US1911674A - Fender straightening tool - Google Patents

Description

w m, 333. L CAMERON WWW FENDER STRAIGHTENING TOOL Filed April 29, 19,32 2 Sheets-Sheet l May W, W33. v. E... CAMERON FENDER STRAIGHTENING TOOL Filed April 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet Inventor ttomey Patented May 30, 1933 PATENT OFFICE- VERNE L. CAMERON, 0F ESOONDIDO, CALIFORNIA FENDER STRAIGHTENING TOOL Application filed April 29, 1932. Serial No. 808,309.

This invention relates to a contrivance or tool which is especially constructed for reconditioning distorted sheet metal, the same being particularly desirable for use in reshaping automobile fenders by removing dents and restoring the metal to its original form and shape.

I am aware of the fact that it is not broadly new to provide a tool for accomplishing this task. So far as I am aware,

I do not know of any accessory, appurtenance, appliance or tool having the'characteristics of the improved device constituting the subject matter of this invention.

The foregoing assertion is redicated upon the belief that the improved tool herein illustrated and described is desirable in that it includes an appropriately shaped frame having companion convex disks located in close proximity to each other and ad'ustably supported on the frame for i 1mg rotation in order to secure the requisite degree' of freedom, adjustment and moton for acting on the sheet metal between the dlSkS m a manner to reform damaged portions and smooth the metal in such a manner. to restore it to its original condition.

My primary aim is to generally improve upon tools of this character by providing 0 one which undoubtedly fulfills the require- Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional and,

elevational view illustrating the association and arrangement of the structural details more explicitly.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figs. 4 and 5 are detail perspective views of the adaptor fixture constituting mountings or carriers for the work engaging members.

Referring now to the drawings by dis tinguishing reference characters, it will be observed that the numeral 6 designates a C-shaped clamp having upper and lower arms 7 and 8 adapted to straddle the fender or other work acted on. The upper -arm 7 is somewhat shorter than the lower arm 8 and the latter arm has its extended end ortion formed into a centrally apertured klike base 9. The companionate work en'- gaging devices have certain commoncharacteristics and are distinguished by the reference characters 10 and 11 respectively.

The lower device 11 as seen in Fi 5 comprises a longitudinally elongate tubular body or shell 12 whose lower end portion 13 is formed to provide a foot and the foot is provided with an eccentric screw'threaded stud 14 extending through the aperture in the base 9 to accommodate a retaining nut 15. As seen in Fig. 2, the tubular body 12 .is enlarged at its open end to form a cup 16 to accommodate an end thrust anti-friction bearing unit 17. The tool proper comprises a stem 18 having a convex work engaging head 19 and formed at its inner end with a groove 20.- The stem extends into and through a bushing or sleeve 21 mounted in the body. The diameter of the head 19 is considerably larger than the cup so that the'marginal portions over hang the peripheral wall of the cup.

The fixture 10 comprises a similar tubular body 22 having a cup 23'containin the end thrust bearing 24 to accommodate t e shoulder portion on the tool stem 25 'ust beneath the opposed convex work engagln head 26. The stem is also grooved' as at 2 and the grooved portion of the stem fits into the ushing or sleeve 28. The numerals 29 in both instances,- designate set screws extending through the body, the bushing and into the grooves to provide the desired detachableswivel connection of the tool inthe shell or body. The numeral 30 designates a channel shaped rocker arm which is formed integral with body 22 and extends. at the angle .59 portion permitted shown and terminates in .a feed nut 31 for the threaded portion 32 of the crank or set surf screw 33. The set screw is engageable with the adjacent portion of the arm 7. The arm I 7 extends between the flanges of the channelshaped arm 30 and is pivotally connected thereto as indicated at 34. Thus the fixture 11 is a relatively stationary one, while the fixture is adjustable toward and from it. It is to be observed that the longitudinal axis of the tool stem is at a substantiall obtuse angle with respect to the correspon ing axis of the tool stem 18 whereby to disse the tool in the approximate angular re- 15 ationship seen in Fig. 2. Hence when the convex heads 19 and 26 are together, or approximatel so, their contactin surfaces are eccentric o the axis of the too stem. This is essential .in order to rovide the r uisite 8 freedom of action of t e free rotata le or swivelly mounted tool. Particular attention. is called to the eccentric connections of the stud 14 to the adjacent end portion 9 of the frame. This allows the fixture 11 to be bodily adjusted on eccentric axis to vary the relationship of the companiondisk or heads 19 and 26.

