Metal deforming – By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively... – With plural spaced clamps
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-10-30
Larson, Lowell A. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By use of non-deforming work-gripping clamp and relatively...
With plural spaced clamps
C072S705000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308550
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of support structures for holding a vehicle chassis on which work is to be done, such as designing a new vehicle body or chassis, assembling component parts thereto, and the like. The support structure in this case is modular, in that its component parts may be readily assembled and disassembled, as well as being mobile, having wheels whereby it can be readily rolled from one location to another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The modular mobile bench in accordance with this invention and the fixture holders which are releasably and adjustably securable thereto are an improvement over the prior art. The component parts are releasably connected and provide for virtually universal adjustment of the chassis supporting fixtures, horizontally, vertically and radially, to be able to engage and support virtually any point of a vehicle chassis that is to be supported or designed on the modular mobile bench. Such locations of the chassis supporting fixtures can also be easily and readily changed when the modular mobile bench in accordance with this invention is to be used to support or design a different vehicle chassis.
Prior, art devices of which the inventor is aware include those disclosed in two of the inventor's own previously issued patents and the references cited therein, as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,337 (Papesh)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,222 (Eck)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,951 (Grainger et al)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,838 (Hare)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,465 (Papesh)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,790 (Hare)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,991 (Kuhn)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,589 (Maxwell, Jr.)
Australia Patent No. 249,933
French Patent No. 2,246,322
PCT Int'l Patent No. 8,707,191
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The modular mobile bench in accordance with the present invention provides an easily adjustable support structure for holding and designing an almost infinite variety of vehicle chassis and vehicle bodies. It has a basic support frame comprising a pair of longitudinal support bars that may be easily moved closer together or farther apart by their slidable connections at each end to respective ones of a pair of lateral support bars. The basic support frame is mounted on four wheels making it easily movable from one location to another with a vehicle chassis supported therein, such as moving from one work station or inspection station to another.
Modular fixture holders are provided, a plurality of which may be releasably mounted on the longitudinal and lateral support bars and slidably moved thereon to any desired location. The fixture holders receive chassis engaging fixture members to engage and support selected pick-up points of the vehicle chassis or new design to be supported on the mobile bench. The fixture holders include a releasable and slidable connecting bracket for releasable and slidable mounting on one of the longitudinal or lateral support bars of the frame. A lateral arm is pivotally connected to the connecting bracket by a pivot pin or bolt which can be clamped down to hold the lateral arm in a selected position. The lateral arm of the fixture holder has an elongated slot through which the pivot bolt extends, whereby the lateral arm may slide relative to the pivot bolt and connecting bracket to provide for horizontal adjustment of the fixture holder.
The lateral arm can also be pivoted on the pivot bolt, to provide for radial adjustment of the fixture holder.
An upright member is slidably connected to one end of the lateral arm of the fixture holder to provide for vertical adjustment of the fixture holder and the chassis engaging fixture members received in a recess at the upper end of the upright member. The upright member extends through a connecting aperture adjacent one end of the lateral arm. A plurality of spaced apart apertures are provided through the upright member, and a pin is provided to extend through the aperture just above the surface of the lateral arm when the upright member has been raised or lowered to a selected vertical position. The pin is inserted through such aperture to then bear against the surface of the lateral arm and thus hold the upright arm in its selected vertical position.
Interchangeable fixture members are provided to seat in the receiving recess at the upper end of the upright member of the fixture holder. Such fixture members may be of the pin type, and several may be provided ranging from large diameter pins to small diameter pins, depending on which are suitable for the particular pick-up point on the vehicle chassis that such fixture member is to engage and support. Other interchangeable fixture members may have a bearing plate and a broad planar surface for engaging and supporting a chassis pick-up point where that type of fixture would be appropriate. Still other interchangeable fixture members include a clamp member, for clamping engagement of a portion of a vehicle chassis.
In addition to holding the vehicle chassis, the fixture members may also be used to hold individual components of an automobile such as the engine, the transmission, the entire drive train by itself, and the like. This feature makes the improved mobile bench in accordance with this invention particularly useful in performing its design function.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4344314 (1982-08-01), Aldrich et al.
patent: 4510790 (1985-04-01), Hare
patent: 4557127 (1985-12-01), Pietrelli
patent: 5884399 (1999-03-01), Bergstrom et al.
Kettelson Ernest
Larson Lowell A.
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