Abstract: A mechanical force enhancer for the amplification of a force generated by a pneumatic cylinder that is mounted at one end of a pair of spaced apart side plates. A piston rod attached to the pneumatic cylinder is in turn connected to a translatable link that is guided partially by complementary grooves contained in the side plates. After the link has translated through a prescribed distance, the end thereof most remote from the cylinder rod end is stopped against translatory movement thus permitting the link to rotate. A tool containing ram is attached to the link intermediate the stopped end and the rod attachment end. The continued rotation of the link provides an amplification of the force delivered by the cylinder ram thus permitting the tool to do useful work.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hem on an edge of a sheet metal member including an anvil attached to a columnar support structure that also includes a cantilevered bracket that is the support for a movable hemmer bracket to which a hemming steel is attached. By the utilization of a pair of crank arms, the hemmer bracket is movable through a plurality of arcuate paths which permits the hemming steel to perform multiple forming operations on a workpiece held by the anvil. The method includes the steps of partially hemming a sheet metal member, then disengaging the hemming steel contact with the workpiece, then moving the hemming steel to a new location before recontacting the workpiece with the hemming steel.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a reference target on a partially assembled structure such as an automobile body frame. The apparatus has a base support structure for rigid mounting to a floor member, a transfer platform is attached to the base structure so that the transfer platform has freedom of movement in a first horizontal direction; a horizontal slide assembly is attached to the transfer platform so that it has freedom of movement in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction; and a vertical slide assembly is attached to the horizontal slide assembly and is movable therewith in a vertical direction. An acutator and a clamp bar are utilized to immobilize the transfer platform, and an actuator and a clamp plate are utilized to immobilize both the horizontal and vertical slide assemblies. A plurality of work tools or tool receiving recesses are attached to the vertical slide assembly so that the tool and recess can move toward and away from the automobile body frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a precisely predetermined location relative to a surface. A reforming tool has a main body, tapered portion, a shank and a tip having a point. The reforming tool is attached to a base having provision for rotating and reciprocating the reforming tool. According to the method of the present invention, the reforming tool is used to burnish an annular seat in a surface, an aperture coaxial with the annular seat, and an annular flange about the aperture. The location of the annular seat is precisely predetermined. The apparatus includes a button having a flat surface at one end and a part spherical surface at the other end that is received by the annular seat so that the part spherical surface rests on the annular seat. The button end having the flat surface then defines the precisely predetermined location, particularly an attachment location for a body panel onto a surface of a frame member.

Abstract: A punch stripper is formed with an axially aligned aperture extending therethrough so that the punch stripper can be installed on the shaft of a punch. The punch stripper includes a cylindrical housing with a plunger telescoped within an axially aligned bore. An array of spring elements are axially aligned within the cylindrical housing such that a biasing force is exerted on one end of the plunger. A cap is held in position by a snap ring at the end of the housing most remote from the plunger. The array of spring elements exert a biasing force on the cap. An elastomeric O-ring is positioned within the cap so that a frictional force can be developed between the punch stripper and a punch that passes therethrough.

Abstract: A device for locating a datum reference on a partially assembled structural object, such as an automobile body frame. The device has a base structure for rigid mounting to a floor member, a transfer platform is attached to the base structure so that the transfer platform has freedom of movement in a first horizontal direction, a support structure is attached to the transfer platform so that it has freedom of movement therewith in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a vertical slide support mechanism attached to the support structure and moveable therewith in a vertical direction, fluid actuated stop members for locking the horizontal and vertical movements of the device when a certain location in space, as dictated by the automobile body, has been attained. A work performing tool attached to the vertical slide support mechanism so that the tool can move into and out of engagement with the automobile body.

Abstract: A socket tool for multi-faced fasteners such as nuts, bolts, and the like, having at least one resiliently biased rollably mounted retainer pin which interacts with at least one face of the multi-faced fastener to keep the multi-faced fastener received by the socket of the socket tool in axial alignment therewith irrespective of the orientation of the socket. An hexagonally shaped socket is preferred, having a resiliently biased rollably mounted retainer pin in every other face of the socket. An annular flange is provided integral with the socket wall. The annular flange has an annular slot along its periphery and further has a cut-out contiguous along every other face of the socket. Each cut-out has a width exceeding the width of the face of the socket to which it is contiguous. A retainer pin is located in each cut-out adjacent the socket. A retainer key having a straight edge and a curved edge is located in the retainer slot, the straight edge abutting the retainer pin.

