Collision repair process

Abstract

A process is provided to facilitate the repair of damage, such as that sustained by the body or frame of a vehicle during collision. The present invention provides a standardized process for vehicle body repair and offers the technician a standardized and practical toolkit to be implemented into said process. The present invention allows the technician to reduce the costs both in time and equipment required to perform the repair. Further, the possibility of secondary damage arising from inappropriate application of methodologies and tools is significantly reduced with the implementation of the present invention.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In one of its aspects, the present invention generally relates to repair processes that the technician may invoke in order to optimize the repair of damage such as that sustained by a vehicle under collision. More specifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates to the process of identification of the correct steps after the implementation of which corrective forces can be applied to correct collision damage.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to automobile repair systems and more directly to those requiring the elevation, mobility and anchoring of automobiles under repair.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the attachment of devices to a pliable medium where force must be applied, often to correct damage or deformity, and which are then removable without significant secondary damage sustained by the medium.

In yet another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates to repair apparatus that may be used by an operator to correct damage or distortion in a medium. More specifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates tools required to the correct damage or distortion in a medium, such as a vehicle body or frame, where force is to be applied but where the site of the work presents obstacles, such as vehicle bumpers, to the direct application of corrective force.

In another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates to repair processes that the mechanic may invoke in order to optimize the repair of a damaged or distorted medium, such as a metal medium. More specifically, in this aspect, the invention relates to the process of establishing an anchor point, to which corrective forces can be applied, on a medium in order to repair damage to the medium. Said damage would be that suffered by the body and/or frame of a vehicle due to collision.

In another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates to apparatuses designed to aid in the correction of damage to a medium in the establishment of an anchor point, the drilling of holes, or the installation of a rivet. More specifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates to the repair of damage where the work may be obstructed or where the application of force to repair damage requires reinforcement at the site of the work and where drilling or rivet installation is desired to be performed.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the installation of rivets into a medium for the purposes of anchoring and particularly for the installation of rivets provided with internal threads to be installed from one side of the work.

In another of its aspects, the present invention generally relates to work to be performed utilizing an installed rivet. More specifically, in this aspect, the present invention relates to the utilization of an installed rivet where the installed rivet is deemed to be insufficient to withstand the stresses to be applied thereon.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for drilling into a medium where the medium may be difficult to access, the work requires the drilling of holes relatively spaced at distances according to tight tolerances, the operator may only have unpowered or low rotation driving devices at his disposal, the axis of drilling must be perpendicular to the face of the work, or where any combination of the above situations is present.

In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to apparatuses designed to guide a drill bit in the drilling of holes into a medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to the drilling of holes into a medium where the work may be obstructed by surface irregularities, where magnetic mounting is desirable, or where there is insufficient access at the site of the work by means of conventional drill guides.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Existing repair methodologies lack standardization in both process and apparatus in the correction of damage. The technician is often burdened with customization of the methods and tools used to repair damage on a per job basis increasing the duration of the process and necessitating the use of tools both costly and cumbersome to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a process for the technician to be able to perform collision repair, and offers the technician a standardized process which may be applied to the maximum number of problems with a minimum of effort, to recommend the tools, from a standardized kit, which the technician will require in order to carry out the steps in this process, to thereby reduce the time and/or cost of repair, and/or to minimize secondary damage that may be caused by the implementation of inappropriate methods and/or tools.

In another of its aspects the present invention provides a universal system and comprehensive mechanism for the repair of automobiles which is free from one or more of the defects of the prior art repair methodologies. In accordance with the present invention, a universal system of repair is provided that will elevate the vehicle from any level surface and allow its transport to any predefined repair zone. In this aspect, the present invention provides the facility to elevate, secure onto apparatus and move any passenger automobile without refitting for width and length variation. Once in the repair zone, the vehicle can be anchored to conventional, repair industry standard, floor mounted anchor points integrating into the base clamp and/or can be independently stabilized by locking the repair apparatus into position. Rotation of the vehicle can be then achieved by unlocking three of the four locking points and then rotating about the axis of the remaining locked point. Further, this aspect provides facility for additional high resolution spot anchoring to the damaged regions of the automobile reducing unnecessary stresses to undamaged regions during the repair process thereby minimizing secondary damage to an unperceivable level.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is to provide a standardized method and complimentary apparatus for the mounting of a threaded shaft onto a medium such as the metal structure of a vehicle to provide a sturdy attachment means for the purposes of applying force to correct structural damage. Further, this aspect of the invention provides a versatile and adaptive means of attachment in regions otherwise inaccessible or difficult to access thereby limiting the subsequently applied forces to the damaged region. This method provides the mechanic with an economic and/or time saving method in the selection and application of the appropriate apparatus herein.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a tool to correct damage or distortion in a medium, such as a vehicle body or frame, where the work is inaccessible or only partly accessible. Further, this aspect of the invention provides the facility within said tool for proper anchoring at the site of the work, to offer the operator at least two axes of rotation about the site of the work in order to efficiently apply forces as required, to provide adaptable means to clear obstructions to the work, and/or to reduce the potential of secondary damage caused by the use of inappropriate tools. Another aspect of the invention is to increase safety in the immediate environment of the apparatus by allowing the operator to rigidly mount said apparatus before the application of force thereby eliminating the possibility of the device being disengaged when unattended. A further aspect of the invention aims to standardize the apparatus required to perform said tasks.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a process for the mechanic to create an anchor point on a damaged medium in order to apply corrective forces to said anchor point. A further aspect of this invention is to offer the mechanic a standardized process which may be applied to the maximum number of problems with a minimum of effort, to recommend the tools, from a standardized kit, which the mechanic will require in order to carry out the steps in this process, to thereby reduce the time and/or cost of repair, and/or to minimize secondary damage that may be caused by the implementation of inappropriate methods and/or tools.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a tool which is versatile in scope, effective in clearing obstructions to its application, and sufficiently sturdy to withstand forces applied to correct damage a the site of the work. Further, this aspect of the invention is to provide a single platform that may be used to guide a drill or to establish a rivet in a medium without having to resort to the use of several tools exclusive to each task. In another of its aspects, this invention aims to reduce the cost of repair, in both time requirements and/or tool requirements. The aim of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of secondary damage that may be caused by improperly applied forces by providing the operator the facility to mount the apparatus, and to thereby apply forces, as close to the desired point of application as possible.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the installation of threaded rivets into a medium which is inexpensive, simple in design, allows the operator versatility in application, allows the operator freedom of one hand, and permits the installation of said rivets from one side of the work.

In another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a facility to reinforce an existing, installed rivet. An additional aspect of this invention is to allow the technician to select a level of reinforcement as required by the work thereby increasing the stress bearing facility of the system of the washer and the rivet to levels unattainable by the rivet alone. In the absence of a suitable site for a rivet but where a washer may be installed, the technician is provided the facility to use the washer as a stand alone device to bear the stresses of the work that would otherwise be borne by a rivet. It is the aim of this invention to provide the technician with a tool that is economical and simple to implement in the event that a rivet requires reinforcement or in the absence of a rivet.

In yet another of its aspects, the present invention is to provide a method and complimentary apparatus for drilling into a medium under conditions unsuitable for existing systems and apparatus, is inexpensive, compact in design, versatile in application, is capable of performing its intended function under tight tolerance and at the site of the work such as that required for the installation of brackets, allows the operator to concentrate applied forces to rotation and not against the face of the work thereby reducing fouling of the drill bit and resulting in a hole perpendicular to the face of the work. Further aspects of this invention are to provide a method and apparatus for the drilling of holes into a medium which may be performed at low rotation speeds reducing the generation of heat at the site of the work without lubrication and/or at high rotation speeds where a localized air cooling facility may be engaged.

In another of its aspects, this invention is to provide a tool which is effective in clearing obstructions to its application, compact, simply applied, and sufficiently sturdy to withstand forces applied in the drilling of holes at the site of the work and to allow the drilling to be performed at an angle to the plane of the work desirable to the operator. Further to this aspect of the invention, a means to reduce heat resulting from the action of drilling and to safely remove drilling exhaust in the form of fragments which can otherwise obstruct the drilling action or injure the operator is provided. In another aspect, this invention is to reduce the cost of drilling in both setup time and tool requirements. In this aspect, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a means for the operator to accurately define the location of the intended hole(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart diagram of the collision repair process.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of the hook-up process.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a pinch clamp.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bracket.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a drill cartridge.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of locking pliers.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a piercing punch.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a vector transfer apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the repair zone equipped with floor anchors.

FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram of the elevation and mobility apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the anchored base clamp.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the adjustable clamp on a section of crossbeam.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an anchor facility affixed to a section of crossbeam.

FIG. 15 is a detailed diagram of the crossbeam fitted for apparatus integration.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use with a nut.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of a threaded shaft.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use with a threaded rivet.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use with a forming nut.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft configured for use with a twist and lock attachment.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft configured for use with a threaded bracket.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation of a threaded shaft and a sectional view of a right angle bracket with which it is engaged.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and a one-point vise clamp bracket.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and a two-point vise clamp bracket.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a threaded shaft and MacPherson strut housing bracket.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with a straight arm attachment.

FIG. 27 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus with a straight arm attachment.

FIG. 28 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus with a straight arm attached perpendicular to the axis of the locked, internally threaded cylinder.

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with an adjustable right angle arm attachment.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with a chain tightener attachment.

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the vector lock mechanism.

FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the vector lock mechanism with locking bolt fixture exposed.

FIG. 33 is a side elevation of a vector transfer apparatus with a high resolution vector lock mechanism.

FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a vector transfer apparatus with a high resolution vector lock mechanism.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart diagram of the hook up process.

FIG. 36 is an illustration of a pinch clamp.

FIG. 37 is an illustration of the front and side of a universal bracket.

FIG. 38 is an illustration of a drill cartridge.

FIG. 39 is an illustration of locking pliers.

FIG. 40 is an illustration of a piercing punch.

FIG. 41 is an isometric view of a right angle repair bracket.

FIG. 42 is a side elevation of the length of a right angle repair bracket.

FIG. 43 is a side elevation along the width of a right angle repair bracket.

FIG. 44 is a side elevation of a flat repair bracket.

FIG. 45 is a top view of a flat repair bracket.

FIG. 46 is a side elevation of a flat repair bracket mounted on a medium and reinforced by a washer.

FIG. 47 is an isometric view of an adjustable mount flat repair bracket equipped with an anchor attachment.

FIG. 48 is a top view of an adjustable mount flat repair bracket equipped with an anchor attachment.

FIG. 49 is a side elevation of an adjustable mount flat repair bracket equipped with an anchor attachment and installed on a medium to be repaired.

FIG. 50 is a side elevation of a right angle repair bracket installed on a medium by locking pliers means.

FIG. 51 is a side elevation of a right angle repair bracket installed on a medium with the aid of locking pliers and engaged with two drill guide attachments.

FIG. 52 is a top view of a flat or right angle repair bracket installed on a medium and engaged by an anchor plug attachment and a drill guide attachment.

FIG. 53 is a side elevation of two wall thickness gauges.

FIG. 54 is a side elevation of a rivet and a rivet installed in a medium.

FIG. 55 is a sectional view of an hollow anvil body.

FIG. 56 is a side elevation of a mandrel.

FIG. 57 is a sectional view of a mandrel installed in an hollow anvil body.

FIG. 58 is a sectional view of an assembled anvil apparatus.

FIG. 59 is a sectional view of an assembled anvil apparatus where the mandrel has been drawn upward along the axis of rotation.

FIG. 60 is a side elevation of an anvil assembly with a pin passing through it.

FIG. 61 is a top view of an anvil assembly with a pin passing through it.

FIG. 62 is a top view of an anvil wrench.

FIG. 63 is a side elevation of an anvil wrench.

FIG. 64 is a side elevation of an anvil apparatus with the ring portion of an anvil wrench engaged therein.

FIG. 65 is a top view of a rivet reinforcement washer.

FIG. 66 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer.

FIG. 67 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer installed on a medium with a rivet.

FIG. 68 is a top view of a rivet reinforcement washer installed on a medium.

FIG. 69 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer installed on a medium with a rivet and engaged by a bracket attachment.

