JPH02102856A - Automatic car body stretcher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To achieve miniaturization by pivotally attaching an L-shaped pulling member to a platform structure at the other end of a horizontal arm, and constituting a platform by two platform parts pivotally supported to a center beam. CONSTITUTION: An elongating device is provided with an extending beam 1 having the rectangular cross section and an L-shaped pulling member 3 pivotally attached to one end of the extending beam 1 so as to be freely and horizontally oscillated. A pair of platform parts 14 are pivotally attached to the extending beam 1 around the axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam 1 and parallel to the beam 1, respective platform parts 14 are supported on the floor by a pair of floor engaging leg parts 42 in the horizontal developing positions, and a vehicle is carried in through an inclined passage. The L-shaped pulling member 3 is constituted of a horizontal arm 5 pivotally attached to an index plate 90 on one end of the extending beam 1, and an erected arm 6 through which a nesting member 116 is fitted by a hydraulic ram so as to be freely extended and contracted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention provides a method for straightening a vehicle body.
ng) Regarding the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many known types of stretching devices having the characteristics described above. In general, known tensioning devices require modification of the garage floor to provide a means for locking a reaction member for a tension chain attached to the vehicle body to actuate a column or the like. Most known extension devices are also permanently installed on the garage floor, occupying space that cannot be used for other purposes when the extension operation is not required.

In addition, with known extension devices, the operation of lifting the vehicle away from the platform for the purpose of inserting the clamp and fixing the clamp to the vehicle body and platform is a time-consuming operation because a manual lift is required for this purpose. It is.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle body extension system which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide an extension device incorporating an integrated vehicle lift to substantially accelerate the vehicle on the extension device and facilitate its installation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension device that forms a complete unit that is arranged to easily roll on a garage floor to store the complete unit when not in use.

Another object of the invention is that the car lift operates to rotate the car in any desired orientation and provides a single tension member so that the platform and clamps are arranged to fix the car in the desired orientation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stretching device having the above-mentioned characteristics that is effective in stretching and stretching any part of a vehicle body in a desired direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stretching device having the above-mentioned characteristics, which is especially designed for vehicle bodies of monoshell construction.

[Means to solve the problem]

The extension device comprises a car support platform, a power-operated lift introduced into said platform for raising the car on the platform to insert the clamps and secure the car body to the platform, preferably the lift lifts the raised car. It can be rotated relative to the platform, and the clamp can fix the car in any orientation relative to the platform. A tension member is pivotally connected to the platform structure at the outer end of the horizontal arm and in an adjusted position to provide a tension force in a desired direction. Preferably, the platform comprises two platform parts pivotally connected to the central beam, the platform parts being able to be folded one relative to the other when the extension device is not in use.Finally. The extension device according to the described embodiments further includes retractable wheels that allow the extension device to be moved on the garage floor between a storage position and an operating position.

According to another embodiment, more than one tensioning member can be provided to enable simultaneous tensioning on the vehicle from different angular changes.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the upright arm is pivoted on the horizontal arm for folding movement, so that the device can be shipped to the customer without this removal.

In another embodiment, the extension device, which is non-rolling, is arranged to tilt and facilitate loading of the vehicle onto the platform.

Also for an auxiliary wheel-mounted tensioning member assembly that can be releasably attached to the platform to pull a portion of the vehicle in any desired direction, distinct from the tensioning device itself and concurrently with or independent of the tensioning action performed by the primary tensioning member. It has been disclosed.

〔Example〕

1 to 22 showing a first embodiment of the present invention
Referring to the figure, this elongation device is an elongated beam with a rectangular cross section! , comprising an L-shaped tensioning member 3 pivotally attached to one end of the extension beam 1 for horizontal oscillating movement, the L-shaped tensioning member 3 consisting of a horizontal arm 5 and an upright arm 6 rigidly joined together by a stay 8. It has a reinforced L shape. The two arms are tubular and of generally rectangular cross section.

A first caster wheel 10 depends from the horizontal arm 5 at its connection with the upright arm 6.

As will be explained hereinafter, a pair of main caster wheels 12 are mounted on the elongated beam l intermediate its ends for vertical movement relative to the elongated beam l. 14 are pivotally connected to the extension beam 1 on each side thereof about an axis extending parallel to the beam in the longitudinal direction of the beam. Each side of the extension beam 1 can pivot between horizontal extension operating positions as shown by the dotted lines in FIG.

Each platform section 14 includes a number of longitudinal tubular members 16 that are rigidly interconnected and maintained in parallel closely spaced relationship with cross arms 18. The end of the tubular member 16 is closed by a closure plate 20.

Cross arms 18 extend inwardly from the respective platform sections and extend upright from the top of the extension beam l to a cross plate 24 rigidly fixed thereto and extending transversely thereto. It is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, each platform section 14 includes:
It is raised from the unfolded position to the folded position by a single acting hydraulic ram 26 pivotally mounted on the inner end of each cross arm 18 and the top of the extension beam 1 in a crosswise relationship. Unfolding of the platform section 14 takes place under the weight of the platform section and hydraulic fluid is discharged from the single acting hydraulic ram 26.

Each platform portion has a locking pin 28 that crosses each other.
The arms can be locked in the horizontal, unfolded position by insertion through aligned holes 30.degree. 32 in the cross plate 24. Locking pin 28 (see FIGS. 3, 18, and 18all) has a handle 34 at one end and a bayonet slot along its length that engages a short shaft 38 secured to collar 40. It has 36. The collar is in turn fixed to the cross plate 24 and acts to guide the locking pin 28.

Figure 18 shows the locking pin in the unlocked position, and Figure 18a
The figure shows that the locking pin has been pushed and rotated into its locked position, in which it securely maintains the mating platform portions in the unfolded position.

