Abstract: A pair of generally parallel, laterally spaced and registered plates are provided including corresponding opposite margins having projections supported therefrom and spaced therealong projecting toward and engageable with the corresponding margin of the opposing plate. The projections on corresponding margins of the opposing plates are staggered relative to each other and clamp fastener structure is secured through the mid-portions of the plates for forcibly drawing the plates toward each other and clamping sheet metal portions between one pair of corresponding projection equipped margins thereof. At least one marginal edge of one of the plates includes anchor structure supported therefrom, to which a pull member may be removably anchored.

Abstract: An elongated horizontal base is provided including inner and outer ends and a depending foot assembly is carried by the outer end and supported therefrom for angular displacement relative to the base about an upstanding axis. The foot assembly is adapted for anchoring in a stationary position relative to a floor area above which a vehicle having a body, subframe or frame portion to be straightened may be stationarily positioned and an upright projects upwardly from the base outer end and has a horizontally elongated pull arm pivotally supported therefrom for angular displacement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the upright, base and pull arm. The axis is centrally spaced between the opposite ends of the pull arm and the latter is mounted for guided longitudinal shifting relative to the axis.

Abstract: An elongated main beam is provided with support wheels at its opposite ends and a parallelogram-type lift arm assembly is pivotally mounted from a first end of the main beam for swinging movement between a lowered substantially horizontal position closely overlying the central portion of the main beam and an inclined position in which a lifting head carried by the upper end of the lift arm assembly may be used to support one side of a vehicle in an elevated position. A slide or follower is mounted on the second end of the main beam and a fluid motor is operatively connected between the main beam and the slide for forcibly shifting the latter along the main beam toward the first end thereof. Force arm structure is pivotally connected between the follower and a midlength portion of the lift arm assembly and is operative to raise the lift arm assembly to a vehicle elevating position responsive to actuation of the fluid motor to force the follower along the main beam toward the first end thereof.

Abstract: An elongated vertically disposed shank construction is provided defining a longitudinal center axis and the upper end of the shank construction includes structural features enabling the shank construction upper end to be anchored relative to a vehicle frame portion having a vertical bore formed therethrough with the longitudinal center axis of the shank construction coinciding with a selected edge portion of the bore. Further, the lower end of the shank construction includes location determining structure disposed on the longitudinal center axis of the shank construction, whereby frame measurement locations determined by specified margin edges of vertical bores formed in the vehicle frame may be established at an elevation spaced below the frame.

Abstract: An elongated wheeled bench is provided for predetermined aligned positioning beneath a stationary jack stand supported vehicle body to be straightened and includes, supported therefrom at one end, a vertically adjustable horizontally elongated mount extending transversely of the bench. The mount has a light beam generating head mounted thereon for adjustable positioning therealong and also for angular displacement relative thereto about a first axis paralleling the mount and a second axis disposed normal to the first axis. The head is operable to generate a narrow light beam disposed normal to the second axis and scales are provided to indicate angular positioning of the head about the first and second axes and also longitudinal positioning of the head along the mount.

Abstract: A pair of elongated clamp levers are provided and interconnected intermediate their opposite ends for substantially coplanar relative oscillation of the levers to inversely swing corresponding pairs of ends of the levers toward and away from each other. One pair of lever ends defines opposing jaw ends between which a sheet metal marginal portion may be clamped and a wedge assembly is moveably connected between the other pair of ends of the levers and includes operating structure moveable lengthwise of the levers and to which one end of an elongated pull member may be anchored.

Abstract: A system of three gauges is provided and each gauge includes an upright support standard for support from a horizontal surface extending along one side of a vehicle frame elevated relative to the surface and each support standard includes an elongated horizontal body having a first reference location at one end and a second reference location carried by and shiftable longitudinally of the other end of the body. Scale structure is provided on each gauge operative to indicate changes in the spacing, longitudinally of the body, between the first and second reference locations and the scale structure includes an indicator portion for indicating changes in the distances between the first and second reference locations equal to twice the actual change in distance therebetween.

Abstract: An elongated base is provided including a pair of opposite side opposing abutment surfaces disposed in a plane extending therebetween transversely of the base. A pair of elongated longitudinal side-by-side levers are disposed between the abutment surfaces and include opposite end portions projecting from opposite sides of the aforementioned plane. A first pair of end portions define opposing jaw faces for clamping an auto body portion therebetween and anchor structure is carried by the base for applying a pulling force thereon in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first end portions project. Wedge structure is shiftably supported from the base between the second end portions of the levers and operable to selectively wedge the second end portions apart and thereby cause the levers to fulcrum on the abutment surfaces to swing the first pair of end portions toward each other.

Abstract: A plurality of gauges are provided with each gauge including a horizontal arm, a vertical elongated measuring member guidingly supported from one end of the arm for adjusted vertical shifting relative thereto and first lock structure operatively associated with the arm and the measuring member for releasably locking the measuring member in adjusted shifted position relative to the arm. A vertical standard is provided including mounting structure supporting the arm from the standard for vertical shifting therealong with the arm disposed at right angles relative to the standard. Second locking structure is operatively associated with the arm and the standard for releasably locking the arm in adjusted shifted position relative to the standard and levelling structure is carried by the arm for indicating when the arm is precisely horizontally disposed.

