Patent ID: 11931845
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 6:
7. The method of claim 6, wherein a first plurality of elongated members of the first strongback apparatus comprises a first pair of peripheral elongated members that define longitudinal edges of a first arcuate central body of the first strongback apparatus, and
wherein a second plurality of elongated members of the second strongback apparatus comprises a second pair of peripheral elongated members that define longitudinal edges of a second arcuate central body,
the method further comprising:
attaching a plurality of spreader arms to the first pair of peripheral elongated members and the second pair of peripheral elongated members, wherein the plurality of spreader arms comprise (i) proximal ends removably attached to the first pair of peripheral elongated members and the second pair of peripheral elongated members and (ii) distal ends having winches; and
while pulling the first section and the second section of the first tubular structure away from the second tubular structure in the radially outward direction:
attaching a plurality of winch straps between the plurality of spreader arms and the first tubular structure, wherein the plurality of winch straps comprise (i) first ends attached to the winches and (ii) second ends having clips attached to the first tubular structure; and
operating the winches to tighten the plurality of winch straps, thereby pulling the first tubular structure farther away from the second tubular structure.