Patent US476913A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5455765A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5455765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vision assisted fixture construction
Assignee: Sensor Adaptive Machines Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-29
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Granted: 1995-10-03
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Expires: 2013-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A new method and apparatus for fabrication or alignment of fixtures, jigs and structures is disclosed. The invention uses target points on one or more details which are referenced to the overall structure via targets on the details. These targets are monitored by a TV camera unit which is alternatively interfaced to a display for the human operator or a robot to provide position data. The interface may include input from a CAD system which allows display on robot coordinates to be offset by design data of the structure or a part to be located on it. While mainly envisioned for assistance in constructing fixtures for automobile assembly, the disclosed invention is widely useable for all types of construction including aircraft, bridges, boats, buses, houses, buildings and the like. A means for improving resolution of automatically servoed camera based systems is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pryor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:53
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/4097; B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/16; B25J9/1694; B25J9/1697; G05B19/418; G05B19/41805; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36503; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37205; G05B2219/37572; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45055; G05B2219/50; G05B2219/50132; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49764; Y10T29/49769; Y10T29/49778; Y10T29/4978
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a part locating detail extending from the framework comprising the steps of: automatically moving the part locating detail into a desired position relative to the framework with a suitable robot; holding the moved part locating detail in place with the robot; and locking the part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework with an automatic locking device to form the fixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a part locating detail extending from the framework comprising the steps of: automatically moving the part locating detail into a desired position relative to the framework with a suitable robot; holding the moved part locating detail in place with the robot; and locking the part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework with an automatic locking device to form the fixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 1 and further including the step of verifying that the part locating detail is in the desired position relative to the framework after the locking step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moving step moves the part locating detail in at least four degrees of freedom movements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking step includes the step of welding with the automatic locking device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 2 wherein said moving step moves the part locating detail in at least four degrees of freedom movements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 5 wherein said locking step includes the step of welding with the automatic locking device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said verifying step includes the step of providing the part locating detail with targets and the step of sensing the position of the targets relative to a base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said automatic moving step includes the step of referencing a data base of a computer to determine the desired position of the part locating detail and the step of directing the movements of the robot by the computer after determining the desired position of the part locating detail.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a part locating detail extending from the framework comprising: a robot means for moving the part locating detail into the desired position relative to the framework and then for holding the moved part locating detail in place; and an automatic locking means for locking the part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework to form the fixture.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
81 words
A system for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a part locating detail extending from the framework comprising: a robot means for moving the part locating detail into the desired position relative to the framework and then for holding the moved part locating detail in place; and an automatic locking means for locking the part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework to form the fixture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 9 and further including a verifying means for verifying that the part locating detail is in the desired position relative to the framework after locking by said locking means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 9 wherein said robot means moves the part locating detail in at least four degrees of freedom movements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 9 wherein said locking means includes a welding device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 10 wherein said moving step moves the part locating detail in at least four degrees of freedom movements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 13 wherein said locking means includes a welding device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 10 wherein said verifying means includes targets located on the part locating detail and a target sensing means for sensing the position of the targets relative to a base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 9 wherein said robot means includes a computer having a data base for determining the desired position of the part locating detail and for directing the movements of the robot means after determining the desired position of the part locating detail.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a plurality of independently movable part locating details extending from the framework, said method comprising the steps of: automatically and independently moving at least one of the part locating details into a desired position relative to the framework with a suitable moving means; holding the moved part locating detail in place with the moving means; and locking the locating detail in the held position relative to the framework to form the fixture.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a plurality of independently movable part locating details extending from the framework, said method comprising the steps of: automatically and independently moving at least one of the part locating details into a desired position relative to the framework with a suitable moving means; holding the moved part locating detail in place with the moving means; and locking the locating detail in the held position relative to the framework to form the fixture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 17 and further including the step of verifying that the part locating detail is in the desired position relative to the framework after the locking step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 18 wherein said verifying step includes the step of providing the part locating detail with a target and the step of sensing the position of the target relative to a base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 17 wherein said automatic moving step includes the step of referencing a data base of a computer to determine the respective desired position of the part locating detail and the step of directing the movements of the moving means by the computer after determining the desired position of the part locating detail.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 17 wherein said locking step includes the step of welding the part locating detail.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 17 and further including the steps of: automatically and independently moving a second part locating detail into a desired second position relative to the framework with a suitable moving means; holding the moved second part locating detail in place with the moving means; and locking the second part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework to form the fixture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 22 and further including the step of verifying that the second part locating detail is in the second desired position relative to the framework after the locking step.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 23 wherein said verifying step includes the step of providing the second part locating detail with a second target and the step of sensing the position of the second target relative to a base.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 21 wherein said automatic moving step includes the step of referencing a data base of a computer to determine the desired second position of the second part locating detail and the step of directing the movements of the moving means by the computer after determining the desired second position of the second part locating detail.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a plurality of independently movable part locating details extending from the framework comprising: a moving means for automatically and independently moving at least one of the part locating details into a desired position relative to the framework and then for holding the at least one moved part locating detail in place; and an automatic locking means for locking the at least one part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for constructing a fixture for holding a part in place wherein the fixture is provided with a framework and a plurality of independently movable part locating details extending from the framework comprising: a moving means for automatically and independently moving at least one of the part locating details into a desired position relative to the framework and then for holding the at least one moved part locating detail in place; and an automatic locking means for locking the at least one part locating detail in the held position relative to the framework.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 26 and further including a verifying means for verifying that the at least one part locating detail is in the desired position relative to the framework after locking by said locking means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 21 wherein said verifying means includes a target located on the at least one part locating detail and a target sensing means for sensing the position of the target relative to a base.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 26 wherein said moving means includes a computer having a data base for determining the desired position of the at least one part locating detail and for directing the movements of the moving means after determining the desired position of the at least one part locating detail.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 26 wherein said locking means includes a welding device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 26 wherein said moving means further automatically and independently moves a second part locating detail into a desired second position relative to the framework and then holds the second moved part locating detail in place; and said automatic locking means further locks the second part locating detail in the held second position relative to the framework.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 31 wherein said verifying means further verifies that the second part locating detail is in the second desired position relative to the framework after locking by said locking means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 32 wherein said verifying means includes a second target located on the second part locating detail and the target sensing means senses the position of the second target relative to the base.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for constructing a fixture as claimed in claim 31 wherein said computer of said moving means further has a data base for determining the desired second position of the second part locating detail and further directs the movements of the moving means after determining the desired second position of the second part locating detail.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-02 | 1999-04-03 | 1999-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-02 | 2003-04-03 | 2003-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-02 | 2007-04-03 | 2007-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |