U.S. patent application number 11/265289 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for collision repair process.
Invention is credited to Guy Norman Chartier.
Application Number | 20070107354 11/265289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039311 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070107354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chartier; Guy Norman |
May 17, 2007 |
Collision repair process
Abstract
A process is provided to facilitate the repair of damage, such
as that sustained by the body or frame of a vehicle during
collision. The present invention provides a standardized process
for vehicle body repair and offers the technician a standardized
and practical toolkit to be implemented into said process. The
present invention allows the technician to reduce the costs both in
time and equipment required to perform the repair. Further, the
possibility of secondary damage arising from inappropriate
application of methodologies and tools is significantly reduced
with the implementation of the present invention.
Inventors: |
Chartier; Guy Norman;
(Toronto, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Guy N. Chartier
34 Scarcliffe Gardens
Scarborough
ON
M1E 2A2
CA
|
Family ID: |
38039311 |
Appl. No.: |
11/265289 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/514 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/514 |
International
Class: |
E02D 37/00 20060101
E02D037/00 |
Claims
1. A collision repair process comprising: (a) a stepped procedure
including i.) an initialization stage; ii.) a first decision as to
the requirement of mobile, 4 point anchoring; iii.) a first action
in the implementation of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus.
iv.) a hook-up process including a) an hook-up initialization
stage; b) an hook-up first decision as to mounting hole
requirement; c) an hook-up first action in the mounting of a clamp;
d) an hook-up second decision as to the utility of mounting holes
should they exist; e) an hook-up second action in the production of
mounting holes; f) an hook-up third decision as to the requirement
of a bracket; g) an hook-up fourth question as to the requirement
of a bracket; h) an hook-up third action in the mounting of a
bracket; i) an hook-up fifth decision as to the requirement of
additional holes; j) an hook-up fourth action in the production of
mounting holes; k) an hook-up fifth action in the mounting of a
bracket; l) an hook-up termination/completion stage. v.) a second
decision as to the requirement of stress relief; vi.) a second
action in the application of stress relief; vii.) a third action in
the implementation of a vector transfer apparatus; viii.) an
optional fourth action in the use of directly mounted apparatus to
sustain force; ix.) a process completion stage in the application
of force. (b) a toolkit including i.) a pinch clamp means; ii.) a
bracket means; iii.) a drill cartridge means; iv.) locking pliers
means; v.) a piercing punch means; vi.) a mobile, 4 point anchoring
apparatus means; vii.) a vector transfer apparatus means.
2. A collision repair process as in claim 1, wherein said hook-up
initialization entails the identification of the location of
hook-up.
3. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 2, wherein said
hook-up initialization conditions are satisfied and a decision is
to be made regarding the requirement of mounting holes for the
work.
4. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 3, wherein
mounting holes are not required and a pinch clamp is to be
used.
5. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 3, wherein
mounting holes are required and a hook-up decision is to be made as
to whether existing holes can be used.
6. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 5, wherein
existing holes cannot be utilized and additional holes are
produced.
7. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 6, wherein
mounting holes have been produced and a hook-up decision is to be
made as to whether a bracket is to be further utilized.
8. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 5, wherein
existing holes can be utilized and a hook-up decision is to be made
as to whether a bracket is to be used.
9. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 8, wherein a
bracket is determined to be of utility and is secured to the
medium.
10. A collision repair process as in claim 1, wherein a hook-up
decision is to be made as to whether additional mounting holes are
required.
11. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 9, and 10, wherein
additional holes are produced by utilizing the secured bracket in
conjunction with a drill cartridge.
12. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 7, and 11, wherein
said bracket is either first secured or additionally secured using
newly created holes.
13. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 12,
wherein the hook-up process may be terminated with the attachment
of a device or devices which will serve to sustain the application
of force during repair.
14. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 4, and 13, wherein
said pinch clamp is used to anchor further devices which will serve
to sustain the application of force during repair.
15. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 9, 11, 12, and 13,
wherein said bracket may serve as a platform for said drill
cartridge or the attachment of a device or devices which will serve
to sustain the application of force during repair.
16. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, 11, and 15,
wherein said drill cartridge may be engaged with a bracket in order
to produce holes by drilling in the medium.
17. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, and 15, wherein
said locking pliers may be used to secure bracket to medium.
18. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, and 15, wherein
said piercing punch may be used to produce holes sufficient to
allow the use of a nut and bolt configuration to mount said
bracket.
19. A collision repair process as in claim 1, wherein said
initialization entails the identification of the damage to be
repaired by this process.
20. A collision repair process as in claim 1 and 19, wherein said
initialization conditions are satisfied and a decision is to be
made as to the requirement of a mobile, 4 point anchoring
apparatus
21. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 20, wherein a
mobile, 4 point anchoring device is determined to be necessary and
is implemented.
22. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 20, wherein a
mobile, 4 point anchoring device is determined to be unnecessary
and the hook-up process is invoked.
23. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 21, wherein a
mobile, 4 point anchoring device is implemented and then the
hook-up process is invoked.
24. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 2 through 18, and
23, wherein the hook-up process is successfully completed and
decision is to be made as to the requirement of stress relief.
25. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the
requirement of stress relief is deemed necessary and stress relief
accessories and techniques are implemented.
26. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the
requirement of stress relief is deemed unnecessary and the vector
transfer apparatus is implemented.
27. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the
requirement of stress relief is deemed unnecessary and direct
attachments are made at the site of the work for the application of
force.
28. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 25, wherein the
stress relief accessories have been implemented and the vector
transfer apparatus is engaged.
29. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 25, wherein the
stress relief accessories have been implemented and direct
attachments are made at the site of the work for the application of
force.
30. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 26, 27, 28, and 29,
wherein either the vector transfer apparatus has been engaged or
direct attachment(s) have been made such that the process is
completed with the appropriate application of force.
31. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus comprising:
(a) a crossbeam means with a self aligning nut means near the ends
of said crossbeam; (b) a wheel assembly means for the crossbeam;
(c) an elevation and mobility apparatus means including: i.) a
wheel attachment for rotation and linear mobility facility; ii.) a
locking means for said wheel attachment; iii.) a crossbeam height
adjustment bolt means; iv.) an apparatus height adjustment bolt
means; v.) an height lock lever means; vi.) a pin locking means for
crossbeam position stability and to aid in the establishment of
perpendicularity of said crossbeam relative to the assembly; (d) a
clamping means for securing vehicle to apparatus; (e) a base clamp
means providing floor anchoring means; (f) a spot anchoring means
for localizing stresses.
32. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
31, in which said crossbeams have a self alignment nut facility to
allow a bolt to be threaded therein and are of a length exceeding
passenger automobile width.
33. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
32, wherein said crossbeam can be fitted with a wheel assembly for
independent mobility.
34. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
33, wherein said crossbeams may be fitted into an elevation and
mobility apparatus providing a platform on which to raise
vehicle.
35. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with
a wheel attachment providing rotation and linear mobility of the
combined apparatus.
36. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
35, where said wheel attachment has a locking facility in order to
potentially immobilize an elevation and mobility apparatus thereby
providing an axis of rotation.
37. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with
a crossbeam height adjustment bolt means which is threaded through
the ends of the crossbeam by means of a self aligning nut and
serves to adjust the elevation of the crossbeam relative to the
elevation and mobility apparatus and to establish perpendicularity
relative to the height of said apparatus.
38. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with
an apparatus height adjustment bolt means which serves to adjust
the elevation of the elevation and mobility apparatus relative to
the floor.
39. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with
an height lock lever means which serves to lock the elevation of
the apparatus relative to the floor.
40. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with
a pin locking means for crossbeam position stability and
perpendicularity relative to the height of the apparatus which is
established with the aid of the aforementioned crossbeam height
adjustment bolt means.
41. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
31, wherein said crossbeam may be fitted with clamping means which
is adjustable for attachment to the undercarriage of an automobile
thereby securing said automobile relative to the apparatus.
42. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
40, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus may be secured in
its final position in preparation for automobile repair with the
aid of base clamps which are placed in contact with the elevation
and mobility apparatus at critical stress points on the floor and
are anchored to available floor anchor points thereby providing
additional stability and immobility of the combined apparatus
relative to the floor.
43. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim
42, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with
anchoring hole means in the base such that said holes may be used
to further secure the apparatus at critical floor anchor
points.
44. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in
claims 31 and 40, wherein said crossbeam and elevation and mobility
apparatus may be fitted with chain anchoring points providing spot
anchoring means to confine stresses to the region under repair and
to thereby reduce secondary damage.
45. A method and apparatus for the attachment of an appropriate
shaft to a medium, in preparation for the further attachment of
devices enabling the application of force, comprising: (a) a
threaded shaft mountable by means of a nut; (b) a threaded shaft
mountable by means of a threaded rivet; (c) a threaded shaft
mountable by means of a forming nut, (d) a threaded shaft mountable
by means of a key and lock; (e) a threaded shaft mountable by means
of a bracket; (f) a shaft mountable by means of a mounting platform
with threaded stud; (g) a flat bracket; (h) a right angle bracket;
(i) a vise clamp bracket; (j) a MacPherson strut housing bracket.
(k) a threaded shaft with an eyelet attachment. (l) a bracket with
shaft engagement facility.
46. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by
means of a nut is equipped with a threaded bolt to engage a nut and
has a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the
controlled application of force to the intended work area.
47. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by
means of a threaded rivet is equipped with a threaded bolt to
engage a threaded rivet, an annular recess to clear the flange of
said rivet, and a free outer thread to engage further attachments
for the controlled application of force to the intended work
area.
48. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by
means of a forming nut is equipped with a threaded bolt to engage a
forming nut, an annular form to deform the medium increasing the
contact area, and a free outer thread to engage further attachments
for the controlled application of force to the intended work
area.
49. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 48, wherein said forming nut has an annular
recess to mate with the positive form in the deformed medium
produced by the mounting of said threaded shaft.
50. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by
means of a key and lock can be mated with said key and lock at
points thus provided on the undercarriage of certain vehicles, such
as a BMW automobile, and has a free outer thread to engage further
attachments for the controlled application of force to the intended
work area.
51. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by
means of a bracket is equipped with an threaded bolt to engage a
bracket and has a free outer thread to engage further attachments
for the controlled application of force to the intended work
area.
52. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said flat bracket is
mountable to a medium and is configured to engage the inner thread
of said threaded shaft.
53. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said right angle bracket is
mountable to a medium and is configured to engage the inner thread
of said threaded shaft on either plane of the mounted bracket.
54. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said vise clamp bracket is
mountable to a medium, ideally to the undercarriage of a vehicle
along the pinch well, and is configured to engage the inner thread
of said threaded shaft.
55. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 54, wherein said vise clamp bracket may have a
single or multiple tightening point(s) in order to distribute
applied forces among the points of contact.
56. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said MacPherson strut
housing bracket is mountable to the MacPherson strut housing of a
vehicle, is adjustable within the range of variation in the
automotive industry, and is configured to engage the inner thread
of said threaded shaft.
57. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein the threaded shaft may be
configured such that a bolt passes through the body of the shaft
and such that the upper end of the shaft, the end of the shaft not
intended to be in contact with the medium, is of geometry to be
engaged by a wrench to hold it static while the axial bolt is
turned.
58. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claims 45 and 57, wherein said axial bolt and shaft
configuration allows the removal of the device from a failed
threaded rivet, a rivet which may rotate within the hole at the
site of installation, by means of holding the shaft static while
the bolt is turned to disengage said threaded rivet.
59. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus comprising: (a) a
vector lock mechanism including i.) mounting panels; ii.) an upper
locking bolt means; iii.) a lower locking bolt means; iv.) an
internally threaded cylinder; (b) a straight arm attachment; (c) an
adjustable right angle arm attachment; (d) a facility for further
attachments; (e) a high resolution vector lock mechanism including
i.) an internally threaded cylinder; ii.) a rotation window; iii.)
an adjustment bolt; iv.) locking pins.
60. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,
wherein said mounting panels form the outer housing of the vector
lock mechanism.
61. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59
and 60, wherein said mounting panels are equipped firstly with an
upper hole to support the upper locking bolt and secondly a series
of lower holes along the proposed path of engagement with the lower
locking bolt.
62. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59
and 61, wherein said internally threaded cylinder is equipped with
fixtures to engage said locking bolts and is appropriately
internally threaded to engage a threaded shaft or bolt at the site
of the work.
63. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59,
60, 61 and 62, wherein said internally threaded cylinder may be
engaged with said mounting panels by means of upper locking bolt
providing an axis of rotation about said upper locking bolt.
64. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59,
61, and 63, whereby the relative angle between the axis of said
cylinder, rotated about the axis of said upper locking bolt, and
the axis along the length of the outer housing of the vector lock
mechanism is set by means of the insertion of the lower locking
bolt at the appropriate hole in the provided series of lower holes,
as may be required by the work.
65. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59
and 62, wherein the assembled vector lock mechanism engaged at the
site of the work has the facility to rotate about the axis of the
internally threaded cylinder as required by the work and wherein
said facility persists upon the attachment of further
accessories.
66. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59
and 65, wherein a straight arm may be attached at varying angles to
the assembled vector lock mechanism as required by the work in
order to clear obstructions to the application of force where force
is to be applied at the free end of said straight arm.
67. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59
and 65, wherein a right angle arm may be attached to the assembled
vector lock mechanism which has facility to adjust height and
length.
68. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59
and 65, wherein the assembled vector lock mechanism may be further
equipped with facility for further task specific attachments such
as a chain tightening mechanism.
69. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,
wherein the components of said apparatus and the junctions
established between said components are of rigidity sufficient to
withstand forces required to correct damage at the site of the work
without distortion of said components or junctions.
70. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59,
65, 66, 67 and 68, wherein the assembled apparatus allows the
operator to clear obstructions to the work and apply force at the
free end of the chosen attachment transferring the bulk of said
force to or near the intended location as required by the work.
71. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,
wherein the high resolution vector lock mechanism may be adjusted
freely through the full range of angles defined by the rotation
window.
72. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59 and
71, wherein an adjustment bolt is engaged by means of a locking pin
with an internally threaded cylinder.
73. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59,
71, and 72, wherein a locking pin is used to engage the internally
threaded cylinder with an arm attachment thereby providing an axis
of rotation of said arm attachment.
74. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59,
71, 72, and 73, wherein said adjustment bolt is operated to rotate
an arm attachment about the axis set by the locking pin engaging
the internally threaded cylinder with said arm attachment thereby
allowing the selection of the desired angle at which corrective
forces may be applied to the medium under repair.
75. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,
wherein the mounted apparatus is rigid and will not disengage from
the site of the work if left unattended thereby eliminating the
potentiality of damage or injury caused by such a device falling
once engaged.
76. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
in preparation for the application of corrective forces comprising:
(a) a stepped procedure including i.) an initialization stage; ii.)
a first decision as to mounting hole requirement; iii.) a first
action in the mounting of a clamp; iv.) a second decision as to the
utility of mounting holes should they exist; v.) a second action in
the production of mounting holes; vi.) a third decision as to the
requirement of a universal bracket; vii.) a fourth question as to
the requirement of a universal bracket; viii.) a third action in
the mounting of a universal bracket; ix.) a fifth decision as to
the requirement of additional holes; x.) a fourth action in the
production of mounting holes; xi.) a fifth action in the mounting
of a universal bracket; xii.) a termination/completion stage. (b) a
toolkit including i.) a pinch clamp means; ii.) a universal bracket
means; iii.) a drill cartridge means; iv.) locking pliers means;
v.) a piercing punch means.
77. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claim 76, wherein said initialization stage entails the
identification of the location of hook-up.
78. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 77, wherein said initialization conditions are
satisfied and a decision is to be made regarding the requirement of
mounting holes for the work.
79. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 78, wherein mounting holes are not required and
a pinch clamp is to be used.
80. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 78, wherein mounting holes are required and a
decision is to be made as to whether existing holes can be
used.
81. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 80, wherein existing holes cannot be utilized
and additional holes are produced.
82. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 81, wherein mounting holes have been produced
and a decision is to be made as to whether a universal bracket is
to be further utilized.
83. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 80, wherein existing holes can be utilized and
a decision is to be made as to whether a universal bracket is to be
used.
84. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76 and 83, wherein a universal bracket is determined
to be of utility and is secured to the medium.
85. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claim 76, wherein a decision is to be made as to whether
additional mounting holes are required.
86. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 84, and 85, wherein additional holes are produced
by utilizing the secured universal bracket in conjunction with a
drill cartridge.
87. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 82, and 86, wherein said universal bracket is
either first secured or additionally secured using newly created
holes.
88. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 79, 82, 83, 85, and 87, wherein the process may be
terminated with the attachment of a device or devices which will
serve to sustain the application of force during repair.
89. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 79, and 88, wherein said pinch clamp is used to
anchor further devices which will serve to sustain the application
of force during repair.
90. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 84, 86, 87, and 88, wherein said universal bracket
may serve as a platform for said drill cartridge or the attachment
of a device or devices which will serve to sustain the application
of force during repair.
91. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 81, 86, and 90, wherein said drill cartridge may
be engaged with a universal bracket in order to produce holes by
drilling in the medium.
92. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 81, and 90, wherein said locking pliers may be
used to secure universal bracket to medium.
93. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium
as in claims 76, 81, and 90, wherein said piercing punch may be
used to produce holes sufficient to allow the use of a nut and bolt
configuration to mount said universal bracket.
94. A versatile repair bracket apparatus comprising: (a) a static
mount repair bracket including i.) static mount repair bracket
platform means; ii.) attachment receptacle means; iii.) receptacle
exhaust path means; iv.) a bracket reinforcement washer; (b) an
adjustable mount repair bracket including i.) an adjustable mount
bracket platform means; ii.) movable attachment receptacle means;
(c) a plug attachment to hold bracket in position. (d) a bracket
with a chain attachment means. (e) a bracket with a push jack
attachment means.
95. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein
said static mount repair bracket platform is flat, is equipped with
holes at the location of attachment receptacles, and is of material
that will not deform under stress applied thereto in the
performance of repair.
96. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 95,
wherein said attachment receptacles are permanently attached to the
bracket platform and may be tapered or threaded as required by the
attachment required to perform the work thereby configured to
engage attachments such as a drill guide, rivet press, or load
anchor.
97. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, and
96, wherein said attachment receptacles are further equipped with
exhaust paths at the intended interface with the medium thereby
allowing debris or moisture to fall away, evaporate, or be
otherwise forced from the site of the work.
98. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96,
and 97, wherein a washer may be used to reinforce the repair
bracket apparatus on its work side by the welding of said washer
onto a metallic medium in advance of the installation of the repair
bracket apparatus and said washer having inner diameter
corresponding to the outer diameter of the work end of the
attachment receptacle of said repair bracket apparatus.
99. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96,
97 and 98, whereby the installed washer is engaged with the work
end of the attachment receptacle of the repair bracket apparatus
providing a tight annular fit thereby increasing the stress bearing
facility of the repair bracket apparatus for a load having any
vector component not parallel to the cylinder axis of the
attachment receptacle.
100. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 95,
wherein said static mount repair bracket may have two platforms
joined in a right angle configuration, or otherwise, thereby
providing two planes of potential engagement of the work.
101. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein
said adjustable mount bracket platform has serrated surface in
order to provide locking facility for movable attachment
receptacles secured thereto.
102. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 101,
wherein the movable attachment receptacles are free to move along
the length axis of the adjustable mount platform thereby providing
greater mounting freedom than a static mount bracket platform.
103. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96,
101, and 102, wherein said movable attachment receptacles may be
internally threaded or tapered, as required by the attachment
required to perform the work, similar to the attachment receptacles
of the static mount repair bracket.
104. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 98, 99,
101, 102, and 103, whereby a washer may be used in a similar
fashion as with the static mount repair bracket in order to
increase the stress bearing facility of the repair bracket
apparatus for a load having any vector component not parallel to
the cylinder axis of the attachment receptacle.
105. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 96, and
103, wherein a plug attachment may be engaged with an attachment
receptacle in order to provide a mounting point and thereby the
facility to produce holes at a relative distance defined by the
distance between said receptacles in the event that equidistant
holes may be desired to be produced with the aid of a drill guide
attachment.
106. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets
comprising: (a) a wall thickness gauge means; (b) a threaded rivet
externally coated with a retaining compound means; (c) anvil
assembly means including, i.) a smooth bored hollow anvil means;
ii.) a mandrel means to pass through said hollow anvil means; iii.)
a nut means to be threaded on said mandrel means; iv.) a washer and
thrust bearing means to be installed between said nut means and
internal body of said hollow anvil means passing over said mandrel
means; v.) a washer and thrust bearing retaining means to prevent
washer and thrust bearing from disengaging from anvil assembly
during operation; (d) a pin means to pass through said anvil
assembly means; (e) an anvil wrench means to engage said anvil
assembly means.
107. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 106, wherein said wall thickness gauge can be inserted
within the intended hole site of medium to facilitate selection of
correct length rivet means.
108. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 106, wherein said retaining compound is activated during
the installation process and will cure hence strengthening coupling
between medium and rivet in addition to the mechanical
coupling.
109. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 106, wherein said anvil assembly may be engaged with the
internal thread of said rivet means.
110. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 106, wherein said pin passes through said anvil assembly
preventing relative rotation of said mandrel and hollow anvil body
components.
111. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 109, wherein said anvil assembly and engaged rivet means
can be brought into abutment of the medium of intended installation
through an appropriately sized hole.
112. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 106, wherein said anvil wrench is of a geometry to allow
simple engagement with said anvil assembly means with the aid of
said pin means.
113. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claims 111 and 112, wherein said anvil wrench engages said anvil
assembly restricting system rotation to that provided by operator
through anvil wrench means.
114. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claims 106 and 113, wherein said nut of said anvil assembly may
be engaged by a device causing said mandrel to draw and compress
shank of said rivet against underside of said medium, thus fixing
rivet in medium, while said anvil wrench is positioned to prevent
rotation of said anvil assembly.
115. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 114, wherein said device used to engage said nut may be
rested against the geometry of said anvil wrench thereby allowing
single handed operation.
116. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 114, whereby said anvil assembly may be disengaged from
said fixed rivet by rotation of said anvil assembly
counter-clockwise with the aid of said anvil wrench thereby
threading said mandrel out of said rivet.
117. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 116, wherein said anvil wrench may be disengaged after
sufficient rotation to allow direct rotation of said anvil assembly
in situations where full rotation of engaged anvil wrench may be
impractical.
118. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as
in claim 114, wherein said anvil assembly, said anvil wrench, and
said device used to engage said nut may be operated from one side
of the work.
119. A rivet reinforcement washer comprising: (a) a raised annular
support channel; (b) a central hole to clear rivet; (c) weld hole
means; (d) exhaust path hole means; (e) an outer annular
flange.
120. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said
rivet reinforcement washer is of material chosen to withstand
stresses as required by the work without deformation.
121. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said
raised annular support channel is formed of the contiguous material
of the rivet reinforcement washer.
122. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claims 119 and 121, wherein
said raised annular support channel is of geometry which maximizes
the area of contact between said washer and any attachment
utilizing the presence of reinforced rivet.
123. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claims 119, 121 and 122,
wherein the raised annular support channel is used to distribute
the load of any applied force, or any vector component thereof,
which is not strictly parallel to the axis of the rivet over the
greatest area permitted by the work thereby minimizing the stress
on the rivet and reducing the possibility of structural
failure.
124. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said
central hole is of diameter sufficient to clear the annular flange
of the installed rivet on the side of the work thereby permitting
full utility of said rivet.
125. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, whereby weld
holes may be provided as a means to permit welding of the washer to
the medium at the site of the work.
126. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, 121, 122 and
123, whereby an exhaust path, an opening in the raised annular
support channel, may be used to facilitate the passage of moisture
or debris that may collect in this channel thereby reducing the
possibility of corrosion, should the washer remain attached for an
extended period, and in some cases aiding in the installation of
said washer.
127. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, whereby
increasing the diameter of the outer flange increases the load
bearing capability of the washer but wherein the presence of said
outer flange is not crucial to the utility of the washer but the
diameter of which may be restricted by the location and
accessibility of the work.
128. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein points
along the outer flange may be used to weld the washer at the site
of the work thereby providing an additional means of
installation.
129. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said
washer may be used without the presence of a rivet where the work
permits thereby effecting similar utility as when a previously
installed rivet is present.
130. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium comprising:
(a) drill cartridge apparatus means including i.) drill cartridge
housing means; ii.) a drill shaft with attached drill bit means to
pass through said drill cartridge housing; iii.) an adjustment nut
means to engage upper end of said drill cartridge; iv.) a
compression spring means; v.) thrust bearing and bushing means;
vi.) a support collar means; vii.) a compressed air inlet means as
part of said drill cartridge housing; (b) a plug means to hold
drill bracket in position for multiple hole production.
131. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim
130, wherein said drill cartridge housing is cylindrical, hollow
and threaded to engage an adjustment nut.
132. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims
130 and 131, wherein said adjustment nut is threaded to allow
engagement with said drill cartridge and may be knurled along its
outer annular edge to facilitate rotation force application once
engaged.
133. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims
130, 131, and 132 wherein said drill shaft and attached drill bit
is cylindrical and of length sufficient to pass through hollow
bodies of combined assembly of said adjustment nut and said drill
cartridge housing and to allow engagement of drive nut at one end
and such that said attached drill bit can penetrate a medium at the
other end.
134. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims
130 and 133, wherein said drill shaft is threaded at one end to
allow the engagement of an adjustment nut, is threaded at the other
end to allow engagement of said drill bit, and is provided with a
spring pin at a point along its length sufficiently distant from
said drill bit end to allow said drill bit to emerge outside of
said combined assembly before said spring pin is abutted by the
internal structure of said drill cartridge housing.
135. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims
130 and 134, wherein said spring pin provides the anchor point for
said support collar means.
136. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims
130, 131, 132, 133, and 135, wherein said compression spring passes
over said drill shaft within the cavity of said drill cartridge
housing, supported by said support collar, allowing an operator to
compress said spring by means of application of rotation force to
said adjustment nut thereby forcing said drill bit against medium
eliminating the need for the operator to apply forces along the
axis of rotation of said drill bit.
137. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims
130 and 133, wherein said thrust bearing and bushings are ring
shaped to pass over said drill shaft and are used to maintain
rotation forces applied to said drill shaft parallel to the axis of
rotation thereby reducing friction.
138. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim
130, wherein said compressed air inlet is provided to allow the
operator a means to deliver air cooling to the site of the work
should high speed drilling necessitate it.
139. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim
130, wherein said drill cartridge apparatus may be engaged with a
drill bracket in order to produce a hole or a number of holes
spaced at predefined distances.
140. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim
130, whereby said drill cartridge apparatus may be used in
conjunction with a wrench or power tool to apply rotation force to
drill shaft and attached drill bit.
141. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim
130, wherein said plug means may be used to engage a drill bracket
at the site of a reference hole, fixing the position of said drill
bracket relative to said reference hole, and thus facilitating the
drilling of further holes at distances from the reference hole
defined by the drill bracket configuration.
142. A magnetic drill guide apparatus comprising: (a) a magnetic
drill guide including i.) drill shaft means; ii.) guide platform
means; iii.) magnetic standoff means; iv.) housing means; v.)
compressed air intake means; vi.) mounting eyelet means; vii.)
countersunk magnet means; viii.) exhaust path means; (b) a center
line positioning device including i.) mounting hole means; ii.)
centering aperture means; iii.) "v" shaped engagement end
means.
143. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said
drill shaft means provides a clear passage for a drill bit through
the center of the apparatus in order to engage the medium to be
drilled and is bored at an angle desirable for the work.
144. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said
guide platform means may be elevated above the work surface, is of
shape, preferably square or rectangular, to be easily engaged by
said center line positioning device, and is of material which can
withstand the stress of the work.
145. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142 and 144,
wherein said guide platform is equipped with magnetic standoff
means which are of sufficient magnetic strength to hold the
apparatus in place under the stress of the work and to allow the
simple application and removal of said apparatus.
146. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142, 143, and
145, wherein said magnetic standoffs are distributed in a radial
fashion about the central drill shaft means on the work side of the
apparatus in a manner to provide sufficient exhaust paths for
material fragments produced by the work.
147. A magnetic drill guide means as in claims 142 and 143, wherein
said housing means is of material resistant to deformation under
stress, is bored through at an angle desirable to the work
providing said drill shaft means, and is situated on the operator
side of the apparatus.
148. A magnetic drill guide means as in claims 142, 146, and 147,
wherein said compressed air intake means provides an entry point in
said guide housing for compressed air, which is commonly available
to the technician, in order to facilitate cooling at the site of
the work and to cause fragments arising from the work to be removed
along paths on the work side of the apparatus between said magnetic
standoffs.
149. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said
mounting hole means of the center line positioning device allows
the device to be affixed at the site of the work.
150. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142 and 149,
wherein said centering aperture means provides the facility to set
a center line, along which a hole is to be drilled, which passes
through said mounting hole means and said aperture and where said
aperture may be used as a second mounting means of said device.
151. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142, 144 and
150, wherein said "v" shaped engagement end means of said center
line positioning device is configured to mechanically engage said
guide platform of said magnetic drill guide along two edges once
said center line has been established.
152. A magnetic drill guide as in claim 142, wherein said eyelet
means provide additional mounting means where desirable or may be
the sole mounting means where the intended medium is
non-ferrous.
153. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 144, wherein said
eyelet means are part of said guide platform.
154. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 144, wherein said
countersunk magnets are embedded within said guide platform wherein
said platform is not elevated above the work surface but directly
abuts the medium at the site of the work.
155. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 148, wherein said
exhaust path means are provided to allow the fragments arising from
the work to be removed from the site of the work by forced air
thereby reducing friction, heat, and chance of operator injury.
156. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft with an eyelet
attachment may be engaged by a hook or chain on the eyelet end
facilitating the application of force along the length axis of said
threaded shaft.
157. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein any of said shafts may not be
threaded whilst retaining mounting and force application
facilities.
158. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium, as in claim 45, wherein said bracket with shaft engagement
facility is mountable on any flat surface and may engage any of
said shafts.
159. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium as in claims 45 and 158, wherein said bracket with shaft
engagement facility is equipped to secure said shaft into position
as desired by the operator.
160. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein
said bracket with chain attachment allow the operator to use either
a nut-and-bolt configuration or to weld said bracket to the medium
under repair.
161. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein
said bracket with chain attachment allows the operator to apply
forces parallel to the face of the medium under repair.
162. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein
said push jack bracket will readily engage a push jack.
163. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94 and 162,
wherein said push jack bracket allows the operator to mount said
bracket to a medium to be repaired.
164. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 162 and 163,
wherein said push jack bracket may be used in conjunction with
another push jack bracket engaging a push jack on both ends,
subtending a damaged region on a medium and thereby providing force
by means of said push jack to correct said damage.
165. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein
said push jack bracket may be engaged by a push jack through a
range of angles greater than ninety degrees thereby allowing the
application of force, by means of said push jack, through said
range of angles in order to correct damage to a medium under
repair.
166. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59,
wherein any of said vector transfer arms may be used in a fashion
whereby the elbow of said arm opens away from the surface of the
medium under repair and thus the vector transfer arm is
inverted.
167. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 166,
wherein said inverted vector transfer arm may be supported against
the face of the medium under repair at a point between said elbow
and mounting point such that forces applied on said vector transfer
arm are distributed so as to hinder distortion arising from
rotational tendencies about said mounting point.
168. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium as in claim 45, wherein said shaft mountable by means of a
mounting platform with threaded stud is internally threaded to
engage said stud.
169. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium as in claim 168, wherein said mounting platform with
threaded stud is equipped with a recess on the mounting side in
order facilitate removal upon completion of the work by prying
means, in order to remove if adhered to work surface by weld or
other means, and which may be of a configuration to allow the
clearance of obstacles to mounting at the site of the work.
170. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a
medium as in claim 45, wherein said mounting shafts may be equipped
with a facility to engage a wrench in order to provide the operator
with additional means of tightening in threaded engagements of said
shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] In one of its aspects, the present invention generally
relates to repair processes that the technician may invoke in order
to optimize the repair of damage such as that sustained by a
vehicle under collision. More specifically, in this aspect, the
present invention relates to the process of identification of the
correct steps after the implementation of which corrective forces
can be applied to correct collision damage.
[0003] In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to
automobile repair systems and more directly to those requiring the
elevation, mobility and anchoring of automobiles under repair.
[0004] In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to
methods and apparatus for the attachment of devices to a pliable
medium where force must be applied, often to correct damage or
deformity, and which are then removable without significant
secondary damage sustained by the medium.
[0005] In yet another of its aspects, the present invention
generally relates to repair apparatus that may be used by an
operator to correct damage or distortion in a medium. More
specifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates tools
required to the correct damage or distortion in a medium, such as a
vehicle body or frame, where force is to be applied but where the
site of the work presents obstacles, such as vehicle bumpers, to
the direct application of corrective force.
[0006] In another of its aspects, the present invention generally
relates to repair processes that the mechanic may invoke in order
to optimize the repair of a damaged or distorted medium, such as a
metal medium. More specifically, in this aspect, the invention
relates to the process of establishing an anchor point, to which
corrective forces can be applied, on a medium in order to repair
damage to the medium. Said damage would be that suffered by the
body and/or frame of a vehicle due to collision.
[0007] In another of its aspects, the present invention generally
relates to apparatuses designed to aid in the correction of damage
to a medium in the establishment of an anchor point, the drilling
of holes, or the installation of a rivet. More specifically, in
this aspect, the present invention relates to the repair of damage
where the work may be obstructed or where the application of force
to repair damage requires reinforcement at the site of the work and
where drilling or rivet installation is desired to be
performed.
[0008] In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to
methods and apparatus for the installation of rivets into a medium
for the purposes of anchoring and particularly for the installation
of rivets provided with internal threads to be installed from one
side of the work.
[0009] In another of its aspects, the present invention generally
relates to work to be performed utilizing an installed rivet. More
specifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates to the
utilization of an installed rivet where the installed rivet is
deemed to be insufficient to withstand the stresses to be applied
thereon.
[0010] In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to
methods and apparatuses for drilling into a medium where the medium
may be difficult to access, the work requires the drilling of holes
relatively spaced at distances according to tight tolerances, the
operator may only have unpowered or low rotation driving devices at
his disposal, the axis of drilling must be perpendicular to the
face of the work, or where any combination of the above situations
is present.
[0011] In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to
apparatuses designed to guide a drill bit in the drilling of holes
into a medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to
the drilling of holes into a medium where the work may be
obstructed by surface irregularities, where magnetic mounting is
desirable, or where there is insufficient access at the site of the
work by means of conventional drill guides.
[0012] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0013] Existing repair methodologies lack standardization in both
process and apparatus in the correction of damage. The technician
is often burdened with customization of the methods and tools used
to repair damage on a per job basis increasing the duration of the
process and necessitating the use of tools both costly and
cumbersome to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a
process for the technician to be able to perform collision repair,
and offers the technician a standardized process which may be
applied to the maximum number of problems with a minimum of effort,
to recommend the tools, from a standardized kit, which the
technician will require in order to carry out the steps in this
process, to thereby reduce the time and/or cost of repair, and/or
to minimize secondary damage that may be caused by the
implementation of inappropriate methods and/or tools.
[0015] In another of its aspects the present invention provides a
universal system and comprehensive mechanism for the repair of
automobiles which is free from one or more of the defects of the
prior art repair methodologies. In accordance with the present
invention, a universal system of repair is provided that will
elevate the vehicle from any level surface and allow its transport
to any predefined repair zone. In this aspect, the present
invention provides the facility to elevate, secure onto apparatus
and move any passenger automobile without refitting for width and
length variation. Once in the repair zone, the vehicle can be
anchored to conventional, repair industry standard, floor mounted
anchor points integrating into the base clamp and/or can be
independently stabilized by locking the repair apparatus into
position. Rotation of the vehicle can be then achieved by unlocking
three of the four locking points and then rotating about the axis
of the remaining locked point. Further, this aspect provides
facility for additional high resolution spot anchoring to the
damaged regions of the automobile reducing unnecessary stresses to
undamaged regions during the repair process thereby minimizing
secondary damage to an unperceivable level.
[0016] In yet another aspect, the present invention is to provide a
standardized method and complimentary apparatus for the mounting of
a threaded shaft onto a medium such as the metal structure of a
vehicle to provide a sturdy attachment means for the purposes of
applying force to correct structural damage. Further, this aspect
of the invention provides a versatile and adaptive means of
attachment in regions otherwise inaccessible or difficult to access
thereby limiting the subsequently applied forces to the damaged
region. This method provides the mechanic with an economic and/or
time saving method in the selection and application of the
appropriate apparatus herein.
[0017] In another of its aspects, the present invention is to
provide a tool to correct damage or distortion in a medium, such as
a vehicle body or frame, where the work is inaccessible or only
partly accessible. Further, this aspect of the invention provides
the facility within said tool for proper anchoring at the site of
the work, to offer the operator at least two axes of rotation about
the site of the work in order to efficiently apply forces as
required, to provide adaptable means to clear obstructions to the
work, and/or to reduce the potential of secondary damage caused by
the use of inappropriate tools. Another aspect of the invention is
to increase safety in the immediate environment of the apparatus by
allowing the operator to rigidly mount said apparatus before the
application of force thereby eliminating the possibility of the
device being disengaged when unattended. A further aspect of the
invention aims to standardize the apparatus required to perform
said tasks.
[0018] In another of its aspects, the present invention is to
provide a process for the mechanic to create an anchor point on a
damaged medium in order to apply corrective forces to said anchor
point. A further aspect of this invention is to offer the mechanic
a standardized process which may be applied to the maximum number
of problems with a minimum of effort, to recommend the tools, from
a standardized kit, which the mechanic will require in order to
carry out the steps in this process, to thereby reduce the time
and/or cost of repair, and/or to minimize secondary damage that may
be caused by the implementation of inappropriate methods and/or
tools.
[0019] In another of its aspects, the present invention is to
provide a tool which is versatile in scope, effective in clearing
obstructions to its application, and sufficiently sturdy to
withstand forces applied to correct damage a the site of the work.
Further, this aspect of the invention is to provide a single
platform that may be used to guide a drill or to establish a rivet
in a medium without having to resort to the use of several tools
exclusive to each task. In another of its aspects, this invention
aims to reduce the cost of repair, in both time requirements and/or
tool requirements. The aim of the present invention is to reduce
the occurrence of secondary damage that may be caused by improperly
applied forces by providing the operator the facility to mount the
apparatus, and to thereby apply forces, as close to the desired
point of application as possible.
[0020] In another of its aspects, the present invention is to
provide a method and apparatus for the installation of threaded
rivets into a medium which is inexpensive, simple in design, allows
the operator versatility in application, allows the operator
freedom of one hand, and permits the installation of said rivets
from one side of the work.
[0021] In another of its aspects, the present invention is to
provide a facility to reinforce an existing, installed rivet. An
additional aspect of this invention is to allow the technician to
select a level of reinforcement as required by the work thereby
increasing the stress bearing facility of the system of the washer
and the rivet to levels unattainable by the rivet alone. In the
absence of a suitable site for a rivet but where a washer may be
installed, the technician is provided the facility to use the
washer as a stand alone device to bear the stresses of the work
that would otherwise be borne by a rivet. It is the aim of this
invention to provide the technician with a tool that is economical
and simple to implement in the event that a rivet requires
reinforcement or in the absence of a rivet.