FIG. 70 is a side elevation of a rivet reinforcement washer installed on a medium with a rivet and engaged by a tool attachment.

FIG. 71 is a sectional view of a drill cartridge apparatus.

FIG. 72 is a side view of a drill cartridge housing.

FIG. 73 is a top view of a drill cartridge housing.

FIG. 74 is a sectional view of a disassembled drill cartridge apparatus.

FIG. 75 is a sectional view of a drill cartridge apparatus and a drill plug engaged with a drill bracket and medium.

FIG. 76 is a top view of a drill cartridge apparatus and a drill plug engaged with a drill bracket and medium.

FIG. 77 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with raised magnets.

FIG. 78 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with raised magnets.

FIG. 79 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with raised magnets and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 80 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with raised magnets and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 81 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with attached air cooling apparatus engaged with a center line positioning apparatus.

FIG. 82 is a side elevation of a magnetic drill guide with countersunk magnets, mounting eyelets, and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 83 is a bottom view of a magnetic drill guide with countersunk magnets, mounting eyelets, and attached air cooling apparatus.

FIG. 84 is a side elevation of an unthreaded mounting shaft with facility for eyelet attachment.

FIG. 85 is an isometric view of a vehicle elevation apparatus with a mounting bracket attachment for the engagement of a mounting shaft.

FIG. 86 is a side elevation of a bracket engaged with a medium under repair with a chain attachment.

FIG. 87 is a side elevation of two brackets engaged on opposing sides of a medium under repair with a chain attachment.

FIG. 88 is a side elevation of an inverted vector transfer apparatus engaged with a medium under repair.

FIG. 89 is a side elevation of a push jack subtended by brackets engaged with a medium under repair.

FIG. 90 is a side elevation of push jack bracket.

FIG. 91 is an isometric view of an unthreaded mounting shaft with threaded stud mounting facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a process is provided for collision repair where the following steps summarize the effort:

• • damage assessment is performed to inform further steps;
  • the collision repair process is invoked where the technician is to follow the instructions outlined in the proposed process and make decisions based on the requirements of the work as part of the process; and
  • upon completion of this process, the technician is ready to apply forces at appropriate points as required by the work.

The collision repair process noted in the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the collision repair process will be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. A collision repair process is provided as in FIG. 1 wherein a flowchart format is used to best illustrate the steps involved. The collision repair process flowchart is comprised of several steps which take the form of either an action to be taken or an action preceded by a decision to be made by the technician. Arrows are used to indicate the direction of flow.

The start terminal 1 is the initialization of the collision repair process. The technician must identify the damage that is to be repaired using the process.

The decision 2 offers the technician the option of utilizing a mobile, 4 point anchor apparatus whereby the vehicle under repair is raised onto beams and is anchored thereto while said apparatus may be moved on the work floor as required. This determination is dependent on the location of the damage on the vehicle where undercarriage damage would strongly suggest an affirmative response.

The action 3 is invoked if the technician has determined that the mobile, 4 point anchor apparatus, such as that in FIG. 8, is required for the work. The anchor apparatus allows the technician to raise the vehicle to the desired height and to anchor appropriately. After completion of the anchoring, the technician may proceed to implement the hook-up process 4 as described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

If the anchor apparatus is determined to be unnecessary in decision 2, the technician may directly proceed to implement the hook-up process 4 as described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

Decision 5 is offered after the successful implementation of the hook-up process 4. Stress relief is offered where it is not desirable to directly apply forces of great magnitude, where anchoring may not be as sturdy as desired, or where the ability to apply forces of great magnitude is hindered.

If stress relief is determined to be necessary in decision 5, the action 6 is to be implemented whereby stress relief is attained by means of vibration of the medium under repair or impact such as that provided by a hammer, during the application of force, or additional anchoring is performed at the site of the work.

After the completion of action 6 or if stress relief is determined to be unnecessary in decision 5, the technician is given the option of proceeding with either action 7 or action 8. Action 7 requires the implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 9 wherein a device is provided which allows the technician to clear obstacles, such as the bumper of a vehicle, and to accurately set and lock the vector at which force is to be applied. The technician may choose to proceed with action 8 wherein force may be directly applied to the site of the work by means of a chain or other pulling or pushing device.

After the completion of either of the actions of 7 or 8, the process may be concluded with the application of force at a magnitude and vector appropriate to the work.

A hook-up process is provided as in FIG. 2 wherein a flowchart format is used to best illustrate its intended usage. The hook-up process flowchart is comprised of several steps which take the form of either an action to be taken or an action preceded by a decision to be made by the technician as in FIG. 1. Arrows are used to indicate the direction of flow.

The start terminal 10 is the initialization stage of the process. At this stage, a point on the medium to be repaired must be appropriately chosen to be able to correct damage if force is applied at the correct vector through this location.

The decision 11 offers the technician the option of proceeding with or without the use of mounting holes. This determination is dependent on the site of the work, the magnitude of the force to be applied in respect of the sustaining ability of the mounting spot, and whether a mounting hole is a practical means of attachment of an anchoring device.

The action 12 is invoked if the technician has chosen to proceed without a hole or holes and is therefore satisfied that a clamping method is sufficient to sustain the forces to be applied in correcting the damage. In this case, a pinch clamp may be used as that illustrated in FIG. 3. Once the clamp is attached, the technician may move to the end terminal 21 where a device to sustain the application of force may be attached, such as a threaded hook-up shaft, secured chain, etc., and thus the process is complete.

The decision 13 is invoked if the technician has determined that the use of a mounting hole or holes is appropriate to the work. In this decision, the technician must respond to the question as to whether mounting holes are present and if so, whether these mounting holes are appropriately located.

The action 14 is invoked if the technician determines that a mounting hole or holes must be produced. In order to produce a mounting hole, a bracket, as in FIG. 4, must be attached with which a drill cartridge, as in FIG. 5, is engaged in order to produce a hole. The mounting of said bracket may be achieved by one of three methods from which the technician is to choose the most practical given the work. The methods of mounting the bracket offered to the technician are the use of locking pliers, as in FIG. 6, a threaded stud welded to the medium, or a piercing punch, as in FIG. 7, in order to create a small diameter hole where a self-tapping screw is engaged to mount said bracket.

Upon completion of action 14, the technician is offered the option of using a bracket in decision 15 with which to engage devices which will sustain the application of force or to directly attach said devices. If the technician chooses to waive the bracket option then the process is again completed at end terminal 21 in the attachment of said device(s).

If the requirement of the bracket is established in decision 15, then the technician is instructed to mount said bracket in action 20 by means of a threaded rivet, which is to engage a bolt, or a conventional nut and bolt configuration through the newly produced hole(s) in action 14. Once the bracket is secured, the process may again be completed at end terminal 21 as before.

Returning to decision 13, if the technician is able to utilize any existing holes then decision 16 may be invoked. Here, the technician must decide whether to proceed with the aid of a bracket or to directly mount any devices which will sustain the application of force. If the technician chooses to waive the bracket option then the process is completed at end terminal 21 as before. If the technician does require a bracket for the purposes of mounting any devices which will sustain the application of force, then action 17 is to be invoked where the bracket is secured to the medium by means of either a threaded rivet or a nut and bolt configuration as in action 20 above.

The technician may proceed to decision 18 where the requirement of any additional hole(s), in order to provide additional mounting strength, is to be determined. If additional holes are not required, the technician may proceed to end terminal 21 to complete the process as before. In the event of additional holes required, the technician may proceed to action 19 in order to engage the drill cartridge to produce said hole(s).

Once the requisite hole requirement is satisfied in action 19, the technician need only to secure the bracket, by means of threaded rivet or nut and bolt configuration as before, utilizing new mounting hole. The process is then completed at end terminal 21 once any devices which will sustain the application of force have been attached.

In an embodiment of the present invention a repair zone will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The vehicle under repair 28 is intended to be brought within a perimeter described by floor anchor points 24 which are illustrated in their relative positions in the industry defined configuration and further situated in the perimeter described by additional floor anchor points 26.

Precise positioning and elevation of the vehicle is attained with the aid of the apparatus which will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The elevation and mobility apparatus 46 is secured to crossbeam 30 and a wheel assembly 48 is attached to said crossbeam 30. The combined elevation and mobility apparatus 46 and the crossbeam 30 is now moved into position such that the unsecured end of the crossbeam 30 is brought under the vehicle 28, perpendicular to its length, and allowed to extend on the other side of the vehicle 28. An additional elevation and mobility apparatus 46 is then secured to the unsecured end of the crossbeam 30 after the removal of the wheel assembly 48 which is adjustable and removable by screw clamps 42. The elevation of the crossbeam 30 relative to the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 is then configured by the height adjustment bolt 32 which passes through a threaded hole in the crossbeam 30 and then said crossbeam 30 is locked at desired elevation by lock pins 40 providing perpendicularity once tightly secured relative to the height of the elevation and mobility apparatus. The elevation of the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 relative to the floor is then adjustable by means of bolt 34 and locked by means of screw lever 36.

Final positioning of the vehicle 28 is achieved by maintaining the elevation of the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 above the floor such that the attached wheels 38 are free to move. Immobility is attained by lowering the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 to the floor thereby rendering the attached wheels 38 incapable of providing movement. Should partial immobility be desired, for rotation, said elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 can be maintained above the floor and said attached wheels 38 can be locked as desired and thus rotation axis defined.

A second pair of elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 and a crossbeam 30 can then be put into position at the other end of the vehicle 28 as required by the repair.

The mechanism by which the elevation and mobility apparatus 46 is attached to the crossbeam 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 15. The height adjustment bolt 68 passes through a self aligning nut 70 of cylindrical shape contained within the hollow end region of the crossbeam 72. The axis of rotation of the self aligning nut 70 is defined by the insertion of the set screw 74 through axis hole 78 in the hollow end region of the crossbeam 72 and into the appropriately threaded end of the self aligning nut 70. Thus the necessary maneuverability of the assembled system, as indicated by the range of angles through which the height adjustment bolt 80 may pass relative to the crossbeam 72, is afforded until the requisite height is determined and the height adjustment bolt 68 is tightened such that crossbeam 72 is brought perpendicular to the height of the elevation and mobility apparatus 46 with the aid of lock pins 40.

Securing the final position of the elevation and mobility apparatus 46, before repair, will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Base clamps 50 are brought into contact with the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 at those points on the floor deemed critical under stress and said base clamps are secured to floor anchor points 24 or 26 as convenient. Securing to floor anchor points 24 or 26 is achieved by passing the floor anchor bolt 52 through the saw-toothed washer 54 and then passing said assembly through the base clamp 50, and potentially through appropriately provided anchoring holes 44 on the elevation and mobility apparatus 46, into the threaded floor anchor points 24 or 26 such that the teeth of said saw-toothed washer 54 come into contact with the saw-toothed edges of the base clamp 50 thereby eliminating movement under stress.

Securing of the vehicle 28 to the combined apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 13. Two adjustable clamps 56 are attached to a section of crossbeam 58 between the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 and are spaced according to the distance between the lower sills on the undercarriage of the vehicle 28 and are locked into position by means of bolts 60. Said distance varies by brand and model of vehicle 28 however the present invention provides universal accommodation for this distance by means of said adjustability. The adjustable clamps 56 are then tightened to the lower sills on the undercarriage of the vehicle 28 by means of clamp bolts 62 thus completing the preparation process for repair.

Further, spot anchoring is achieved with higher resolution than conventional systems which are typically floor anchored. Such anchoring means will be described with reference to FIG. 14. A chain anchor point 66 is affixed to a section of crossbeam 64 at a point outside the perimeter of the vehicle 28 thereby providing anchoring means. Similarly, chain anchor points 66 may be affixed to the elevation and mobility apparatuses 46 providing additional anchoring points. Such high resolution anchoring in the present invention allows the stress of repair to be localized to the damaged region thereby reducing secondary damage which is prevalent in conventional systems.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for the attachment of an appropriate threaded shaft in preparation for the further attachment of devices enabling the application of force. The attachment of the threaded shaft is performed according to the following steps:

• • selection of mounting method according to material thickness, accessibility, and the distribution of forces required by the work;
  • selection of threaded shaft appropriate to the choice of mounting method; and
  • engagement of the threaded shaft with the medium, either directly or by means of bracket, and this finalization of preparation for the attachment of further devices to provide means for the application of force to the affected region.

