Manufacturing frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11795595-B2
Application number	US-201816168364-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2018
Priority date	Oct 24, 2017
Publication date	Oct 24, 2023
Grant date	Oct 24, 2023

Abstract

A manufacturing frame comprises one or more alignment tabs. Each alignment tab comprises an alignment element. The alignment element interacts with a corresponding alignment element at a manufacturing station to identify to the manufacturing station the position and orientation of the frame. The frame supports a flexible material in a known position and orientation relative to the frame, allowing the manufacturing station to infer the position and orientation of the flexible material on the frame from the interaction of the alignment elements on the frame and the manufacturing station.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A frame for use in manufacturing having a long side and a short side, the frame comprising:
a perimeter defined by the long side, a second, opposing long side, the short side, and a second, opposing short side;
a gasket incorporated with the frame, wherein the gasket is compressible and capable of securing a material to the frame;
a first alignment tab extending from the frame long side, the first alignment tab comprising an alignment element, wherein the first alignment tab and the alignment element allow for positioning of the frame at a manufacturing station and defining an origin for a manufacturing process to occur within a center area defined by the perimeter; and
an ejection pin that is capable of separating the frame from a second frame by pushing the frame away from the second frame, the second frame configured to coextensively mate with the frame.

2. The frame of claim 1 , further comprising a second alignment tab, the second alignment tab comprising a second alignment element.

3. The frame of claim 2 , wherein the second alignment tab extends from the frame long side, in an orientation the same as an orientation of the first alignment tab.

4. The frame of claim 3 , wherein the first alignment tab is within 150 mm of the frame short side, and the second alignment tab is within 150 mm of the second, opposing short side.

5. The frame of claim 2 , wherein the alignment element of the first alignment tab is positioned symmetrically about a center axis of the frame to the second alignment element.

6. The frame of claim 2 , wherein the alignment element of the first alignment tab is positioned asymmetrically about a center axis of the frame to the second alignment element.

7. The frame of claim 1 , wherein the alignment element protrudes from the first alignment tab.

8. The frame of claim 1 , wherein the alignment element is a discontinuity in at least a surface of the first alignment tab.

9. The frame of claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning element for securing the material within the frame.

10. The frame of claim 1 , further comprising a support structure for supporting the material within the frame.

11. The frame of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is discontinuous.

12. The frame of claim 1 further comprising a top frame and a bottom frame, wherein the gasket is incorporated with at least one of the top frame or the bottom frame.

13. The frame of claim 12 , wherein the top frame comprises a bottom surface and the bottom frame comprises a top surface, wherein the gasket is incorporated with the top frame on the bottom surface or the bottom frame on the top surface.

14. The frame of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is incorporated with the frame on at least one of a top surface or a bottom surface of a component forming the frame.

15. The frame of claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a groove and the gasket is incorporated with the frame at the groove.

16. A frame for use in manufacturing, the frame comprising:
a first frame comprising:
(1) a first plurality of magnetic elements secured to the first frame;
(2) a first plurality of pins secured to the first frame, wherein the first plurality of pins are positioned around the first frame for securing a material extending across a center area of the first frame;
(3) a first aperture extending through the first frame;

a second frame configured to coextensively mate with the first frame, the second frame comprising:
(1) a second plurality of magnetic elements secured to the second frame, wherein the first plurality of magnetic elements and the second plurality of magnetic elements are cooperatively positioned to magnetically attract the first frame and the second frame in the coextensively mated configuration;
(2) a solid portion of the second frame configured to align with the first aperture of the first frame when in the coextensively mated configuration with the second frame; and
an alignment tab extending from the frame when the second frame is coextensively mated with the first frame; and
an ejection pin that separates the first frame from the second frame by pushing the first frame away from the second frame.

17. The frame of claim 16 , wherein the frame is rectilinear.

18. The frame of claim 16 , wherein the frame comprises aluminum or steel.

19. The frame of claim 16 , wherein the first plurality of pins comprises at least 40 pins.

20. The frame of claim 16 , wherein the first aperture does not extend through the second frame.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Baggen Jared S
• Barney Bruce Alan
• Dehaven Daniel B
• Kilgore Bruce J
• Terlizzi John Joseph

Classifications

• D06C3/08 Primary

  by frames or like apparatus · CPC title

• A43B23/0245 Primary

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title

• A43D8/00 Primary

  Machines for cutting, ornamenting, marking or otherwise working up shoe part blanks (pulling-over or lasting A43D9/00 - A43D23/00; making or fastening soles, heels or welts A43D25/00 - A43D83/00) · CPC title

• A43D8/003

  specially adapted for forming upper blanks or leggings by stretching · CPC title

• B26D7/015

  for sheet material or piles of sheets (B26D7/018 and B26D7/02 take precedence) · CPC title