GB2175239A - A standardised mount for car body repair jig - Google Patents

Abstract

The mount (1) which permits of positioning standard-type templates against the anchorage and reference points of any production motor vehicle body shell and which is designed for fitment to the framework (4) of a repair jig, comprises a set of substantially plate-like elements (A...F) located one on top of and adjacent to the next, the alternate plates of which are rendered integral in order to create sub-assemblies having mobility through two mutually normal horizontal axes (X, Y). The mount carries a vertical rod (6) capable of axial movement, the top of which carries the template mounting block (7); the block can thus be positioned at any given point in space in order to adapt to the varying contours of different motor vehicle body pressings. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Standardised mountforthe anchorage and reference templates used with motor vehicle body repair jigs The invention relates to a standardised mountforthe jig templates used in vehicle body repairs. The mount is intended for fitment to straightening and reference jigs as utilised in garageworkshopsequippedforthe inspection and repair of damaged motorvehicle bodywork.

Such inspection and repairs are carried out with the body of the motor vehicle positioned on a special straightening jig consisting of a fixed framework which comprises a pairoflongitudinalscarried bya vertical jacking system, and a number of horizontal cross-members interconnecting the two longitudinalps and disposed at rightanglesthereto. Templates are fitted to the framework, according to the individual type of motorvehicle, such that correspondence is brought about between the template reference points and reference points designed into the body shell. In addition to the traditional templates designed for specific models of vehicle and as such unusablefora variety of body shapes, the prior art embraces universal jigs designed for use with, and adaptation to, any shape of body.

The adaptability of such jigs to different types of body is gained by employing mountswhich incorporate components slidable relative to one another at right angles and carrying a vertical rod capable of linear and rotational movementthrough and about its own axis, the template mounting block being fitted to the uppermost part ofthevertical rod.

In manufacturing mounts ofthe priorarttype, use is made of two or more cross-slides having a dovetail profile, a type of support commonly utilised in many engineering fields, and especially in machine tools.

Whilstbeing dependableasfaras regards position- ing of the jig templates relative to the individual motor vehicle body undergoing repairs, mounts of the prior arttype manifest certain drawbacks which are particularly noticeable to users.

Afirst drawback, relating to cost, is occasioned by the relatively high outlay involved in utilising a mount manoeuvred byway of cross-slides.

Afurtherdrawback of engineering and operational nature is produced by dint of the cross-slides being unable to operate other than in concert. The result is that one has an undoubted limitation imposed on versatility of the mount caused by the dimensions of the slide-assembly which, in order to avoid contact with structural members of the vehicle body, must be fitted to the jig in an inconvenient position, for best results to be obtained.

Thus,theoverriding aimofthedisclosureisthatof defeating the above drawbacks posed by prior art mounts, providing a template mount which features lower manufacturing costs and marked versatility of use.

This aim, and others besides, can be realised with the standardised mount for body repair jig templates as disclosed herein, which is designed for fitment to the frame of a repair jig and carries a vertical rod to which the template anchor block is attached, and is characterised in that it consists of a set ofsubstantial- ly plate-like elements located one on top of and adjacent to the next, alternate plates of which are rendered integral so asto create sub-assemblies possessing mobility through horizontal axes disposed at right angles to one another.

The invention will now be described in detail by way of example with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric illustration of the mount, assembled and fitted to the repairjig; Figure2 is an exploded view of part of the mount as illustrated in Figure 1.

With reference to the above drawings, 1 denotes the standardised mount for body repair jig templates as disclosed herein, in its entirety.

According to the particular design illustrated in the drawings, the mount 1 is made fastto the top of a cross-member 2 which, in its turn, is attached by way of bolts 3 to the main longitudinals 4 ofa body repair jig.

5 denotes a supportatthetop ofthe mount 1,which carries a movable rod 6 bearing the mounting block7 of the template (not shown). The rod 6 is capable of sliding through its own vertical axis Z, likewise of rotating thereabout, and is locked into the required position by means of a threaded fastener (not shown) located atthe support 5.

The mount 1 is made up of a number of plate-like elements singly denoted by the letters Ato F, which are located one on top of and adjacent to the next; alternate plates of the set are integral one with the other, and able to slide through horizontal axes X and Y disposed at right angles.

Thefirstand uppermostelementAofthe mount 1 consists of a rectangular plate provided with two through holes 10 and 11 accommodating two respective machine bolts 12 and 13, and is connected to the support 5 byway of a web 14. This same elementA exhibits two lower edges 15 and 16 which project downward a short distance and create a seat into which the adjacent element B below is part inserted.

