US 12,344,402 B1
Angularly adjustable support tool indexes and related methods
Chester J. Hill, IV, Grafton, IL (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, WA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on May 22, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/671,163.
Int. Cl. B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B23P 19/12 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/10 (2017.01) [B23P 19/12 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49778 (2015.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An angularly adjustable support tool index for aligning a tool relative to a hole of a part, the angularly adjustable support tool index comprising:
an index component comprising an indexing face positioned against the part;
a trapped ball and socket joint configured to allow pivotal adjustment of the index component with respect to a support fixture, wherein the support fixture is configured to adjust the index component to align with and support the part;
a bushing coupling the index component to the trapped ball and socket joint; and
a retaining lock configured to secure the bushing in place with respect to the support fixture, wherein the retaining lock is configured to lock the trapped ball and socket joint from movement and maintain a set position of the index component when the retaining lock is engaged with a shoulder of the bushing, and wherein the retaining lock is configured to be selectively translated away from the shoulder of the bushing to allow adjustment of the index component with respect to the support fixture.