Each platform section is provided with a pair of floor-engaging legs 42 pivotally connected at the upper end to a bracket 44 secured to the underside of the outer end of each cross arm 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the link 46 is pivotally connected to the outer end of the cross plate 24 on the underside of the floor engaging leg 42 and pivot pin 22, and links the floor engaging leg 42 to the left side in FIG. From its folded position along the sides of the folded platform section 14 as shown to the unfolded right angle position shown in dotted lines on the right side of FIG. 2 obtained when the platform section 14 is in the horizontal unfolded position. Arranged to automatically unfold. Floor engaging legs 42 and their links 46 also act to maintain platform portion 14 in the folded position.

Once the platform section is in the horizontal position, the platform section is locked by a locking pin 28 and preferably has an end channel 47a slidably mounted on the tubular member 16, which is the innermost member of the platform section 14. To effect the locking, which is preferably further reinforced by bridges 47, the extension beam 1 has to be raised so that the vertical door floor-engaging legs 42 clear the floor. This is achieved by the main caster wheel I2. 8 and 8a, each main caster wheel 12 is mounted through a lateral bracket 50 at the outer end of an arm 48, which extends along the top of the extension beam 1 and is movable up and down. It is pivotally connected to the beam at its inner end by a pivot pin 52 so as to do so. Single-acting hydraulic ram 5 pivotally interconnected between arm 48 and extension beam l
4 is an arm 4 for the purpose of raising the extension beam 1.
Apply downward force to 8. When the hydraulic pressure is released, the extension beam 1 is lowered by gravity 0 Manually actuatable locking pin 5
6 in either its lowered or raised position by insertion through a hole in the transverse bracket 50 which is aligned with a suitable hole in a plate 58 fixed to the top of the extension beam 1. It acts to lock the arm 48.

A car lift 60 is associated with the extension device.

The car lift 60 includes a single acting hydraulic ram formed by a hydraulic cylinder 62 with an attached piston, the piston rod 64 of which is shown. A hydraulic cylinder 62 is installed upright within the sleeve 66;
It extends through the elongated beam 1 and is fixed to a sleeve 66 which is fixed to the elongated beam. The hydraulic cylinder 62 extends below the extension beam 1, but its lower end always clears the floor even when the main caster wheel 12 is in the raised position. As shown in FIG. 1 and also shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the piston rod 64 supports a conventional car lift frame 70 having an adjustable car engagement arm 71. Accordingly, the car A whose body or frame is to be extended can be lifted off the platform section by the car lift 60 as shown in FIG. Since the piston rod can rotate about its axis within the hydraulic cylinder 62, the entire car A can also rotate in any desired orientation with respect to the platform.

It is noted that when the platform portion 14 is locked in the operative horizontal position, the assembly is supported solely by the floor engaging legs 42. As shown in Figure 5, when car A is raised off the platform, the clamp can be inserted between the platform section and the car to secure the car to the platform section. Such a clamp is shown at point 72 and is more specifically designed to grip a monoshell vehicle body. Clamp 72 is shown in FIG. 6 and in more detail in FIGS. 9, 9a and 9b. The clamp includes a stand 74 having an enlarged base 76 operative to clamp a gripping member 79 overlapping the enlarged base 76 at selected longitudinal positions of the platform and supporting the upper part of the platform. The head 80 of the 0-headed bolt 78, which can be fixed in any orientation by the 0-headed bolt 78, engages the underside of two adjacent tubular members 16, and the bolt element is inserted between the adjacent tubular members 16. extends through the space of

The top of the stand 74 supports a transverse tube 74a on which are two longitudinally adjustable clamp assemblies 82, each clamp assembly slidable on the transverse tube 74a. It is supported by a collar 82a. The jaws 84 of each clamp assembly 82 can be tightened on each side by a bolt 86 against a conventional rib B projecting longitudinally from the underside of the monoshell vehicle body.

It will be clear that clamps for securing the vehicle with the frame can be used with the extension device of the invention.

The L-shaped tensioning member 3 has its horizontal arm 5 pivoted to one end of the projecting beam 1 at its free end. (See Figures 1, 20 and 21 for further details)
An under plate 88 is fixed to the front end of the extension beam 1 and protrudes forward thereof, and an index plate 90
is fixed to the front cross plate 24 and extends forward on the horizontal arm 5 of the L-shaped tension member 3. The end of the horizontal arm 5 is connected to the under plate 8 by a vertical pivot bolt 92.
8 and an index plate 90. Index plate 90 includes a plurality of equally spaced index holes 94 disposed along an arc of a circle approximately 180' concentric with the axis of vertical pivot bolt 92.

The L-shaped tension member 3 can be swung from its initial position at right angles to the extension beam 1 to any position over approximately 80°. L
The shaped tension member is adjustably lockable in its oriented position by the locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B, 20, 21, and 15. .

A pair of locking pins 96 are mounted vertically and are slidable through two opposing holes made in the horizontal arm 5. Each locking pin is biased upwardly by a compression coil spring 98 which surrounds the locking pin and abuts the collar 100 of the locking pin at its upper end and the bottom wall of the extension beam 1 at its lower end. Ru. When the locking pin 96 is in the locking position, the locking pin completely passes through the index hole 94 of the index plate 90 and the hole in the reinforcing plate 102 that is fixed to the upper part of the horizontal arm 5 and overlaps the index plate 90. are doing.

The distance between index holes 94 is determined by the angle #@ in relation to the required minimum spacing between adjacent index holes 94.
For the purpose of obtaining maximum accuracy of knots, the pair of tension members 3 are arranged in such a way that the L-shaped tension member 3 can be locked in successive adjusted positions with an angular pitch substantially equal to half the pitch of the index holes 94. The distance between the locking pins is below.

A double-headed link rod 104 extends freely through a longitudinal slot 106 made in the lower end portions of the two locking pins 96. An actuation rod 108 is rotatably gripped by a perforated support 110. The outer front end of the actuating rod 108 extending along the exterior of the tubular horizontal arm 5 includes a right-angle actuating handle 112 for manually rotating the actuating rod 108 (
The inner end of the actuating rod (see FIG. 15) forms a crank member 114 which is supported on the double headed link rod 104.