In other words, this confines the adjustment to a degree which makes it possible to mani ulate the tool accurately. and properly.

he principle idea is to 1 rovide a frame ofa shape to engage overt e fender with a pair of convex 'sk-like. work engaging elements, these being freely rotatable in bearings, the bearings being in somewhat o sed relation and carried by similar attac mg devices. The attaching devices are detachablyand adjustably mounted on the free end portions of the arms of the frame so that they may take the position seen in Fig.1 or somewhat similar ositions according to the shape of the work eing reconditioned. The lower bearin and its roller or disk becomes a substantia y fixed member while the up per; one is adjustable toward and from it and held in a set. position by the feed screw or crank which may be fed or backed up as the case may be.

With this arran ement the free circular cm the turnable disks'is sufiicient to restore the pro er shape and contour of'the sheet metal. his tool is usually successful for rubbing out the excess metal. caused by dents and bulges, either as shrinkin it orfdistributin it into a larger area an leaves the contour true enough as to seldom require filing or filling.

The axes on. which the shafts are mounted are generally inclined'with respect to 69 each other causing the pressure to be applied to the disk between the center and the periphery'on one side of the center. The device is clamped on the damaged surface in the manner of an ordina i I C clamp and .fiiisgoperated by grasping at proper points and propelling, it back and forth over the ace. I I claim for this invention, the application of an entirely new and a different princi le from that emplo ed in prior art tools esigned to accomp 'sh a similar purpose. A new principleis embodied in the free rotating action of two convex surfaces, so mounted that they may be set at varying angles and positions to each other, and thus adaptableto any portion of the metal or. automobile fender, whether near 'the automobilebody or the outer bead of the fender .or otherwise. The method of engaging or pinching of the metal between the offset discs gives a. powerful fulcrum-like force, not 0t erwise obtained. The rotating motion on a free shaft tends to a natural return of'the distorted metal to its original position. I

It is thought that the description taken' in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore a more lengthy description is thou ht unnecessarya Wh' e the foregoing description of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes comi within the field of the invention claime ma be resorted to if desired. v

aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A tool of the class described comprising a substantially C-shaped frame, a pair of companion fixtures pivotally, ad ustably and detachably mounted on the terminal ends of the arms of said frame, each, fixture including a tubular bearing having a cup, an end thrust bearing in each cup, a convex work engagi disk, a shaft connected thereto and exten 'ng through the bearing, retaining means for the shaft, the disks being engageable with the end thrust bearings in said cups, and an adjusting screw carried by one of the fixtures and cooperable with the adjacent end of said frame for holding it in a'predetermined adjusted position. 2. A device of the class described comprising a substantiallyC-shaped clamp having a relativel short upper arm and a pro rtionately onger lower arm, the exten g free-end portion of the lower arm being formed into a disk-like terminal centrally 'apertured, a tool mounting having a foot engageable withsaid disk-like portion, a threaded stud carried by the foot and extending through the aperture in said disklike portion to accommodate a'retaining nut,

said stud-being disposed eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mounting, a tool comprising a stem swivelly mounted in said mounting and having a convex work engaging hea '3. A device .of the :class described comprising a substantially C-shaped clamp havmg a relatively short upper arm and a proportionately longer lower arm, the extendmg free end portion of the lower am being formed with a disk-like terminal centrally apertured, a tool mounting having a foot engageable with said disk-like portion, a threaded stud carried by the foot and extending through the aperture in said disklike portion to accommodate a retaining nut said stud be disposed eccentrically with respect to the ongitudinal axis of the mounting, a tool comprising a stem swivelly mounted in said mounting and having a convex work engaging hea together with a similar com anion tool unit comprisin a fixture including an arm ivotally attac ed intermediate its ends to t e free end of the upper clam arm, an. adjusting set screw carried by t e inner end of said fixture arm and engageable with the adjacent clamp ar a tub ar body attached to the opposite en of the fixture arm, and a swivel y mounted tool in said body including a stem and a convex head opposed to said first-named head, the stems of the respective tools being disposed in general obtuse angular relationship with respect to each other, whereby to provide the desired offset action of the tools which allows the heads to come together in eccentric contacting relationship.

4. In a structure of the class described, a C-shaped clamp, one arm of said clam being extended beyond corresponding en s of the remaining arm of the clamp, a relativel stationa tool and mounting eccentrica 1y attache to the extended end rtion of the first-named arm, a bracket pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the second named clamp arm, adjustin and retaining means for said bracket, an a tool on the free swingable end of the bracket arm opposed to said first-named tool, both of said tools including cooperating convex disk-like heads.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

VERNE L. CAMERON.

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