[0022] In yet another of its aspects, the present invention is to
provide a method and complimentary apparatus for drilling into a
medium under conditions unsuitable for existing systems and
apparatus, is inexpensive, compact in design, versatile in
application, is capable of performing its intended function under
tight tolerance and at the site of the work such as that required
for the installation of brackets, allows the operator to
concentrate applied forces to rotation and not against the face of
the work thereby reducing fouling of the drill bit and resulting in
a hole perpendicular to the face of the work. Further aspects of
this invention are to provide a method and apparatus for the
drilling of holes into a medium which may be performed at low
rotation speeds reducing the generation of heat at the site of the
work without lubrication and/or at high rotation speeds where a
localized air cooling facility may be engaged.
[0023] In another of its aspects, this invention is to provide a
tool which is effective in clearing obstructions to its
application, compact, simply applied, and sufficiently sturdy to
withstand forces applied in the drilling of holes at the site of
the work and to allow the drilling to be performed at an angle to
the plane of the work desirable to the operator. Further to this
aspect of the invention, a means to reduce heat resulting from the
action of drilling and to safely remove drilling exhaust in the
form of fragments which can otherwise obstruct the drilling action
or injure the operator is provided. In another aspect, this
invention is to reduce the cost of drilling in both setup time and
tool requirements. In this aspect, it is the aim of the present
invention to provide a means for the operator to accurately define
the location of the intended hole(s).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a flowchart diagram of the collision repair
process.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of the hook-up process.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a pinch clamp.
[0027] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bracket.
[0028] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a drill cartridge.
[0029] FIG. 6 is an illustration of locking pliers.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a piercing punch.
[0031] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a mobile, 4 point anchoring
apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a vector transfer
apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the repair zone equipped with floor
anchors.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram of the elevation and mobility
apparatus.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the anchored base clamp.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the adjustable clamp on a section of
crossbeam.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a diagram of an anchor facility affixed to a
section of crossbeam.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a detailed diagram of the crossbeam fitted for
apparatus integration.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured
for use with a nut.
[0040] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a threaded shaft.
[0041] FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured
for use with a threaded rivet.
[0042] FIG. 19 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured
for use with a forming nut.
[0043] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft configured
for use with a twist and lock attachment.
[0044] FIG. 21 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured
for use with a threaded bracket.
[0045] FIG. 22 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft and a
sectional view of a right angle bracket with which it is
engaged.
[0046] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and a
one-point vise clamp bracket.
[0047] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and a
two-point vise clamp bracket.
[0048] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and
MacPherson strut housing bracket.
[0049] FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus
with a straight arm attachment.
[0050] FIG. 27 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus
with a straight arm attachment.
[0051] FIG. 28 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus
with a straight arm attached perpendicular to the axis of the
locked, internally threaded cylinder.
[0052] FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus
with an adjustable right angle arm attachment.
[0053] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus
with a chain tightener attachment.
[0054] FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the vector lock
mechanism.
[0055] FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the vector lock mechanism
with locking bolt fixture exposed.
[0056] FIG. 33 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus
with a high resolution vector lock mechanism.
[0057] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus
with a high resolution vector lock mechanism.
[0058] FIG. 35 is a flowchart diagram of the hook up process.
[0059] FIG. 36 is an illustration of a pinch clamp.
[0060] FIG. 37 is an illustration of the front and side of a
universal bracket.
[0061] FIG. 38 is an illustration of a drill cartridge.
[0062] FIG. 39 is an illustration of locking pliers.
[0063] FIG. 40 is an illustration of a piercing punch.
[0064] FIG. 41 is an isometric view of a right angle repair
bracket.
[0065] FIG. 42 is a side elevation of the length of a right angle
repair bracket.
[0066] FIG. 43 is a side elevation along the width of a right angle
repair bracket.
[0067] FIG. 44 is a side elevation of a flat repair bracket.
[0068] FIG. 45 is a top view of a flat repair bracket.
[0069] FIG. 46 is a side elevation of a flat repair bracket mounted
on a medium and reinforced by a washer.
[0070] FIG. 47 is an isometric view of an adjustable mount flat
repair bracket equipped with an anchor attachment.
[0071] FIG. 48 is a top view of an adjustable mount flat repair
bracket equipped with an anchor attachment.
[0072] FIG. 49 is a side elevation of an adjustable mount flat
repair bracket equipped with an anchor attachment and installed on
a medium to be repaired.
[0073] FIG. 50 is a side elevation of a right angle repair bracket
installed on a medium by locking pliers means.
[0074] FIG. 51 is a side elevation of a right angle repair bracket
installed on a medium with the aid of locking pliers and engaged
with two drill guide attachments.
[0075] FIG. 52 is a top view of a flat or right angle repair
bracket installed on a medium and engaged by an anchor plug
attachment and a drill guide attachment.
[0076] FIG. 53 is a side elevation of two wall thickness
gauges.
[0077] FIG. 54 is a side elevation of a rivet and a rivet installed
in a medium.
[0078] FIG. 55 is a sectional view of an hollow anvil body.
[0079] FIG. 56 is a side elevation of a mandrel.
[0080] FIG. 57 is a sectional view of a mandrel installed in an
hollow anvil body.
[0081] FIG. 58 is a sectional view of an assembled anvil
apparatus.
[0082] FIG. 59 is a sectional view of an assembled anvil apparatus
where the mandrel has been drawn upward along the axis of
rotation.
[0083] FIG. 60 is a side elevation of an anvil assembly with a pin
passing through it.
[0084] FIG. 61 is a top view of an anvil assembly with a pin
passing through it.
[0085] FIG. 62 is a top view of an anvil wrench.
[0086] FIG. 63 is a side elevation of an anvil wrench.
[0087] FIG. 64 is a side elevation of an anvil apparatus with the
ring portion of an anvil wrench engaged therein.
[0088] FIG. 65 is a top view of a rivet reinforcement washer.
[0089] FIG. 66 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement
washer.
[0090] FIG. 67 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer
installed on a medium with a rivet.
[0091] FIG. 68 is a top view of a rivet reinforcement washer
installed on a medium.
[0092] FIG. 69 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer
installed on a medium with a rivet and engaged by a bracket
attachment.
[0093] FIG. 70 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer
installed on a medium with a rivet and engaged by a tool
attachment.
[0094] FIG. 71 is a sectional view of a drill cartridge
apparatus.
[0095] FIG. 72 is a side view of a drill cartridge housing.
[0096] FIG. 73 is a top view of a drill cartridge housing.
[0097] FIG. 74 is a sectional view of a disassembled drill
cartridge apparatus.
[0098] FIG. 75 is a sectional view of a drill cartridge apparatus
and a drill plug engaged with a drill bracket and medium.
[0099] FIG. 76 is a top view of a drill cartridge apparatus and a
drill plug engaged with a drill bracket and medium.
[0100] FIG. 77 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with
raised magnets.
[0101] FIG. 78 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with
raised magnets.
[0102] FIG. 79 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with
raised magnets and attached air cooling apparatus.
[0103] FIG. 80 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with
raised magnets and attached air cooling apparatus.
[0104] FIG. 81 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with
attached air cooling apparatus engaged with a center line
positioning apparatus.
[0105] FIG. 82 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with
countersunk magnets, mounting eyelets, and attached air cooling
apparatus.
[0106] FIG. 83 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with
countersunk magnets, mounting eyelets, and attached air cooling
apparatus.
[0107] FIG. 84 is a side elevation of an unthreaded mounting shaft
with facility for eyelet attachment.
[0108] FIG. 85 is an isometric view of a vehicle elevation
apparatus with a mounting bracket attachment for the engagement of
a mounting shaft.
[0109] FIG. 86 is a side elevation of a bracket engaged with a
medium under repair with a chain attachment.
[0110] FIG. 87 is a side elevation of two brackets engaged on
opposing sides of a medium under repair with a chain
attachment.
[0111] FIG. 88 is a side elevation of an inverted vector transfer
apparatus engaged with a medium under repair.
[0112] FIG. 89 is a side elevation of a push jack subtended by
brackets engaged with a medium under repair.
[0113] FIG. 90 is a side elevation of push jack bracket.
[0114] FIG. 91 is an isometric view of an unthreaded mounting shaft
with threaded stud mounting facility.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0115] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
process is provided for collision repair where the following steps
summarize the effort: [0116] damage assessment is performed to
inform further steps; [0117] the collision repair process is
invoked where the technician is to follow the instructions outlined
in the proposed process and make decisions based on the
requirements of the work as part of the process; and [0118] upon
completion of this process, the technician is ready to apply forces
at appropriate points as required by the work.
[0119] The collision repair process noted in the above steps will
be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in
the description of drawings above.
[0120] The description of the collision repair process will be
discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. A collision
repair process is provided as in FIG. 1 wherein a flowchart format
is used to best illustrate the steps involved. The collision repair
process flowchart is comprised of several steps which take the form
of either an action to be taken or an action preceded by a decision
to be made by the technician. Arrows are used to indicate the
direction of flow.
[0121] The start terminal 1 is the initialization of the collision
repair process. The technician must identify the damage that is to
be repaired using the process.
[0122] The decision 2 offers the technician the option of utilizing
a mobile, 4 point anchor apparatus whereby the vehicle under repair
is raised onto beams and is anchored thereto while said apparatus
may be moved on the work floor as required. This determination is
dependent on the location of the damage on the vehicle where
undercarriage damage would strongly suggest an affirmative
response.
[0123] The action 3 is invoked if the technician has determined
that the mobile, 4 point anchor apparatus, such as that in FIG. 8,
is required for the work. The anchor apparatus allows the
technician to raise the vehicle to the desired height and to anchor
appropriately. After completion of the anchoring, the technician
may proceed to implement the hook-up process 4 as described in
detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.
[0124] If the anchor apparatus is determined to be unnecessary in
decision 2, the technician may directly proceed to implement the
hook-up process 4 as described in detail with reference to FIG. 2
below.
[0125] Decision 5 is offered after the successful implementation of
the hook-up process 4. Stress relief is offered where it is not
desirable to directly apply forces of great magnitude, where
anchoring may not be as sturdy as desired, or where the ability to
apply forces of great magnitude is hindered.
[0126] If stress relief is determined to be necessary in decision
5, the action 6 is to be implemented whereby stress relief is
attained by means of vibration of the medium under repair or impact
such as that provided by a hammer, during the application of force,
or additional anchoring is performed at the site of the work.
[0127] After the completion of action 6 or if stress relief is
determined to be unnecessary in decision 5, the technician is given
the option of proceeding with either action 7 or action 8. Action 7
requires the implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 9 wherein a
device is provided which allows the technician to clear obstacles,
such as the bumper of a vehicle, and to accurately set and lock the
vector at which force is to be applied. The technician may choose
to proceed with action 8 wherein force may be directly applied to
the site of the work by means of a chain or other pulling or
pushing device.
[0128] After the completion of either of the actions of 7 or 8, the
process may be concluded with the application of force at a
magnitude and vector appropriate to the work.
[0129] A hook-up process is provided as in FIG. 2 wherein a
flowchart format is used to best illustrate its intended usage. The
hook-up process flowchart is comprised of several steps which take
the form of either an action to be taken or an action preceded by a
decision to be made by the technician as in FIG. 1. Arrows are used
to indicate the direction of flow.
[0130] The start terminal 10 is the initialization stage of the
process. At this stage, a point on the medium to be repaired must
be appropriately chosen to be able to correct damage if force is
applied at the correct vector through this location.
[0131] The decision 11 offers the technician the option of
proceeding with or without the use of mounting holes. This
determination is dependent on the site of the work, the magnitude
of the force to be applied in respect of the sustaining ability of
the mounting spot, and whether a mounting hole is a practical means
of attachment of an anchoring device.
[0132] The action 12 is invoked if the technician has chosen to
proceed without a hole or holes and is therefore satisfied that a
clamping method is sufficient to sustain the forces to be applied
in correcting the damage. In this case, a pinch clamp may be used
as that illustrated in FIG. 3. Once the clamp is attached, the
technician may move to the end terminal 21 where a device to
sustain the application of force may be attached, such as a
threaded hook-up shaft, secured chain, etc., and thus the process
is complete.
[0133] The decision 13 is invoked if the technician has determined
that the use of a mounting hole or holes is appropriate to the
work. In this decision, the technician must respond to the question
as to whether mounting holes are present and if so, whether these
mounting holes are appropriately located.
[0134] The action 14 is invoked if the technician determines that a
mounting hole or holes must be produced. In order to produce a
mounting hole, a bracket, as in FIG. 4, must be attached with which
a drill cartridge, as in FIG. 5, is engaged in order to produce a
hole. The mounting of said bracket may be achieved by one of three
methods from which the technician is to choose the most practical
given the work. The methods of mounting the bracket offered to the
technician are the use of locking pliers, as in FIG. 6, a threaded
stud welded to the medium, or a piercing punch, as in FIG. 7, in
order to create a small diameter hole where a self-tapping screw is
engaged to mount said bracket.
[0135] Upon completion of action 14, the technician is offered the
option of using a bracket in decision 15 with which to engage
devices which will sustain the application of force or to directly
attach said devices. If the technician chooses to waive the bracket
option then the process is again completed at end terminal 21 in
the attachment of said device(s).
[0136] If the requirement of the bracket is established in decision
15, then the technician is instructed to mount said bracket in
action 20 by means of a threaded rivet, which is to engage a bolt,
or a conventional nut and bolt configuration through the newly
produced hole(s) in action 14. Once the bracket is secured, the
process may again be completed at end terminal 21 as before.
[0137] Returning to decision 13, if the technician is able to
utilize any existing holes then decision 16 may be invoked. Here,
the technician must decide whether to proceed with the aid of a
bracket or to directly mount any devices which will sustain the
application of force. If the technician chooses to waive the
bracket option then the process is completed at end terminal 21 as
before. If the technician does require a bracket for the purposes
of mounting any devices which will sustain the application of
force, then action 17 is to be invoked where the bracket is secured
to the medium by means of either a threaded rivet or a nut and bolt
configuration as in action 20 above.
[0138] The technician may proceed to decision 18 where the
requirement of any additional hole(s), in order to provide
additional mounting strength, is to be determined. If additional
holes are not required, the technician may proceed to end terminal
21 to complete the process as before. In the event of additional
holes required, the technician may proceed to action 19 in order to
engage the drill cartridge to produce said hole(s).
[0139] Once the requisite hole requirement is satisfied in action
19, the technician need only to secure the bracket, by means of
threaded rivet or nut and bolt configuration as before, utilizing
new mounting hole. The process is then completed at end terminal 21
once any devices which will sustain the application of force have
been attached.
[0140] In an embodiment of the present invention a repair zone will
be described with reference to FIG. 10. The vehicle under repair 28
is intended to be brought within a perimeter described by floor
anchor points 24 which are illustrated in their relative positions
in the industry defined configuration and further situated in the
perimeter described by additional floor anchor points 26.
[0141] Precise positioning and elevation of the vehicle is attained
with the aid of the apparatus which will be described with
reference to FIG. 11. The elevation and mobility apparatus 46 is
secured to crossbeam 30 and a wheel assembly 48 is attached to said
crossbeam 30. The combined elevation and mobility apparatus 46 and
the crossbeam 30 is now moved into position such that the unsecured
end of the crossbeam 30 is brought under the vehicle 28,
perpendicular to its length, and allowed to extend on the other
side of the vehicle 28. An additional elevation and mobility
apparatus 46 is then secured to the unsecured end of the crossbeam
30 after the removal of the wheel assembly 48 which is adjustable
and removable by screw clamps 42. The elevation of the crossbeam 30
relative to the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 is then
configured by the height adjustment bolt 32 which passes through a
threaded hole in the crossbeam 30 and then said crossbeam 30 is
locked at desired elevation by lock pins 40 providing
perpendicularity once tightly secured relative to the height of the
elevation and mobility apparatus. The elevation of the elevation
and mobility apparatuses 46 relative to the floor is then
adjustable by means of bolt 34 and locked by means of screw lever
36.
[0142] Final positioning of the vehicle 28 is achieved by
maintaining the elevation of the elevation and mobility apparatuses
46 above the floor such that the attached wheels 38 are free to
move. Immobility is attained by lowering the elevation and mobility
apparatuses 46 to the floor thereby rendering the attached wheels
38 incapable of providing movement. Should partial immobility be
desired, for rotation, said elevation and mobility apparatuses 46
can be maintained above the floor and said attached wheels 38 can
be locked as desired and thus rotation axis defined.
[0143] A second pair of elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 and a
crossbeam 30 can then be put into position at the other end of the
vehicle 28 as required by the repair.
[0144] The mechanism by which the elevation and mobility apparatus
46 is attached to the crossbeam 30 will be described in detail with
reference to FIG. 15. The height adjustment bolt 68 passes through
a self aligning nut 70 of cylindrical shape contained within the
hollow end region of the crossbeam 72. The axis of rotation of the
self aligning nut 70 is defined by the insertion of the set screw
74 through axis hole 78 in the hollow end region of the crossbeam
72 and into the appropriately threaded end of the self aligning nut
70. Thus the necessary maneuverability of the assembled system, as
indicated by the range of angles through which the height
adjustment bolt 80 may pass relative to the crossbeam 72, is
afforded until the requisite height is determined and the height
adjustment bolt 68 is tightened such that crossbeam 72 is brought
perpendicular to the height of the elevation and mobility apparatus
46 with the aid of lock pins 40.
[0145] Securing the final position of the elevation and mobility
apparatus 46, before repair, will be described with reference to
FIG. 12. Base clamps 50 are brought into contact with the elevation
and mobility apparatuses 46 at those points on the floor deemed
critical under stress and said base clamps are secured to floor
anchor points 24 or 26 as convenient. Securing to floor anchor
points 24 or 26 is achieved by passing the floor anchor bolt 52
through the saw-toothed washer 54 and then passing said assembly
through the base clamp 50, and potentially through appropriately
provided anchoring holes 44 on the elevation and mobility apparatus
46, into the threaded floor anchor points 24 or 26 such that the
teeth of said saw-toothed washer 54 come into contact with the
saw-toothed edges of the base clamp 50 thereby eliminating movement
under stress.
[0146] Securing of the vehicle 28 to the combined apparatus will be
described with reference to FIG. 13. Two adjustable clamps 56 are
attached to a section of crossbeam 58 between the elevation and
mobility apparatuses 46 and are spaced according to the distance
between the lower sills on the undercarriage of the vehicle 28 and
are locked into position by means of bolts 60. Said distance varies
by brand and model of vehicle 28 however the present invention
provides universal accommodation for this distance by means of said
adjustability. The adjustable clamps 56 are then tightened to the
lower sills on the undercarriage of the vehicle 28 by means of
clamp bolts 62 thus completing the preparation process for
repair.
[0147] Further, spot anchoring is achieved with higher resolution
than conventional systems which are typically floor anchored. Such
anchoring means will be described with reference to FIG. 14. A
chain anchor point 66 is affixed to a section of crossbeam 64 at a
point outside the perimeter of the vehicle 28 thereby providing
anchoring means. Similarly, chain anchor points 66 may be affixed
to the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 providing additional
anchoring points. Such high resolution anchoring in the present
invention allows the stress of repair to be localized to the
damaged region thereby reducing secondary damage which is prevalent
in conventional systems.
[0148] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
method is provided for the attachment of an appropriate threaded
shaft in preparation for the further attachment of devices enabling
the application of force. The attachment of the threaded shaft is
performed according to the following steps: [0149] selection of
mounting method according to material thickness, accessibility, and
the distribution of forces required by the work; [0150] selection
of threaded shaft appropriate to the choice of mounting method; and
[0151] engagement of the threaded shaft with the medium, either
directly or by means of bracket, and this finalization of
preparation for the attachment of further devices to provide means
for the application of force to the affected region.
[0152] The apparatus required to perform the steps outlined above
will be better understood with reference to the figures listed in
the description of drawings above.
[0153] The description of the directly mountable threaded shafts
will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 16 through 20. A threaded
shaft is provided as in FIG. 16 such that it has a threaded outer
cylinder 78, a smaller diameter threaded bolt 82 for engagement
with a nut 80 through a medium 76. The threaded shaft is also
provided with a square socket 84 to facilitate engagement with a
wrench, such as an impact wrench, commonly available to the
mechanic. This threaded shaft is further illustrated in FIG. 17
having square a socket 86.
[0154] A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 18 for applications
where the medium 94 with which the threaded shaft is to be engaged
is provided with an installed threaded rivet 92. Similar to the
threaded shaft of FIG. 16, the threaded shaft of FIG. 18 is
provided with a threaded outer cylinder 90, a square socket 98, and
a smaller diameter threaded bolt 96 to engage the installed
threaded rivet 92. This threaded shaft is further provided with an
annular cavity 88 to eliminate the obstruction posed by the head of
the installed threaded rivet 92 when the threaded shaft is in full
abutment of the medium.
[0155] A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 19 for applications
where the medium 106 with which the threaded shaft is to be engaged
is of reduced material rigidity requiring the additional rigidity
afforded by the deformation of said medium 106. Similar to the
threaded shaft of FIG. 18, the threaded shaft of FIG. 19 is
provided with a threaded outer cylinder 102, a square socket 110,
and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 108 to engage the forming nut
104 through the medium 106. The forming nut 104 is provided with an
annular depression which forms the negative of the positive forming
shape 100 allowing the deformation of the medium 106 when the
threaded shaft is fully engaged with said medium 106 and forming
nut 104.
[0156] A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 20 for specific
automotive applications where portions of the undercarriage of a
vehicle are suitably designed, such as the undercarriage of a BMW
automobile, to engage the twist and lock mechanism comprised of key
112 and lock 114. Similar to the threaded shaft of FIG. 19, the
threaded shaft of FIG. 20 is provided with a threaded outer
cylinder 116 and further may be provided with a square socket
110.
[0157] The description of the bracket mountable threaded shaft will
be better understood with reference to FIGS. 21 through 25. A
bracket mountable threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 21 for
applications where a bracket is first engaged with a medium and
subsequently a threaded shaft is required to be engaged with said
bracket. Similar to the threaded shafts of FIGS. 16 through 20, the
threaded shaft of FIG. 21 is provided with a threaded outer
cylinder 124, a square socket 118 to facilitate engagement with a
wrench, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 122 not exceeding the
length of the threaded region of the intended bracket. This
threaded shaft is further provided with a barrier form 120 intended
for fitting the format of the bracket providing additional mating
strength with said bracket.
[0158] A right angle bracket and threaded shaft are engaged as in
FIG. 22. Once the bracket 126 is mounted to a medium, an engaged
threaded shaft has a free threaded outer cylinder 128 for the
purposes of further attachments. A threaded shaft may be engaged at
either or both planes of the right angle bracket 126 and it is
understood that flat brackets or brackets of other configurations
may be used to engage a threaded shaft.
[0159] A vise equipped with one tightening point and a threaded
shaft are provided as in FIG. 23. The single point vise 130 is
configured similar to the bracket of FIG. 22 in that it may be
engaged with the threaded shaft 132. Said vise configuration is
intended for applications where a suitable anchoring point is
available such as the pinch well along the undercarriage of a
vehicle.
[0160] A vise equipped with two tightening points and a threaded
shaft are provided as in FIG. 24. The double point vise 134 is
similar to the bracket of FIG. 22 and the single point vise of FIG.
23 in that it may be engaged with the threaded shaft 136. The use
of a double point vise 134 facilitates the distribution of force
among its points of contact. It is understood that vises equipped
with multiple tightening points may be used without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0161] A MacPherson strut housing mountable bracket and threaded
shaft are provided as in FIG. 25. The MacPherson strut housing
bracket 144 is equipped with swivel arms 146 in order to
accommodate varying housing dimensions. The swivel arms 146 are
further provided with plugs 142 which are intended to engage holes
at the three points common to MacPherson strut housings. A threaded
shaft 142 may be engaged by the MacPherson strut housing bracket
144 by means of the threaded receptacle 140.
[0162] A description of an unthreaded mounting shaft with an eyelet
attachment facility will be discussed with reference to FIG. 84. A
mounting shaft 692 is provided with an internal thread to engage an
appropriately threaded eyelet 690 which may then be used to engage
a chain or hook for the application of force according to the
requirements of the operator. It is understood that said mounting
shaft 692 may be equipped with any of the mounting configurations
as described above with reference to FIGS. 16 to 25. It is further
understood that the threaded shafts, as described above with
reference to FIGS. 16 to 25, may be of a configuration lacking
external threads along the axis of the shaft whilst retaining
mounting and attachment facilities.
[0163] A description of an unthreaded mounting shaft with threaded
stud mounting platform will be discussed with reference to FIG. 91.
A mounting shaft 760 is provided with an internal thread to engage
a threaded eyelet as above. The mounting shaft 760 is equipped with
an additional internal thread on its opposing end to engage a
threaded stud on mounting platform 762. Said mounting platform 762
may be magnetically held to the work surface in preparation for
welding to said surface. A clearance recess 764 is provided in
order to facilitate removal of said mounting platform 762 by means
of prying away from the work surface after the completion of the
action of repair. The mounting shaft 760 is shown provided with
wrench tightening facility 766 which is configured to allow the
engagement of a wrench which would be commonly available in the
shop of the operator. It is understood that said wrench tightening
facility 766 may be incorporated into any of the above mentioned
mounting shafts. It is also understood that said clearance recess
764 may be of varying configurations allowing clearance of
obstacles to mounting in addition to providing above mentioned
facility for prying said mounting platform 762 away from the
surface of the work.
[0164] A description of a mounting bracket to engage the above
described threaded and unthreaded mounting shafts will be discussed
with reference to FIG. 85. A mounting shaft bracket 696 is provided
with a receptacle 694 to engage mounting shafts as those discussed
with reference to FIGS. 16 through 25 and FIG. 84. Said mounting
shaft bracket 696 is shown to be readily mounted to a vehicle
elevation apparatus but may additionally be configured to mount to
surfaces as required by the work. A tightening screw facility 695
is provided such that the elevation of the engaged mounting shaft
within the hollow of said bracket 696 may be adjusted and secured
by the operator.
[0165] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the following steps are provided in order to effectively implement
the apparatus herein: [0166] an anchor point is established at the
site, such as a point on a vehicle body or frame, at which force is
desired to be introduced in order correct material damage or
distortion; [0167] the vector transfer apparatus, and appropriately
chosen attachment engaged therewith, is engaged at said anchor
point and appropriately configured as to the direction of desired
force application; and [0168] force is applied at the accessible
end of the vector transfer apparatus in order to effectively
transfer corrective forces to said anchor point.
[0169] The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be
better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the
description of drawings above.
[0170] The description of the vector transfer apparatus will be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 26 to 30 and FIG. 88. A vector
transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 26 comprised of an
internally threaded cylinder 150 with which to engage an
appropriately gauged threaded shaft at the anchor point, a vector
lock mechanism 152 enabling the operator to adjust the angle of
engagement through a range of approximately 120 degrees at
approximately fifteen degree increments, a straight arm 154 affixed
to said vector lock mechanism 152 at an angle allowing the operator
to clear obstructions to the work between the anchor point and the
free end of the straight arm 154, a chain 156 affixed to the free
end of the straight arm 154 as an example of a point on which force
may be exerted in a direction away from the body of the vector lock
mechanism 152. The chain 156 may be substituted with an assortment
of means functioning to facilitate the application of force by
engaging the free end of said straight arm 154.
[0171] The structure of the vector transfer apparatus of FIG. 26 is
further illuminated in the side view illustration of FIG. 27. The
apparatus is comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 158, a
vector lock mechanism 160, a straight arm 162, and a chain 164 as
that in FIG. 26.
[0172] A modified configuration of the vector transfer apparatus is
provided as in FIG. 28. The apparatus is similarly comprised of an
internally threaded cylinder 166 and a vector lock mechanism 168 as
in FIGS. 26 and 27. The straight arm 170 is affixed parallel to the
lower edge of the vector lock mechanism 168 in contrast to the
previous figures facilitating the clearing of obstructions which
may differ from those addressed in the previous configurations. The
apparatus is provided with a chain attachment 172 as before.
[0173] A vector transfer apparatus with an adjustable arm
attachment is provided as in FIG. 29. This apparatus comprises an
internally threaded cylinder 176 and a vector lock mechanism 178 as
before. The apparatus is shown engaged with a threaded shaft 174 as
that which would be present at the anchor site. A straight arm
connector 180, affixed to the vector lock mechanism 178, is
provided equipped with a facility to mate with a further arm
attachment 182 configured to slide within the hollow of said
straight arm connector 180. The arm attachment 182 is secured to
the apparatus by means of length locking bolt 190 passing through a
guide hole in the straight arm connector 180 and then through the
operator selected hole, chosen from spaced holes provided on the
arm attachment 182, and engaged with a nut on the opposing side to
hold said length locking bolt 190, and thus the arm attachment 182,
firmly in place. The arm attachment 182 is further provided with
height adjustment of end piece 188, allowed mobility within the
lower chamber, by means of screw 184 which at full engagement of
appropriately provided thread will lock end piece 188 at required
position relative to lower chamber. A chain 186 is shown attached
to said end piece 188 as in previously described
configurations.
[0174] A vector transfer apparatus with an attached chain
tightening mechanism is provided as in FIG. 30. This apparatus
comprises an internally threaded cylinder 194 and a vector lock
mechanism 190 as before and is shown engaged with a threaded shaft
192 as that which would be present at the anchor site. The vector
lock mechanism 190 is provided such that it may be engaged with a
chain tightening mechanism 196, commonly available to the collision
repair technician, as shown. The chain tightening mechanism 196 has
a chain 198 attached similar to the configurations previously
described.
[0175] An inverted vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG.
88. The inverted vector transfer apparatus 724 is provided with
facility to engage a mounted shaft 722 which is further mounted to
the medium under repair 720. The vector transfer apparatus 724 is
supported against the medium 720 by support 728 of material
sufficient to withstand distortion under the stresses applied to
the chain attachment 726 and serves to distribute forces applied
and prevent rotation about the mounting point of mounted shaft 722
where the desired application of force is along the longitudinal
axis of the medium 720. Any of the vector transfer apparatuses may
be used in said inverted fashion as required by the work where the
operator may find the non-inverted usage impractical or where the
forces needed to be applied are better aligned with the inverted
vector apparatus 724.
[0176] A detailed description of the vector lock mechanism will be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. A vector lock
mechanism is provided as in FIG. 31 comprising an internally
threaded cylinder 202, upper lock bolt 196, lower lock bolt 200,
mounting panel 194, and angle setting holes such as hole 198 bored
on said mounting panel 194. The lower lock bolt 200 may be removed
to allow the operator to rotate the internally threaded cylinder
202 about the axis of the installed upper locking bolt 196. Said
internally threaded cylinder 202 may be rotated, relative to
mounting panel 194, to the desired angle and then set at said angle
by means of reinserting and securing said lower locking bolt 200 at
the appropriate hole passing through mounting plate 194, locking
bolt fixture of the internally threaded cylinder 202, and the
opposing mounting plate. A threaded shaft 192 is shown to be
engaged with the vector lock mechanism illustrating the facility of
the unit to be rotated about the axis of the threaded shaft 192,
maintaining the engagement, allowing the operator to position the
vector lock mechanism according to the requirements of the work in
this plane.
[0177] A vector lock mechanism is provided as in FIG. 32 wherein
the locking bolt fixtures are exposed. Similar to FIG. 31, this
vector lock mechanism comprises an internally threaded cylinder
214, upper lock bolt 208, lower lock bolt 212, mounting panel 206,
and angle setting holes such as hole 210 bored on said mounting
panel 206. Said internally threaded cylinder 214 is shown with
locking bolt fixtures configured such that when abutted with
mounting panel 206, the upper locking bolt may pass through upper
fixture and lower fixture may be aligned with each of the holes in
mounting panel 206 such as hole 210 allowing the engagement of
lower locking bolt 212 at the desired angle. Holes in the mounting
panel 206 are provided, along the abutment path of said lower
fixture, allowing a rotation range about the axis of the installed
upper locking bolt 208 of approximately 120 degrees at
approximately fifteen degree setting increments. It is understood
that holes may be provided in this path for varying rotation ranges
at varying setting increments without departing from the spirit of
the present invention. A threaded shaft 204 is illustrated to be
engaged with the vector lock mechanism as in FIG. 31 and similarly
this configuration allows rotation of the unit about said threaded
shaft 204.
[0178] A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 33 where
a pulling hook 218 is used to provide corrective forces. The arm
attachment 222 is provided as before to clear obstacles to the
work. A high resolution vector lock mechanism comprised of an
internally threaded cylinder 224, a rotation window 226, and an
adjustment bolt 228 provides adjustability of the vector transfer
apparatus through the full range of angles defined by the rotation
window 226. The rotation of the adjustment bolt 228 about its axis
provides the means to set the angle of the arm attachment 222
relative to the static angle adopted by the internally threaded
cylinder 224. The adjustment bolt 228 is prevented from motion
parallel to its axis by means of bushings. The high resolution
vector lock mechanism is anchored to the site of the work by means
of the internally threaded cylinder 224 engaged with a bracket 220
which is further engaged with the medium 216 on which work is to be
performed. Anchoring at the site of the work includes but is not
limited to the implementation of the bracket 220.
[0179] A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 34 where
a pulling hook 236 is used to provide corrective forces as before.
This vector transfer apparatus comprises the same components as
those of FIG. 33 and is shown engaged with a bracket 234. The head
of the adjustment bolt 230 is shown to be accessible and operable
by tools readily available to the technician. Removable locking pin
244 is used to engage the adjustment bolt 230 with the internally
threaded cylinder 240 and removable locking pin 232, which
additionally provides an axis of rotation for said vector transfer
apparatus, is used to engage arm attachment 242 with said
internally threaded cylinder 240.
[0180] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
process is provided for the establishment of an anchor point, a
hook-up spot, on a medium in preparation for the application of
corrective forces where the following steps summarize the effort:
[0181] a point on a damaged or distorted contiguous medium, such as
the body or frame of a vehicle having been involved in a collision,
is chosen as the best suited for force to be applied to correct
said damage; [0182] the hook-up process is invoked where the
mechanic is to follow the instructions outlined in the proposed
process and make decisions based on the requirements of the work as
part of the process; and [0183] upon completion of this process,
the mechanic is provided the facility to attach those devices which
will sustain the application of force, such as a threaded hook-up
shaft, bolted chain, etc., while achieving the desired repair.
[0184] The hook-up process noted in the above steps will be better
understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the
description of drawings above.
[0185] The description of the hook-up process will be discussed in
detail with reference to FIGS. 35 to 40. A hook-up process is
provided as in FIG. 35 wherein a flowchart format is used to best
illustrate its intended usage. The hook-up process flowchart is
comprised of several steps which take the form of either an action
to be taken or an action preceded by a decision to be made by the
mechanic. Arrows are used to indicate the direction of flow.
[0186] The start terminal 248 is the initialization stage of the
process. At this stage, a point on the medium to be repaired must
be chosen appropriate to be able to correct damage if force is
applied at the correct vector through this location.
[0187] The decision 250 offers the mechanic the option of
proceeding with or without the use of mounting holes. This
determination is dependent on the site of the work, the magnitude
of the force to be applied in respect of the sustaining ability of
the mounting spot, and whether a mounting hole is a practical means
of attachment of an anchoring device.
[0188] The action 252 is invoked if the mechanic has chosen to
proceed without a hole or holes and is therefore satisfied that a
clamping method is sufficient to sustain the forces to be applied
in correcting the damage. In this case, a pinch clamp may be used
as that illustrated in FIG. 36. Once the clamp is attached, the
mechanic may move to the end terminal 270 where a device to sustain
the application of force may be attached, such as a threaded
hook-up shaft, bolted chain, etc., and thus the process is
complete.
[0189] The decision 254 is invoked if the mechanic has determined
that the use of a mounting hole or holes is appropriate to the
work. In this decision, the mechanic must respond to the question
as to whether mounting holes are present and if so, whether these
mounting holes are appropriately located.
[0190] The action 256 is invoked if the mechanic determines that a
mounting hole or holes must be produced. In order to produce a
mounting hole, a universal bracket, as in FIG. 37, must be attached
with which a drill cartridge, as in FIG. 38, is engaged in order to
produce a hole. The mounting of said bracket may be achieved by one
of three methods from which the mechanic is to choose the most
practical given the work. The methods of mounting the bracket
offered to the mechanic are the use of locking pliers, as in FIG.
39, a threaded stud welded to the medium, or a piercing punch, as
in FIG. 40, in order to create a small diameter hole where a
self-tapping screw is engaged to mount said bracket.
[0191] Upon completion of action 256, the mechanic is offered the
option of using a universal bracket in decision 258 with which to
engage devices which will sustain the application of force or to
directly attach said devices. If the mechanic chooses to waive the
bracket option then the process is again completed at end terminal
270 in the attachment of said device(s).
[0192] If the requirement of the universal bracket is established
in decision 258, then the mechanic is instructed to mount said
bracket in action 268 by means of a threaded rivet, which is to
engage a bolt, or a conventional nut and bolt configuration through
the newly produced hole(s) in action 256. Once the bracket is
secured, the process may again be completed at end terminal 270 as
before.
[0193] Returning to decision 254, if the mechanic is able to
utilize any existing holes then decision 260 may be invoked. Here,
the mechanic must decide whether to proceed with the aid of a
bracket or to directly mount any devices which will sustain the
application of force. If the mechanic chooses to waive the bracket
option then the process is completed at end terminal 270 as before.
If the mechanic does require a bracket for the purposes of mounting
any devices which will sustain the application of force, then
action 262 is to be invoked where the bracket is secured to the
medium by means of either a threaded rivet or a nut and bolt
configuration as in action 268 above.
[0194] The mechanic may proceed to decision 264 where the
requirement of any additional hole(s), in order to provide
additional mounting strength, is to be determined. If additional
holes are not required, the mechanic may proceed to end terminal
270 to complete the process as before. In the event of additional
holes required, the mechanic may proceed to action 266 in order to
engage the drill cartridge to produce said hole(s).
[0195] Once the requisite hole requirement is satisfied in action
266, the mechanic need only to secure the universal bracket, by
means of threaded rivet or nut and bolt configuration as before,
utilizing new mounting hole. The process is then completed at end
terminal 270 once any devices which will sustain the application of
force have been attached.
[0196] In another embodiment, a method is provided for the
installation of a repair bracket at the site of the work in order
to facilitate drilling, rivet installation, anchor establishment on
the medium. The installation process is performed according to the
following steps: [0197] selection of the repair bracket according
to the intended action or actions to be performed; [0198]
affixation of the repair bracket to the medium by a means in
accordance with the accessibility of the work, the requirements of
the work, and the characteristics of the medium; [0199] engagement
of an attachment such as a drill guide, rivet press, anchor, etc.,
with the affixed repair bracket; [0200] performance of the action
of repair; and removal of the affixed repair bracket after
completion of the repair process.
[0201] The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be
better understood with reference to the drawings below as listed in
the description of drawings above.
[0202] The description of the universal repair bracket will be
discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 41 through 48. A right
angle repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 41 comprised of
platform walls such as wall 274, attachment receptacles such as
receptacle 276 which may or may not be threaded or tapered
dependent on the configuration of the intended attachment, exhaust
paths such as exhaust path 278 which allow the removal of debris at
the surface of the medium at the site of the work, and mounting
holes such as mounting hole 280 which allow the bracket to be
affixed to the medium by various means. A right angle repair
bracket is provided as in FIG. 42 where the configuration of the
platform wall 282, the attachment receptacle 284, and the mounting
hole 286 are further illustrated from a work side view. FIG. 43
provides an additional view of the right angle bracket highlighting
the relative scaling of the platform wall 290 and the attachment
receptacle 292.
[0203] A flat repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 44 where a
single plane platform wall 298 has attachment receptacles such as
attachment receptacle 294 and a centrally located mounting hole
296. A work side view of the flat repair bracket of FIG. 44 is
provided in FIG. 45 showing attachment receptacle 304 equipped with
exhaust paths as in FIG. 41, the centrally located mounting hole
302, and the platform wall 300.
[0204] A flat repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 46 mounted to a
medium 308 where the attachment receptacle is shown to be tapered
unlike those of FIGS. 41 through 45 facilitating engagement with
like attachments. A washer 310 is shown engaged with the work end
of the attachment receptacle where said washer may be mounted to
the medium 308 by means of weld and when fitted with the repair
bracket, provides additional load bearing capacity for the entire
repair bracket system should additional load bearing capacity be
required by the work.
[0205] An adjustable mount repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 47
where said bracket is equipped with an anchor 318 should load be
desired to be applied thereto. This repair bracket has movable
attachment receptacles such as receptacle 322 tightened into
position by bolts such as bolts 314 and 316 and further locked into
position by the serrated side 320 of the repair bracket. Said
attachment receptacles can additionally be tightened or held in
their desired positions by a nut with a handle such as devices 312
and 324. The movement of said attachment receptacles offers the
technician the ability to define the relative distance between
mounting points as desired thereby providing greater flexibility in
avoiding obstacles, utilizing existing holes, or in drilling new
holes.
[0206] An adjustable mount repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 48
where the work side of the bracket is illustrated with attachment
receptacles 326 and 328. The anchor 330 is drawn with dashed lines
to indicate its position to be on the opposing side and the
serrated surface 332 is shown to be on the work side in order to
engage said attachment receptacles 326 and 328 once tightened into
position.
[0207] Implementation of an adjustable mount repair bracket is
shown as in FIG. 49 where the repair bracket is affixed to medium
334 which has damage requiring correction 336. The medium 334
pictured here is similar to that of a automobile frame where a
rectangular hollow pipe is common. The repair bracket may be
mounted as shown utilizing existing holes to mount attachment
receptacles such as 338 that may be tightened from the interior of
the pipelike frame by wrench 346. Three such attachment receptacles
are shown where the rightmost receptacle is used as a guide for
drill bit 340 rotated by power tool 342 in order that further holes
may be produced in order to secure the repair bracket to said
medium as required by the work. The anchor 344 is shown to be free
to bear the force required to correct damage 336 at the appropriate
vector as chosen by the operator. The number and functionality of
attachment receptacles engaged on such a repair bracket are only
limited by the length of the body of said repair bracket.
[0208] A variation on the mounting technique used to affix a right
angle repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 50 where locking pliers
354 has adjustability along adjustment shaft 356 with arm 348
forcing right angle bracket 350 against medium 352. The centrally
located hole of the bracket as shown in FIGS. 41, 42, 44, and 45
may be used as an interface to force the right angle bracket 350
against the medium with said locking pliers.
[0209] The locking pliers method of affixing the right angle
bracket to a medium is provided as before in FIG. 51 where
attachments are shown to be engaged with said right angle bracket.
A drill guide 358 is engaged with said right angle repair bracket
on the plane of the medium facing west whereas an additional
attachment 360 is simultaneously engaged with the plane of the
medium facing south thereby illustrating the facility of the repair
bracket in allowing dual plane simultaneous functionality.
[0210] A repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 52 in order to
illustrate the functionality of the repair bracket in allowing the
operator to use said bracket in conjunction with a drill guide 368
in order to produce evenly spaced holes, distance between said
holes being defined by the relative distances of the attachment
receptacles of the repair bracket 366, through the wall of a medium
364 having a similar configuration as those of FIGS. 50 and 51. A
plug attachment 370 is used to affix the repair bracket 366 to the
work face of the medium while a drill guide 368 is engaged with the
free attachment receptacle of the bracket and drilling action is
performed. Once a hole is produced, the plug attachment 370 may be
used to affix the repair bracket 366 to the medium at the site of
the newly produced hole thereby again freeing the other attachment
receptacle to produce an additional hole with the aid of said drill
guide. Additional holes may be produced by repeating this method as
desired resulting in evenly spaced holes such as holes 362.
[0211] A description of a chain equipped bracket will be discussed
with reference to FIG. 86 and FIG. 87. A chain equipped bracket 702
is provided as in FIG. 86 having an extended chain 704 facilitating
the application of force. Said bracket 702 may be mounted to medium
700 at location 706 by welding or nut-and-bolt configuration as
shown.
[0212] Two chain equipped brackets 710 and 716 having extended
chains 712 and 714, respectively, are provided as in FIG. 87
mounted at locations 708 and 718 on opposing sides of a medium
under repair providing the operator additional facility to apply
force as may be required by the work and where access to the work
area may allow.
[0213] A description of the push jack bracket will be discussed
with reference to FIGS. 89 and 90. Push jack brackets 734 and 730
of male and female configurations, respectively, are provided as in
FIG. 89. A push jack 732, commonly available to the technician, is
shown engaged with said brackets 734 and 730 which are further
engaged with medium 736 subtending the region of damage 736 to be
repaired. Said configuration allows the application of force,
provided by said push jack 732, along the longitudinal axis of the
medium 738 as required in order to correct the region of damage
736. It is understood that either the male push jack bracket 734 or
female push jack bracket 730 may be used to engage the push jack
732 without the aid of the other as required by the work.
[0214] A male push jack bracket is provided as in FIG. 90. Said
push jack bracket is provided with a male element 740 in order to
engage the female end of a push jack such as push jack 732 of FIG.
89. Engagement of & said push jack may be accomplished at any
point between positions 746 and 754 through a range of angles 742
greater than ninety degrees. Said push jack bracket is mounted to
medium 752 by means of bolt 750 or is welded at points such as 748
or both means may be used to mount said push jack bracket. Said
apparatus is provided with a bolt clearance recess 744 in order to
allow the free rotation of the push jack through the range of
angles 742 as described above without being obstructed by bolt 750.
The range of angles 742 allows force to be applied at various
points as required by the work. It is understood that the female
push jack bracket is similarly configured with the exception that
it has a female element as opposed to the male element 740 as
described above.
[0215] In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for the
installation of a threaded blind rivet. The process of installation
is performed according to the following steps: [0216] measurement
of medium wall thickness into which threaded blind rivet is to be
installed; [0217] selection of the length of threaded blind rivet
to be used according to information provided by wall thickness
gauge which may be correspondingly coded by colour or otherwise;
[0218] engagement of the threaded blind rivet with the threaded
lower portion of a mandrel which is inserted into the bore of an
appropriately sized anvil; and [0219] deforming of the shank of the
rivet, and thus installation within the medium, with the aid of the
composite device consisting of the mandrel, anvil, a custom wrench
and rotation force applied thereon.
[0220] The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be
better understood with reference to the drawings as listed
above.
[0221] The measurement of medium wall thickness will be discussed
with reference to FIG. 53. A wall thickness gauge 374 is provided
having a width less than the diameter of the hole intended to house
the rivet. Preferably, the length of wall thickness gauge 374 is
suitable for fitting into the palm of the hand of the operator and
its material is of a minimum thickness and rigidity allowing
operation in the intended environment without deformation. Said
wall thickness gauge 374 is provided such that is has slots 376 and
380 and the hole 378 provided for attachment to a chain or
otherwise for simple portability. Said slots 376 and 380 are of
equal dimension perpendicular to the length of wall thickness gauge
374 sufficient to engage the medium wall and provide the operator
with a relative reading of thickness and are of differing
dimensions parallel to the length of the wall thickness gauge 374
offering depths corresponding to the lower range of medium wall
thickness for which the method and apparatus for the installation
of threaded blind rivets is to be utilized.
[0222] A wall thickness gauge 382 is provided which is similarly
equipped with slots 384 and 388 and the hole 386 through its
geometric center as those of wall thickness gauge 374 and is of
equal length, width, material and material thickness to said wall
thickness gauge 374. Slots 384 and 388 are provided such that their
dimensions perpendicular to the length of wall thickness gauge 382
are equal to those of slots 376 and 380 of wall thickness gauge
374. Slot 384 is provided such that its dimension parallel to the
length of wall thickness gauge 382 is marginally greater than that
of slot 376. Slot 388 is provided such that its dimension parallel
to the length of wall thickness gauge 382 represents the upper
limit of medium wall thickness for which the method and apparatus
for the installation of threaded blind rivets is to be
utilized.
[0223] Said wall thickness gauges are employed by insertion of the
head into the hole intended for the installation of the rivet into
the medium and engaging of the slot with the thickness of said
medium. The wall thickness gauge which allows the engagement of the
thickness of the medium of one slot and does not allow the
engagement of the thickness of the medium with the other slot
provides the operator with the range for which a corresponding
length of rivet is assigned. The assignment of said rivet lengths
is environment dependent and it is understood that any number of
gauges with appropriate slot dimensions may be used with
assignments to any number of rivet lengths, if resolution of
lengths should need to increase, without departing from the scope
of the invention.
[0224] The threaded blind rivet and the desired installation
outcome of said rivet will be discussed with reference to FIG. 54.
A rivet 390 is provided such that it is of length previously
selected, of diameter appropriate to the hole of intended
installation, is internally threaded, and is provided with an
annular flange 392. Said rivet 390 may be provided with a coating
of commercially available retaining compound to coat the outer
surface of said rivet 390 including the under surface of said
flange 392. Said retaining compound is chosen such that its
retaining capability is only activated under application of
pressure which the rivet 390 will endure during the installation
process and will cure under anaerobic conditions provided by the
compressed rivet 394 after installation in the medium 398. The
compressed rivet 394, if coated, will adhere to any surface of the
medium 398 to which it is installed with the aid of said retaining
compound at any point of contact with said medium 398 between the
under surface of the flange of said compressed rivet 394 and the
ring 396 formed during the compression and thus distortion of said
rivet. Once cured at the site of installation, said retaining
compound further prevents movement of said compressed rivet 394
within the allotted hole thus increasing its ability to function
under stress beyond that provided by mechanical coupling.
[0225] Further, an anvil assembly is provided in accordance with
the present invention and will be discussed with reference to FIGS.
55 to 61.
[0226] An hollow anvil body 400 is provided as in the cross-section
of said anvil body 400 shown in FIG. 55 having an hollow bore
through its center consisting of an upper chamber 402 and a lower
chamber 404. Said hollow anvil body 400 is equipped with two
rounded slots 406 on opposing sides at equal elevation.
[0227] A mandrel 408 is provided as shown in FIG. 56 such that it
has a larger top portion thread 410 suitable to engage a large nut,
a smaller lower portion thread 414 suitable to engage a rivet and
the hole 412 through its center. Said mandrel 408 is of a length
allowing said threads 410 and 414 to be spaced at a distance
greater than the length of the lower chamber 404 within the hollow
anvil body 400.
[0228] Assembly of said mandrel and said hollow anvil body is shown
in FIG. 57 where the inserted mandrel 418 passes through the anvil
body 416. Said lower thread 414 of said mandrel 418 will emerge
through the bottom portion of said hollow anvil body 416 at a
length sufficient to fully engage a threaded rivet. Said upper
thread 410 of said mandrel 418 will emerge into upper chamber 402
of said hollow anvil body 416 at a length sufficient to engage a
nut.
[0229] A nut 422 is provided as in FIG. 58 such that it will engage
the upper thread 410 of a mandrel 430. A washer 424 and a thrust
bearing 426 are provided within the upper chamber 402 of an hollow
anvil body 420 to create a reactionary force when said nut 422 is
caused to be threaded upon said mandrel 430 and to maintain applied
forces parallel to the axis of rotation thereby reducing the
possibility of friction between said mandrel 430 and said hollow
anvil body 420.
[0230] A pin 428 is provided such that it will pass through the
hollow anvil body 420, at the rounded slots 406 provided for this
purpose, and through the body of the mandrel 430, at the hole 412
provided for this purpose, thus restricting the relative rotation
of said hollow anvil body 420 and said mandrel 430. The pin 428 is
additionally restricted to movement along the length axis of the
anvil assembly by the rounded slots 406 thereby providing a means
of limiting the movement of said mandrel 430 along this axis thus
limiting deformation of the compressed rivet 394. For further
clarification, the side view of a pin 444 passing through an hollow
anvil body 440 and a mandrel 442 is shown in FIG. 60 and the top
view of a pin 448 passing through an anvil and mandrel assembly 446
is shown in FIG. 61.
[0231] Upon the application of force to a nut 434, as shown in FIG.
59, against the upper thread 408 of a mandrel 438, said mandrel 438
will be drawn upward through the hollow anvil body 432 along the
length axis of the rounded slots 406 where the rotation of said
mandrel 438 is restricted by means of the inserted pin 436. A rivet
engaged with the lower thread 412 of said mandrel 438 will be
forced against the hollow anvil body 432 at its lower end thereby
generating the force required to compress said rivet thereby fixing
it within the medium as indicated in FIG. 54.
[0232] An anvil wrench will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 62
to 64. An anvil wrench 454, as shown from the top in FIG. 62, is
provided to engage a pin 476 passing through the assembly of FIG.
64. Once engaged, the anvil wrench 454 is used to control the
rotation of said assembly. The anvil wrench 454 provided thus is
equipped with a ring 450 of diameter sufficient to pass freely over
the hollow anvil body 470. Two slots 456 are positioned on said
ring 450 such that a line joining said slots would be perpendicular
to the shaft of the anvil wrench 454 in the same plane and such
that said slots 456 will freely engage said pin 476. The anvil
wrench 454 is fitted with a first attachment 452 perpendicular to
the plane of the shaft of said anvil wrench 454.
[0233] A first attachment 460, as shown in the side view of an
anvil wrench in FIG. 63, is provided such that it can support a
second attachment 462 thereto in a plane parallel to that of the
anvil wrench 464. Two slots 468, positioned on the ring portion 458
of anvil wrench 464, are shown in the shape desired for engagement
with a pin 476 of FIG. 64 and thus rotational manipulation of said
assembly of FIG. 64 is afforded.
[0234] The ring portion 472 of an anvil wrench 470 is shown in
engagement of a pin 476 in FIG. 64. The geometry of slots 468
allows rotation along the length axis of said assembly of FIG. 64
to be restricted to that desired by manipulation of the anvil
wrench 474.
[0235] During the installation of a threaded rivet, the anvil
wrench 474 is engaged with the assembly of FIG. 64 such that when
force is applied to a nut 434 against the upper thread 410 of
mandrel 438, only movement along the length axis of the assembly of
FIG. 64 is permitted. One handed operation of the apparatus for the
installation of threaded blind rivets is permitted when a powered
tool, commonly available to the mechanic, is used to engage the nut
434 such that said powered tool is pressed against said second
attachment 462 of anvil wrench 464 and is allowed to rest against
said first attachment 460.
[0236] In another aspect of the present invention, the device
provided is to be installed at the site of the work where a rivet
has been previously installed in a medium. The implementation of
the present invention will be better understood with reference to
the drawings as listed in the description of drawings above.
[0237] The description of the rivet reinforcement washer will be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 65 to 68. A rivet reinforcement
washer 480 is provided as in FIG. 65 comprised of an raised annular
support channel to abut and distribute the load, weld holes 482,
486, and 490 to facilitate mounting the washer, a central hole 488
to clear the intended rivet path, and a moisture exhaust path 484
should moisture or debris collect under rivet reinforcement washer
480.
[0238] A rivet reinforcement washer is shown as in FIG. 66 having a
central hole 492 and a raised annular support channel 494
illustrating the geometry of said channel 494. This geometry is
chosen such that the inner ring is to be closely matched as a
negative to the attachment providing the greatest surface area of
contact and such that the outer ring is wedge shaped to provide the
greatest possible support under stress.
[0239] A rivet reinforcement washer is provided as in FIG. 67 where
the washer 496 is mounted to a medium 498 and where said washer 496
is positioned such that there is full access to the internally
threaded rivet 500 already installed, thereby not interfering with
the utility of the internally threaded rivet.
[0240] A rivet reinforcement washer is provided as in FIG. 68
mounted on a medium 502. The washer 504 is mounted to said medium
by means of welds 506, 508, and 510 along the outer flange of said
washer. Due to the low profile of washer 504, it may be acceptable
to allow it to remain attached after its utility has been
exhausted. The washer 504 can be easily removed after use by
sanding at said weld points or by various other means familiar to
the technician should the washer become an obstruction or present
cosmetic incongruity after use.
[0241] Applications of the rivet reinforcement washer will be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 69 and 70. An installed rivet
reinforcement washer is shown in FIG. 69 providing load support for
a bracket attachment 512 and offering access to the rivet 516
installed in medium 518. The inner ring of the raised channel of
washer 514 is shown fully abutting the lower portion of the bracket
attachment thereby providing the greatest possible load support.
The washer 514 is shown without the extended outer flange of those
washers illustrated in FIGS. 65 to 68. The embodiment relating to
the presence of the outer flange is to be selected according to the
requirements of the work where increasing the diameter of the outer
flange increases the load bearing facility of the system but may
need to be restricted in order to avoid obstructions at the site of
the work.
[0242] A second rivet reinforcement washer is shown in FIG. 70
providing load support for attachment 520 illustrating the
versatility of said washer in its ability to accommodate various
attachments as required by the work. The washer 522 is mounted on a
medium 524 at a site where a rivet 523 is previously installed as
in FIG. 69. Attachment 520 is equipped with a bolt to engage rivet
523 after passing through the central hole of washer 522 and medium
524.
[0243] In another embodiment, a method is provided for drilling
into a medium. The drilling process is performed according to the
following steps: [0244] selection of the drill bit according to
material and size appropriate for the medium to be drilled; [0245]
selection of drill bracket, either right-angled or flat, dependent
on accessibility of work; [0246] affixation of the angled bracket
or the flat bracket to the medium; [0247] engagement of the drill
cartridge apparatus with the bracket; [0248] application of
rotation force thereon, at the appropriate point, to compress
internal spring forcing drill bit against medium; [0249]
application of rotation force thereon, at the appropriate point, to
produce intended hole; and [0250] drilling, at predefined distances
relative to first hole, may be performed using a plug to hold the
drill bracket in place and engaging further holes on this drill
bracket as above.
[0251] The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be
better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the
description of drawings above.
[0252] The description of the drill cartridge apparatus will be
discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 71 to 74. A drill
cartridge apparatus is provided as in FIG. 71 such that it
comprises a drive nut 528 to which driving force is to be applied,
a drill cartridge housing 530, a compressed air inlet 536 for
cooling, a drill bit 538 engaged with lower threaded portion of
drill shaft 540, a compression spring 542 to force drilling end of
apparatus against medium, and an adjustment nut 546 in order to
compress said compression spring 542 upon application of
appropriate rotation force. Said drill cartridge apparatus of FIG.
71 is further equipped with thrust bearing 532 and bushings 534 and
544 to maintain applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation
when such force is applied to drive nut 528 causing the drill shaft
540 and attached drill bit 538 to engage the medium intended to be
drilled.
[0253] The drill cartridge housing 548 is provided as in FIG. 72
having a compressed air inlet 550 and a radial mounting flange 552
equipped with mounting hole 554. The drill cartridge housing is
shown in FIG. 73 including the radial mounting flange 556 and
mounting hole 558 where an industry standard NPT connector 560 is
engaged with said compressed air inlet.
[0254] The drill cartridge apparatus is provided as in FIG. 74,
illustrating its components in greater detail. The drill cartridge
apparatus comprises the drive nut 562, an upper bushing 564, an
adjustment nut 566 equipped with threads to engage the threads of
the drill cartridge housing 580.
[0255] A compression spring 568 is provided producing the required
downward force on the drill shaft 574 once support collar 572 and
thrust bearing 570 are made to pass over said shaft to the point
fixed by the spring pin 576 and adjustment nut 566 is engaged with
drill cartridge housing 580. The drill shaft 574 is separately
threaded in its upper and lower regions to engage drive nut 562 and
drill bit 584 respectively. The engagement of the drill shaft 574
by the drive nut 562 allows the independent rotation of the drill
shaft 574 and hence said drill bit 584 within the housing as a
downward force is maintained on said shaft by means of the
compressed spring 568. A lower bushing 578 is provided to maintain
applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation as in the cases of
the upper bushing 564 and the thrust bearing 570. Drill bit 584 is
to be selected as to the requirements of the work.
[0256] The drill cartridge housing 580 is provided with a
compressed air inlet 582 which allows attachment of an industry
standard NPT connector and associated devices thereby delivering,
through provided channel, air cooling at the site of drilling
should such cooling be required.
[0257] Implementation of the drill cartridge apparatus will be
discussed with reference to FIGS. 75 and 76. A drill cartridge
apparatus is engaged with an appropriate bracket as in FIG. 75
where a plug 594 is used to set the position of a drill bracket 596
with the aid of an existing hole, in the medium 592, where possible
for the purpose of drilling at relative distance as defined by the
configuration of said bracket. The drill cartridge apparatus 586 is
engaged with said bracket by means of nut 590 and compressed air
inlet 588 remains accessible to provide cooling, if necessary at
the site of the work.
[0258] The implementation of FIG. 75 is further illustrated in the
top view of FIG. 76. The drill cartridge apparatus 598 is engaged
with the drill bracket by means of nut 600 passing through a hole
in the drill bracket similar to that provided at hole 602. The
drilling position is again set by means of plug 604 securing the
drill bracket against the face of the medium.
[0259] In another embodiment, a method is provided for the
implementation of the drill guide at the site of the work in order
to facilitate drilling into the medium. The implementation process
is performed according to the following steps: [0260] choice of a
drill guide with either raised or countersunk magnets, [0261]
magnetic engagement of the drill guide with the surface of the
medium at the site of the work, [0262] accurate adjustment of drill
guide to suit the required location of the work, [0263] engagement
of the drill guide with drill bit and accompanying apparatuses
required to perform the drilling, [0264] performance of the action
of drilling while supplying air through intake provided to reduce
heat and to remove exhaust at the site of the work, and [0265]
removal of the magnetic drill guide after completion of the
drilling.
[0266] The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be
better understood with reference to the drawings below as listed in
the description of drawings above.
[0267] The description of the magnetic drill guide will be
discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 77 through 83. A
magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 77 comprised of drill
shaft opening 610 to allow the drill bit to pass through the body
of the guide to engage the medium, a guide platform 612 elevated
from the surface of the medium in order to clear obstructions to
the work and to allow an exhaust path for the fragments produced by
the action of drilling. Magnetic standoffs such as 614 and 616
elevate said platform 612 and affix the apparatus to a ferrous
medium with force sufficient to maintain its position under the
stress of the work. Guide housing 618 maintains the structure of
the guide at the intended angle relative to the plane of the work
face of the medium.
[0268] A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 78 shown from
the work side in order to illustrate the configuration of magnetic
standoffs 622, 624, 626, and 628 as they are attached to the
underside of the guide platform 620 which is equipped with drill
shaft opening 630. Said configuration allows the apparatus to clear
surface obstructions, maintains a symmetrical radial distribution,
from said drill shaft opening 630, of said magnetic standoffs 622,
624, 626, and 628 such that the apparatus remains mechanically
balanced at the site of the work, and provides sufficient paths for
the exhaust of the work.
[0269] A magnetic drill guide with affixed compressed air
receptacle and intake path is provided as in FIG. 79 comprised of
drill shaft opening 632, guide platform 634, magnetic standoffs
such as 636, intake path 638 to provide cooling at the site of the
work as well as forcing drill exhaust away from the site of the
work, and conventional compressed air receptacle 642 configured to
be attached to compressed air facilities commonly available to the
technician.
[0270] A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 80 shown from
the work side as in FIG. 78 with the addition of conventional
compressed air receptacle 648 and further comprised of guide
platform 644, magnetic standoffs such as 646, and drill shaft
opening 650 as before.
[0271] A magnetic drill guide equipped with a compressed air
receptacle and engaged with a center line positioning apparatus is
provided as in FIG. 81 shown from the work side. Said magnetic
drill guide 658 is accurately positioned at the site of the work
with the aid of the positioning apparatus 652. Said positioning
apparatus 652 may be mounted on the medium by means of mounting
holes such as 654 utilizing existing holes where the aperture of
656 may be used to establish the center line of intended drilling.
Due to the "V" configuration of the working end of the positioning
apparatus 652, it may be used to engage said magnetic drill guide
658 at any of the four corners of the guide platform 644 as
described in FIG. 80. Such positioning allows the operator to drill
along a center line which is established and passes through
mounting hole 654 and aperture 656.
[0272] A magnetic drill guide with countersunk magnets and mounting
eyelets is provided as in FIG. 82 comprised of drill shaft opening
660 to allow the drill bit to pass through the body of the guide to
engage the medium, a guide platform 662 designed to abut the medium
on the work side, magnets embedded within said platform, eyelets
for mounting with screws such as 664 and 668, exhaust path 666, and
conventional compressed air receptacle 670. Said screws may be self
tapping and mounting by said means allows reinforcement of magnetic
mounting or may be used as the sole mounting means on a non-ferrous
medium. Guide housing 672 maintains the structure of the guide at
the intended angle relative to the plane of the work face of the
medium.
[0273] A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 83 shown from
the work side and illustrating mounting eyelets 678 and 682.
Magnets such as 676 are countersunk to allow the entire platform to
abut the work face. An exhaust path 674 is provided with arrows
indicating the intended direction of air flow. The guide is
equipped with conventional compressed air receptacle 680 as before.
It is understood that the relative sizes of the magnetic standoffs,
countersunk magnets, the number of magnets, the number and
distribution of mounting eyelets, the angle of the guide housing
relative to the plane of the face of the work, and the relative
size of the drill shaft opening are shown thus in FIGS. 77 through
83 in order to simply communicate the functionality of an
embodiment of the present invention and any alteration of said
parameters does not depart from the scope of this embodiment of the
present invention.
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