Referring to FIGS. 10-10B, locking pin 96 is removed by rotating right-angle actuation handle 112 from the position shown in FIGS. 1θ and 10B to the right to the position shown in FIG. 10A. Appropriate actuation of the right angle actuation handle 112 and L will be apparent to cause either locking pin to retract from its locked position and resist the bias of the associated compression coil spring 98. The rocking movement of the L-shaped tensioning member 3 results in easy adjustment and locking of the L-shaped tensioning member 3 in an adjusted orientation so as to ultimately also provide a tensioning effect on the vehicle body being stretched in the desired direction.

Figures 21a and 21b show a preferred indexing system. The actuating rod 108A extends within the tubular horizontal arm 5 and is thus advantageously protected against damage. Its inner crank-shaped end 114A, when rotated, raises a perforated thrust plate 114B to surround both locking pins 96A. Thrust plate 1
14B abuts a collar 100a fixed to locking pin 96A, thus causing locking pin 96A to rise against the biasing force of spring 98A and clearing index plate 90.

The vertical or upright arm 6 of the L-shaped tension member 3 is hollow and open at its upper end to receive a nesting member 116 (see FIG. 7), which extends over the entire horizontal arm 5 at its upper end. It supports an idle pulley 118 that is rotatable within a plane. The lower end of the telescoping member 116 is attached to the piston rod 120 of a piston 122 which is slidable within a hydraulic cylinder 124 of a single acting hydraulic ram 126 which moves the telescoping member 116 upwardly under pressure. Upon release of hydraulic pressure, the coil spring 12B within the single acting hydraulic ram 126 returns the telescoping member 116 to its lowermost position.

The tension chain 130 is provided with a hook 131 at one end or other tightening element attached to the part of the vehicle body to be pulled out. (FIGS. 5 and 6) This tension chain 130 is placed over pulley 132, also shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and then over idler pulley 118, and the
The free end of the idler pulley 11 is the upper pulley.
The bayonet thrower 134 (FIG. 11) formed in a transverse bracket 136 fixed to the upper portion of the nesting member 116 directly under the can be freely locked.

The pulley 132 is connected to the collar 14 surrounding the upright arm 6.
vertically along the length of the upright arm 6 by means of a locking pin 144 which is supported by 2 and is axially movable between a locked position and a cleared retracted position by actuation of a handle 146! Fill! It is supported by a stirrup 138 which is freely pivoted about a vertical pivot pin 140 that is free to ff. The locking assembly is shown in Figure 18, Figure 18A.
Similar to that described in connection with the figure. Accordingly, the locking pin 144 is inserted into any one of a plurality of equally spaced holes 150 made in the upright arm 6 to adjust the vertical direction in which the tension chain 130 is tensioned. I can do it. (See FIGS. 1 and 6) Referring to FIG. 22, the power system for exciting the various rams is such that a piston 154 of an air cylinder 156 is moved by a piston rod 158 to a piston 1 of a hydraulic cylinder 162.
An air cylinder 156, including a combined compressed air hydraulic cylinder and piston unit 152 connected to 60, is connected by air line 164 to a conventional compressed air supply found in most garages, shown at 166. The outlet of the air reservoir 16B is connected to the check valve 174, the hydraulic cylinder 1
Compressed air that pressurizes and releases hydraulic fluid 178 within 62 is supplied through a manually operated reversing valve 176 to either side of air piston 154 .

The manifold 180 is connected to the outlet of the hydraulic cylinder 162, with a series of hydraulic pipes 182, 184, 186, 188 by means of a quick connection, the provision of conventional check valves on each side of the connection (not shown). Because they are selectively connectable to manifold 180, when hydraulic lines 182-18B are disconnected from manifold 180, hydraulic fluid cannot escape from either the hydraulic lines or hydraulic cylinders 162, thus leaving plant home portion 14 The lifting single-acting hydraulic ram 26 can be excited via the hydraulic pipe 1B2 and the hydraulic piston 160. A single acting hydraulic ram 64 that lowers the main caster wheel 12 is actuated via hydraulic line 184. A hydraulic cylinder 62, which is a ram of a car lift 160, is actuated by a hydraulic piston 160 via a hydraulic pipe 186,
On the other hand, the single-acting hydraulic ram 126 that actuates the nesting member 116 of the L-shaped tension member 3 is actuated by the hydraulic piston 160 via the hydraulic pipe 188.

The car extension device according to the first embodiment is used as follows. As shown in Part 1, the car extension device is stored in an out-of-path position in the garage in an inoperative folded position;
Assume that it is preferable to use it elsewhere. In its stowed position, the extension device rests on the caster wheels IO and the main caster wheels 12. Therefore, the stretching device can be easily manually moved to the desired position. - once in this position, the platform part 14 is lowered manually;
Meanwhile, the caster wheels are still in the lowered position. The platform portion 14 is locked in a horizontal position by the locking pin 28 and the floor engaging legs 42 are then raised off the floor. The floor-engaging legs 42 can be raised on the floor.
31 to support the entire platform assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, damaged vehicle A is moved onto platform portion 14 along index plate 90, which is a ramp. car lift 6
0 is activated to raise the car, so clamp 72
can be fixed to the car and the platform, so that the extension actuation causes the L-shaped tensioning member 3 to selectively swing and lock in the required horizontal position, with each tensioning actuation causing the second pulley 1
32 levels! 1Jjffl allows starting by successively pulling different parts of the vehicle body in the required horizontal and vertical directions. If it is desired to pull the side sections of the vehicle, the vehicle can be rotated while being raised by the car lift 6o and then pulled onto the platform section by means of a clamp assembly 82 oriented at an angle to the platform section. Can be fixed.

As shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle is moved across the platform and the wheels of the vehicle are placed directly on the platform section, attached to the opposite side of the vehicle body to the tension chain 130 and gripped by the auxiliary column 194. A reaction chain 192 can be used to pull the car laterally.