The second element B, substantially a rectangular plate, is provided with a pair of through holes 20 and 21 accommodating respective socket screws 22 and 23, and with a pair of slots 24 and 25 located along the axis denoted Y affording passage to the machine bolts 12 and 13. 26 denotes a housing with vertical walls, extending the entire length of the element B, in which the adjacent element C below is lodged. Referring still to the second element B, each end ofthe edge denoted 27 exhibits a respective recessed face which extends to the corresponding end of the housing 26; both such faces bear graduated scale mark ings 28 and 29.

The third element C, which is a rectangular plate, has two threaded holes 30 and 31 which receive the two machine bolts 12 and 13. Itwill be observed that the thickness ofthe third element C matches the vertical depth ofthe housing 26, and that the element C is provided at either end of the edge denoted 32, with two reference notches 33 and 34 which permit of measuring the degree of movement (hence the position) ofthe sub-assemblyformed by integral elements A and C along axis Y, relative to element B.

The next element below, denoted D, is a rectangular plate exhibiting two symmetrically disposed pairs ofthreaded holes 40-41 and 42-43. The holes denoted 40 and 41 receive the socket screws 22 and 23 such that elements D and D are rendered integral.

The fifth element E is identical in all respects to the third element C, though overturned and rotated through 90 with respectthereto, and is provided with two threaded holes 50 and 51 and two reference notches 52 and 53.

In similarfashion,the sixth and last element Fis identical to the second element B, though overturned and rotated through 90 with respectthereto. Like element B, element F exhibits a housing 60, in this instance directed upwards and extending lengthwise along axis X, which accommodates element E above.

Element F is also provided with two through holes 61 and 62 accommodating respective socket screws 63 and 64which are received bythe pairofholesdenoted 42 and 43 in element D, with two slots 65 and 66 located along axis Y, and with two graduated scales 67and68.

The sixth element F is located directly above the cross-member2;through holes 70 and 71 located in the cross-memberitselfaccommodate corresponding machine bolts 72 and 73 which pass upwards through the slots 65 and 66 in element F and engage the two threaded holes of element E. The fifth elementE is thus rendered immovable, being integral with the cross-member 2, whereas the sub-assembly formed by elements D and F is mobile through the X axis. It follows therefore thatthetop element A, which carries the template, is capable of movement in the horizontal plane through both the X and the Y axis, which, itwill be remembered, are disposed at right angles to one another.

Itwill be observed thatthefourth element D serves simply to interconnect the two sub-assemblies having mobilitythrough axesXandY, and its place could thus be taken by the cross-member2 were advantage to be gained thereby. In such a situation, eiement E would be rendered integral with the longitudinal 4, whereas the cross-memberwould be mobile through the X axis.

It might be to advantage, in certain instances, to dispense with elements D, E and F altogether; this would result in element B being fixed direct to the jig frame. Clearly, in such a situation, movement through one horizontal axis onlywould be allowed: axis Y, or, in the event of the sub-assemblyformed by elements A, B and C being turned through 90', axis X.

Claims (4)

1. Astandardised mountfor motor vehicle body repair jig templates, designed forfitmentto the frame of a repairjig and carrying a vertical rod to which the template anchor block is attached, characterised in that it consists of a set substantially plate-like elements located one on top of and adjacent to the next, alternate plates of which are rendered integral so as to create sub-assemblies possessing mobility through horizontal axes disposed at right angles to one another.

2. Standardised mount as in claim 1, wherein the set of elements comprises, viewing from top to bottom: a first element integral with the support carrying the vertical rod; a second element provided with at leastonethrough slot and with a housing in its under.

side which extends the entire length of the element itself; a third, slidable elementthat lodges in the housing of the second element and is rendered integral with the first element by means offastenerswhich pass through the slot in the second element; a fourth element rendered integral with the second element by fasteners which neither make contact with nor penetrate the third element; a fifth element, identical to the third element, though overturned and rotated through 90 in the horizontal plane with respectthereto, and fixed immovably to the repairjig framework; and a sixth element, identical to the second element though overturned and rotated through 90 inthe horizontal planewith respectthereto,providedwitha housing uppermost extending the entire length ofthe element itself; and wherein the fifth element is lodged slidablyinthe housing ofthe sixth element, and the sixth and the fourth elements are rendered integral byfastenerswhich neither make contactwith norpenetratethefifth element.

3. Standardised mount as in claim 2, wherein the second and sixth elements are provided at either end of their respective housings with graduatedscale markings, and wherein the third and fifth elements are provided at either end with reference notches which register with said markings.

4. Standardised mount as in claim 2, wherein the fourth element is embodied utilising a structural memberofthe repair jig framework.