US 11,753,186 B2
Flexible truss systems and methods of transferring flexible composite parts using such systems
Caleb J. Handolescu, Ladson, SC (US); Luis F. Velasquez, Ladson, SC (US); and Allen James Halbritter, Ladson, SC (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/900,434.
Prior Publication US 2021/0387747 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. B64F 5/50 (2017.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B25J 15/06 (2006.01); B25J 9/12 (2006.01); B29C 70/54 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/50 (2017.01) [B25J 9/123 (2013.01); B25J 15/0052 (2013.01); B25J 15/0095 (2013.01); B25J 15/0616 (2013.01); B25J 15/0625 (2013.01); B29C 70/541 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flexible truss mechanism comprising:
flexible elongated members, extending along a principal axis of the flexible truss mechanism;
slidable ribs, coupled to each of the flexible elongated members and supporting the flexible elongated members with respect to each other, wherein:
the slidable ribs are spaced apart from each other along the principal axis of the flexible truss mechanism;
the slidable ribs are configured to receive and support one or more composite pick-and-place mechanisms; and
each of the slidable ribs is slidably coupled to at least one of the flexible elongated members, thereby allowing each of the slidable ribs to slide relative to the at least one of the flexible elongated members along the principal axis and allowing the flexible elongated members to bend about at least one axis, perpendicular to the principal axis.