Auxiliary column 194 is rigidly connected to the outer end of a horizontal arm 196 that is securable to platform portion 14 in any one of three desired horizontal orientations. For this purpose, a hook 198 is provided on the underside of the horizontal arm 196 and an inclined side wing 200 engages the outermost tubular member 16 of the platform section 14 so as to be oriented relative to the platform section 14. adapted to do so. The inner end of the horizontal arm 196 is secured in place by a bolt 202 extending through the space between the two tubular members 16. A column assembly, auxiliary column 194, is attached to the column by a collar 208, which is slidably adjusted on the column, and a zero recoil chain 192, which can be operated by handles 204, 206, is attached to the column by a collar 208, which is slidably adjusted on the column, and is attached to a selected hole in the hole similar to hole 150. It is locked in place by a locking pin that engages with.

23, 24 and 25 respectively show the horizontal beam I
2 shows a second embodiment of the tensioning device according to the invention, which allows two tension members 3A to be mounted swingably at opposite ends of A; Each tensioning member 3A is essentially of the same structure as the L-shaped tensioning member 3 and is mounted for rocking movement in a horizontal plane by means of its pivot pin 92A.

These members include the tension member 3 as in the first embodiment.
An indexing mechanism is provided as in the first embodiment, except that an indexing plate 90 is fixed to the horizontal beam IA below the horizontal arm of the tension member 3A instead of above A. The decompression device is equipped with the same car software system 60 as in the first embodiment. However, the caster wheel system is different from that of the first embodiment. There are no auxiliary caster wheels, such as the caster wheels IO in the first embodiment, installed on the underside of the tension member 3A, but there are four main caster wheels 12A, each main caster wheel fixed in the center of the horizontal beam IA. The arm 210 is mounted at the outer end of an arm 210 which is pivotally mounted for horizontal rocking movement about a vertical pivot pin 212 supported by a bracket 214 extending therebelow. Thus, the four caster wheels 12A move the horizontal beam from a retracted position close to the beam as shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 25 to an extended position further away from the horizontal beam IA as shown in the upper portion of FIG. Can move relative to IA.

This actuation of arm 210 is performed automatically by manual or powered raising and lowering of platform portion 14A, which is connected to horizontal beam IA in the manner described in the first embodiment.

A pair of fulcrum levers 216 are connected to a bracket 21 fixed at the center of the horizontal beam IA on the opposite side of the horizontal beam IA.
It is pivoted to B at its center.

Links 220 and 222 each connect platform portion 14
A and a universal joint 22 pivotally attached to the arm 210
3 to the opposite end of the fulcrum lever 216. Links 222 are attached to individual arms 210 through collars 224 that are rotatable about vertical pivot pins 226 fixed to arms 210. In this arrangement, unfolding of the two platform sections 14A automatically causes the arm 210 to automatically extend to its operative position supporting the extension device during vehicle extension operations. The ram of the car lift system 60 does not touch the ground at either position of the caster wheels 12A; even in this arrangement, each tension member 3A can twist and swing through an angle of 240°, effectively lifting the vehicle. Note that any part of can be pulled in any horizontal direction.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 26-31, and is an improvement on the second embodiment. This third embodiment also includes a car lift 60. A car-engaging arm 71 is provided in which the collapsible platform portion 14A automatically spreads apart the arm vertical pivot pin 212 and the four caster wheels 12A as in the second embodiment during non-collapsing movement. 3 embodiments are 2
one tension member each at the opposite end of the horizontal beam IA.
The horizontal beam IA is characterized in that two tension members, generally designated 3C, are also arranged at one end of the horizontal beam IA, instead of being provided at each end of the horizontal beam IA.

This results in a more efficient vehicle extension operation.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 19B, a cross plate is used to enable pivot movement by pivot pins 92A, which are pivot bolts, of two horizontal arms 5 of tension member 3C in an inverted relationship on a modified index plate. 24 has been modified as shown in 24A. (See FIGS. 26 and 31) This index plate 19B is provided with two rows of index holes 94A, each row being coaxial with one of the pivot pins 92A. The indexing mechanism used is the second one shown on the 16th sheet of the drawings.
It is as described in connection with FIGS. 1A and 21B. The indexing mechanism is actuated by a right angle actuation handle 112 for each tension member. This arrangement is such as shown in FIG. 31 that each tension member can move approximately 215''.

Other features of the third embodiment include mounting the upper end along a folded platform portion 14A that allows for more compact shipping and installation of the entire device in the customer's garage without the need to remove the device. This consists in the fact that the upright arms 6 of each tension member are arranged in such a way that they perform a relative pivoting movement with respect to the horizontal arm 5, so that the upright arms 6 of each tension member can be pivoted into the folded position in which they are placed. The upright arm 6 can be extended to a considerable height so as to be able to pull the car at a more vertical angle, as will be explained hereinafter in connection with the fourth embodiment, and also to be used as a lift to pull parts of the car upwards. It should be noted that

