Fixturing apparatus

Abstract

A fixturing apparatus 100 , comprising a first fixturing surface 230 , and a plurality of locking teeth 210 attached to and extending outwardly from that fixturing surface 230 . Each locking tooth comprises a base 310 defined by a proximal end of a first side 320 that extends outwardly from the fixturing surface and a proximal end of a second side 340 that extends outwardly from the fixturing surface. A distal end 324 of the first side and a distal end 336 of the second side intersect at an intersection that does not overlie the base 310.

1 . A fixturing apparatus, comprising:
 a fixturing surface; and   a plurality of locking teeth extending outwardly from the fixturing surface, wherein:
 each locking tooth comprises a base defined by:
 a proximal end of a first side extending outwardly from the fixturing surface; and 
 a proximal end of an opposing, second side extending outwardly from the fixturing surface; 
 
 and 
 a distal end of the first side and a distal end of the second side intersect at an intersection that does not overlie the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fixturing surface comprises a flexible tape having an anterior side and an opposing, posterior side;   an adhesive is disposed on the posterior side of the flexible tape; and   the plurality of locking teeth is disposed on and extends outwardly from the anterior side of the flexible tape.   
     
     
         3 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a long axis and a short axis. 
     
     
         4 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the long axis of each locking tooth disposed in a column is aligned with the long axes of the other locking teeth disposed in the column. 
     
     
         5 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is a polygonal base. 
     
     
         6 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, the intersection forms a gripping portion. 
     
     
         7 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible fabric strap comprising a first end, a second end, a first surface, and an opposing second surface, wherein a first plurality of loop-type fasteners are disposed on the first surface; and   a member comprising a plurality of sides, wherein:   the fixturing surface is disposed on one side of the member; and   the first end of the fabric strap is attached to the member.   
     
     
         8 . A fixturing assembly comprising:
 a flexible tape substrate comprising, a first end, a second end, a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a tape axis extending from the first end to the second end; and   a plurality of locking teeth attached to and extending outwardly from the first surface; wherein:
 each locking tooth comprises a rectangular base defined by a proximal end of a first side and a proximal end of an opposing, second side; 
 the first side extends outwardly from the first surface; 
 the second side extends outwardly from the first surface; 
 a distal end of the first side and a distal end of the second side intersect to form an edge; and 
 the edge does not overlie the rectangular base. 
   
     
     
         9 . The fixturing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the edge forms a gripping portion. 
     
     
         10 . The fixturing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the rectangular base has a first axis and a second axis; and   the plurality of locking teeth is arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows.   
     
     
         11 . The fixturing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first axis of each locking tooth disposed in a row is aligned with the first axes of the other locking teeth disposed in the row. 
     
     
         12 . The fixturing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second axis of each locking tooth disposed in a column is aligned with the second axes of the other locking teeth disposed in the column. 
     
     
         13 . The fixturing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first side comprises a first surface area;   the second side comprises a second surface area; and   the first surface area is less than the second surface area.   
     
     
         14 . A fixturing apparatus, comprising:
 a fixturing surface; and   a plurality of locking teeth extending outwardly from the fixturing surface, wherein:   each locking tooth comprises:
 a first side extending outwardly from the fixturing surface; and 
 an opposing, second side extending outwardly from the fixturing surface; 
   a distal end of the first side and a distal end of the second side intersect at a gripping portion;   and   an internal dihedral angle defined by the fixturing surface and either the first side or the second side is greater than ninety degrees.   
     
     
         15 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the gripping portion forms an edge. 
     
     
         16 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a short axis of each locking tooth disposed in a row is aligned with the short axes of the other locking teeth disposed in the row. 
     
     
         17 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a long axis of each locking tooth disposed in a column is aligned with the long axes of the other locking teeth disposed in the column. 
     
     
         18 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the fixturing surface comprises a flexible tape having an anterior side and an opposing, posterior side;   an adhesive is disposed on the posterior side of the flexible tape; and   the plurality of locking teeth are disposed on and extend outwardly from the anterior side of the flexible tape.   
     
     
         19 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first side comprises a first surface area;   the second side comprises a second surface area; and   the first surface area is less than the second surface area.   
     
     
         20 . The fixturing apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a flexible fabric strap comprising a first end, a second end, a first surface, and an opposing second surface, wherein a first plurality of loop-type fasteners are disposed on said first surface; and   a member comprising a plurality of sides, wherein:
 the fixturing surface is disposed on one side of the member; and 
 the first end of the fabric strap is attached to the member. 
   
     
     
         21 . A fixturing apparatus, comprising:
 a pair of fixturing surfaces; and   each fixturing surface including a plurality of locking teeth extending outwardly from the corresponding fixturing surface, wherein:
 each locking tooth comprises a base defined by:
 a proximal end of a first side extending outwardly from the fixturing surface; and 
 a proximal end of an opposing, second side extending outwardly from the fixturing surface; 
 
 a distal end of the first side and a distal end of the second side intersect at an intersection that does not overlie the base; 
 and 
 the plurality of teeth for each of the pair of fixturing surfaces interlock when the plurality of teeth of one said fixturing surface is in contact with the plurality of teeth of the other said fixturing surface.