1. A fixture for holding tools to be processed in a rotational processing apparatus having a vessel and a drive system capable of simultaneously rotating the vessel about two separate axes of rotation, which processing is designed to finish the surface of the tools, the fixture comprising:
at least one mounting rod having first and second ends;
a plurality of spacers slidably disposed on the mounting rod;
a plurality of tools removably disposed about the rod, each tool being spaced from an adjacent tool by one of the spacers;
first and second end plates, the end plates having a radial dimension that is at least the same as a radial dimension of the tools so that the tools do not protrude radially past the end plates, the mounting rod extending between the end plates;
a spring removably disposed about the rod and located between a spacer and one of either the first or second end plates; and
means removably attached to one end of the rod for inhibiting the spacers from sliding off the rod.
2. A fixture according to claim 1 further comprising a second spring removably disposed about the rod and located between a spacer and the other of the first or second end plates.
3. A fixture according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of mounting rods extending between the first and second end plates.
4. A fixture according to claim 3 wherein the mounting rods are spaced equidistantly apart from one another, the fixture further comprising a central rod extending between and adjustably spacing the end plates apart form one another.
5. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein the spacers are made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material.
6. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein the spacers have a height of approximately 2 inches.
7. A fixture according to claim 2 wherein the tools are circular saw blades, wherein the end plates have a diameter of approximately 9 inches and are made from a polyurethane material, wherein the spacers are made from polyethylene material and have a length of approximately 2 inches, and wherein the rod is attached so as to produce a compression force on the blades greater than approximately 25 lbs.
8. A fixture for removably holding tools to be processed in a rotational processing apparatus having a vessel and a drive system capable of simultaneously rotating the vessel about two separate axes of rotation, the processing intended to surface finish the tools, the fixture comprising:
at least one mounting rod;
a plurality of spacers capable of being slidably installed on the mounting rod;
a plurality of tools capable of being installed on the rod, each tool being spaced from an adjacent tool by at least one of the spacers;
first and second end plates, the end plates having a radial dimension that is at least the same as a radial dimension of the tools so that the tools do not protrude radially past the end plates, the mounting rod extending between the end plates;
a spring removably disposed about the rod and located between a spacer and one of either the first or second end plates; and
a fastener removably attachable to each end of the rod for preventing the spacers, spring, and tools from sliding off the rod,
wherein the fixture is adapted to be disposed within the vessel without being attached to the vessel so that the fixture is capable of floating freely within and relative to the vessel when the vessel is rotated about the two separate axes of rotation.
9. The fixture according to claim 8, each of the plurality of tools having an outermost radial peripheral extent and the plates having an outermost radial peripheral extent at least equal to the outermost radial peripheral extent of each of the plurality of tools.
10. The fixture according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of spacers has at least one inwardly tapered end.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A mobile satellite antenna system comprising:
a first portion of the satellite antenna system having an elevation mechanism;
a second portion of the satellite antenna system having a dish with a dish back support structure;
quick-connect fasteners for selectively fastening the elevation mechanism of the first portion to the dish back support structure of the second portion; and
a first transportable container for containing the first portion of the satellite antenna system.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first transportable container has a top section and a bottom section and wherein the bottom section comprises:
a mounting bracket; and
said first portion attaches to said mounting bracket in said transportable container so that when the top section of the first transportable container is removed, said second portion can be connected to said first portion with said quick-connect fasteners thereby deploying said satellite antenna system using the bottom section of the first transportable container as a base for the deployed satellite antenna system.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first portion of the satellite antenna system further comprises an azimuth plate attached to the mounting bracket of the bottom section of the first transportable container.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the elevation mechanism comprises linkage bars extending from the azimuth plate to the dish back support structure of the second portion when the satellite antenna system is deployed.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second transportable container for storing the second portion of the satellite antenna system.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second transportable container further comprises a bottom section for storing the second portion of the satellite antenna system, and a top section securable to the bottom section to enclose the second portion of the satellite antenna system.
7. A quick-release method for transporting a mobile satellite antenna system, said method comprising:
removing quick-connect fasteners to disconnect an elevation mechanism of a first portion of a satellite antenna system from a second portion of the satellite antenna system having dish and a dish back support structure;
removably securing a top section of a first transportable container over bottom section of the first transportable container to enclose the first portion of the satellite antenna within the first transportable container;
placing the second portion of the satellite antenna system into a bottom section of a second transportable container; and
removably securing a top section of the second transportable container to the bottom section of the second transportable container to enclose the second portion of the satellite antenna system within the second transportable container.
8. A mobile satellite antenna system comprising:
a first transportable container having a top section and a bottom section;
a first portion of the satellite antenna system having an elevation mechanism secured to the bottom section of the first transportable container;
a second portion of the satellite antenna system having a dish with a dish back support structure;
quick-connect fasteners for selectively fastening the elevation mechanism of the first portion to the dish back support structure of the second portion;
wherein the top section of the first transportable container is removably securable to the bottom section to enclose the first portion of the satellite antenna system within the first transportable container.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising an azimuth plate mounted to the bottom section of the first transportable container and supporting the elevation mechanism.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the elevation mechanism comprises linkage bars extending from the azimuth plate to the dish back support structure of the second portion when the satellite antenna system is deployed.
11. The system of claim 8 further comprising a second transportable container for storing the second portion of the satellite antenna system.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the second transportable container further comprises a bottom section for storing the second portion of the satellite antenna system, and a top section securable to the bottom section to enclose the second portion of the satellite antenna system.