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 27 to 30, the stay 8 has a pair of triangles [8A] spaced apart from each other by a triangular web 8B, and this assembly of the triangular plate 8A and the triangular web 8B. is welded or otherwise rigidly fixed to the upper part of the outer end of the horizontal arm 5. The triangular plate 8A has a triangular nib 8 in the normal position.
U receiving the upper end portion of the end plate 264 fixed to the lower end of the upright arm 6 and the outer end of the horizontal arm 5 abutting the B
Extending outwardly from the triangular web 8B to form a shaped cavity. A lateral pin 260 is fixed to the upright arm 6 and projects laterally therefrom to slidably engage a slot 262 made in each triangular plate 8A. A hole 266 is created at the bottom end of the upright arm 6, and the triangular plate 8A
The locking pin aligns with the hole 268 made in the aligned hole 26 when the upright arm 6 is in the actuated position.
It can be inserted through 6 and 268. This upright arm 6 is thus firmly locked in place and resists tensioning forces since it abuts the upper part of the end plate 2, 64 and the upper part of the triangular web 8B. To fold the upright arm, simply remove the locking pin, raise the upright arm 6 and move its transverse pin 260 upwardly through the slot 262 in the position shown in FIG. The end may clear the upper edge of end plate 264 to allow upright arm 6 to pivot toward the platform portion as shown in FIG. 30.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 32-35, in which the two platform portions 14B are not collapsible, but are rigidly connected to the central beam designated 22B. There are 9. The force--lift is shown at 62B in FIG. 32 (not shown) with its lifting ram located within sleeve 230. This sleeve 230 is rigidly fixed to a central beam 228 and a base 232, which base is placed in an inclined position where the platform is inclined to facilitate receiving the vehicle A to be repaired through a ramp 236 as shown in FIG. and base 23
A primary base is created in the base 232 and the floor-engaging frame 234 that can be tilted relative to the floor-engaging frame 234 about a tilting axis 235 by a single-acting ram 231 between 2 and the horizontal position of the platform portion 14B. are locked by locking pins inserted through aligned holes 238,240. This fourth embodiment also includes two tension members 3B, each swingably mounted on diametrically opposed sides about a pivot pin 242 near the sleeve 230 and the car lift 60B. It is characterized by Each pulling member 3B is swingable over an arc of about 300 DEG so as to be able to pull the car from virtually any horizontal angle and simultaneously from opposite sides of the car, as shown in FIG. Also preferably, the horizontal arms of each tension member 3B are made telescoping, powered extendable and retractable, as shown at 246, to reduce the space occupied around the plant home if desired. In this case, the actuating rod 248 for actuating the indexing mechanism would also be made in the nesting hole,
The indexing mechanism includes two superimposed index plates 250, one for each tension member 3B, each index plate being secured to the sleeve 230 and the central beam 228. The index plate 250 extends on the one hand above the horizontal arm of its associated tension member 3B and on the other hand below the horizontal arm.

At least one tension member 3B is provided with a hoist arm 244 on its upper portion that is powered up and down by a hydraulic arm 252. Hoist arm 244 and ram hydraulic arm 252 are pivotally attached to tension member 3B by universal joints 254 and 256, respectively. Hoist
Arm 244 can be used to raise equipment such as the engine and radiator away from damaged vehicle A and to pull up upper parts of the vehicle such as the roof.

The training wheel installation tension assembly is shown in Figures 36 to 3.
This is shown in Figure 8. This assembly is a separate unit that can be stored separately when not in use and fixed to the platform in any position, and is provided with its own chain tensioning device. The assembly includes a forwardly extending forward longitudinal leg 302 and a lateral rearward leg 30.
A single caster wheel 30 is attached to the forward end of the longitudinal forward leg 302, which includes a T-shaped base 300 defined by 4.
6 is installed. Two idle wheels (wheels) each rotatably supported by the free ends of a pair of levers 310
308 , the other end of which is fixed to a pivot 312 . This pivot portion is rotatably supported by the rear leg portion 304 and extends along its rear portion. Accordingly, two rear idle wheels 308 are provided, each positioned adjacent the free end of the rear leg 304 of the T-shaped base 300. The T-shaped base 300 has a Z-shaped bar handle 314 fixed to the pivot 312 and extending upwardly from the base which is manually actuated to lower the lever 310 and subsequently raise the rear end portion of said base off the ground. The idle wheel 308 is lowered relative to the idle wheel 308. Pillar 3
16 is fixed to the T-shaped base 300. More particularly, the column 316 is defined by a pair of spaced parallel channel members 318 secured together by a top cross plate 320 and a bottom cross plate 322, the bottom cross plate being connected to the T-shaped base 3.
It is fixed to the rear leg part 304 of 00.

Parallel channel member 318 includes a series of equally spaced holes 32 that are laterally aligned in pairs to rotatably support pulley 326 at an adjusted level along the post.
4 is preparation.

A link chain 328 is draped over the pulley 326 and the hook 3 is adapted to be attached to a selected location on the vehicle body for pulling the vehicle body.
Supports 30. A support arm 332 is rigidly fixed to the column 316 and extends laterally and horizontally from the column, parallel to the T-shaped base 300, so that said platform is in a horizontal operating position that also supports the vehicle to be extended clamped to the platform. Platform portion 14 of the vehicle body extension device, if any.
are spaced apart on the T-shaped base 300 by a distance slightly less than the height of the top surface of the T-shaped base 300 .

Support arm 332 is sufficiently long to overlap at least three tubular members 16 forming platform portion 14 . Apparatus is provided to releasably secure support arm 332 to platform portion 14. These devices include a bolt 334 with a plate 336 at its lower end. The bolt is inserted between the two tubular members 16 with the plate 336 on the underside of the tubular members 16, the bolt passes through a hole made in the support arm 332, and the bolt is threaded. It is firmly fixed with a nut.

A U-rearmost handle 338 is fixed to the post 316 at the level of the support arm 332 and extends behind it.

A U-shaped bracket 340 is secured to the post 316 directly below the U-rearward handle 338. A diagonal chain tension lever 342 is mounted upright between two parallel channel members 318 of post 316. The lower end portion of the chain tension lever 342 is pivotally connected to the post by a lateral pivot pin 344. The upper rear portion of the chain tension lever 342 is provided with a chain link engagement notch 345 for removably attaching the link chain 328 to the lever. A forwardly extending U-shaped support 346 is rigidly fixed to the column 316 and extends from the support arm 332 at a distance below said arm slightly greater than the thickness of the platform portion 14.
It extends generally parallel to.

A double-acting hydraulic ram 348 extends between opposite sides of the U-shaped support 346 and is driven by a forward pivot pin 350 at its forward end.
It is pivotally mounted on the shaped support 346 and is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the chain tension lever 342 by a rear pivot pin 352 .

Chain lock 354 is provided in the form of a separate plate with notches that engage the links of link chain 328.