The apparatus required to perform the steps outlined above will be better understood with reference to the figures listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the directly mountable threaded shafts will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 16 through 20. A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 16 such that it has a threaded outer cylinder 78, a smaller diameter threaded bolt 82 for engagement with a nut 80 through a medium 76. The threaded shaft is also provided with a square socket 84 to facilitate engagement with a wrench, such as an impact wrench, commonly available to the mechanic. This threaded shaft is further illustrated in FIG. 17 having square a socket 86.

A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 18 for applications where the medium 94 with which the threaded shaft is to be engaged is provided with an installed threaded rivet 92. Similar to the threaded shaft of FIG. 16, the threaded shaft of FIG. 18 is provided with a threaded outer cylinder 90, a square socket 98, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 96 to engage the installed threaded rivet 92. This threaded shaft is further provided with an annular cavity 88 to eliminate the obstruction posed by the head of the installed threaded rivet 92 when the threaded shaft is in full abutment of the medium.

A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 19 for applications where the medium 106 with which the threaded shaft is to be engaged is of reduced material rigidity requiring the additional rigidity afforded by the deformation of said medium 106. Similar to the threaded shaft of FIG. 18, the threaded shaft of FIG. 19 is provided with a threaded outer cylinder 102, a square socket 110, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 108 to engage the forming nut 104 through the medium 106. The forming nut 104 is provided with an annular depression which forms the negative of the positive forming shape 100 allowing the deformation of the medium 106 when the threaded shaft is fully engaged with said medium 106 and forming nut 104.

A threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 20 for specific automotive applications where portions of the undercarriage of a vehicle are suitably designed, such as the undercarriage of a BMW automobile, to engage the twist and lock mechanism comprised of key 112 and lock 114. Similar to the threaded shaft of FIG. 19, the threaded shaft of FIG. 20 is provided with a threaded outer cylinder 116 and further may be provided with a square socket 110.

The description of the bracket mountable threaded shaft will be better understood with reference to FIGS. 21 through 25. A bracket mountable threaded shaft is provided as in FIG. 21 for applications where a bracket is first engaged with a medium and subsequently a threaded shaft is required to be engaged with said bracket. Similar to the threaded shafts of FIGS. 16 through 20, the threaded shaft of FIG. 21 is provided with a threaded outer cylinder 124, a square socket 118 to facilitate engagement with a wrench, and a smaller diameter threaded bolt 122 not exceeding the length of the threaded region of the intended bracket. This threaded shaft is further provided with a barrier form 120 intended for fitting the format of the bracket providing additional mating strength with said bracket.

A right angle bracket and threaded shaft are engaged as in FIG. 22. Once the bracket 126 is mounted to a medium, an engaged threaded shaft has a free threaded outer cylinder 128 for the purposes of further attachments. A threaded shaft may be engaged at either or both planes of the right angle bracket 126 and it is understood that flat brackets or brackets of other configurations may be used to engage a threaded shaft.

A vise equipped with one tightening point and a threaded shaft are provided as in FIG. 23. The single point vise 130 is configured similar to the bracket of FIG. 22 in that it may be engaged with the threaded shaft 132. Said vise configuration is intended for applications where a suitable anchoring point is available such as the pinch well along the undercarriage of a vehicle.

A vise equipped with two tightening points and a threaded shaft are provided as in FIG. 24. The double point vise 134 is similar to the bracket of FIG. 22 and the single point vise of FIG. 23 in that it may be engaged with the threaded shaft 136. The use of a double point vise 134 facilitates the distribution of force among its points of contact. It is understood that vises equipped with multiple tightening points may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

A MacPherson strut housing mountable bracket and threaded shaft are provided as in FIG. 25. The MacPherson strut housing bracket 144 is equipped with swivel arms 146 in order to accommodate varying housing dimensions. The swivel arms 146 are further provided with plugs 142 which are intended to engage holes at the three points common to MacPherson strut housings. A threaded shaft 142 may be engaged by the MacPherson strut housing bracket 144 by means of the threaded receptacle 140.

A description of an unthreaded mounting shaft with an eyelet attachment facility will be discussed with reference to FIG. 84. A mounting shaft 692 is provided with an internal thread to engage an appropriately threaded eyelet 690 which may then be used to engage a chain or hook for the application of force according to the requirements of the operator. It is understood that said mounting shaft 692 may be equipped with any of the mounting configurations as described above with reference to FIGS. 16 to 25. It is further understood that the threaded shafts, as described above with reference to FIGS. 16 to 25, may be of a configuration lacking external threads along the axis of the shaft whilst retaining mounting and attachment facilities.

A description of an unthreaded mounting shaft with threaded stud mounting platform will be discussed with reference to FIG. 91. A mounting shaft 760 is provided with an internal thread to engage a threaded eyelet as above. The mounting shaft 760 is equipped with an additional internal thread on its opposing end to engage a threaded stud on mounting platform 762. Said mounting platform 762 may be magnetically held to the work surface in preparation for welding to said surface. A clearance recess 764 is provided in order to facilitate removal of said mounting platform 762 by means of prying away from the work surface after the completion of the action of repair. The mounting shaft 760 is shown provided with wrench tightening facility 766 which is configured to allow the engagement of a wrench which would be commonly available in the shop of the operator. It is understood that said wrench tightening facility 766 may be incorporated into any of the above mentioned mounting shafts. It is also understood that said clearance recess 764 may be of varying configurations allowing clearance of obstacles to mounting in addition to providing above mentioned facility for prying said mounting platform 762 away from the surface of the work.

A description of a mounting bracket to engage the above described threaded and unthreaded mounting shafts will be discussed with reference to FIG. 85. A mounting shaft bracket 696 is provided with a receptacle 694 to engage mounting shafts as those discussed with reference to FIGS. 16 through 25 and FIG. 84. Said mounting shaft bracket 696 is shown to be readily mounted to a vehicle elevation apparatus but may additionally be configured to mount to surfaces as required by the work. A tightening screw facility 695 is provided such that the elevation of the engaged mounting shaft within the hollow of said bracket 696 may be adjusted and secured by the operator.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the following steps are provided in order to effectively implement the apparatus herein:

• • an anchor point is established at the site, such as a point on a vehicle body or frame, at which force is desired to be introduced in order correct material damage or distortion;
  • the vector transfer apparatus, and appropriately chosen attachment engaged therewith, is engaged at said anchor point and appropriately configured as to the direction of desired force application; and
  • force is applied at the accessible end of the vector transfer apparatus in order to effectively transfer corrective forces to said anchor point.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the vector transfer apparatus will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 26 to 30 and FIG. 88. A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 26 comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 150 with which to engage an appropriately gauged threaded shaft at the anchor point, a vector lock mechanism 152 enabling the operator to adjust the angle of engagement through a range of approximately 120 degrees at approximately fifteen degree increments, a straight arm 154 affixed to said vector lock mechanism 152 at an angle allowing the operator to clear obstructions to the work between the anchor point and the free end of the straight arm 154, a chain 156 affixed to the free end of the straight arm 154 as an example of a point on which force may be exerted in a direction away from the body of the vector lock mechanism 152. The chain 156 may be substituted with an assortment of means functioning to facilitate the application of force by engaging the free end of said straight arm 154.

The structure of the vector transfer apparatus of FIG. 26 is further illuminated in the side view illustration of FIG. 27. The apparatus is comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 158, a vector lock mechanism 160, a straight arm 162, and a chain 164 as that in FIG. 26.

A modified configuration of the vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 28. The apparatus is similarly comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 166 and a vector lock mechanism 168 as in FIGS. 26 and 27. The straight arm 170 is affixed parallel to the lower edge of the vector lock mechanism 168 in contrast to the previous figures facilitating the clearing of obstructions which may differ from those addressed in the previous configurations. The apparatus is provided with a chain attachment 172 as before.

A vector transfer apparatus with an adjustable arm attachment is provided as in FIG. 29. This apparatus comprises an internally threaded cylinder 176 and a vector lock mechanism 178 as before. The apparatus is shown engaged with a threaded shaft 174 as that which would be present at the anchor site. A straight arm connector 180, affixed to the vector lock mechanism 178, is provided equipped with a facility to mate with a further arm attachment 182 configured to slide within the hollow of said straight arm connector 180. The arm attachment 182 is secured to the apparatus by means of length locking bolt 190 passing through a guide hole in the straight arm connector 180 and then through the operator selected hole, chosen from spaced holes provided on the arm attachment 182, and engaged with a nut on the opposing side to hold said length locking bolt 190, and thus the arm attachment 182, firmly in place. The arm attachment 182 is further provided with height adjustment of end piece 188, allowed mobility within the lower chamber, by means of screw 184 which at full engagement of appropriately provided thread will lock end piece 188 at required position relative to lower chamber. A chain 186 is shown attached to said end piece 188 as in previously described configurations.

A vector transfer apparatus with an attached chain tightening mechanism is provided as in FIG. 30. This apparatus comprises an internally threaded cylinder 194 and a vector lock mechanism 190 as before and is shown engaged with a threaded shaft 192 as that which would be present at the anchor site. The vector lock mechanism 190 is provided such that it may be engaged with a chain tightening mechanism 196, commonly available to the collision repair technician, as shown. The chain tightening mechanism 196 has a chain 198 attached similar to the configurations previously described.

An inverted vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 88. The inverted vector transfer apparatus 724 is provided with facility to engage a mounted shaft 722 which is further mounted to the medium under repair 720. The vector transfer apparatus 724 is supported against the medium 720 by support 728 of material sufficient to withstand distortion under the stresses applied to the chain attachment 726 and serves to distribute forces applied and prevent rotation about the mounting point of mounted shaft 722 where the desired application of force is along the longitudinal axis of the medium 720. Any of the vector transfer apparatuses may be used in said inverted fashion as required by the work where the operator may find the non-inverted usage impractical or where the forces needed to be applied are better aligned with the inverted vector apparatus 724.

A detailed description of the vector lock mechanism will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. A vector lock mechanism is provided as in FIG. 31 comprising an internally threaded cylinder 202, upper lock bolt 196, lower lock bolt 200, mounting panel 194, and angle setting holes such as hole 198 bored on said mounting panel 194. The lower lock bolt 200 may be removed to allow the operator to rotate the internally threaded cylinder 202 about the axis of the installed upper locking bolt 196. Said internally threaded cylinder 202 may be rotated, relative to mounting panel 194, to the desired angle and then set at said angle by means of reinserting and securing said lower locking bolt 200 at the appropriate hole passing through mounting plate 194, locking bolt fixture of the internally threaded cylinder 202, and the opposing mounting plate. A threaded shaft 192 is shown to be engaged with the vector lock mechanism illustrating the facility of the unit to be rotated about the axis of the threaded shaft 192, maintaining the engagement, allowing the operator to position the vector lock mechanism according to the requirements of the work in this plane.

A vector lock mechanism is provided as in FIG. 32 wherein the locking bolt fixtures are exposed. Similar to FIG. 31, this vector lock mechanism comprises an internally threaded cylinder 214, upper lock bolt 208, lower lock bolt 212, mounting panel 206, and angle setting holes such as hole 210 bored on said mounting panel 206. Said internally threaded cylinder 214 is shown with locking bolt fixtures configured such that when abutted with mounting panel 206, the upper locking bolt may pass through upper fixture and lower fixture may be aligned with each of the holes in mounting panel 206 such as hole 210 allowing the engagement of lower locking bolt 212 at the desired angle. Holes in the mounting panel 206 are provided, along the abutment path of said lower fixture, allowing a rotation range about the axis of the installed upper locking bolt 208 of approximately 120 degrees at approximately fifteen degree setting increments. It is understood that holes may be provided in this path for varying rotation ranges at varying setting increments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. A threaded shaft 204 is illustrated to be engaged with the vector lock mechanism as in FIG. 31 and similarly this configuration allows rotation of the unit about said threaded shaft 204.

