Transportable manufacturing system

• US 20040219002A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JLG Industries Incorporated (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Original Assignee: JLG Industries Incorporated (Oshkosh Corporation)
• Inventors: Theunissen, Dirk, Lenaers, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US10/426,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20040219002A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/459
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/025 screw operated

Abstract

A transportable manufacturing system is provided for lifting and positioning a load. The system includes a first support member and a second support member separate and independent from the first support member. Each of the support members includes a support base and a load supporting frame coupled with the support base. The load supporting frame contains a movable load coupling attachable to the load, wherein each support base includes at least one selectively operable air bearing that generates an air cushion for supporting the first and second support members, respectively. The system can be readily positioned within a manufacturing facility or even relocated from one facility to another. Additionally, the system occupies less space than conventional machinery.

Claims

1. A transportable manufacturing system for lifting and positioning a load, the manufacturing system comprising a first support member and a second support member separate and independent from the first support member, wherein each of the first and second support members includes a support base and a load supporting frame coupled with the support base, each load supporting frame comprising a movable load coupling attachable to the load, wherein each support base comprises at least one selectively operable air bearing that generates an air cushion for supporting the first and second support members, respectively.

2. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second support members are functionally cooperable by supporting opposite ends of the load.

3. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein each load supporting frame comprises two load coupling support rails, and wherein the load coupling is secured to the load supporting frame via the support rails for reciprocating displacement along the support rails.

4. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second support members further comprises a lifting mechanism coupled with each load supporting frame, respectively, the lifting mechanism driving the load coupling along the support rails.

5. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 4, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a threaded rod coupled for rotation by a motor.

6. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 3, wherein each load coupling comprises a load mount that is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the support rails.

7. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 6, wherein the load mount of the first support member is driven by a motor.

8. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein each load supporting frame comprises means for movably supporting the load coupling in at least two degrees of freedom.

9. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 8, wherein the movably supporting means supports the load coupling for substantially vertical displacement and for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the load.

10. A transportable manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein each support base comprises four air bearings disposed substantially at each of four corners of each support base.

11. A modular manufacturing facility comprising a plurality of transportable manufacturing systems for lifting and positioning a respective load defining an assembly line,

each of the transportable manufacturing systems comprising a first support member and a second support member separate and independent from the first support member,

wherein each of the first and second support members includes a support base and a load supporting frame coupled with the support base, each load supporting frame comprising a movable load coupling attachable to the load,

wherein each support base comprises at least one selectively operable air bearing that generates an air cushion for supporting the first and second support members, respectively.

12. A modular manufacturing facility according to claim 11, further comprising an air compressor serving as a source of compressed air for each of the plurality of transportable manufacturing systems, wherein the air bearings comprise pneumatic drive motors coupled with the air compressor.