Patent ID: 6606955
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
An adaptive parts carrying and manufacturing pallet comprising:a frame, a series of substantially parallel guide plates attached to the frame, the guide plates having a matrix of guide holes or slots, a series of actuator plates that are substantially parallel to said guide plates and supported by slots within the frame, each actuator plate of the series of actuator plates capable of extending through and being displaceable within the respective slot of the slots, and the series of actuator plates having a matrix of holes or slots substantially aligned with and complementary to the guide holes or slots of the guide plates, a matrix of pins extending through and displaceable within the matrix of holes or slots of the guide plates and the series of actuator plates, an actuator that applies a shear force to the series of actuator plates, said series of actuator plates transferring said shear force to the pins to lock the pins in a fixed vertical position relative to said guide plates whereby to form a cradle for holding a part or work piece in place, said actuator being released to apply a spring-loaded shear force against said series of actuator plates to lock the pins, and a latch to latch said series of actuator plates in alignment with said series of guide plates.