The apparatus according to FIGS. 36-38 is used as follows. With the lever 310 locked in the horizontal position as shown in Figure 36, the entire device can be rolled to any location on the floor, and when not in use, it can be stored away. The apparatus is rolled up to the platform section 14, and when the platform section 14 is approached, the T-shaped base 300 is blocked by the operator's foot, and the column 316 is pulled rearward by the user, thus raising the front end of the support arm 332. to clear the edges of platform portion 14. A U-shaped rear handle 338 can be used for this purpose. Once the forward end of the support arm 332 is placed on the platform section, the user can take the Z-shape and press the bar handle 31.
4 to the rear, lower the rear idle wheel 308, and
Raising the rear portion of shaped base 300 off the ground facilitates pushing the entire assembly to the position shown in FIG. 36 by support arm 332, which also slides on the platform. Support arm 332 is then tightened to the platform by bolt 334. Once the device is tightened into position, it is raised completely off the ground so that the recoil due to the pulling force exerted by link chain 328 is eliminated. The pulley 326, which is not transmitted to the caster wheel 306 and the idler wheel 308, is connected to the pillar 3.
16 and the hook 330 is adjusted to the desired level on
The selected chain link attached to the body part to be tensioned and extended is inserted into the chain link engagement notch 345 of the chain tension lever 342, and the chain tension lever 342 is moved by the double-acting hydraulic ram 348 in FIG. from the position shown in Figure 36A to the position shown in Figure 36A. Torque applied on column 316 is also applied by support arm 332 to forward U-shaped support 34 engageable to the underside of platform 14.
Also countered by 6. Chain tension lever 342
At the end of the power stroke given by
The lock 354 is inserted into the chain link directly below the rear P-bracket 340 and the new chain link is inserted into the chain link engagement notch 345 so that the link chain 328 is approximately 15C11 (6 inches)
The cycle is repeated to pull over another length of .

The apparatus of the present invention can be used simultaneously with any of the decompressors illustrated in FIGS. 1-35.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment m+ of the extension device in the folded and inoperative position; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the central beam and pivot platform portions of the first embodiment; 3 is a partial perspective view of one end of the beam and the platform section; 4 is a plan view of the extension device according to the first embodiment; 5 is in the raised position; 4 is a side view of the extension device showing the lift; FIG. 6 is a side view similar to the view in FIG. 5 showing the vehicle body fixed to the platform; the vehicle body is in the process of being extended; FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tension member at line 7--7 of FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tension member taken at line 7--7 of FIG. 8
Figure 8a is a partial side view similar to the view of Figure 8 except that it is shown in a position down the beam; Figure 9 is an end view of the clamp secured to the plant platform; 9a is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 9b is an opposite side from the side shown in FIG. 9a; A partial side view of the clamp; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 5;
Index to lock the tension member in the adjusted orientation.
10a and fob are cross-sectional views similar to the view in FIG. 10 showing different positions of the locking pin; FIG. 11 is shown in the fourteenth sheet of the drawings; 11-I III in Figure 7; Figure 12 is an end view of the upper part of the tension assembly; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the pulley installed at the upper end of the tension assembly; Figure 14 is the tension member. Figure 15 is shown in the seventh sheet of the drawings and shows the damaged car rotated 90'' relative to the platform and also shows the use of restraint members. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of one platform section showing the device for securing the restraining member; FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the arrangement of FIG. 16; FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the arrangement of FIG. , FIGS. 18 and 18a are side views, partially in section, of the locking pin arrangement shown in FIG. 20 is a partial side view of the indexing system shown in the sheet of FIG. 21 is a partial top view of the element of FIG. 20; FIGS. 21a and 21b are side and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the modified indexing system; FIG.
2 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic and hydraulic circuits for actuating the various moving parts of the extension device; FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention shown in the folded and inoperative position; Although the engagement wheel is partially extended, this embodiment is a perspective view including two opposingly disposed tension members, FIG. 25 is a plan view of the extension device in the inoperative position and the extension device in the unfolded operative position; FIG. 26, shown in the 11th sheet of the drawings, is an improvement on the second embodiment. 27 is a side view of the portion of the tension member enclosed by arrow 1127 in FIG. 26; FIG. 28 is an end view in partial section of FIG. 27; FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the device in the horizontal position for shipping; FIG. 33 is a partially sectional plan view of the device; FIG. 34 is the same as that of FIG. 33. FIG. 35 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the fourth embodiment; FIG.
Figure 36 shows a side view of the training wheel-mounted tensioning assembly mounted in the operating position on the platform of the extension device in the operating position; 37 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along the line 37-37 in FIG. 36; FIG. 38 is a rear end view of the auxiliary tension assembly. Description of symbols A: Car 3: L-shaped tension Part 3
A...Tension member 3B...Tension member 5...
・Horizontal arm 6...Upright arm 14.14A
...Platform part 70...Car lift frame

