Patent ID: 6231035
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A fixture for holding a workpiece in a predetermined position during a manufacturing operation, said fixture comprising:a support having a surface sized and shaped for receiving the workpiece during the manufacturing operation, said surface having a reference point for locating and orienting the workpiece in the predetermined position;a clamp mounted on the support for clamping the workpiece in a fixed position with respect to the reference point to hold the workpiece in the predetermined position; anda brace mounted on the support for bracing the workpiece to prevent the workpiece from deforming during the manufacturing operation, said brace having at least two jaws adapted for clamping the workpiece when received by the support to prevent movement of the workpiece toward or away from the support, said jaws having a closed position in which the jaws are spaced apart a first distance sufficiently small to grip the workpiece and an open position in which the jaws are spaced apart a second distance larger than said first distance sufficiently large to release the workpiece to permit the workpiece to be removed from the support, said brace being mounted on the support so as to permit at least one of the jaws to move generally parallel to the surface when moving from the open position to the closed position to compensate for geometric variation in the workpiece thereby permitting the brace to align itself to the workpiece and preventing the brace from moving the workpiece out of the predetermined position when the workpiece is clamped against the reference point and so as to prevent the jaws from moving substantially normal to the surface to prevent the workpiece from moving toward or away from the support when the jaws are in the closed position.