Metal deforming – By or with work-constrainer and/or manipulated work-forcer
Patent
1989-07-13
1991-01-22
Spruill, Robert L.
Metal deforming
By or with work-constrainer and/or manipulated work-forcer
72705, B21D 112
Patent
active
049861077
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of equipment for repairing and straightening deformed vehicles, especially automobiles, and to accessories used with such equipment.
2. Prior Art
The use of inspection benches or modular racks for assembling and repairing vehicle bodywork is well known. These modular racks have at least two ground supported side members either with or without rolling means. These side members have fixed cross members which provide support and positioning for various accessory components and devices used in bodywork. The side members can also be arranged so as to enable the mounting of height adjustable anchoring clamps. For example, French patent No. 2,432,748 discloses a modular rack of this type.
However, such modular racks have certain disadvantages. Their configuration may limit access to certain bodywork parts such that it is difficult or even impossible to perform a specific job. This problem is aggravated when the various accessory components and devices are mounted on the modular rack. In fact, it may not be possible to position these accessories in a different position because they have several anchoring points. At the least, it is not easy to remove or relocate the accessories as a function of the work to be performed.
Another disadvantage arises in the long and tedious process required to fix certain accessories onto the modular rack.
The invention is aimed at overcoming these disadvantages by providing a modular rack having a unique structure and special devices to enable easy access to the vehicle bodywork while enabling simple, quick and efficient mounting of the various accessories which must be fitted to the modular rack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a modular rack for the assembly, inspection and repair of vehicle bodywork.
It is another object of the invention to provide a modular rack which allows good access to all parts of the vehicle bodywork.
It is a further object of the invention to provide modular rack accessories which are easily mounted on the rack.
It is still another object of the invention to provide modular rack accessories which can be easily repositioned on the rack.
These and other objects are accomplished by a modular rack which has several key structural features. The rack has side members which form a center part and two end parts. The side members forming the center part are offset inwardly from the side members forming the end parts. Each side member has an outside face in the form of a guide rail to allow adjustable positioning of accessories. Each side member has a top face which forms a groove. The groove accepts support stirrups to enable the mounting and positioning of cross members. The rack has transverse ends which are removable to give free access to the area between the side members at the end parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is shown in more detail with the aid of the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular rack according to the invention, without any accessory components or devices.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the modular rack of FIG. 1, additionally showing accessory components and devices in breakaway.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section illustrating, on the right, the mounting of a wheel onto the rack and, on the left, the mounting of a support leg onto the rack.
FIG. 4 is a cross-section illustrating the mounting of a support stirrup into a groove of a side member before positioning a cross member into the stirrup.
FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4, and further showing a cross member being positioned and locked.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section showing the fixing of a support element onto a cross member.
FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a clamp support box mounted at the end of a support arm according to a preferred embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the clamp support box according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A modular rack
REFERENCES:
patent: 3835693 (1974-09-01), Majersky
patent: 4151737 (1979-05-01), Specktor
patent: 4505145 (1985-03-01), Bergstrom et al.
patent: 4510790 (1985-04-01), Hare
patent: 4557127 (1985-12-01), Pietrelli
patent: 4658627 (1987-04-01), Brewer
patent: 4781045 (1988-11-01), Celette
patent: 4794783 (1989-01-01), Eck
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