US 12,005,538 B2
Methods and systems for supporting and positioning mechanical components or tools
Matthew Lee Prendergast, Covington, WA (US); Nicholas J. Brimlow, Sammamish, WA (US); Arthur Eugene Whitson, Jr., Bainbridge Island, WA (US); and James T. Johnstone, Burien, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on May 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/334,310.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/057,821, filed on Jul. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0032412 A1, Feb. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. B23Q 1/26 (2006.01)
CPC B23Q 1/26 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A work stand for a mechanical component or tool, comprising:
a moveable base;
a vertical support member disposed on the moveable base;
a support platform attached to an upper end of the vertical support member via a support coupling that permits independent rotational movement between the support platform and the upper end of the vertical support member around two orthogonal axes;
a plurality of extendable arms, each extendable arm being pivotally coupled at a lower end to the vertical support member, and pivotally coupled at an upper end to the support platform, wherein each extendable arm independently and controllably extends and retracts; and
a controller coupled to each of the plurality of extendable arms, wherein the controller independently controls a length of each extendable arm by extending and retracting said extendable arm, such that the controller positions the support platform in a desired orientation by cooperatively adjusting the length of each of the plurality of extendable arms; and
a user input coupled to the controller and allowing a user to employ the controller to position the support platform in the desired orientation.