GB2238747A

GB2238747A - Apparatus for assembling frames

Info

Publication number: GB2238747A
Application number: GB9021479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Nordon
Original assignee: ANORD RESEARCH
Current assignee: ANORD RESEARCH
Priority date: 1990-09-21
Filing date: 1990-10-03
Publication date: 1991-06-12
Also published as: BE1002339A6; IE62770B1; GB9021479D0

Abstract

Apparatus for assembling a frame comprises a bench 10 having a clamping jig 20, the clamping jig being rotatable by 180 DEG about its longitudinal axis on spigots 28 in journals 30. In use, a frame is assembled by locating and securing the frame elements within the jig with side clamps 50 and securing them to one another in known manner. Access to the frame elements for assembly is enhanced by rotating the frame while in the clamping jig. The bench 10 may be provided with a second storable jig 120 for assembling larger frames. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING FRAMES The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assembling frames, in particular frames for the construction of cabinets which may be used to house switchboards, distribution boards, instrumentation panels, computers, control systems and the like.

Frames of the type referred to are generally constructed from several elements which are bolted or otherwise secured together to form the frame. The assembly of the elements is an unwieldy and time consuming operation, frequently requiring at least two persons.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the difficulties associated with the assembly of frames.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for assembling a frame comprising a bench arrangement having a jig for locating at least one workpiece, the jig including means for securing the or each workpiece, having at least two working sides, and being movable relative to the bench to allow each working side to be presented to an operator and fixed in a working position.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a frame comprising locating at least one workpiece on a jig, which has at least two working sides, securing the or each workpiece to the jig, moving the clamping jig relative to the bench to allow each working side to be presented to an operator and fixed in position to enable the frame to be assembled.

Advantageously, the jig has a front working side and a rear working side and is rotatable about one of its axes to allow the front or rear working sides to be presented to an operator.

Conveniently, the means for securing the or each workpiece to the jig are clamps mounted on the jig, said clamps being operable only when the jig is in a working position.

Preferably, a second jig is provided which is adapted to be substituted for the said jig for the assembly of a different sized frame.

The invention with hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, one embodiment of apparatus for assembling frames according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus from the front showing a first clamping jig in a first working position and a second clamping jig in a storage position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus from one end; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus with the first clamping jig being moved from its first working position to its second working position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of one end of the apparatus illustrating the arrangement for holding the first clamping jig in its first working position; and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but illustrating the arrangement for holding the first clamping jig in its second working position.

Referring the the drawings, the apparatus for assembling frames according to the invention comprises a bench 10 which includes two end supports 12 connected by a lower spar 14. Each end support 12 has an upright section 16, both of which sections are connected by an upper rail 18.

In the drawings a clamping jig 20 is supported by the end supports 12 to complete the bench arrangement. The clamping jig 20 includes two longitudinal members 22 bridged by two end members 24 and three transverse members 26. A spigot 28 is provided on each end member 24 and rests between a journal 30 thus enabling the clamping jig 20 to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The jig 20 is held in a horizontal position by one or other of clamps 40, 41 engaging the stops 42, 43 on the jig. The stops 42,43 are spaced relative to the spigots 28 so that in the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, only clamp 40 engages its corresponding stop 42. When the clamping jig 20 is rotated through 1800, then clamp 41 may be engaged with stop 42 (Figure 5) to hold the jig 20 in that position.

A frame (not shown) may be assembled using the apparatus.

A longitudinal frame element is laid along each longitudinal member 22 and clamped in position by side clamps 50. A third longitudinal member is placed transversely across the transverse member 26 between the locators 27. The longitudinal frame elements are connected together by transverse frame elements which are screwed in position by nuts and bolts by an operator using a pneumatically operated screwdriver 60. When the frame is assembled from one side, the clamping jig 20 is rotated through 1800 and assembled from the other side. While the jig 20 is being rotated the clamps 50 cannot be opened to release the frame. The clamps 50 cannot be operated until the clamping jig 20 is in a horizontal position to activate a safety switch (not shown). The clamps 40, 41 and 50 are pneumatically operated through air lines 65.

For a different sized frame, a large clamping jig 120, shown in the drawings mounted on supports 70 at the rear of the apparatus, is placed on the bench arrangement and the clamps 40, 41 and 50 are attached thereto.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for assembling a frame comprising a bench arrangement having a jig for locating at least one workpiece, the jig including means for securing the or each workpiece, having at least two working sides, and being movable relative to the bench to allow each working side to be presented to an operator and fixed in a working position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the jig has a front working side and a rear working side and is rotatable about one of its axes to allow the front or rear working sides to be presented to an operator.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the means for securing the or each workpiece to the jig are clamps mounted on the jig, said clamps being operable only when the jig is in a working position.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, including a second jig which is adapted to be substituted for the said jig for the assembly of a different sized frame.

5. A method of assembling a frame comprising locating at least one workpiece on a jig which has at least two working sides, securing the or each workpiece to the jig, moving the jig relative to the bench to allow each working side to be presented to an operator and fixed in position to enable the frame to be assembled.

6. Apparatus for assembling a frame substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of assembling a frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.