GB2369321A

GB2369321A - Apparatus for use in dismantling and assembling spring suspension units

Info

Publication number: GB2369321A
Application number: GB0024978A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard James Thorpe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-12
Filing date: 2000-10-12
Publication date: 2002-05-29
Also published as: GB0024978D0

Abstract

Apparatus for use in dismantling and assembling spring suspension units of the type comprising a coil spring and a damper unit. The apparatus comprises a frame or casing within which the spring is positioned during the dismantling and assembling procedure, a pair of spaced guide rods 16, a guide tube 23 disposed slidably on each guide rod, a yoke 25 connecting the two guide tubes, and an actuator means 27 mounted with respect to the frame or casing and operably connected to the yoke to move the guide tubes up and down the guide rods in response to control means for the actuator. The frame or casing carry means (40, 44 Fig 4) to locate the spring suspension unit non-rotatably with respect thereto. The apparatus further comprising a pair of finger means 31 connected directly or indirectly to the guide tubes for movement therewith and means for adjusting the fingers independently of one another for contacting engagement with the spring to be dismantled or assembled.

Description

Title : Spring Suspension Press DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the dismantling and assembling (primarily for repair purposes) of spring suspension units of the type comprising a coil spring, a damper unit comprising a cylinder body accommodating a piston and a piston rod extending from one end of the cylinder body, a housing to receive captively the cylinder body, and two spring abutments, one carried by the housing and the other by the piston rod.

GB Patent No. 2291373 describes an apparatus for use in dismantling and assembling spring suspension units of the above type. It comprises a frame or casing within which the spring is positioned during the dismantling and assembling procedure, two pneumatic cylinders set diametrically opposite one another within the casing and whose movable actuating rods move a respective hook member for engagement with the spring at said diametrically opposite locations. The frame further comprises an abutment to locate the spring suspension unit axially engaging with the lower spring abutment plate, and means to prevent rotation of the spring suspension unit. Control means is provided for actuating the pneumatic cylinders.

The use of two pneumatic cylinders can give rise to control difficulties as well as imposing cost penalties. Furthermore, the hooked members are expensive to produce. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a solution.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus for use in dismantling and assembling spring suspension units of the above described type, the apparatus comprising a frame or casing within which the spring is positioned during the dismantling and assembling procedure, a pair of spaced guide rods, a guide tube disposed slidably on each guide rod, a yoke connecting the two guide tubes, and an actuator means mounted with respect to the frame or casing and operably connected to the yoke to move the guide tubes up and down the guide rods in response to control means for the actuator, the frame or casing carry means to locate the spring suspension unit non-rotatably with respect thereto, and further comprising a pair of finger means connected directly or indirectly to the guide tubes for movement therewith and means for adjusting the fingers independently of one another for contacting engagement with the spring to a dismantled or assembled.

More, particularly, the actuator means comprises a single piston/cylinder, preferably a pneumatically operated ram, which connects with the yoke intermediate the connection with the two guide tubes. The connection of the actuating rod of the cylinder with the yoke is preferably by way of a pin connection which allows some relative movement. Preferably the connection of the yoke with the guide tubes is a fixed connection, but exceptionally, it to may be a pivot connection.

For most practical applications, the apparatus is arranged to receive the spring unit in a vertical orientation. In theory it could be horizontal, but the following description will assume it to be vertical. Thus the guide rods extend upwardly from a horizontal base of the casing. The fingers are provided with means by which their relative vertical position can be adjusted. Conveniently, this is achieved by connecting the fingers to a respective slider block which is slidably moveable on the respective guide tube. Means is provided for fixing the slider block relative to guide tube when in the desired position. The desired position is that which brings the finger into contact with the spring coil so that force can be applied to it to compress the spring for the purpose of dismantling and assembling. More particularly still, the fingers are laterally adjustable with respect to the guide tubes. This allows the fingers to be introduced into contact with the spring coil and allows different diameter of spring coils to be accommodated. Preferably the fingers are slidably adjustable. Friction under load can be relied upon to hold them in the desired position or means may be provided to locate them in the desired position. In order to accommodate the changing inclination of the spring coil under compression, the connection of the finger with the guide tube allows the finger to pivot. A swivel mechanism is preferably provided which allows this.

Advantageously the frame/casing is provided with a front opening by which the spring suspension unit is inserted into position, and with a safety access-closure for the front, conveniently in the form of a hinged door.

Preferably an interlock is provided such that the pneumatic cylinder cannot be operated unless the access closure is in its closed position.

The casing has a base wall thereof that is cut away to the front to permit insertion of the spring suspension unit so that the housing part extends below the base wall whilst the spring is disposed within the casing which forms a safety cage with the spring unit in place. A closure member disposed within the cavity is pivoted across the opening and acts to prevent rotation of the spring unit when in place. A V-block clamping arrangement is preferred.

The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schedule front view of the apparatus according to the invention with the front access door removed, Figure 2 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of a slide block as used in the apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of the finger as used in the apparatus of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a perspective view to an enlarged scale of clamping apparatus as used in the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a frame or casing having opposite sides 1,3, a base 5, a top wall 6 and rear wall 7. The unit is designed to be bolted to a wall by way of its rear wall. A bore 6 is provided in the base 5 and cut away to the front so as to facilitate insertion of the top end of a spring suspension unit as shown in dotted outline in Figure 1 comprising spring 8, top and bottom spring abutment plates 10,12 and housing 14. A clamp mechanism generally identified as 11 is mounted above the base within the casing and is described further hereinafter, with reference to Figure 4.