A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 33 where a pulling hook 218 is used to provide corrective forces. The arm attachment 222 is provided as before to clear obstacles to the work. A high resolution vector lock mechanism comprised of an internally threaded cylinder 224, a rotation window 226, and an adjustment bolt 228 provides adjustability of the vector transfer apparatus through the full range of angles defined by the rotation window 226. The rotation of the adjustment bolt 228 about its axis provides the means to set the angle of the arm attachment 222 relative to the static angle adopted by the internally threaded cylinder 224. The adjustment bolt 228 is prevented from motion parallel to its axis by means of bushings. The high resolution vector lock mechanism is anchored to the site of the work by means of the internally threaded cylinder 224 engaged with a bracket 220 which is further engaged with the medium 216 on which work is to be performed. Anchoring at the site of the work includes but is not limited to the implementation of the bracket 220.

A vector transfer apparatus is provided as in FIG. 34 where a pulling hook 236 is used to provide corrective forces as before. This vector transfer apparatus comprises the same components as those of FIG. 33 and is shown engaged with a bracket 234. The head of the adjustment bolt 230 is shown to be accessible and operable by tools readily available to the technician. Removable locking pin 244 is used to engage the adjustment bolt 230 with the internally threaded cylinder 240 and removable locking pin 232, which additionally provides an axis of rotation for said vector transfer apparatus, is used to engage arm attachment 242 with said internally threaded cylinder 240.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a process is provided for the establishment of an anchor point, a hook-up spot, on a medium in preparation for the application of corrective forces where the following steps summarize the effort:

• • a point on a damaged or distorted contiguous medium, such as the body or frame of a vehicle having been involved in a collision, is chosen as the best suited for force to be applied to correct said damage;
  • the hook-up process is invoked where the mechanic is to follow the instructions outlined in the proposed process and make decisions based on the requirements of the work as part of the process; and
  • upon completion of this process, the mechanic is provided the facility to attach those devices which will sustain the application of force, such as a threaded hook-up shaft, bolted chain, etc., while achieving the desired repair.

The hook-up process noted in the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the hook-up process will be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 35 to 40. A hook-up process is provided as in FIG. 35 wherein a flowchart format is used to best illustrate its intended usage. The hook-up process flowchart is comprised of several steps which take the form of either an action to be taken or an action preceded by a decision to be made by the mechanic. Arrows are used to indicate the direction of flow.

The start terminal 248 is the initialization stage of the process. At this stage, a point on the medium to be repaired must be chosen appropriate to be able to correct damage if force is applied at the correct vector through this location.

The decision 250 offers the mechanic the option of proceeding with or without the use of mounting holes. This determination is dependent on the site of the work, the magnitude of the force to be applied in respect of the sustaining ability of the mounting spot, and whether a mounting hole is a practical means of attachment of an anchoring device.

The action 252 is invoked if the mechanic has chosen to proceed without a hole or holes and is therefore satisfied that a clamping method is sufficient to sustain the forces to be applied in correcting the damage. In this case, a pinch clamp may be used as that illustrated in FIG. 36. Once the clamp is attached, the mechanic may move to the end terminal 270 where a device to sustain the application of force may be attached, such as a threaded hook-up shaft, bolted chain, etc., and thus the process is complete.

The decision 254 is invoked if the mechanic has determined that the use of a mounting hole or holes is appropriate to the work. In this decision, the mechanic must respond to the question as to whether mounting holes are present and if so, whether these mounting holes are appropriately located.

The action 256 is invoked if the mechanic determines that a mounting hole or holes must be produced. In order to produce a mounting hole, a universal bracket, as in FIG. 37, must be attached with which a drill cartridge, as in FIG. 38, is engaged in order to produce a hole. The mounting of said bracket may be achieved by one of three methods from which the mechanic is to choose the most practical given the work. The methods of mounting the bracket offered to the mechanic are the use of locking pliers, as in FIG. 39, a threaded stud welded to the medium, or a piercing punch, as in FIG. 40, in order to create a small diameter hole where a self-tapping screw is engaged to mount said bracket.

Upon completion of action 256, the mechanic is offered the option of using a universal bracket in decision 258 with which to engage devices which will sustain the application of force or to directly attach said devices. If the mechanic chooses to waive the bracket option then the process is again completed at end terminal 270 in the attachment of said device(s).

If the requirement of the universal bracket is established in decision 258, then the mechanic is instructed to mount said bracket in action 268 by means of a threaded rivet, which is to engage a bolt, or a conventional nut and bolt configuration through the newly produced hole(s) in action 256. Once the bracket is secured, the process may again be completed at end terminal 270 as before.

Returning to decision 254, if the mechanic is able to utilize any existing holes then decision 260 may be invoked. Here, the mechanic must decide whether to proceed with the aid of a bracket or to directly mount any devices which will sustain the application of force. If the mechanic chooses to waive the bracket option then the process is completed at end terminal 270 as before. If the mechanic does require a bracket for the purposes of mounting any devices which will sustain the application of force, then action 262 is to be invoked where the bracket is secured to the medium by means of either a threaded rivet or a nut and bolt configuration as in action 268 above.

The mechanic may proceed to decision 264 where the requirement of any additional hole(s), in order to provide additional mounting strength, is to be determined. If additional holes are not required, the mechanic may proceed to end terminal 270 to complete the process as before. In the event of additional holes required, the mechanic may proceed to action 266 in order to engage the drill cartridge to produce said hole(s).

Once the requisite hole requirement is satisfied in action 266, the mechanic need only to secure the universal bracket, by means of threaded rivet or nut and bolt configuration as before, utilizing new mounting hole. The process is then completed at end terminal 270 once any devices which will sustain the application of force have been attached.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for the installation of a repair bracket at the site of the work in order to facilitate drilling, rivet installation, anchor establishment on the medium. The installation process is performed according to the following steps:

• • selection of the repair bracket according to the intended action or actions to be performed;
  • affixation of the repair bracket to the medium by a means in accordance with the accessibility of the work, the requirements of the work, and the characteristics of the medium;
  • engagement of an attachment such as a drill guide, rivet press, anchor, etc., with the affixed repair bracket;
  • performance of the action of repair; and removal of the affixed repair bracket after completion of the repair process.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings below as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the universal repair bracket will be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 41 through 48. A right angle repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 41 comprised of platform walls such as wall 274, attachment receptacles such as receptacle 276 which may or may not be threaded or tapered dependent on the configuration of the intended attachment, exhaust paths such as exhaust path 278 which allow the removal of debris at the surface of the medium at the site of the work, and mounting holes such as mounting hole 280 which allow the bracket to be affixed to the medium by various means. A right angle repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 42 where the configuration of the platform wall 282, the attachment receptacle 284, and the mounting hole 286 are further illustrated from a work side view. FIG. 43 provides an additional view of the right angle bracket highlighting the relative scaling of the platform wall 290 and the attachment receptacle 292.

A flat repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 44 where a single plane platform wall 298 has attachment receptacles such as attachment receptacle 294 and a centrally located mounting hole 296. A work side view of the flat repair bracket of FIG. 44 is provided in FIG. 45 showing attachment receptacle 304 equipped with exhaust paths as in FIG. 41, the centrally located mounting hole 302, and the platform wall 300.

A flat repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 46 mounted to a medium 308 where the attachment receptacle is shown to be tapered unlike those of FIGS. 41 through 45 facilitating engagement with like attachments. A washer 310 is shown engaged with the work end of the attachment receptacle where said washer may be mounted to the medium 308 by means of weld and when fitted with the repair bracket, provides additional load bearing capacity for the entire repair bracket system should additional load bearing capacity be required by the work.

An adjustable mount repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 47 where said bracket is equipped with an anchor 318 should load be desired to be applied thereto. This repair bracket has movable attachment receptacles such as receptacle 322 tightened into position by bolts such as bolts 314 and 316 and further locked into position by the serrated side 320 of the repair bracket. Said attachment receptacles can additionally be tightened or held in their desired positions by a nut with a handle such as devices 312 and 324. The movement of said attachment receptacles offers the technician the ability to define the relative distance between mounting points as desired thereby providing greater flexibility in avoiding obstacles, utilizing existing holes, or in drilling new holes.

An adjustable mount repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 48 where the work side of the bracket is illustrated with attachment receptacles 326 and 328. The anchor 330 is drawn with dashed lines to indicate its position to be on the opposing side and the serrated surface 332 is shown to be on the work side in order to engage said attachment receptacles 326 and 328 once tightened into position.

Implementation of an adjustable mount repair bracket is shown as in FIG. 49 where the repair bracket is affixed to medium 334 which has damage requiring correction 336. The medium 334 pictured here is similar to that of a automobile frame where a rectangular hollow pipe is common. The repair bracket may be mounted as shown utilizing existing holes to mount attachment receptacles such as 338 that may be tightened from the interior of the pipelike frame by wrench 346. Three such attachment receptacles are shown where the rightmost receptacle is used as a guide for drill bit 340 rotated by power tool 342 in order that further holes may be produced in order to secure the repair bracket to said medium as required by the work. The anchor 344 is shown to be free to bear the force required to correct damage 336 at the appropriate vector as chosen by the operator. The number and functionality of attachment receptacles engaged on such a repair bracket are only limited by the length of the body of said repair bracket.

A variation on the mounting technique used to affix a right angle repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 50 where locking pliers 354 has adjustability along adjustment shaft 356 with arm 348 forcing right angle bracket 350 against medium 352. The centrally located hole of the bracket as shown in FIGS. 41, 42, 44, and 45 may be used as an interface to force the right angle bracket 350 against the medium with said locking pliers.

The locking pliers method of affixing the right angle bracket to a medium is provided as before in FIG. 51 where attachments are shown to be engaged with said right angle bracket. A drill guide 358 is engaged with said right angle repair bracket on the plane of the medium facing west whereas an additional attachment 360 is simultaneously engaged with the plane of the medium facing south thereby illustrating the facility of the repair bracket in allowing dual plane simultaneous functionality.

A repair bracket is provided as in FIG. 52 in order to illustrate the functionality of the repair bracket in allowing the operator to use said bracket in conjunction with a drill guide 368 in order to produce evenly spaced holes, distance between said holes being defined by the relative distances of the attachment receptacles of the repair bracket 366, through the wall of a medium 364 having a similar configuration as those of FIGS. 50 and 51. A plug attachment 370 is used to affix the repair bracket 366 to the work face of the medium while a drill guide 368 is engaged with the free attachment receptacle of the bracket and drilling action is performed. Once a hole is produced, the plug attachment 370 may be used to affix the repair bracket 366 to the medium at the site of the newly produced hole thereby again freeing the other attachment receptacle to produce an additional hole with the aid of said drill guide. Additional holes may be produced by repeating this method as desired resulting in evenly spaced holes such as holes 362.

A description of a chain equipped bracket will be discussed with reference to FIG. 86 and FIG. 87. A chain equipped bracket 702 is provided as in FIG. 86 having an extended chain 704 facilitating the application of force. Said bracket 702 may be mounted to medium 700 at location 706 by welding or nut-and-bolt configuration as shown.

Two chain equipped brackets 710 and 716 having extended chains 712 and 714, respectively, are provided as in FIG. 87 mounted at locations 708 and 718 on opposing sides of a medium under repair providing the operator additional facility to apply force as may be required by the work and where access to the work area may allow.

A description of the push jack bracket will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 89 and 90. Push jack brackets 734 and 730 of male and female configurations, respectively, are provided as in FIG. 89. A push jack 732, commonly available to the technician, is shown engaged with said brackets 734 and 730 which are further engaged with medium 736 subtending the region of damage 736 to be repaired. Said configuration allows the application of force, provided by said push jack 732, along the longitudinal axis of the medium 738 as required in order to correct the region of damage 736. It is understood that either the male push jack bracket 734 or female push jack bracket 730 may be used to engage the push jack 732 without the aid of the other as required by the work.

A male push jack bracket is provided as in FIG. 90. Said push jack bracket is provided with a male element 740 in order to engage the female end of a push jack such as push jack 732 of FIG. 89. Engagement of & said push jack may be accomplished at any point between positions 746 and 754 through a range of angles 742 greater than ninety degrees. Said push jack bracket is mounted to medium 752 by means of bolt 750 or is welded at points such as 748 or both means may be used to mount said push jack bracket. Said apparatus is provided with a bolt clearance recess 744 in order to allow the free rotation of the push jack through the range of angles 742 as described above without being obstructed by bolt 750. The range of angles 742 allows force to be applied at various points as required by the work. It is understood that the female push jack bracket is similarly configured with the exception that it has a female element as opposed to the male element 740 as described above.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided for the installation of a threaded blind rivet. The process of installation is performed according to the following steps:

• • measurement of medium wall thickness into which threaded blind rivet is to be installed;
  • selection of the length of threaded blind rivet to be used according to information provided by wall thickness gauge which may be correspondingly coded by colour or otherwise;
  • engagement of the threaded blind rivet with the threaded lower portion of a mandrel which is inserted into the bore of an appropriately sized anvil; and
  • deforming of the shank of the rivet, and thus installation within the medium, with the aid of the composite device consisting of the mandrel, anvil, a custom wrench and rotation force applied thereon.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed above.

The measurement of medium wall thickness will be discussed with reference to FIG. 53. A wall thickness gauge 374 is provided having a width less than the diameter of the hole intended to house the rivet. Preferably, the length of wall thickness gauge 374 is suitable for fitting into the palm of the hand of the operator and its material is of a minimum thickness and rigidity allowing operation in the intended environment without deformation. Said wall thickness gauge 374 is provided such that is has slots 376 and 380 and the hole 378 provided for attachment to a chain or otherwise for simple portability. Said slots 376 and 380 are of equal dimension perpendicular to the length of wall thickness gauge 374 sufficient to engage the medium wall and provide the operator with a relative reading of thickness and are of differing dimensions parallel to the length of the wall thickness gauge 374 offering depths corresponding to the lower range of medium wall thickness for which the method and apparatus for the installation of threaded blind rivets is to be utilized.

A wall thickness gauge 382 is provided which is similarly equipped with slots 384 and 388 and the hole 386 through its geometric center as those of wall thickness gauge 374 and is of equal length, width, material and material thickness to said wall thickness gauge 374. Slots 384 and 388 are provided such that their dimensions perpendicular to the length of wall thickness gauge 382 are equal to those of slots 376 and 380 of wall thickness gauge 374. Slot 384 is provided such that its dimension parallel to the length of wall thickness gauge 382 is marginally greater than that of slot 376. Slot 388 is provided such that its dimension parallel to the length of wall thickness gauge 382 represents the upper limit of medium wall thickness for which the method and apparatus for the installation of threaded blind rivets is to be utilized.

Said wall thickness gauges are employed by insertion of the head into the hole intended for the installation of the rivet into the medium and engaging of the slot with the thickness of said medium. The wall thickness gauge which allows the engagement of the thickness of the medium of one slot and does not allow the engagement of the thickness of the medium with the other slot provides the operator with the range for which a corresponding length of rivet is assigned. The assignment of said rivet lengths is environment dependent and it is understood that any number of gauges with appropriate slot dimensions may be used with assignments to any number of rivet lengths, if resolution of lengths should need to increase, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The threaded blind rivet and the desired installation outcome of said rivet will be discussed with reference to FIG. 54. A rivet 390 is provided such that it is of length previously selected, of diameter appropriate to the hole of intended installation, is internally threaded, and is provided with an annular flange 392. Said rivet 390 may be provided with a coating of commercially available retaining compound to coat the outer surface of said rivet 390 including the under surface of said flange 392. Said retaining compound is chosen such that its retaining capability is only activated under application of pressure which the rivet 390 will endure during the installation process and will cure under anaerobic conditions provided by the compressed rivet 394 after installation in the medium 398. The compressed rivet 394, if coated, will adhere to any surface of the medium 398 to which it is installed with the aid of said retaining compound at any point of contact with said medium 398 between the under surface of the flange of said compressed rivet 394 and the ring 396 formed during the compression and thus distortion of said rivet. Once cured at the site of installation, said retaining compound further prevents movement of said compressed rivet 394 within the allotted hole thus increasing its ability to function under stress beyond that provided by mechanical coupling.

Further, an anvil assembly is provided in accordance with the present invention and will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 55 to 61.

An hollow anvil body 400 is provided as in the cross-section of said anvil body 400 shown in FIG. 55 having an hollow bore through its center consisting of an upper chamber 402 and a lower chamber 404. Said hollow anvil body 400 is equipped with two rounded slots 406 on opposing sides at equal elevation.

A mandrel 408 is provided as shown in FIG. 56 such that it has a larger top portion thread 410 suitable to engage a large nut, a smaller lower portion thread 414 suitable to engage a rivet and the hole 412 through its center. Said mandrel 408 is of a length allowing said threads 410 and 414 to be spaced at a distance greater than the length of the lower chamber 404 within the hollow anvil body 400.

Assembly of said mandrel and said hollow anvil body is shown in FIG. 57 where the inserted mandrel 418 passes through the anvil body 416. Said lower thread 414 of said mandrel 418 will emerge through the bottom portion of said hollow anvil body 416 at a length sufficient to fully engage a threaded rivet. Said upper thread 410 of said mandrel 418 will emerge into upper chamber 402 of said hollow anvil body 416 at a length sufficient to engage a nut.

A nut 422 is provided as in FIG. 58 such that it will engage the upper thread 410 of a mandrel 430. A washer 424 and a thrust bearing 426 are provided within the upper chamber 402 of an hollow anvil body 420 to create a reactionary force when said nut 422 is caused to be threaded upon said mandrel 430 and to maintain applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation thereby reducing the possibility of friction between said mandrel 430 and said hollow anvil body 420.

A pin 428 is provided such that it will pass through the hollow anvil body 420, at the rounded slots 406 provided for this purpose, and through the body of the mandrel 430, at the hole 412 provided for this purpose, thus restricting the relative rotation of said hollow anvil body 420 and said mandrel 430. The pin 428 is additionally restricted to movement along the length axis of the anvil assembly by the rounded slots 406 thereby providing a means of limiting the movement of said mandrel 430 along this axis thus limiting deformation of the compressed rivet 394. For further clarification, the side view of a pin 444 passing through an hollow anvil body 440 and a mandrel 442 is shown in FIG. 60 and the top view of a pin 448 passing through an anvil and mandrel assembly 446 is shown in FIG. 61.

Upon the application of force to a nut 434, as shown in FIG. 59, against the upper thread 408 of a mandrel 438, said mandrel 438 will be drawn upward through the hollow anvil body 432 along the length axis of the rounded slots 406 where the rotation of said mandrel 438 is restricted by means of the inserted pin 436. A rivet engaged with the lower thread 412 of said mandrel 438 will be forced against the hollow anvil body 432 at its lower end thereby generating the force required to compress said rivet thereby fixing it within the medium as indicated in FIG. 54.

An anvil wrench will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 62 to 64. An anvil wrench 454, as shown from the top in FIG. 62, is provided to engage a pin 476 passing through the assembly of FIG. 64. Once engaged, the anvil wrench 454 is used to control the rotation of said assembly. The anvil wrench 454 provided thus is equipped with a ring 450 of diameter sufficient to pass freely over the hollow anvil body 470. Two slots 456 are positioned on said ring 450 such that a line joining said slots would be perpendicular to the shaft of the anvil wrench 454 in the same plane and such that said slots 456 will freely engage said pin 476. The anvil wrench 454 is fitted with a first attachment 452 perpendicular to the plane of the shaft of said anvil wrench 454.

A first attachment 460, as shown in the side view of an anvil wrench in FIG. 63, is provided such that it can support a second attachment 462 thereto in a plane parallel to that of the anvil wrench 464. Two slots 468, positioned on the ring portion 458 of anvil wrench 464, are shown in the shape desired for engagement with a pin 476 of FIG. 64 and thus rotational manipulation of said assembly of FIG. 64 is afforded.

The ring portion 472 of an anvil wrench 470 is shown in engagement of a pin 476 in FIG. 64. The geometry of slots 468 allows rotation along the length axis of said assembly of FIG. 64 to be restricted to that desired by manipulation of the anvil wrench 474.

During the installation of a threaded rivet, the anvil wrench 474 is engaged with the assembly of FIG. 64 such that when force is applied to a nut 434 against the upper thread 410 of mandrel 438, only movement along the length axis of the assembly of FIG. 64 is permitted. One handed operation of the apparatus for the installation of threaded blind rivets is permitted when a powered tool, commonly available to the mechanic, is used to engage the nut 434 such that said powered tool is pressed against said second attachment 462 of anvil wrench 464 and is allowed to rest against said first attachment 460.

In another aspect of the present invention, the device provided is to be installed at the site of the work where a rivet has been previously installed in a medium. The implementation of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the rivet reinforcement washer will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 65 to 68. A rivet reinforcement washer 480 is provided as in FIG. 65 comprised of an raised annular support channel to abut and distribute the load, weld holes 482, 486, and 490 to facilitate mounting the washer, a central hole 488 to clear the intended rivet path, and a moisture exhaust path 484 should moisture or debris collect under rivet reinforcement washer 480.

A rivet reinforcement washer is shown as in FIG. 66 having a central hole 492 and a raised annular support channel 494 illustrating the geometry of said channel 494. This geometry is chosen such that the inner ring is to be closely matched as a negative to the attachment providing the greatest surface area of contact and such that the outer ring is wedge shaped to provide the greatest possible support under stress.

A rivet reinforcement washer is provided as in FIG. 67 where the washer 496 is mounted to a medium 498 and where said washer 496 is positioned such that there is full access to the internally threaded rivet 500 already installed, thereby not interfering with the utility of the internally threaded rivet.

A rivet reinforcement washer is provided as in FIG. 68 mounted on a medium 502. The washer 504 is mounted to said medium by means of welds 506, 508, and 510 along the outer flange of said washer. Due to the low profile of washer 504, it may be acceptable to allow it to remain attached after its utility has been exhausted. The washer 504 can be easily removed after use by sanding at said weld points or by various other means familiar to the technician should the washer become an obstruction or present cosmetic incongruity after use.

Applications of the rivet reinforcement washer will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 69 and 70. An installed rivet reinforcement washer is shown in FIG. 69 providing load support for a bracket attachment 512 and offering access to the rivet 516 installed in medium 518. The inner ring of the raised channel of washer 514 is shown fully abutting the lower portion of the bracket attachment thereby providing the greatest possible load support. The washer 514 is shown without the extended outer flange of those washers illustrated in FIGS. 65 to 68. The embodiment relating to the presence of the outer flange is to be selected according to the requirements of the work where increasing the diameter of the outer flange increases the load bearing facility of the system but may need to be restricted in order to avoid obstructions at the site of the work.

A second rivet reinforcement washer is shown in FIG. 70 providing load support for attachment 520 illustrating the versatility of said washer in its ability to accommodate various attachments as required by the work. The washer 522 is mounted on a medium 524 at a site where a rivet 523 is previously installed as in FIG. 69. Attachment 520 is equipped with a bolt to engage rivet 523 after passing through the central hole of washer 522 and medium 524.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for drilling into a medium. The drilling process is performed according to the following steps:

• • selection of the drill bit according to material and size appropriate for the medium to be drilled;
  • selection of drill bracket, either right-angled or flat, dependent on accessibility of work;
  • affixation of the angled bracket or the flat bracket to the medium;
  • engagement of the drill cartridge apparatus with the bracket;
  • application of rotation force thereon, at the appropriate point, to compress internal spring forcing drill bit against medium;
  • application of rotation force thereon, at the appropriate point, to produce intended hole; and
  • drilling, at predefined distances relative to first hole, may be performed using a plug to hold the drill bracket in place and engaging further holes on this drill bracket as above.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the drill cartridge apparatus will be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 71 to 74. A drill cartridge apparatus is provided as in FIG. 71 such that it comprises a drive nut 528 to which driving force is to be applied, a drill cartridge housing 530, a compressed air inlet 536 for cooling, a drill bit 538 engaged with lower threaded portion of drill shaft 540, a compression spring 542 to force drilling end of apparatus against medium, and an adjustment nut 546 in order to compress said compression spring 542 upon application of appropriate rotation force. Said drill cartridge apparatus of FIG. 71 is further equipped with thrust bearing 532 and bushings 534 and 544 to maintain applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation when such force is applied to drive nut 528 causing the drill shaft 540 and attached drill bit 538 to engage the medium intended to be drilled.