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An automobile body extension device comprising: a vehicle support platform; a power-operated lift whose wheels are supported by a central portion of the platform for raising a vehicle resting on the platform out of the platform; a platform and a clamp removably secured to the underside of the vehicle body; a first tension member supported by the platform;
the platform such that the first tension member has an L-shape defining an upright arm and a generally horizontal arm, the outer end of the horizontal arm effecting relative oscillating movement of the first tension member with respect to the platform; a first member for selectively locking the tension member in an adjusted horizontal orientation relative to the platform;
a locking device; and a cable device supported by the tension member and attachable to the portion of the vehicle and supported by the upright arm to pull the portion in the adjusted horizontal orientation. Vehicle body extension device. 2. said upright arm is tubular, and said power operated tensioning device is positioned within and attached to said upright arm with a telescoping member telescopically movable within said upright arm and attached to said telescoping member; 2. The vehicle body extension system of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic ram attached to an upper end portion of said telescoping member. 3. said platform having a central extending beam and a folded inactive upright position positioned on opposite sides of said beam with said platform portions proximate each other above said beam and said platform portions substantially adapted to receive said vehicle wheels; a pair of platform portions pivotally connected to the beam about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam for pivotal movement between operating positions coplanar with the beam; 3. The vehicle body extension system of claim 2 further including a second locking device for locking said platform portion in the operative position. 4. The vehicle body extension system of claim 3 further comprising a first power unit for pivoting said platform portion from said operative position to said inoperative position. 5. furthermore, a floor-engaging leg pivotally supported by the platform portion for pivoting between an inoperative position folded over the platform portion and an activated position substantially perpendicular to the platform portion; The automobile body extension device according to claim 4, comprising: 6. further pivotally attached to said legs and said beam so as to automatically pivot said legs to said folded inoperative position when said platform portion moves from its operative position to its inoperative position; 6. An automobile body extension system as claimed in claim 5, including a linkage device having a longitudinal axis. 7. further comprising a pair of floor engageable wheels movably and integrally supported by opposite sides of said beam for up and down movement relative to said beam, and said legs while still in the operative position; 7. The motor vehicle of claim 6, further comprising: a second power unit for lowering the wheel relative to the beam in a position where the part is raised off the floor; and a third locking device for locking the wheel in a lower position. Vehicle body extension device. 8. The horizontal arm of the tensioning member carries a floor-engaging caster wheel adjacent to the upright arm so that the extension device moves over the floor while rolling on the pair of wheels and the caster wheel. 8. The vehicle body extension device of claim 7, wherein the vehicle body extension device is rollable and in an inoperative position in which the platform portion is folded over and the pair of wheels are locked in a lower position thereof. 9. said first locking device being fixed to said beam and having a series of spaced apart holes positioned in an arc concentric with the pivot axis of said tension member on said platform; said horizontal index plate; a locking pin supported by the arm and shiftable between a locking position in which it locks with any selected one of the holes and a release position in which it clears all of the holes;
Claim 3 including a manually actuatable control located along said horizontal arm and accessible adjacent said upright arm to excite said locking pin between its locked position and its released position. The automobile body extension device described above. 10. The lift is supported by an upright ram formed by a cylinder supported by a central portion of the platform and a piston rod standing upright from the cylinder, and an upper end of the piston rod directly engaging the underside of the vehicle. 2. The framework and piston rod are rotatable about an axis of the piston rod to rotate a vehicle, which is lifted out of the platform by the lift, relative to the platform. The automobile body extension device described above. 11. A first idle pulley and a chain lock are supported by the upper end portion of the nesting member and the chain lock is supported by the upper end portion of the nesting member.
a lock is disposed below the pulley; a collar surrounding the upright arm and slidable longitudinally of the upright arm; a fourth locking the collar at an adjusted level on the upright arm; a locking device; a second horizontally oriented idler pulley carried by said collar; an end portion emerging from said second pulley wound over said two pulleys and attached to a vehicle part; 3. The vehicle body extension system of claim 2, wherein said cable system includes a link chain having opposite end portions adjustably engaged with the telescoping member. 12. The automobile body extension device according to claim 8, wherein each wheel is a caster wheel. 13. said locking pin is spring-loaded to its locked position, said manually actuated control extending along said horizontal arm about its longitudinal axis relative to said horizontal arm; a rotatable torsion rod, a right-angled extension at the outer end of said rod forming a manually actuatable lever for rotating said rod and engaging said locking pin for shifting said locking pin to its released position; 10. The vehicle body extension system of claim 9 including a crank lever extension at an inner end of said rod that is matable. 14. The motor vehicle body extension system of claim 13, wherein said horizontal arm is tubular and said torsion bar is pivoted within said tubular horizontal arm. 15. additional spring-loaded locking pins carried by said horizontal arm, wherein the horizontal distance between two locking pins is greater than the distance separating adjacent holes in said index plate; a thrust plate slidably surrounding the locking pin and engaging the crank lever extension; a collar fixed to each locking pin and abutting the thrust plate; 15. The vehicle body extension device of claim 14, which acts on the collar. 16. an additional spring-loaded locking pin carried by said horizontal arm, wherein the horizontal distance between two locking pins is greater than the distance separating adjacent holes in said index plate; a link pivotally interconnected to two locking pins, said link enabling said crank lever extension to move one of the two locking pins in a locked position to its released position; The automobile body extension device according to claim 13. 17. Each clamp comprises an upright body, two pairs of spaced apart jaws supported by an upper end of the upright body, aligning the jaws with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle in a relative rotational position of the vehicle with respect to the platform; 11. The motor vehicle body extension system of claim 10, including means for removably attaching said clamp to said platform with said jaws in an adjusted horizontal position so as to allow said clamp to be removably attached to said platform. 18, said platform including a plurality of elongated members rigidly interconnected in parallel spaced relationship to leave a spacing between each pair of elongated members accessible above and below the platform; a locking device extending through the spacing held by the underside of the platform and engageable with the clamp to enable locking of the clamp in the oriented adjusted position as well as in the longitudinal adjusted position of the platform; 18. The automobile body extension device according to claim 17, comprising: 19, further including a transverse member fixed to the upper end of said upright body intermediate the ends, each pair of jaws being mounted on the collar and said for adjusting the spacing between the two pairs of jaws; 19. The vehicle body extension system of claim 18, wherein each collar is slidably supported by said transverse member on each side of the upright body. 20. The vehicle body of claim 1, including a post removably attachable to the platform on a side of the vehicle on the platform opposite the tension member; and an additional cable arrangement attachable to the post and the vehicle. Stretching device. 21, further comprising a second tension member similar to the first named tension member, said second tension member being pivotally attached to said platform, said second tension member being attached to said first tension member; be combined with a locking device;