The clamp mechanism comprises a fixed abutment plate 40 in the form of a V-block disposed above the base 5 and providing two faces 40a, 40b against which a leg 14 (shown in chain dotted outline) of spring suspension unit is held by clamping means comprising a complimentary V-block 44, and a threaded operating mechanism 46 to move it. The threaded actuating element cooperates threadingly with a pivot bar 48. The pivot bar is cooperable with a pivot block 50. The pivot block acts as a latching element for the pivot bar.

The frame/casing accommodates two parallel guide rods 16 set at diametrically opposed locations and extending between top and bottom walls of the casing. Each guide rod has mounted slidably on it a guide tube 23. The guide tubes are connected by a yoke 25. A pneumatic cylinder 27 is secured to the top wall 6 and has its actuating rod 28 connecting with the yoke by way of a pinned connection 29. Each guide tube carries a slide block 31-see Figure 2and is slidably adjustable on the guide tube. A through bore for the guide tube is shown at 30. A threaded element 32 with hand grip actuator 33 provides a means of securing the slide block with respect to the guide tube. Each slide block carries a finger 31 which is connected to it adjusably by way of two slide bars 38 received in bores 35. The end of the finger 31'may be forked and is connected to by slide bar by way of a swivel connection comprising a cylindrical male element 37 and a complimentary bore 39.

An access closure, not shown, is hinged to the casing and in the closed position actuates a safety interlock (not illustrated) which enables a control switch for controlling raising and lowering of the pneumatic air cylinder. An air supply is provided to the units for this purpose.

In use, with the door open and the clamp jaws pivoted to one side, a suspension unit is introduced into the device and positioned with its abutment plate 12 supported on the V-block. Any necessary leveling plates are Introduced to ensure that it is disposed substantially perpendicularly. The damp mechanism 44 is closed onto the suspension leg and the pivot block 50 latched into engagement with the block 48 whereupon the actuator 46 can urge the Vblock 44 against the suspension housing locating it against rotation. The respective fingers 31 are adjusted verticaly and laterally so as to be in a position resting against the springs. The clamp 32 on the slide block 31 is tightened, the door is then closed and the pneumatic cylinder operated moving the guide tubes downwardly simultaneously and causing the fingers to compress the spring unit.

The spring is compressed by a sufficient amount to release pressure from the top abutment plate 10. A retaining nut for the top abutment plate can then be undone to release the top abutment plate, and a locating nut between the suspension unit housing and the damper cylinder block released whereupon the damper unit can be removed and a new one introduced in its place. More preferably, for safety purposes and/or where the spring is to be replaced, after removal of the top abutment, the door is re-closed and the air pressure is released to move the pneumatic cylinders and thereby decompress the spring.

The gate is then opened to remove the spring if necessary and the procedure continues with removal of the locating nut for the damper cylinder block. The above procedure is reversed for assembly.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for use in dismantling and assembling spring suspension units of the above described type, the apparatus comprising a frame or casing within which the spring is positioned during the dismantling and assembling procedure, a pair of spaced guide rods, a guide tube disposed slidably on each guide rod, a yoke connecting the two guide tubes, and an actuator means mounted with respect to the frame or casing and operably connected to the yoke to move the guide tubes up and down the guide rods in response to control means for the actuator, the frame or casing carry means to locate the spring suspension unit non rotatably with respect thereto, and further comprising a pair of finger means connected directly or indirectly to the guide tubes for movement therewith and means for adjusting the fingers independently of one another for contacting engagement with the spring to be dismantled or assembled.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the actuator means comprises a single piston/cylinder.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the actuator means comprises a pneumatically operated ram.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 in which the actuator means connects with the yoke intermediate the connection with the two guide tubes.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which an actuating rod of the actuating means connects with the yoke by way of a pin connection which allows some relative movement.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the connection of the yoke with the guide tubes is a fixed connection.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the apparatus is arranged to receive the spring unit in a vertical orientation.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the guide rods extend upwardly from a horizontal base of the casing.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the fingers are provided with means by which their relative vertical position can be adjusted.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the relative vertical position of the fingers is adjusted by connecting the fingers to a respective slider block which is slidably moveable on the respective guide tube.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which means is provided for fixing the slider block relative to guide tube when in the desired position.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the fingers are laterally adjustable with respect to the guide tubes.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the fingers are slidably adjustable.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which means is provided to locate them in the desired lateral position.
15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the connection of the finger with the guide tube allows the finger to pivot to accommodate the changing inclination of the spring coil under compression.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the pivoting movement is accommodated by a swivel mechanism.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the frame/casing is provided with a front opening by which the spring suspension unit is inserted into position, and with a safety access closure for the front.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which an interlock is provided to inhibit operation of the actuator means unless the access closure is in its closed position.
19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the casing has a base wall that is cut away to the front to permit insertion of the spring suspension unit so that the housing part extends below the base wall whilst the spring is disposed within the casing which forms a safety cage with the spring unit in place.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which a closure member disposed within the cavity is pivoted across the opening and acts to prevent rotation of the spring unit when in place.
21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further comprising means for clamping the spring unit with respect to the casing.
22. Apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.