SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING AN OBJECT DURING APPLICATION OF SURFACE COATING

• US 20090283035A1
• Filed: 10/01/2007
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Bucci
• Original Assignee: Michael Bucci
• Inventors: Bucci, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,347,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 118/500
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/02 Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work B05B13/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 11/00 Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders for holding or positioning work for welding, soldering, or cutting by applying heat locally B23K37/04; specially adapted to machine tools B23Q3/00

Abstract

A system is provided that is capable of supporting an object during application of surface coating that would enable access to multiple surfaces of the object while minimizing the impact on any surface that has not dried. The system provides stable support for the object during the application process and allows the coatings of all surfaces to dry with minimal effect on the coated surface. The system comprises a plurality of support units. Each support unit comprises a base portion and a contact portion. Each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform and contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating. The plurality of support units together supports the object above the work platform.

Claims

1. A system for supporting an object during application of surface coating, the system comprising:

a plurality of support units, each support unit comprising a base portion and a contact portion opposite the base portion,

wherein each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform, and wherein each contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating, such that the plurality of support units together support the object above the work platform.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each support unit comprises a cone, such that the base portion comprises a base of the cone and the contact portion comprises a vertex of the cone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each support unit comprises a polyhedron, the polyhedron comprising a plurality of faces and at least one vertex.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises one of a face or a plurality of vertices, and wherein the contact portion comprises at least one vertex.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the polyhedron comprises a tetrahedron, the tetrahedron comprising four triangular faces.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the polyhedron comprises a tetrahedron, the tetrahedron comprising three triangular faces defining a hollow cavity, an edge of each of the three faces together defining an opening to the hollow cavity.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one vertex has a curved exterior surface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support units further comprises means for securing the support unit to the work platform.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the securing means comprise at least one of:

(1) a protrusion adapted to fit securely within a recess formed in the work platform;

(2) a recess formed within the support unit to receive a support platform protrusion adapted to fit securely within the support unit recess;

(3) a strap;

or (4) a magnet.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of spacer arms, each spacer arm connected to two support units and adapted to maintain a position of one support unit relative to one other support unit.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein a length of at least one spacer arm is adjustable.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the work platform comprises a rotating turntable, and wherein the plurality of spacer arms is affixed to the rotating turntable.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a spacer frame connected to each of the support units and adapted to maintain a position of each support unit relative to each other support unit.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the work platform comprises a rotating turntable, and wherein the spacer frame is affixed to the rotating turntable.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the support units further comprises a cavity formed within the support unit, the cavity shaped to receive a portion of any other support unit such that one support unit can nest within another support unit.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the support units further comprises at least one flange extending outwardly from the base portion, the flange defining a through-hole for receiving a fastener capable of securing the support unit to the work platform.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the support units is affixed to the work platform.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the support units is movably affixed to the work platform.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the support units and work platform are configured to raise, lower, tilt, or spin.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein each support unit further comprises three triangular faces defining a hollow cavity, an edge of each of the three triangular faces together defining an opening to the hollow cavity.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact portion of each support unit comprises a vertex formed by a junction of the three triangular faces.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the vertex has a curved exterior surface.

13. The system of 12, wherein the plurality of spacer arms is affixed to the rotating turntable by means of a substantially centrally located hub and a plurality of peripherally located supports, each spacer arm affixed to the hub and one of the supports.

24. A system for supporting an object during application of surface coating, the system comprising:

a plurality of support units, each support unit comprising a polyhedron, each polyhedron comprising a plurality of faces, a plurality of edges, and a plurality of vertices, at least three of the edges forming a base portion, at least one vertex forming a contact portion opposite the base portion, at least one vertex having a curved exterior surface, at least one face defining a hole, each of the support units further comprising a cavity formed within the support unit, the cavity shaped to receive a portion of any other support unit such that one support unit can nest within another support unit;

wherein each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform, and wherein each contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating, such that the plurality of support units together support the object above the work platform.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for securing the support unit to the work platform.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a plurality of spacer arms, each spacer arm connected to two support units and adapted to maintain a position of one support unit relative to one other support unit.

27. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a spacer frame connected to each of the support units and adapted to maintain a position of each support unit relative to each other support unit.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein each of the support units further comprises at least one flange extending outwardly from the base portion, the flange defining a through-hole for receiving a fastener capable of securing the support unit to the work platform.