Abstract: An apparatus and method for anchoring a vehicle with a manipulative anchoring device comprises a base configured to engage a frame removably mounted on a work surface with the base slidingly attached to the frame. An upright column is mounted in the base, with the upright column supporting an anchoring collar and a clamping platform. The anchoring collar can be rotated about the upright column and is configured to receive at least one anchoring chain. The clamping platform is configured to receive a plurality of interchangeable clamping members and can also be configured to support a force applying device, such as a fluid cylinder or a screw jack. When the vehicle manipulative anchoring device is configured with the force applying device, it is used to impart a force to the vehicle, typically to counter a force being applied to the vehicle in a different area.

Abstract: The vehicle interchangeable repair system comprises a repair platform having a carriage mounted thereon and structured to move along the periphery of the repair platform. An accessory platform is removably coupled to the carriage and an interchangeable tool is removably mounted on the accessory platform. The vehicle interchangeable repair system allows an operator to modify the vehicle repair system to accommodate the type of vehicle and type of vehicle repair that has to be affected on such vehicle. The vehicle repair system can receive interchangeable tools as selected by an operator of the system. The carriage is structured to move along the periphery of the repair platform a full 360 degrees to a position as selected by the operator. Additional carriages can be mounted on the repair platform and support the same type of interchangeable tool or different interchangeable tools as selected and determined by the operator.

Abstract: The vehicle interchangeable repair system comprises a repair platform having a carriage mounted thereon and structured to move along the periphery of the repair platform. An accessory platform is removably coupled to the carriage and an interchangeable tool is removably mounted on the accessory platform. The vehicle interchangeable repair system allows an operator to modify the vehicle repair system to accommodate the type of vehicle and type of vehicle repair that has to be affected on such vehicle. The vehicle repair system can receive interchangeable tools as selected by an operator of the system. The carriage is structured to move along the periphery of the repair platform a full 360 degrees to a position as selected by the operator. Additional carriages can be mounted on the repair platform and support the same type of interchangeable tool or different interchangeable tools as selected and determined by the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a vehicle to a vehicle repair system with the vehicle repair system having a work surface. The apparatus comprises a frame removably mounted on the work surface with the support base slidingly attached to the frame with the support base having a release handle and an upright column. A lock plate having a lock plate bore sized to receive the upright column is placed over the upright column of the support base and secured to the frame by a drive nut threadingly mounted to the upright column to secure the lock plate against the frame and draw the support base against the frame. A clamp support removably coupled to the upright column of the support base is coupled to a vehicle retainer. The vehicle retainer engages a vehicle securing area on a vehicle being repaired on the vehicle repair system. The frame is secured to the vehicle repair system work surface by a single bolt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single system to accommodate the various types of vehicle repair situations. The present invention provides a multi-modular vehicle repair system comprising a vehicle repair frame, a vehicle restraint removably mounted on the vehicle repair frame and a force device associated with the vehicle repair frame. Additionally, the present invention provides vehicle repair modules that can be attached to or associated with the vehicle repair frame. Such vehicle repair modules includes a frame support module, a lift module and a ramp module. Each of those modules can be of different types to accommodate the varying conditions of vehicle repair encountered by the vehicle repair facility operator.

Abstract: A wireless remote control apparatus mounted on a fluid pump for controlling the pump and release functions of such fluid pump. The wireless remote control apparatus includes valves in fluid communication with a fluid supply, actuators for controlling the pump and release valves of the pump, a signal transmitting and signal receiving device operatively associated with the fluid pump. The wireless remote control apparatus can operate on a frequency selected from radio, ultraviolet and infra red frequencies and is further provided with a manual operating mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lifting a vehicle above a work surface of a vehicle repair system and maintaining the wheels of such a vehicle at a height near the same height as the vehicle is raised. The apparatus is an adjustable riser-ramp assembly which includes a platform having a pair of adjustable, self-locking leg sets, at least one ramp removably attached to the platform and a mounting slide engaging the platform and the work surface. The apparatus may be used in multiple combinations of platform and ramps to accommodate the type of vehicle and type of repair system being worked on by an operator.

Abstract: A laser and laser mount system for a vehicle measurement system wherein the laser is powered by a direct current source, such as a battery, and the laser is mounted on the same axis as its rotational pivot axis which provides for up to 360.degree. of rotation of the laser about such axis.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for use with a vehicle measuring system where the point to be measured is transferred, within the measurement system, to an accessible location measurable by the system. The mounting assembly couples a measurement device to a vehicle to be measured and maintains the precise alignment of a coupler at its attachment point to the vehicle during the measurement procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring the distance between control points on a vehicle, the apparatus including a base assembly for supporting an extendable gauge bar having pointers mounted thereon which are aligned with the control points, the gauge bar including a gauge indicating the distance between the pointers, each base assembly including a base plate and a pedestal mounted on the base plate for matingly engaging the gauge bar, the pedestal being vertically and radially moveable for adjusting the position of the gauge bar.

Abstract: A multiple-axis motion module for holding a tool and providing an apparatus for moving such a tool about multiple-axis. The multiple-axis motion module is used in combination with a vehicle transportation system for moving, positioning and manipulating vehicles and vehicle parts.

Abstract: Valve grinder comprising a grinding wheel mounted on a bench, said bench also having a surface for supporting a valve stem support stand mounted a spaced distance from said grinding wheel, said valve stem support stand comprising a pair of V-blocks and valve bearings for engaging the valve stem and an end stop. Mounted on said surface by a tandem axis pivot is a chuck for gripping the valve stem, said chuck including a positive clamping collet that engages the valve stem annularly with a plurality of contact points when the collet is squeezed between a collet spool and collet cover by a collet fork. Said chuck further rotates the valve while maintaining the positive clamping on the valve stem during the grinding operation but independently of the valve support stand.

Abstract: A free standing rotary tower assembly for applying a force to a damaged part of a vehicle, the assembly including a tower, a support plate mounted on the bottom of the tower, a cylindrical member mounted on the bottom of the plate and a floor mount for supporting the tower assembly, the floor mount including a center plate having a tubular member for matingly engaging the cylindrical member and a number of caster assemblies mounted in the centering plate in a position to engage the support plate when the cylindrical member is aligned with the tubular member.

Abstract: A pull tower for pulling upon a chain and correcting damaged portions of a vehicle includes a combination chain height adjustment and pulley mechanism which is positioned on the tower and with a collar having opposite side plates facing opposite side surfaces of the tower. A front end of the mechanism includes a pulley over which a chain is trained and a front crossbar extending between the side plates and adjacent the tower front surface. The mechanism has a rear end including a rear crossbar spaced from the front crossbar to loosely straddle the tower and a U-shaped spring which extends between the rear crossbar and lugs which extend from the tower rear surface to urge the rear crossbar away from the tower. The mechanism provides an angled, wedging fit of the chain height adjustment and a pulley mechanism on the tower at selected higher locations. Preferably, the tower is mounted to a carriage movably positionable about a work rack, although it can be floor mounted if desired.

Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle parts transportation system used for moving, positioning and manipulating a vehicle and vehicle parts primarily when a vehicle is damaged or in the need of repairs. The system consists of a power module having interchangeable legs and parts that allow the power module to be reconfigured as to its height, width and length and various tool modules. The power module becomes a different tool as required or desired by the operator by simply adding or removing a tool module. Each specific tool module provides the necessary lifting and motive force apparatus and means for maneuvering the tool module for performing the necessary operation.

Abstract: A portable work station suitable for use in a vehicle spray paint booth, the station includes a platform member supported on each end by an open frame end support member. The end members pivot about the end of the platform and can be adjusted so as to change the height of the platform above the work surface. A leg of each end support member is wedged between pin, a stop stud fixed to the end of the platform and a locking pin is pivoted into engagement with the leg to prevent walking motion of the work station while in use. The work station can be provided with a railing along the platform edge, a tool hanger, and can be provided with an air supply stanchion to facilitate the spray paint operation.

Abstract: An anchor force assembly mounted on a repair rack or on the floor in a spaced relation to a pull tower having a chain for applying a tensile force to the damaged vehicle, the anchor force assembly including a base plate assembly which is adapted to be mounted on the edge of the top of the rack, or on the floor, the base plate assembly including a base plate having a clamp mounted on each end, a pair of spacer blocks mounted on the base plate and a tower assembly pivotally mounted on said base plate assembly, the tower assembly including a pivot plate pivotally secured to the plate assembly, a tubular vertical member mounted on said plate, a tubular horizontal member mounted on said plate with one end abutting the vertical member and a tubular gusset mounted between said horizontal and vertical member whereby the chain can be attached to the vehicle with the end of the chain attached to the auxiliary tower whereby the force generated by the pull tower is doubled.

Abstract: A battery charger adapted to be electrically connected to the terminals of a battery for providing a charge to the battery, the battery charger comprising a device for supplying charging current to the battery, the current supplying device being operable to alternatively and selectively supply current at a first and second rate, the first rate providing for high rate charging of the battery, circuitry for sensing the voltage of the battery while the charger is connected to the battery, the sensing circuitry being adapted to be coupled to the battery, circuitry for alternatively selecting the first rate and the second rate, the selecting circuitry being coupled to the supplying circuitry and to the severing circuitry, circuitry for severing the supply of charging current to the battery when the second rate is selected, and when the sensing circuitry senses battery voltage in excess of a first predetermined threshold voltage, and for resuming the supply of current to the battery at the second rate when the sens

Abstract: An adaptor for transmission jack of the type having an adjustable platform on the upper end of the jack, the adaptor including a centering block mounted on the platform, an inner and outer plate assembly mounted on the platform on each side of the centering block, the plate assemblies being simultaneously movable toward and away from the centering block, a fixture support bar mounted on each of the plate assemblies and a pair of fixture assemblies movably mounted on each of the support bars, fixture assemblies being separately movable to support and align the longitudinal axis of a transmission on the platform and the inner and outer plate assemblies being longitudinally movable to increase or decrease the distance between the fixture assemblies to accommodate the different length transmissions.

Abstract: A chain liner for guiding a chain through a passage, the liner including a pair of brackets mounted in a parallel spaced relation, a chain sprocket mounted on a shaft at each end of the bracket, a pair of blocks mounted in the space between the brackets in close proximity to each of the chain sprockets, each pair of blocks defining a channel for guiding each alternate link of the chain past the chain sprockets.