Abstract: An elongated base if provided including a pair of opposite side opposing fulcrum surfaces disposed in a plane extending therebetween transversely of the base. A pair of elongated longitudinal side-by-side levers are disposed between the fulcrum surfaces and include opposite end portions projecting from opposite sides of the aforementioned plane. A first pair of end portions define opposing jaw faces for clamping an auto body portion therebetween and anchor structure is carried by the base for applying a pulling force thereon in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first end portions project.

Abstract: A sleeve is provided for snug reception through a bore in a floor slab and an elongated shank is provided for snug sliding reception through the sleeve with the opposite ends of the shank projecting outwardly from the corresponding ends of the sleeve. One end of the sleeve is provided with an enlargement thereon tapering toward the other end of the shank and the maximum diameter of the enlargement is less than the outside diameter of the sleeve. The enlargement includes a minor diameter end which may be wedgingly received within the adjacent end of the sleeve and the enlargement includes circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly tapering and longitudinally extending flutes formed thereon. The flutes are spiraled, slightly, about the enlargement and are inclined less than 30.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank.

Abstract: An alignment system for non-adjustable motor vehicle front end suspension systems, such as those employing McPherson struts, includes anchors for mounting, by appropriate adaptors, to the opposite side forward sheet metal portions of the vehicle to which the upper ends of associated McPherson struts are secured. An elongated adjustable length thrust member is operatively connected between the anchors and a support assembly is provided anchorable relative to one side of the associated vehicle. The support assembly includes an upper portion to which the adjacent alignment system anchor may be connected by means of an adjustable length anchor member and the support further includes an adjustable support member to which the adjacent wheel hub may be releasably anchored.

Abstract: An alignment system for non-adjustable motor vehicle front end suspensions, such as those employing McPherson struts, has a support assembly anchorable relative to an adjacent vehicle being repaired, with a connector arrangement provided on the support assembly for permitting one of the struts to be restrained relative to the support assembly while the other of the struts is being pulled into proper position. Once the struts have been correctly positioned in accordance with factory specifications, the sheet metal forming the fender wells, and the like, can be welded or bolted in place while pressure is maintained on the struts so as to re-unitize the vehicle body portions with which the suspension system is employed.

Abstract: A radius turntable gauge for facilitating front end alignment of motor vehicles has a supporting frame on which a turntable assembly is suspended so as to position a rotatable turntable for receiving a wheel of a vehicle being aligned. The turntable assembly includes a platform suspended directly from the supporting frame of the device, with the turnplate being rotatably journaled on the platform. A pointer mounted on the platform is arranged extending beyond and partially above the turnplate, with indicia being provided on an upwardly facing surface of the turnplate adjacent the pointer for indicating angular measurements in cooperation with the pointer.

Abstract: An adjustable hole-engaging hook device has a body connectable to a pulling element, such as a chain, and a hook assembly mounted on the body and arrangeable in a hole as conventionally provided in a vehicle frame member for permitting a force to be exerted on the frame of the vehicle. A gripping arrangement is provided on the body of the device for positively engaging the vehicle frame member which is provided with a hole in which the hook assembly is removably engageable.

Abstract: An auto body clamp having first and second plates attachable to a pulling device and selectively drawn together at a metal-gripping jaw arrangement by a clamp which pivots the plates about a fulcrum formed by a ball disposed in recesses provided in the plates. The jaw arrangement includes teeth disposed in apertures provided in the plates, with the teeth of each plate being offset from the teeth of the other plate. Each of the teeth is arranged in a respective aperture for movement within the aperture relative to the respective plate. Setscrews are arranged in countersunk portions provided in the apertures for permitting variation in the amount a given tooth will extend beyond the respective plate when the tooth is applying pressure to a portion of an automobile body, and the like. A tongue connected to the ball disposed in the recesss of the plates advantageously forms the connection of the plates to a suitable pulling device.

Abstract: A pulling apparatus having a stand which supports a chain connected between a floor anchor and a piece of sheet metal, and the like, to be straightened. A power head is arranged engaging the chain for tightening same. The power head may be disposed along an open run of the chain, or alternatively may be mounted on the stand in place of a pulley which normally guides the chain over the stand. A plurality of hangers are provided at different heights on the frame for receiving the pulley or power head.

Abstract: A body sill clamp having first and second plates connectible to a pulling device and embraced and selectively drawn together by jaws adjustably connected to one another as by a bolt and nut. Teeth provided with square points are replaceably arranged on the plates so as to be retained by the jaws, with the teeth of one of the plates being offset from the teeth of the other of the plates such that the teeth can penetrate more of the metal being held, and can resist becoming clogged or stopped up.

Abstract: A gauge for checking an automobile frame before and after damage to the frame has been repaired has a pair of telescoping tubes suspended from the frame for supporting a pointer which extends transversely from the frame. The pointer is connected to the tubes by a transmission arrangement which will cause the pointer to be displaced when half the distance the tubes are moved relative to one another. By using three, or more, gauges together with a datum line disposed extending beside the vehicle the damage to the frame can be readily determined.