Fixture Exchange Rail System and Method of Use
First Claim
1. A fixture exchange rail system comprising:
- a first fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to a first stationary rail;
at least one other fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to at least one other stationary rail;
a movable rail disposed substantially adjacent to said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail; and
wherein said movable rail is movable between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail and is sufficiently configured to 10 selectively receive said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly thereon.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exhange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fixture exchange rail system comprising:
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a first fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to a first stationary rail; at least one other fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to at least one other stationary rail; a movable rail disposed substantially adjacent to said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail; and wherein said movable rail is movable between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail and is sufficiently configured to 10 selectively receive said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exhange rail system operable to work on a workpiece, the method comprising:
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determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; aligning a movable rail with one of a first stationary rail or at least one other stationary rail each having a respective fixture assembly assembly mounted thereto corresponding to said style of workpiece; and moving one of said respective fixture assemblies corresponding to said style of workpiece from a respective one of said first stationary rail or said at least one other stationary rail to said movable rail. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A workstation configured for work on a workpiece, the workstation comprising:
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a sensor operable to determine the style of the workpiece; a fixture exchange rail system including; a first fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to a first stationary rail; at least one other fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to at least one other stationary rail; a movable rail disposed substantially adjacent to said first stationary rail and at least one other stationary rail; and wherein said movable rail is movable between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail and is sufficiently configured to selectively receive said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly thereon. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification