AU594881B2 - Apparatus for straightening deformed vehicles - Google Patents

Description

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is document c5ntains 594881 amendments md¢ under Section 49 and is correct for printing.,,, COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA The Patents Act 1952-1969 Name of Applicant(s): REUBEN JOHN HARRY SMITH and BARRY WILLIAM LAIRD Address of Applicant(s): 6 Goodna Road, Greenbank, Queensland, 4124 and Ravenala Street, Sunnybank Hills, Queensland, 4109 (respectively) e •o Ve ft ft f e 6e9 ft ft cct~

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C C Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: REUBEN JOHN HARRY SMITH and BARRY WILLIAM LAIRD G.R. CULLEN COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, Dalgety House, 79 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: ft ft. U0 WI ft ft ft ft. ft APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING DEFORMED VEHICLES The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to us: r. r lft

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t Ci C cc C I 444 .44, 4448 4F( This invention relates to apparatus for straightening or Leforming the body and/or frame of a deformed vehicle. In particular, the invention is directed to portable apparatus suitable for applying a tensi3e force to the chassis of a deformed vehicle to straighten same, the tensile force being capable of being applied from a number of directions.

There are various known devices for straightening deformed vehicle bodies. Such devices are generally heavy .10 and bulky and therefore cannot be transported easily and they occupy a large amount of space when not in use. Examples of t such known devices can be found in Australian patent 505642 and Australian patent application 53724/86.

4? A further disadvantage of known devices for straightening vehicle frames and/or bodies is that the tensile force applied to the vehicle body is restricted to a limited range of directions, for example horizontal lateral forces as shown in patent no. 505642. In many cases however, the chassis may be bent down as well as being bent in, and it is necessary to apply an inclined tensile force.

Another disadvantage of prior art devices is that the direction of the applied tensile force is not always constant. For example, in the apparatus of Australian patent application no. 53724/86, as the arm 7 pivots counter clockwise to apply a tensile force to the deformed vehicle, the direction of the tensile force applied by chain 9 also varies. Where accurate realignment' of a vehicle chassis is required, it is desirable to apply\Aa tensile force in a -tW i .mz i I i ii t 4

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It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or substantially ameliorate the abovedescribed disadvantages of the prior art by providing transportable apparatus suitable for use in straightening deformed vehicles and capable of applying a tensile force of constant direction within a range of directions.

In one broad form, the present invention provides apparatus for straightening or reforming a deformed vehicle, .0 said apparatus comprising a generally upright structure, a first member vertically adjustable in position along said structure and adapted to be fixed in position in use, a tension line having one end adapted to be connected to the vehicle portion to be straightened and the other end L5 connected to a second member, said first member being located intermediate said ends such that the tension line passes at least partially around said first member, and means for C moving said second member relative to said first member to thereby apply tensile force along said line to said vehicle portion.

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*1*IN In a preferred embodiment, the upright structure comprises a pair of parallel spaced-apart -posts. The first member, which is preferably located between the posts and adjustable in position therealong, can comprise a saddle, roller, capstan, windlass, corner member or any other suitable member around which the tension line can be pulled between the two posts. The position of the first member therefore determines the direction from which the tensile q .i i'l' .911

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The second member is a rest or anchoring member for the tension line, and in the preferred embodiment the second member is also slidably mounted between the posts and moveable relative to the first member.

The tension line can be a chain, steel cable or any other filamentary member of sufficient strength to withstand the tensile forces to be applied to the vehicle.

Preferably, the means for moving the second member 10 relative to the first member is a portable hydraulic a cylinder/ram arrangement such as that sold under the trade name PORTA PAK. However, any other suitable means can be used, such as a mechanical jack or a pneumatic cylinder.

Preferably, the upright structure is transportable 15 and for this purpose, it is provided with retractable wheels.

When not in use, the upright structure can be simply wheeled away to be stored. As the structure is generally upright, it occupies very little valuable floor space.

In use, means are provided for anchoring the upright 20 structure to a firm support, such as the ground. Such a anchoring is of course required in use in order to provide a reactionary force to the tensile force applied to the vehicle. The vehicle is also anchored to a firm support, such as the ground, a set of rails or a platform.

25 By adjusting the position of the first member along the height of the upright structure, the angle of the tension line to the vehicle, and hence the direction of the tensile force, can be preset to any one of a wide range of li .1: .r, r .r r cj i i It x r r Fi i r;

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r: l i 2i i I- 1 10 91 I If tt& C 9*1 C ICC t directions. Moreover, once the first member has been fixed in position, the direction from which the tensile force is applied remains substantially const;at during the straightening of the vehicle portion.

Notwithstanding other forms of the invention, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of the straightening apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 as applied in use to a deformed vehicle; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the invention using the straightening apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the rail member of Fig. 3; and I r Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the rail member of Fig. 4.

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*i F F 1 20 As shown in the drawings, the straightening Ie a apparatus of the preferred embodiment comprises a generally upright structure 10 comprising two vertical posts 11,12 which are parallel and spaced apart. The posts 11,12 are mounted on base 13 and are connected at the top by cross beam 25 14 which maintains the posts in their spaced-apart parallel configuration. Typically, the cross beam 14 consists of two lengths of angle section steel.

In the illustrated embodiment, the posts 11,12 are a e_" i

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Li pair of channel-section steel members orientated back to back. However, the posts 11,12 may be of any other suitable form and construction. Each post 11,12 has a series of spaced-apart holes 15 extending longitudinally along both opposed sides thereof.

A first member 22 is fixed at a desired height along the posts 11,12 by pins 24 extending through aligned holes in the member 22 and the posts 11,12. The member 22 has a saddle portion 23 located between the posts 11,12. Although a saddle member 23 is shown in the illustrated embodiment, any other suitable component, such as a roller, capstan, windlass, sleeve or bearing, can be used. The saddle 23 preferably contains a central annular groove in order to locate accurately a tension line 30 passing around the saddle.

A second member 20 is also provided in longitudinal sliding relationship with the posts 11,12. The second member may also contain a central saddle portion 21 about which the tension line 30 is drawn. One end portion of the tension line 30 is fixed to the second member 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the tension line is a chain 30 which is fixed to the second member 20 by locating a link of the chain in a yoke portion of the second member 20. Any tension line which is capable of withstanding the tensile forces operatively applied can be used, e.g. a steel cable.

The second member 20 is supported by being connected to one end of a line or cable 25, the other end of which is wound about a drum or windlass rotatable by handle 26. In

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Cott C~~t p iI~1 Mnh. this manner, the height of the second member 20 can be varied by winding handle 26.

SThe other end of the tension line or chain 30 is fixed to a portion of the deformed vehicle which is to be straightened or reformed. Typically, the other end of the chain 30 is fastened to the vehicle chassis 35. In use, the vehicle is anchored to provide a reactionary force to the tensile force by fastening the vehicle chassis to a ground anchor 36 via a short length of chain 37. The ground anchor 36 can be of the form commonly found in panel beating garages.

t: tC The structure 10 is also anchored against the t tensile force applied by chain 30. To facilitate anchoring, rC€ tc a U-bolt 32 is provided on the member 22. A corresponding U-bolt 31 is also provided on member 20. The U-bolt 32 is anchored to a ground anchor 34 via a short length of chain 1 33.

j 'The base 13 is provided with a set of retractable wheels 50. The wheels 50 are connected to lever 51 via connecting rods 52 such that by actuating the lever 51, the wheels 50 can be engaged to allow the structure 10 to be |wheeled to the work site or into storage, or retracted to allow the structure 10 and base 13 to rest upon the ground.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the axt, S 25 that by moving the second member 20 relative to the first member 22, a tension force will be applied to the chain This force will be transmitted to the chassis 35. Any known suitable mean& can be used to move the member 20 away from S. 1 l l r 8 member 22. In the illustrated embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder/ram assembly is inserted between the two members 20,22 and operated by a hand pump 42 connected to the cylinder 40 via flexible hydraulic line 41. The line 41 is made sufficiently long to enable the operator to stand safely outside of the operating region and/or to stand near the deformed vehicle so as to monitor closely the straightening of the chassis As shown in Fig. 2, the tension force is applied in f, 10 the direction of the arrow marked T. However, by t c preselecting the height at which the member 22 is fixed, the tension force can be applied from a wide range of angles, tt *t e.g. within the range illustrated by arrows A and B.

t :Furthermore, during the straightening operation, the tension force is applied in a substantially constant direction.

1 The apparatus of the present invention is simple and C economical to manufacture, occupies little space in the .workshop and is easily transportable. Furthermore, the Ir,20 tension or pulling force is applied in a constant direction to I which can be preselected from a large range of directions.

Localised operation on damaged struts can be achieved by The invention can be used on vehicles anchored or fastened to the ground, to rails or to a drive-on platform.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the invention, and modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art may be made thereto without departing from .4 9 the scope of the invention. For example, in order to apply a tension force from above, the tension line 30 can be pulled over the upper member 20 which, in this case, is fixed in position. The end of the tension line 30 is fastened to the lower member 22 which is free to move downwardly relative to the fixed upper member 20 to apply a tension force to the chain 30. In this embodiment, tension line 33 is reconnected a' I. I t ri rl tt It to u-ol±t 31 of upper member 2u.

Furthermore, only the member around which the chain 30 is drawn need be located on the upright structure 10. The other (end) member can be located on a floor mounted structure.

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In another embodiment of the invention, two of the structures 10 may be located on opposite sides of a deformed vehicle and used to apply opposed straightening forces to the vehicle, e.g. to pull out inwardly bent door pillars. The pair of structures 10 can also be used to straighten vehicle chasses lengthwise by being applied to opposite ends of the vehicle. Furthermore, a pair of the structures 10 can be 20 applied to respective corners of one end of a vehicle chassis to pull out deformed ends of vehicles.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a cross beam can be placed across two of the structures 10 as illustrated in Fig. 3 for applying a vertical tensile force 25 to a deformed vehicle or a weight. The cross member 65 is shown in more detail in Figs. 4 and 5, and comprises a pair of parallel spaced-apart rails 66, 67 having peg members 63, 64 projecting from opposite ends thereof. The pegs ,63, 64 i 1

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ii r i' i 1 are received in corresponding holes 15 in respective structures 10, 10' as illustrated in Fig. 3. Cross plates 61, 62 are provided between the rails 66, 67 to maintain the rails in their parallel spaced-apart relationship. An aperture 69 is provided in each cross plate 61, 62 to allow passage of the tension line 30 therethrough.

In use, one end of the tension line 30 is fastened to the bottom member 22 of upright structure 10. The tension line 30 passes around and over the top member 20, through 10 aperture 69 in cross plate 62 and around a roller or saddle member 68 located generally centrally of the cross member *t t* The other end of the tension line 30 is connected to a t, portion of the vehicle to be straightened or lifted, or to a V C weight 60, such as an engine block, to be lifted. By operating a hydraulic cylinder 40 located between members and 22 to move member 22 downwardly relative to member the vehicle or weight 60 is able to be lifted. The apparatus of the present invention therefore enables an overhead hoist

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to be constructed simply and economically.

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Claims (11)

1. 2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said second member is mounted on said upright structure and is movable therealong.
2. 3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said displacing means comprises a hydraulic cylinder located S:r t r between said first and second members. C C
3. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, S wherein said upright structure is mounted on a wheeled platform.\ C cf, 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said upright structure comprises two spaced vertical posts, said first member being located between said posts and adjustable in position along said posts, and said second f I icj, U ~i1 iii, tilt i .'t t t i it t C CCC C C C r rr~ cr\ C, C C itt C I, C C C I C C #4 4 4 0 fl*0 I 12 member being slidable longitudinally between said posts,
4. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said f irst member has a saddle or capstan portion around which said tension line passes.
5. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tension line is a steel chain or cable.
6. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means for anchoring said upright structure to a firm support in reaction to said tensile force.
7. 9. Apparatus for lifting a weight,. said apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart upright structures; a cross-member supported by tChe pair of upright structures in an elevated position; first and second members mounted on one of said structures, said first member being fixed in position in use and said second member being able relative to said first member; a third member located on said cross-member; a tension line having one end connected to said second member and extending past said first and third members, the other end of the line being suspendiad from the cross-member, for connection to the weight to be lifted; and means for displacing said second member relative to the first member to thereby pull said tension line to lift said weight.
8. 10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said cross-member is supported at its ends by a respective one of the pair of upright structures, and the third member is located intermediate the ends of the cross-member. IC,, 0* C; IC> iN. -li7 i 13
9. 11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, wherein the third member has a roller or saddle portion over which the line passes.
10. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the displacing means comprises a hydraulic cylinder.
11. 13. Apparatus for straightening or reforming a deformed vehicle, said apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this fourth day of January 1990 REUBEN JOHN HARRY SMITH and BARRY WILLIAM LAIRD By their Patent Attorneys G.R. CULLEN CO. G .r *C *44t 4 4 4 ,1 c-r I: L