Automotive collision repair device

Abstract

Unibody devices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle. Some devices of the present invention can be positioned on a vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and removing one wheel. Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously comprise a sidearm which is disposed at an angle preferably close to but preferably other than 90° to a main beam. The sidearm is advantageously slidably positionable on the main beam and comprises at least one clamp for securing the sidearm to a vehicle being repaired.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/307,823, filed Jul. 25, 2001.

[0002] The present invention is directed to devices for repairing vehicles that have been damaged due to collisions.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many types of vehicle straightening devices have been disclosed in the past. The present invention is directed to devices which offer advantages over prior devices for straightening damaged vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to unibody devices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle. For example, in most instances, the devices of the present invention can be positioned on a vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and removing one wheel. The device can then advantageously be rolled under the vehicle and secured to the vehicle prior to performing a straightening “pull”. The various embodiments of the present invention advantageously comprise a sidearm which is disposed at an angle preferably close to but preferably other than 90° to a main beam. The sidearm is advantageously slidably positionable on the main beam and comprises at least one clamp for securing the sidearm to a vehicle being repaired.

[0005] These and other embodiments will be appreciated from the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of a connector utilized with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a top piece of the connector.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a bottom portion of the connector shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The various embodiments of the present invention relate to vehicle repair devices useful for repairing vehicles that have been in collisions. With reference to the attached drawings, this invention comprises a pulling beam 100 pivotally connected to a pulling arm 90 and movable via a hydraulic ram 110 which is preferably connected to a foot pedal and a source of compressed air (not shown). The pulling beam 100 is part of a segmented main beam, also comprising segments 26 and 28. This main beam is advantageously movable via casters 40 located on two cross arms 22 and 24. The main beam is adapted to be connected to the pinch welds of a vehicle utilizing clamps 50 and 51. These clamps are advantageously selectively positionable along the main beam utilizing movable clamp supports 60 and 61 which are secured to the main beam prior to operation of the pulling arm 90.

[0012] A sidearm 110 is connected to the main beam via connector 200. The sidearm also advantageously comprises a clamp 150 and a clamp support 160. The sidearm is also movable via casters 140 which are mounted on cross arm 122.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view which better illustrates the angle of sidearm 110 relative to the main beam. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sidearm is disposed at an angle other than 90° to the main beam. In this illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the sidearm 110 forms an interior angle of about 85° with the longitudinal axis of the main beam.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a closeup perspective view of connector 200 which is formed in two segments connected by four bolts 201-204. Connector 200 comprises a top piece 210 and a bottom piece 230.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of top piece 210 which comprises spaced, guide plates 211 and 212 which are securely fastened to a top plate 210, e.g. by welding. Each of the guide plates comprises an outer portion which is flared outwardly in the manner illustrated in order to facilitate insertion of sidearm 110 into position between the guide plates 211 and 212. The outer portions 216 and 217 of top plate 210 are advantageously flared upwardly. While this embodiment shows a relatively minor portion of this top plate 210 flared upwardly, a greater portion can be flared as desired. This upward flare of top plate 210 is designed to accommodate unevenness of the working surface on which the entire straightening device rests. From the present description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that if the floor area on which casters 140 rest is slightly higher than the floor area on which casters 40 rests, then sidearm 110 will be angled slightly upwardly relative to the main beam. The flares in the top plate help accommodate these high variations.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom plate 230 which preferably comprises nuts 211-214 adapted to receive bolts 201-204. This bottom plate 230 comprises downwardly flared outer portions 236 and 237 and guide plates which are securely connected to the bottom plate, for example, by welding. The bottom plate guide channels 231 and 232 are advantageously positioned on an angle to a central longitudinal axis of bottom plate 230 and also have outwardly flared outer portions in order to facilitate insertion of the side beam into connector 200.

[0017] The illustrated connector 200 is designed so that both sets of guide plates are angled in the same direction. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, sidearm 110 is angled slightly toward the cross bar 24. If the sidearm was inserted into the opposite side of connector 200, the sidearm would still be angled slightly toward the cross bar 24. If it is desired to angle the sidearm in the opposite direction, the connector 200 can simply be rotated 180 degrees. To accomplish this, the technician would remove bolts 201-204 from the top of the top plate 210, rotate both the top plate and the bottom plate while keeping the top plate on top and the bottom plate on the bottom, and refasten the bolts. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use a plurality of connectors and sidearms with a single main beam.

[0018] The precise angle at which the sidearm attaches to the main beam can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention, but the sidearm 110 is preferably not exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam.

[0019] The present invention provides for a quick setup of the autobody repair device and can be utilized without the need for placing the entire vehicle on a lift or jack stands. The present invention can be readily installed by simply jacking up one corner of a vehicle and removing one wheel.

Claims

1. A device for straightening damaged body of vehicles comprising:

a first elongated member which is selectively positionable under a damaged body of a vehicle while three wheels of the vehicle rest on the ground;

a second elongated member selectively attachable to said first elongated member at an angle of about 60 to about 85 degrees;

two clamps slidably mounted on said first elongated member for attaching said first elongated member to pinch welds of said damaged unibody;

a clamp slidably mounted on said second elongated member for attaching said second elongated member to a pinch weld of said damaged unibody; and

means for applying a pulling force selectively connectable to at least one of said first end and said second end of said first elongated member.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said second elongated member is connected to said first elongated member with a connector which is slidably positionable on said first elongated member.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said connector comprises at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at an angle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate insertion of said second elongated member into said connector.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said connector comprises at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at an angle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate insertion of said second elongated member into said connector.

5. A device according to claim 2 wherein said connector comprises at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at an angle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate insertion of said second elongated member into said connector.