Abstract: A mechanical force enhancer for the amplification of a force generated by a pneumatic cylinder that is mounted at one end of a pair of spaced apart side plates. A piston rod attached to the pneumatic cylinder is in turn connected to a translatable link that is guided partially by complementary grooves contained in the side plates. After the link has translated through a prescribed distance, the end thereof most remote from the cylinder rod end is stopped against translatory movement thus permitting the link to rotate. A tool containing ram is attached to the link intermediate the stopped end and the rod attachment end. The continued rotation of the link provides an amplification of the force delivered by the cylinder ram thus permitting the tool to do useful work.

Abstract: A single station hemming device for hemming the upstanding peripheral flange of an outer element to overlie the periphery of an inner element to thereby join the outer element to the inner element. The hemming device has a series of hemming tools positioned end-to-end around the periphery of the outer element, each hemming tool being actuated in unison by a single motor to simultaneously hem the peripheral flange of the outer part. Each hemming tool is cam operated through a system of links by a single actuator to move in a first arcuate direction generally transversely of the flange to do a first stage hemming operation of about 35.degree.-55.degree.; then in a second arcuate direction to lift it above the flange and then in a third arcuate direction generally parallel to the original orientation of the flange to complete the remaining approximately 55.degree.-35.degree. of hemming of the flange.

Abstract: A pad forming device for forming attachment pads in an automotive inner body panel element to provide for the attachment of an outer body panel to the inner body panel. The outer body panel must be attached at a precise location and the inner body panel element is not as precisely positioned. The device has one or more fixed anvils which are positioned at a predetermined position adjacent to, but spaced from, the inner body panel element, the magnitude of such spacing varying with the position of the inner body panel element. Movable floating locators that are disposed on opposite sides of each fixed anvil are advanced toward the inner body panel element until they make contact therewith, at which time the floating locators are locked in a fixed position.

Abstract: A single station hemming device for hemming the upstanding peripheral flange of an outer element to overlie the periphery of an inner element to thereby join the outer element to the inner element. The hemming device has a series of hemming tools positioned end-to-end around the periphery of the outer element, each hemming tool being actuated in unison by a single motor to simultaneously hem the peripheral flange of the outer part. Each hemming tool is cam operated through a system of links by a single actuator to move in a first arcuate direction generally transversely of the flange to do a first stage hemming operation of about 35.degree.-55.degree.; then in a second arcuate direction to lift it above the flange and then in a third arcuate direction generally parallel to the original orientation of the flange to complete the remaining approximately 55.degree.-35.degree. of hemming of the flange.

Abstract: A device for locating a datum reference on a partially assembled structural object, such as an automobile body frame. The device has a base structure for rigid mounting to a floor member, a transfer platform is attached to the base structure so that the transfer platform has freedom of movement in a first horizontal direction, a support structure is attached to the transfer platform so that it has freedom of movement therewith in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a vertical slide support mechanism attached to the support structure and movable therewith in a vertical direction, fluid activated stop members for locking the horizontal and vertical movements of the device when a certain location in space, as dictated by the automobile body, has been attained. A work performing tool attached to the vertical slide support mechanism so that the tool can move into and out of engagement with the automobile body.

Abstract: A pad forming device for forming attachment pads in an automotive inner body panel element to provide for the attachment of an outer body panel to the inner body panel. The outer body panel must be attached at a precise location and the inner body panel element is not as precisely positioned. The device has one or more fixed anvils which are positioned at a predetermined position adjacent to, but spaced from, the inner body panel element, the magnitude of such spacing varying with the position of the inner body panel element. Movable floating locators that are disposed on opposite sides of each fixed anvil are advanced toward the inner body panel element until they make contact therewith, at which time the floating locators are locked in a fixed position.

Abstract: A single station hemming device for hemming the upstanding peripheral flange of an outer element to overlie the periphery of an inner element to thereby join the outer element to the inner element. The hemming device has a series of hemming tools positioned end to end around the periphery of the outer element, each hemming tool being actuated in unison by a single motor to simultaneously hem the peripheral flange of the outer part. Each hemming tool is cam operated through a system of links by a single actuator to move in a first arcuate direction generally transversely of the flange to do a first stage hemming operation of about 35.degree.-55.degree.; then in a second arcuate direction to lift it above the flange and then in a third arcuate direction generally parallel to the original orientation of the flange to complete the remaining approximately 55.degree.-35.degree. of hemming of the flange.