U.S. patent application number 10/205145 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-30 for automotive collision repair device.
Invention is credited to Weschler, Bradley R..
Application Number | 20030019273 10/205145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26900150 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030019273 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weschler, Bradley R. |
January 30, 2003 |
Automotive collision repair device
Abstract
Unibody devices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle.
Some devices of the present invention can be positioned on a
vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and removing one wheel.
Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously
comprise a sidearm which is disposed at an angle preferably close
to but preferably other than 90.degree. to a main beam. The sidearm
is advantageously slidably positionable on the main beam and
comprises at least one clamp for securing the sidearm to a vehicle
being repaired.
Inventors: |
Weschler, Bradley R.;
(Huntington Station, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Galgano & Burke
300 Rabro Drive, Suite 35
Hauppauge
NY
11788
US
|
Family ID: |
26900150 |
Appl. No.: |
10/205145 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60307823 |
Jul 25, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
72/705 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/705 |
International
Class: |
B21C 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for straightening damaged body of vehicles comprising:
a first elongated member which is selectively positionable under a
damaged body of a vehicle while three wheels of the vehicle rest on
the ground; a second elongated member selectively attachable to
said first elongated member at an angle of about 60 to about 85
degrees; two clamps slidably mounted on said first elongated member
for attaching said first elongated member to pinch welds of said
damaged unibody; a clamp slidably mounted on said second elongated
member for attaching said second elongated member to a pinch weld
of said damaged unibody; and means for applying a pulling force
selectively connectable to at least one of said first end and said
second end of said first elongated member.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second elongated
member is connected to said first elongated member with a connector
which is slidably positionable on said first elongated member.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said connector comprises
at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at an
angle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate
insertion of said second elongated member into said connector.
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said connector comprises
at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at an
angle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate
insertion of said second elongated member into said connector.
5. A device according to claim 2 wherein said connector comprises
at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at an
angle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate
insertion of said second elongated member into said connector.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/307,823,
filed Jul. 25, 2001.
[0002] The present invention is directed to devices for repairing
vehicles that have been damaged due to collisions.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many types of vehicle straightening devices have been
disclosed in the past. The present invention is directed to devices
which offer advantages over prior devices for straightening damaged
vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to
unibody devices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle. For
example, in most instances, the devices of the present invention
can be positioned on a vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and
removing one wheel. The device can then advantageously be rolled
under the vehicle and secured to the vehicle prior to performing a
straightening "pull". The various embodiments of the present
invention advantageously comprise a sidearm which is disposed at an
angle preferably close to but preferably other than 90.degree. to a
main beam. The sidearm is advantageously slidably positionable on
the main beam and comprises at least one clamp for securing the
sidearm to a vehicle being repaired.
[0005] These and other embodiments will be appreciated from the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of a connector
utilized with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a top piece of the connector.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a bottom portion of
the connector shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The various embodiments of the present invention relate to
vehicle repair devices useful for repairing vehicles that have been
in collisions. With reference to the attached drawings, this
invention comprises a pulling beam 100 pivotally connected to a
pulling arm 90 and movable via a hydraulic ram 110 which is
preferably connected to a foot pedal and a source of compressed air
(not shown). The pulling beam 100 is part of a segmented main beam,
also comprising segments 26 and 28. This main beam is
advantageously movable via casters 40 located on two cross arms 22
and 24. The main beam is adapted to be connected to the pinch welds
of a vehicle utilizing clamps 50 and 51. These clamps are
advantageously selectively positionable along the main beam
utilizing movable clamp supports 60 and 61 which are secured to the
main beam prior to operation of the pulling arm 90.
[0012] A sidearm 110 is connected to the main beam via connector
200. The sidearm also advantageously comprises a clamp 150 and a
clamp support 160. The sidearm is also movable via casters 140
which are mounted on cross arm 122.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view which better illustrates the angle of
sidearm 110 relative to the main beam. According to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the sidearm is disposed at an
angle other than 90.degree. to the main beam. In this illustrated
embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the sidearm 110 forms an
interior angle of about 85.degree. with the longitudinal axis of
the main beam.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a closeup perspective view of connector 200 which
is formed in two segments connected by four bolts 201-204.
Connector 200 comprises a top piece 210 and a bottom piece 230.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of top piece 210 which comprises
spaced, guide plates 211 and 212 which are securely fastened to a
top plate 210, e.g. by welding. Each of the guide plates comprises
an outer portion which is flared outwardly in the manner
illustrated in order to facilitate insertion of sidearm 110 into
position between the guide plates 211 and 212. The outer portions
216 and 217 of top plate 210 are advantageously flared upwardly.
While this embodiment shows a relatively minor portion of this top
plate 210 flared upwardly, a greater portion can be flared as
desired. This upward flare of top plate 210 is designed to
accommodate unevenness of the working surface on which the entire
straightening device rests. From the present description, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that if the floor area on which
casters 140 rest is slightly higher than the floor area on which
casters 40 rests, then sidearm 110 will be angled slightly upwardly
relative to the main beam. The flares in the top plate help
accommodate these high variations.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom plate 230
which preferably comprises nuts 211-214 adapted to receive bolts
201-204. This bottom plate 230 comprises downwardly flared outer
portions 236 and 237 and guide plates which are securely connected
to the bottom plate, for example, by welding. The bottom plate
guide channels 231 and 232 are advantageously positioned on an
angle to a central longitudinal axis of bottom plate 230 and also
have outwardly flared outer portions in order to facilitate
insertion of the side beam into connector 200.
[0017] The illustrated connector 200 is designed so that both sets
of guide plates are angled in the same direction. For example, in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, sidearm 110 is angled slightly
toward the cross bar 24. If the sidearm was inserted into the
opposite side of connector 200, the sidearm would still be angled
slightly toward the cross bar 24. If it is desired to angle the
sidearm in the opposite direction, the connector 200 can simply be
rotated 180 degrees. To accomplish this, the technician would
remove bolts 201-204 from the top of the top plate 210, rotate both
the top plate and the bottom plate while keeping the top plate on
top and the bottom plate on the bottom, and refasten the bolts. It
is also within the scope of the present invention to use a
plurality of connectors and sidearms with a single main beam.
[0018] The precise angle at which the sidearm attaches to the main
beam can be varied without departing from the scope of the present
invention, but the sidearm 110 is preferably not exactly
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam.
[0019] The present invention provides for a quick setup of the
autobody repair device and can be utilized without the need for
placing the entire vehicle on a lift or jack stands. The present
invention can be readily installed by simply jacking up one corner
of a vehicle and removing one wheel.
* * * * *