10. The vehicle body extension system of claim 9 including a second power operated tensioning device and a second cable arrangement supported by the second tensioning member. 22. The motor vehicle body extension system of claim 21, wherein said first and second tension members are pivotally attached to opposite ends of said platform. 23. The vehicle body extension system of claim 21, wherein said first and second tension members are pivotally attached to one end of said platform. 24, said first and second tension members being pivoted laterally relative to said beam, said index plate being common to said tension members and concentric with respective pivot lines of said two tension members; 24. The vehicle body extension device of claim 23, including two rows of spaced apart holes. 25. The upright arm of claim 1, wherein the upright arm is pivotally connected to the horizontal arm for folding movement along the horizontal arm and to a gripping device for releasably gripping the upright arm in an upright operating position. Automobile body extension device. 26, said upright arm bearing a lateral pivot pin spaced upwardly from a bottom end of said upright arm, said gripping device being fixed to said horizontal arm; a side plate with a web forming a U-shaped cavity for receiving a bottom end portion of said upright arm when seated upright on said horizontal arm; 26. The vehicle body extension system of claim 25 including overlapping stop plates. 27. Said pivot pin is secured to said upright arm and projects from the side of said upright arm and engages a vertical slot in said side plate to cause integral lifting of said upright arm to cause clearing of said stop plate and said upright arm to engage with a vertical slot in said side plate. 27. The vehicle body extension device according to claim 26, wherein the arm is foldable. 28, further comprising: a lower arm for horizontally oscillating movement of each arm between a collapsed position in which the outer end of each arm is proximate to the beam and an extended position in which the outer end is laterally spaced from the beam; at least four radial arms having inner ends pivotally connected to a central portion of said beam at a side; a floor-engaging wheel carried by an outer end of each radial arm; including a linkage interconnecting the radial arm, the linkage causing rocking movement of the radial arm from a collapsed position to an extended position upon unfolding of the platform portion from an inactive position to an activated position; 4. The motor vehicle of claim 3, wherein said wheels are positioned two under each platform section to support and stabilize said extension device on the floor when said arm is in the extended position. Vehicle body extension device. 29, further comprising a second tensioning member similar to the first named tensioning member, wherein the first and second tensioning members are disposed about and below the central portion of the platform, one adjacent to the other. 2. The second tensioning member according to claim 1, wherein said second tensioning member is pivotally mounted in a lower position, said second tensioning member being associated with its own first locking device, power operated tensioning device and cable arrangement. Automobile body extension device. 30. The vehicle body extension system of claim 29, further comprising a floor engaging base positioned below said platform, said platform being mounted on said base for tilting movement. 31. The vehicle body extension system of claim 30, further comprising a ram connected between said platform and said floor engaging base for effecting tilting movement of said platform. 32. The motor vehicle body extension system of claim 1, wherein said horizontal arm is comprised of a telescoping section. 33, further comprising: a hoist arm freely pivotally supported by an upper portion of the upright arm;
2. The vehicle body extension system of claim 1 including a ram device connected to said hoist arm and said upright arm for mutually pivoting the arms upwardly relative to said upright arm. 34, a wheeled base having a front end and a rear end, a column upright from the base, a forwardly extending transverse arm spaced above the base and secured to the column, and above the arm the column; a pulley supported by an assembly, a device for adjusting the position of the pulley along the column, a tension chain draped over the pulley, and a power-operated lever device pivotally supported by the assembly to pull the chain. 2. The combination of claim 1 and an auxiliary wheel-mounted tensioning member assembly comprising a lever engageable with a lever, a means for releasably securing said arm on said platform, and a motor vehicle body extension system as set forth in claim 1. 35. The base is pivoted to the rear end for up and down movement, at least one caster wheel supported by the front end and two laterally spaced idle wheels at the rear end. the idler wheel supported by the free end of the lever, the lever being adapted to raise the rear end of the base off the ground by lowering the idler wheel relative to the base; 35. A combination according to claim 34, comprising a connected handle device. 36. The combination of claim 35, further comprising a rearwardly extending handle secured to said post at the level of said arm. 37. A forwardly extending support fixed to the column and spaced below the arm a distance to receive the platform therebetween, the power actuated lever device being pivoted to the column below the support. an upright chain tensioning lever, a hydraulic ram pivotally connected to a forward portion of the support and an upper portion of the chain tensioning lever, a chain gripping device carried by the upper portion of the chain tensioning lever; 37. The combination of claim 36, wherein excitation of the ram in one direction causes the chain tension lever to pivot through a chain tension stroke, and return of the ram causes the chain tension lever to pivot in the opposite return direction. 38. The combination of claim 37, further comprising means for locking the chain to the post when the chain tension lever pivots in its return direction. 39. An auxiliary wheel-mounted tension member assembly for extending an automobile body tightened on a platform, comprising a wheeled base having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the base standing upright from the rear end of the base; a post fixed to the post, a forwardly extending transverse arm fixed to the post spaced above the base, a pulley supported by the post above the arm, a pulley along the post; a device for adjusting the position; a tensioning chain resting on the pulley; a power-operated lever device reciprocally supported by the assembly and engaging the chain to pull the assembly; and releasing the arm on the platform. An assembly consisting of a freely fixing device. 40, said base is T-shaped including a rear cross leg and a central forward extending longitudinal leg; caster wheels supported by the front ends of said longitudinal legs; said cross leg at one end for up and down movement; levers pivotally connected to respective ends of the parts; an idler wheel supported by the free end of said lever; lowering of said idler wheel relative to said base raises the rear end of said base from the ground; 40. An assembly as claimed in claim 39, including a handle arrangement connected to said lever for lifting apart, a rearwardly extending handle fixed to said post at the level of said arm. 41. a forwardly extending support fixed to the column and spaced below the arm a distance between which the power actuated lever device receives the platform; an upright chain tensioning lever, a hydraulic ram pivotally connected to the front part of the support and the upper part of the chain tensioning lever; supported by the upper part of the chain tensioning lever; a chain gripping device such that the chain tensioning lever pivots through a chain tensioning stroke such that return of the ram causes the chain tensioning lever to pivot in the opposite direction; 41. The assembly of claim 40, including means for locking said chain to said post.