and to a corresponding reeving system to support the work point, the length of each support element between the work point and the respective reeving system determining the location of the work point with respect to at least two different spatial coordinate axes that define a vertical plane; a plurality of actuators, each of said actuators associated with a corresponding reeving system, for releasing and taking up the support element connected to the corresponding reeving system to move the work point with respect to the at least two different spatial coordinate axes; and a programmable control system for controlling at least one motion parameter of the work point in a predetermined manner by controlling the release and take up of each of said support elements to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system according to claim 1, wherein said programmable control system controls at least two motion parameters of the work point in a predetermined manner.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system according to claim 1, wherein said programmable control system controls at least one motion parameter on a real time basis through direct operator input.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

A system according to claim 1, wherein said programmable control system is a computer control system.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said programmable control system is programmed to move the work point over a prescribed path.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said programmable control system is programmed to move the work point at a prescribed velocity.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said programmable control system is programmed to move the work point over a prescribed path at a prescribed velocity.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said programmable control system is programmed to move the work point over a prescribed path at a prescribed acceleration.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said programmable control system controls at least one motion parameter on a real time basis through direct operator input.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 16 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein each of said actuators is a power driven device.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system according to claim 10, wherein said power driven device is selected from the group consisting of electric motors, hydraulic motors and pneumatic motors.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of reeving systems is attached to a wall.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system according to claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of reeving systems is attached to the wall with a vacuum evacuated chamber.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of reeving systems is attached to a beam disposed above a wall.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of reeving systems is attached to a movable crane.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein each of said reeving systems is attached to the work point, and wherein each of said support elements is connected at one end to a known point located on a wall.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system according to claim 16, wherein the known point on the wall is the same for each of said plurality of support elements.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein the work point is a working load operating under the control of said programmable control system.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system according to claim 18, wherein said programmable control system is programmed to move the working load over a prescribed path at a prescribed velocity while simultaneously controlling the operation of the working load.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 19, wherein the working load is adapted to perform an automated cleaning operation.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 19, wherein the working load is adapted to perform an automated painting operation.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein each of said adjustable support elements is fed through its corresponding reeving system only once so that said support element has an end that is free from tension due to the work point.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system according to claim 4, wherein said support elements are selected from the group consisting of cables, telescoping cylinders, chains, belts and rack and pinion drive mechanisms.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 120 words

A system for moving a work point, the system comprising: means for taking up and releasing a plurality of support elements, said plurality of support elements supporting the work point and determining the location of the work point with respect to at least two different spatial coordinate axes that define a vertical plane, to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes; programmable control means for controlling at least one motion parameter of the work point in a predetermined manner by controlling the take up and release of each of said support elements to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 120 words

A system for moving a work point, the system comprising: means for taking up and releasing a plurality of support elements, said plurality of support elements supporting the work point and determining the location of the work point with respect to at least two different spatial coordinate axes that define a vertical plane, to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes; programmable control means for controlling at least one motion parameter of the work point in a predetermined manner by controlling the take up and release of each of said support elements to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 114 words

A method for moving a work point, the method comprising the steps of: taking up and releasing a plurality of support elements, said support elements supporting the work point and determining the location of the work point with respect to at least two different spatial coordinate axes that define a vertical plane, to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes; and controlling at least one motion parameter of the work point in a predetermined manner by controlling the take up and release of each of said support elements to move the work point with respect to the at least two different spatial coordinate axes.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 114 words

A method for moving a work point, the method comprising the steps of: taking up and releasing a plurality of support elements, said support elements supporting the work point and determining the location of the work point with respect to at least two different spatial coordinate axes that define a vertical plane, to move the work point with respect to each of the at least two different spatial coordinate axes; and controlling at least one motion parameter of the work point in a predetermined manner by controlling the take up and release of each of said support elements to move the work point with respect to the at least two different spatial coordinate axes.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-04-17	1998-10-17	1999-04-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-04-17	2002-10-17	2003-04-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-04-17	2006-10-17	2007-04-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System and method for positioning a work point

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