The drill cartridge housing 548 is provided as in FIG. 72 having a compressed air inlet 550 and a radial mounting flange 552 equipped with mounting hole 554. The drill cartridge housing is shown in FIG. 73 including the radial mounting flange 556 and mounting hole 558 where an industry standard NPT connector 560 is engaged with said compressed air inlet.

The drill cartridge apparatus is provided as in FIG. 74, illustrating its components in greater detail. The drill cartridge apparatus comprises the drive nut 562, an upper bushing 564, an adjustment nut 566 equipped with threads to engage the threads of the drill cartridge housing 580.

A compression spring 568 is provided producing the required downward force on the drill shaft 574 once support collar 572 and thrust bearing 570 are made to pass over said shaft to the point fixed by the spring pin 576 and adjustment nut 566 is engaged with drill cartridge housing 580. The drill shaft 574 is separately threaded in its upper and lower regions to engage drive nut 562 and drill bit 584 respectively. The engagement of the drill shaft 574 by the drive nut 562 allows the independent rotation of the drill shaft 574 and hence said drill bit 584 within the housing as a downward force is maintained on said shaft by means of the compressed spring 568. A lower bushing 578 is provided to maintain applied forces parallel to the axis of rotation as in the cases of the upper bushing 564 and the thrust bearing 570. Drill bit 584 is to be selected as to the requirements of the work.

The drill cartridge housing 580 is provided with a compressed air inlet 582 which allows attachment of an industry standard NPT connector and associated devices thereby delivering, through provided channel, air cooling at the site of drilling should such cooling be required.

Implementation of the drill cartridge apparatus will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 75 and 76. A drill cartridge apparatus is engaged with an appropriate bracket as in FIG. 75 where a plug 594 is used to set the position of a drill bracket 596 with the aid of an existing hole, in the medium 592, where possible for the purpose of drilling at relative distance as defined by the configuration of said bracket. The drill cartridge apparatus 586 is engaged with said bracket by means of nut 590 and compressed air inlet 588 remains accessible to provide cooling, if necessary at the site of the work.

The implementation of FIG. 75 is further illustrated in the top view of FIG. 76. The drill cartridge apparatus 598 is engaged with the drill bracket by means of nut 600 passing through a hole in the drill bracket similar to that provided at hole 602. The drilling position is again set by means of plug 604 securing the drill bracket against the face of the medium.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for the implementation of the drill guide at the site of the work in order to facilitate drilling into the medium. The implementation process is performed according to the following steps:

• • choice of a drill guide with either raised or countersunk magnets,
  • magnetic engagement of the drill guide with the surface of the medium at the site of the work,
  • accurate adjustment of drill guide to suit the required location of the work,
  • engagement of the drill guide with drill bit and accompanying apparatuses required to perform the drilling,
  • performance of the action of drilling while supplying air through intake provided to reduce heat and to remove exhaust at the site of the work, and
  • removal of the magnetic drill guide after completion of the drilling.

The apparatus required to perform the above steps will be better understood with reference to the drawings below as listed in the description of drawings above.

The description of the magnetic drill guide will be discussed in detail with reference to FIGS. 77 through 83. A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 77 comprised of drill shaft opening 610 to allow the drill bit to pass through the body of the guide to engage the medium, a guide platform 612 elevated from the surface of the medium in order to clear obstructions to the work and to allow an exhaust path for the fragments produced by the action of drilling. Magnetic standoffs such as 614 and 616 elevate said platform 612 and affix the apparatus to a ferrous medium with force sufficient to maintain its position under the stress of the work. Guide housing 618 maintains the structure of the guide at the intended angle relative to the plane of the work face of the medium.

A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 78 shown from the work side in order to illustrate the configuration of magnetic standoffs 622, 624, 626, and 628 as they are attached to the underside of the guide platform 620 which is equipped with drill shaft opening 630. Said configuration allows the apparatus to clear surface obstructions, maintains a symmetrical radial distribution, from said drill shaft opening 630, of said magnetic standoffs 622, 624, 626, and 628 such that the apparatus remains mechanically balanced at the site of the work, and provides sufficient paths for the exhaust of the work.

A magnetic drill guide with affixed compressed air receptacle and intake path is provided as in FIG. 79 comprised of drill shaft opening 632, guide platform 634, magnetic standoffs such as 636, intake path 638 to provide cooling at the site of the work as well as forcing drill exhaust away from the site of the work, and conventional compressed air receptacle 642 configured to be attached to compressed air facilities commonly available to the technician.

A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 80 shown from the work side as in FIG. 78 with the addition of conventional compressed air receptacle 648 and further comprised of guide platform 644, magnetic standoffs such as 646, and drill shaft opening 650 as before.

A magnetic drill guide equipped with a compressed air receptacle and engaged with a center line positioning apparatus is provided as in FIG. 81 shown from the work side. Said magnetic drill guide 658 is accurately positioned at the site of the work with the aid of the positioning apparatus 652. Said positioning apparatus 652 may be mounted on the medium by means of mounting holes such as 654 utilizing existing holes where the aperture of 656 may be used to establish the center line of intended drilling. Due to the “V” configuration of the working end of the positioning apparatus 652, it may be used to engage said magnetic drill guide 658 at any of the four corners of the guide platform 644 as described in FIG. 80. Such positioning allows the operator to drill along a center line which is established and passes through mounting hole 654 and aperture 656.

A magnetic drill guide with countersunk magnets and mounting eyelets is provided as in FIG. 82 comprised of drill shaft opening 660 to allow the drill bit to pass through the body of the guide to engage the medium, a guide platform 662 designed to abut the medium on the work side, magnets embedded within said platform, eyelets for mounting with screws such as 664 and 668, exhaust path 666, and conventional compressed air receptacle 670. Said screws may be self tapping and mounting by said means allows reinforcement of magnetic mounting or may be used as the sole mounting means on a non-ferrous medium. Guide housing 672 maintains the structure of the guide at the intended angle relative to the plane of the work face of the medium.

A magnetic drill guide is provided as in FIG. 83 shown from the work side and illustrating mounting eyelets 678 and 682. Magnets such as 676 are countersunk to allow the entire platform to abut the work face. An exhaust path 674 is provided with arrows indicating the intended direction of air flow. The guide is equipped with conventional compressed air receptacle 680 as before. It is understood that the relative sizes of the magnetic standoffs, countersunk magnets, the number of magnets, the number and distribution of mounting eyelets, the angle of the guide housing relative to the plane of the face of the work, and the relative size of the drill shaft opening are shown thus in FIGS. 77 through 83 in order to simply communicate the functionality of an embodiment of the present invention and any alteration of said parameters does not depart from the scope of this embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collision repair process comprising:

(a) a stepped procedure including i.) an initialization stage; ii.) a first decision as to the requirement of mobile, 4 point anchoring; iii.) a first action in the implementation of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus. iv.) a hook-up process including a) an hook-up initialization stage; b) an hook-up first decision as to mounting hole requirement; c) an hook-up first action in the mounting of a clamp; d) an hook-up second decision as to the utility of mounting holes should they exist; e) an hook-up second action in the production of mounting holes; f) an hook-up third decision as to the requirement of a bracket; g) an hook-up fourth question as to the requirement of a bracket; h) an hook-up third action in the mounting of a bracket; i) an hook-up fifth decision as to the requirement of additional holes; j) an hook-up fourth action in the production of mounting holes; k) an hook-up fifth action in the mounting of a bracket; l) an hook-up termination/completion stage. v.) a second decision as to the requirement of stress relief; vi.) a second action in the application of stress relief; vii.) a third action in the implementation of a vector transfer apparatus; viii.) an optional fourth action in the use of directly mounted apparatus to sustain force; ix.) a process completion stage in the application of force.

(b) a toolkit including i.) a pinch clamp means; ii.) a bracket means; iii.) a drill cartridge means; iv.) locking pliers means; v.) a piercing punch means; vi.) a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus means; vii.) a vector transfer apparatus means.

2. A collision repair process as in claim 1, wherein said hook-up initialization entails the identification of the location of hook-up.

3. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 2, wherein said hook-up initialization conditions are satisfied and a decision is to be made regarding the requirement of mounting holes for the work.

4. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 3, wherein mounting holes are not required and a pinch clamp is to be used.

5. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 3, wherein mounting holes are required and a hook-up decision is to be made as to whether existing holes can be used.

6. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 5, wherein existing holes cannot be utilized and additional holes are produced.

7. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 6, wherein mounting holes have been produced and a hook-up decision is to be made as to whether a bracket is to be further utilized.

8. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 5, wherein existing holes can be utilized and a hook-up decision is to be made as to whether a bracket is to be used.

9. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 8, wherein a bracket is determined to be of utility and is secured to the medium.

10. A collision repair process as in claim 1, wherein a hook-up decision is to be made as to whether additional mounting holes are required.

11. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 9, and 10, wherein additional holes are produced by utilizing the secured bracket in conjunction with a drill cartridge.

12. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 7, and 11, wherein said bracket is either first secured or additionally secured using newly created holes.

13. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 12, wherein the hook-up process may be terminated with the attachment of a device or devices which will serve to sustain the application of force during repair.

14. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 4, and 13, wherein said pinch clamp is used to anchor further devices which will serve to sustain the application of force during repair.

15. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 9, 11, 12, and 13, wherein said bracket may serve as a platform for said drill cartridge or the attachment of a device or devices which will serve to sustain the application of force during repair.

16. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, 11, and 15, wherein said drill cartridge may be engaged with a bracket in order to produce holes by drilling in the medium.

17. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, and 15, wherein said locking pliers may be used to secure bracket to medium.

18. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 6, and 15, wherein said piercing punch may be used to produce holes sufficient to allow the use of a nut and bolt configuration to mount said bracket.

19. A collision repair process as in claim 1, wherein said initialization entails the identification of the damage to be repaired by this process.

20. A collision repair process as in claim 1 and 19, wherein said initialization conditions are satisfied and a decision is to be made as to the requirement of a mobile, 4 point anchoring apparatus

21. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 20, wherein a mobile, 4 point anchoring device is determined to be necessary and is implemented.

22. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 20, wherein a mobile, 4 point anchoring device is determined to be unnecessary and the hook-up process is invoked.

23. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 21, wherein a mobile, 4 point anchoring device is implemented and then the hook-up process is invoked.

24. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 2 through 18, and 23, wherein the hook-up process is successfully completed and decision is to be made as to the requirement of stress relief.

25. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the requirement of stress relief is deemed necessary and stress relief accessories and techniques are implemented.

26. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the requirement of stress relief is deemed unnecessary and the vector transfer apparatus is implemented.

27. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 24, wherein the requirement of stress relief is deemed unnecessary and direct attachments are made at the site of the work for the application of force.

28. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 25, wherein the stress relief accessories have been implemented and the vector transfer apparatus is engaged.

29. A collision repair process as in claims 1 and 25, wherein the stress relief accessories have been implemented and direct attachments are made at the site of the work for the application of force.

30. A collision repair process as in claims 1, 26, 27, 28, and 29, wherein either the vector transfer apparatus has been engaged or direct attachment(s) have been made such that the process is completed with the appropriate application of force.

31. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus comprising:

(a) a crossbeam means with a self aligning nut means near the ends of said crossbeam;

(b) a wheel assembly means for the crossbeam;

(c) an elevation and mobility apparatus means including: i.) a wheel attachment for rotation and linear mobility facility; ii.) a locking means for said wheel attachment; iii.) a crossbeam height adjustment bolt means; iv.) an apparatus height adjustment bolt means; v.) an height lock lever means; vi.) a pin locking means for crossbeam position stability and to aid in the establishment of perpendicularity of said crossbeam relative to the assembly;

(d) a clamping means for securing vehicle to apparatus;

(e) a base clamp means providing floor anchoring means;

(f) a spot anchoring means for localizing stresses.

32. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 31, in which said crossbeams have a self alignment nut facility to allow a bolt to be threaded therein and are of a length exceeding passenger automobile width.

33. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 32, wherein said crossbeam can be fitted with a wheel assembly for independent mobility.

34. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 33, wherein said crossbeams may be fitted into an elevation and mobility apparatus providing a platform on which to raise vehicle.

35. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with a wheel attachment providing rotation and linear mobility of the combined apparatus.

36. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 35, where said wheel attachment has a locking facility in order to potentially immobilize an elevation and mobility apparatus thereby providing an axis of rotation.

37. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with a crossbeam height adjustment bolt means which is threaded through the ends of the crossbeam by means of a self aligning nut and serves to adjust the elevation of the crossbeam relative to the elevation and mobility apparatus and to establish perpendicularity relative to the height of said apparatus.

38. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with an apparatus height adjustment bolt means which serves to adjust the elevation of the elevation and mobility apparatus relative to the floor.

39. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with an height lock lever means which serves to lock the elevation of the apparatus relative to the floor.

40. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with a pin locking means for crossbeam position stability and perpendicularity relative to the height of the apparatus which is established with the aid of the aforementioned crossbeam height adjustment bolt means.

41. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 31, wherein said crossbeam may be fitted with clamping means which is adjustable for attachment to the undercarriage of an automobile thereby securing said automobile relative to the apparatus.

42. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 40, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus may be secured in its final position in preparation for automobile repair with the aid of base clamps which are placed in contact with the elevation and mobility apparatus at critical stress points on the floor and are anchored to available floor anchor points thereby providing additional stability and immobility of the combined apparatus relative to the floor.

43. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claim 42, wherein said elevation and mobility apparatus is equipped with anchoring hole means in the base such that said holes may be used to further secure the apparatus at critical floor anchor points.

44. An universal automobile repair system and apparatus as in claims 31 and 40, wherein said crossbeam and elevation and mobility apparatus may be fitted with chain anchoring points providing spot anchoring means to confine stresses to the region under repair and to thereby reduce secondary damage.

45. A method and apparatus for the attachment of an appropriate shaft to a medium, in preparation for the further attachment of devices enabling the application of force, comprising:

(a) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a nut;

(b) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a threaded rivet;

(c) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a forming nut,

(d) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a key and lock;

(e) a threaded shaft mountable by means of a bracket;

(f) a shaft mountable by means of a mounting platform with threaded stud;

(g) a flat bracket;

(h) a right angle bracket;

(i) a vise clamp bracket;

(j) a MacPherson strut housing bracket.

(k) a threaded shaft with an eyelet attachment.

(l) a bracket with shaft engagement facility.

46. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a nut is equipped with a threaded bolt to engage a nut and has a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlled application of force to the intended work area.

47. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a threaded rivet is equipped with a threaded bolt to engage a threaded rivet, an annular recess to clear the flange of said rivet, and a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlled application of force to the intended work area.

48. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a forming nut is equipped with a threaded bolt to engage a forming nut, an annular form to deform the medium increasing the contact area, and a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlled application of force to the intended work area.

49. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 48, wherein said forming nut has an annular recess to mate with the positive form in the deformed medium produced by the mounting of said threaded shaft.

50. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a key and lock can be mated with said key and lock at points thus provided on the undercarriage of certain vehicles, such as a BMW automobile, and has a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlled application of force to the intended work area.

51. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft mountable by means of a bracket is equipped with an threaded bolt to engage a bracket and has a free outer thread to engage further attachments for the controlled application of force to the intended work area.

52. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said flat bracket is mountable to a medium and is configured to engage the inner thread of said threaded shaft.

53. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said right angle bracket is mountable to a medium and is configured to engage the inner thread of said threaded shaft on either plane of the mounted bracket.

54. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said vise clamp bracket is mountable to a medium, ideally to the undercarriage of a vehicle along the pinch well, and is configured to engage the inner thread of said threaded shaft.

55. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 54, wherein said vise clamp bracket may have a single or multiple tightening point(s) in order to distribute applied forces among the points of contact.

56. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 51, wherein said MacPherson strut housing bracket is mountable to the MacPherson strut housing of a vehicle, is adjustable within the range of variation in the automotive industry, and is configured to engage the inner thread of said threaded shaft.

57. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein the threaded shaft may be configured such that a bolt passes through the body of the shaft and such that the upper end of the shaft, the end of the shaft not intended to be in contact with the medium, is of geometry to be engaged by a wrench to hold it static while the axial bolt is turned.

58. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claims 45 and 57, wherein said axial bolt and shaft configuration allows the removal of the device from a failed threaded rivet, a rivet which may rotate within the hole at the site of installation, by means of holding the shaft static while the bolt is turned to disengage said threaded rivet.

59. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus comprising:

(a) a vector lock mechanism including i.) mounting panels; ii.) an upper locking bolt means; iii.) a lower locking bolt means; iv.) an internally threaded cylinder;

(b) a straight arm attachment;

(c) an adjustable right angle arm attachment;

(d) a facility for further attachments;

(e) a high resolution vector lock mechanism including i.) an internally threaded cylinder; ii.) a rotation window; iii.) an adjustment bolt; iv.) locking pins.

60. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein said mounting panels form the outer housing of the vector lock mechanism.

61. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 60, wherein said mounting panels are equipped firstly with an upper hole to support the upper locking bolt and secondly a series of lower holes along the proposed path of engagement with the lower locking bolt.

62. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 61, wherein said internally threaded cylinder is equipped with fixtures to engage said locking bolts and is appropriately internally threaded to engage a threaded shaft or bolt at the site of the work.

63. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59, 60, 61 and 62, wherein said internally threaded cylinder may be engaged with said mounting panels by means of upper locking bolt providing an axis of rotation about said upper locking bolt.

64. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59, 61, and 63, whereby the relative angle between the axis of said cylinder, rotated about the axis of said upper locking bolt, and the axis along the length of the outer housing of the vector lock mechanism is set by means of the insertion of the lower locking bolt at the appropriate hole in the provided series of lower holes, as may be required by the work.

65. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 62, wherein the assembled vector lock mechanism engaged at the site of the work has the facility to rotate about the axis of the internally threaded cylinder as required by the work and wherein said facility persists upon the attachment of further accessories.

66. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 65, wherein a straight arm may be attached at varying angles to the assembled vector lock mechanism as required by the work in order to clear obstructions to the application of force where force is to be applied at the free end of said straight arm.

67. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 65, wherein a right angle arm may be attached to the assembled vector lock mechanism which has facility to adjust height and length.

68. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59 and 65, wherein the assembled vector lock mechanism may be further equipped with facility for further task specific attachments such as a chain tightening mechanism.

69. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein the components of said apparatus and the junctions established between said components are of rigidity sufficient to withstand forces required to correct damage at the site of the work without distortion of said components or junctions.

70. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59, 65, 66, 67 and 68, wherein the assembled apparatus allows the operator to clear obstructions to the work and apply force at the free end of the chosen attachment transferring the bulk of said force to or near the intended location as required by the work.

71. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein the high resolution vector lock mechanism may be adjusted freely through the full range of angles defined by the rotation window.

72. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59 and 71, wherein an adjustment bolt is engaged by means of a locking pin with an internally threaded cylinder.

73. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59, 71, and 72, wherein a locking pin is used to engage the internally threaded cylinder with an arm attachment thereby providing an axis of rotation of said arm attachment.

74. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claims 59, 71, 72, and 73, wherein said adjustment bolt is operated to rotate an arm attachment about the axis set by the locking pin engaging the internally threaded cylinder with said arm attachment thereby allowing the selection of the desired angle at which corrective forces may be applied to the medium under repair.

75. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein the mounted apparatus is rigid and will not disengage from the site of the work if left unattended thereby eliminating the potentiality of damage or injury caused by such a device falling once engaged.

76. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium in preparation for the application of corrective forces comprising:

(a) a stepped procedure including i.) an initialization stage; ii.) a first decision as to mounting hole requirement; iii.) a first action in the mounting of a clamp; iv.) a second decision as to the utility of mounting holes should they exist; v.) a second action in the production of mounting holes; vi.) a third decision as to the requirement of a universal bracket; vii.) a fourth question as to the requirement of a universal bracket; viii.) a third action in the mounting of a universal bracket; ix.) a fifth decision as to the requirement of additional holes; x.) a fourth action in the production of mounting holes; xi.) a fifth action in the mounting of a universal bracket; xii.) a termination/completion stage.

(b) a toolkit including i.) a pinch clamp means; ii.) a universal bracket means; iii.) a drill cartridge means; iv.) locking pliers means; v.) a piercing punch means.

77. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claim 76, wherein said initialization stage entails the identification of the location of hook-up.

78. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 77, wherein said initialization conditions are satisfied and a decision is to be made regarding the requirement of mounting holes for the work.

79. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 78, wherein mounting holes are not required and a pinch clamp is to be used.

80. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 78, wherein mounting holes are required and a decision is to be made as to whether existing holes can be used.

81. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 80, wherein existing holes cannot be utilized and additional holes are produced.

82. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 81, wherein mounting holes have been produced and a decision is to be made as to whether a universal bracket is to be further utilized.

83. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 80, wherein existing holes can be utilized and a decision is to be made as to whether a universal bracket is to be used.

84. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76 and 83, wherein a universal bracket is determined to be of utility and is secured to the medium.

85. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claim 76, wherein a decision is to be made as to whether additional mounting holes are required.

86. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 84, and 85, wherein additional holes are produced by utilizing the secured universal bracket in conjunction with a drill cartridge.

87. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 82, and 86, wherein said universal bracket is either first secured or additionally secured using newly created holes.

88. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 79, 82, 83, 85, and 87, wherein the process may be terminated with the attachment of a device or devices which will serve to sustain the application of force during repair.

89. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 79, and 88, wherein said pinch clamp is used to anchor further devices which will serve to sustain the application of force during repair.

90. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 84, 86, 87, and 88, wherein said universal bracket may serve as a platform for said drill cartridge or the attachment of a device or devices which will serve to sustain the application of force during repair.

91. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 81, 86, and 90, wherein said drill cartridge may be engaged with a universal bracket in order to produce holes by drilling in the medium.

92. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 81, and 90, wherein said locking pliers may be used to secure universal bracket to medium.

93. A process for the establishment of an anchor point on a medium as in claims 76, 81, and 90, wherein said piercing punch may be used to produce holes sufficient to allow the use of a nut and bolt configuration to mount said universal bracket.

94. A versatile repair bracket apparatus comprising:

(a) a static mount repair bracket including i.) static mount repair bracket platform means; ii.) attachment receptacle means; iii.) receptacle exhaust path means; iv.) a bracket reinforcement washer;

(b) an adjustable mount repair bracket including i.) an adjustable mount bracket platform means; ii.) movable attachment receptacle means;

(c) a plug attachment to hold bracket in position.

(d) a bracket with a chain attachment means.

(e) a bracket with a push jack attachment means.

95. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said static mount repair bracket platform is flat, is equipped with holes at the location of attachment receptacles, and is of material that will not deform under stress applied thereto in the performance of repair.

96. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 95, wherein said attachment receptacles are permanently attached to the bracket platform and may be tapered or threaded as required by the attachment required to perform the work thereby configured to engage attachments such as a drill guide, rivet press, or load anchor.

97. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, and 96, wherein said attachment receptacles are further equipped with exhaust paths at the intended interface with the medium thereby allowing debris or moisture to fall away, evaporate, or be otherwise forced from the site of the work.

98. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96, and 97, wherein a washer may be used to reinforce the repair bracket apparatus on its work side by the welding of said washer onto a metallic medium in advance of the installation of the repair bracket apparatus and said washer having inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the work end of the attachment receptacle of said repair bracket apparatus.

99. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98, whereby the installed washer is engaged with the work end of the attachment receptacle of the repair bracket apparatus providing a tight annular fit thereby increasing the stress bearing facility of the repair bracket apparatus for a load having any vector component not parallel to the cylinder axis of the attachment receptacle.

100. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 95, wherein said static mount repair bracket may have two platforms joined in a right angle configuration, or otherwise, thereby providing two planes of potential engagement of the work.

101. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said adjustable mount bracket platform has serrated surface in order to provide locking facility for movable attachment receptacles secured thereto.

102. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94 and 101, wherein the movable attachment receptacles are free to move along the length axis of the adjustable mount platform thereby providing greater mounting freedom than a static mount bracket platform.

103. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 95, 96, 101, and 102, wherein said movable attachment receptacles may be internally threaded or tapered, as required by the attachment required to perform the work, similar to the attachment receptacles of the static mount repair bracket.

104. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 98, 99, 101, 102, and 103, whereby a washer may be used in a similar fashion as with the static mount repair bracket in order to increase the stress bearing facility of the repair bracket apparatus for a load having any vector component not parallel to the cylinder axis of the attachment receptacle.

105. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claims 94, 96, and 103, wherein a plug attachment may be engaged with an attachment receptacle in order to provide a mounting point and thereby the facility to produce holes at a relative distance defined by the distance between said receptacles in the event that equidistant holes may be desired to be produced with the aid of a drill guide attachment.

106. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets comprising:

(a) a wall thickness gauge means;

(b) a threaded rivet externally coated with a retaining compound means;

(c) anvil assembly means including, i.) a smooth bored hollow anvil means; ii.) a mandrel means to pass through said hollow anvil means; iii.) a nut means to be threaded on said mandrel means; iv.) a washer and thrust bearing means to be installed between said nut means and internal body of said hollow anvil means passing over said mandrel means; v.) a washer and thrust bearing retaining means to prevent washer and thrust bearing from disengaging from anvil assembly during operation;

(d) a pin means to pass through said anvil assembly means;

(e) an anvil wrench means to engage said anvil assembly means.

107. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said wall thickness gauge can be inserted within the intended hole site of medium to facilitate selection of correct length rivet means.

108. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said retaining compound is activated during the installation process and will cure hence strengthening coupling between medium and rivet in addition to the mechanical coupling.

109. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said anvil assembly may be engaged with the internal thread of said rivet means.

110. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said pin passes through said anvil assembly preventing relative rotation of said mandrel and hollow anvil body components.

111. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 109, wherein said anvil assembly and engaged rivet means can be brought into abutment of the medium of intended installation through an appropriately sized hole.

112. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 106, wherein said anvil wrench is of a geometry to allow simple engagement with said anvil assembly means with the aid of said pin means.

113. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claims 111 and 112, wherein said anvil wrench engages said anvil assembly restricting system rotation to that provided by operator through anvil wrench means.

114. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claims 106 and 113, wherein said nut of said anvil assembly may be engaged by a device causing said mandrel to draw and compress shank of said rivet against underside of said medium, thus fixing rivet in medium, while said anvil wrench is positioned to prevent rotation of said anvil assembly.

115. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 114, wherein said device used to engage said nut may be rested against the geometry of said anvil wrench thereby allowing single handed operation.

116. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 114, whereby said anvil assembly may be disengaged from said fixed rivet by rotation of said anvil assembly counter-clockwise with the aid of said anvil wrench thereby threading said mandrel out of said rivet.

117. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 116, wherein said anvil wrench may be disengaged after sufficient rotation to allow direct rotation of said anvil assembly in situations where full rotation of engaged anvil wrench may be impractical.

118. A method and apparatus for the installation of blind rivets as in claim 114, wherein said anvil assembly, said anvil wrench, and said device used to engage said nut may be operated from one side of the work.

119. A rivet reinforcement washer comprising:

(a) a raised annular support channel;

(b) a central hole to clear rivet;

(c) weld hole means;

(d) exhaust path hole means;

(e) an outer annular flange.

120. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said rivet reinforcement washer is of material chosen to withstand stresses as required by the work without deformation.

121. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said raised annular support channel is formed of the contiguous material of the rivet reinforcement washer.

122. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claims 119 and 121, wherein said raised annular support channel is of geometry which maximizes the area of contact between said washer and any attachment utilizing the presence of reinforced rivet.

123. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claims 119, 121 and 122, wherein the raised annular support channel is used to distribute the load of any applied force, or any vector component thereof, which is not strictly parallel to the axis of the rivet over the greatest area permitted by the work thereby minimizing the stress on the rivet and reducing the possibility of structural failure.

124. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said central hole is of diameter sufficient to clear the annular flange of the installed rivet on the side of the work thereby permitting full utility of said rivet.

125. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, whereby weld holes may be provided as a means to permit welding of the washer to the medium at the site of the work.

126. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, 121, 122 and 123, whereby an exhaust path, an opening in the raised annular support channel, may be used to facilitate the passage of moisture or debris that may collect in this channel thereby reducing the possibility of corrosion, should the washer remain attached for an extended period, and in some cases aiding in the installation of said washer.

127. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, whereby increasing the diameter of the outer flange increases the load bearing capability of the washer but wherein the presence of said outer flange is not crucial to the utility of the washer but the diameter of which may be restricted by the location and accessibility of the work.

128. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein points along the outer flange may be used to weld the washer at the site of the work thereby providing an additional means of installation.

129. A rivet reinforcement washer as in claim 119, wherein said washer may be used without the presence of a rivet where the work permits thereby effecting similar utility as when a previously installed rivet is present.

130. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium comprising:

(a) drill cartridge apparatus means including i.) drill cartridge housing means; ii.) a drill shaft with attached drill bit means to pass through said drill cartridge housing; iii.) an adjustment nut means to engage upper end of said drill cartridge; iv.) a compression spring means; v.) thrust bearing and bushing means; vi.) a support collar means; vii.) a compressed air inlet means as part of said drill cartridge housing;

(b) a plug means to hold drill bracket in position for multiple hole production.

131. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said drill cartridge housing is cylindrical, hollow and threaded to engage an adjustment nut.

132. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130 and 131, wherein said adjustment nut is threaded to allow engagement with said drill cartridge and may be knurled along its outer annular edge to facilitate rotation force application once engaged.

133. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130, 131, and 132 wherein said drill shaft and attached drill bit is cylindrical and of length sufficient to pass through hollow bodies of combined assembly of said adjustment nut and said drill cartridge housing and to allow engagement of drive nut at one end and such that said attached drill bit can penetrate a medium at the other end.

134. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130 and 133, wherein said drill shaft is threaded at one end to allow the engagement of an adjustment nut, is threaded at the other end to allow engagement of said drill bit, and is provided with a spring pin at a point along its length sufficiently distant from said drill bit end to allow said drill bit to emerge outside of said combined assembly before said spring pin is abutted by the internal structure of said drill cartridge housing.

135. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130 and 134, wherein said spring pin provides the anchor point for said support collar means.

136. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130, 131, 132, 133, and 135, wherein said compression spring passes over said drill shaft within the cavity of said drill cartridge housing, supported by said support collar, allowing an operator to compress said spring by means of application of rotation force to said adjustment nut thereby forcing said drill bit against medium eliminating the need for the operator to apply forces along the axis of rotation of said drill bit.

137. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claims 130 and 133, wherein said thrust bearing and bushings are ring shaped to pass over said drill shaft and are used to maintain rotation forces applied to said drill shaft parallel to the axis of rotation thereby reducing friction.

138. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said compressed air inlet is provided to allow the operator a means to deliver air cooling to the site of the work should high speed drilling necessitate it.

139. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said drill cartridge apparatus may be engaged with a drill bracket in order to produce a hole or a number of holes spaced at predefined distances.

140. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim 130, whereby said drill cartridge apparatus may be used in conjunction with a wrench or power tool to apply rotation force to drill shaft and attached drill bit.

141. A method and apparatus for drilling into a medium as in claim 130, wherein said plug means may be used to engage a drill bracket at the site of a reference hole, fixing the position of said drill bracket relative to said reference hole, and thus facilitating the drilling of further holes at distances from the reference hole defined by the drill bracket configuration.

142. A magnetic drill guide apparatus comprising:

(a) a magnetic drill guide including i.) drill shaft means; ii.) guide platform means; iii.) magnetic standoff means; iv.) housing means; v.) compressed air intake means; vi.) mounting eyelet means; vii.) countersunk magnet means; viii.) exhaust path means;

(b) a center line positioning device including i.) mounting hole means; ii.) centering aperture means; iii.) “v” shaped engagement end means.

143. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said drill shaft means provides a clear passage for a drill bit through the center of the apparatus in order to engage the medium to be drilled and is bored at an angle desirable for the work.

144. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said guide platform means may be elevated above the work surface, is of shape, preferably square or rectangular, to be easily engaged by said center line positioning device, and is of material which can withstand the stress of the work.

145. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142 and 144, wherein said guide platform is equipped with magnetic standoff means which are of sufficient magnetic strength to hold the apparatus in place under the stress of the work and to allow the simple application and removal of said apparatus.

146. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142, 143, and 145, wherein said magnetic standoffs are distributed in a radial fashion about the central drill shaft means on the work side of the apparatus in a manner to provide sufficient exhaust paths for material fragments produced by the work.

147. A magnetic drill guide means as in claims 142 and 143, wherein said housing means is of material resistant to deformation under stress, is bored through at an angle desirable to the work providing said drill shaft means, and is situated on the operator side of the apparatus.

148. A magnetic drill guide means as in claims 142, 146, and 147, wherein said compressed air intake means provides an entry point in said guide housing for compressed air, which is commonly available to the technician, in order to facilitate cooling at the site of the work and to cause fragments arising from the work to be removed along paths on the work side of the apparatus between said magnetic standoffs.

149. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claim 142, wherein said mounting hole means of the center line positioning device allows the device to be affixed at the site of the work.

150. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142 and 149, wherein said centering aperture means provides the facility to set a center line, along which a hole is to be drilled, which passes through said mounting hole means and said aperture and where said aperture may be used as a second mounting means of said device.

151. A magnetic drill guide apparatus as in claims 142, 144 and 150, wherein said “v” shaped engagement end means of said center line positioning device is configured to mechanically engage said guide platform of said magnetic drill guide along two edges once said center line has been established.

152. A magnetic drill guide as in claim 142, wherein said eyelet means provide additional mounting means where desirable or may be the sole mounting means where the intended medium is non-ferrous.

153. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 144, wherein said eyelet means are part of said guide platform.

154. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 144, wherein said countersunk magnets are embedded within said guide platform wherein said platform is not elevated above the work surface but directly abuts the medium at the site of the work.

155. A magnetic drill guide as in claims 142 and 148, wherein said exhaust path means are provided to allow the fragments arising from the work to be removed from the site of the work by forced air thereby reducing friction, heat, and chance of operator injury.

156. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said threaded shaft with an eyelet attachment may be engaged by a hook or chain on the eyelet end facilitating the application of force along the length axis of said threaded shaft.

157. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein any of said shafts may not be threaded whilst retaining mounting and force application facilities.

158. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium, as in claim 45, wherein said bracket with shaft engagement facility is mountable on any flat surface and may engage any of said shafts.

159. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium as in claims 45 and 158, wherein said bracket with shaft engagement facility is equipped to secure said shaft into position as desired by the operator.

160. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said bracket with chain attachment allow the operator to use either a nut-and-bolt configuration or to weld said bracket to the medium under repair.

161. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said bracket with chain attachment allows the operator to apply forces parallel to the face of the medium under repair.

162. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said push jack bracket will readily engage a push jack.

163. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94 and 162, wherein said push jack bracket allows the operator to mount said bracket to a medium to be repaired.

164. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 162 and 163, wherein said push jack bracket may be used in conjunction with another push jack bracket engaging a push jack on both ends, subtending a damaged region on a medium and thereby providing force by means of said push jack to correct said damage.

165. A versatile repair bracket apparatus as in claim 94, wherein said push jack bracket may be engaged by a push jack through a range of angles greater than ninety degrees thereby allowing the application of force, by means of said push jack, through said range of angles in order to correct damage to a medium under repair.

166. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 59, wherein any of said vector transfer arms may be used in a fashion whereby the elbow of said arm opens away from the surface of the medium under repair and thus the vector transfer arm is inverted.

167. A corrective force vector transfer apparatus as in claim 166, wherein said inverted vector transfer arm may be supported against the face of the medium under repair at a point between said elbow and mounting point such that forces applied on said vector transfer arm are distributed so as to hinder distortion arising from rotational tendencies about said mounting point.

168. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium as in claim 45, wherein said shaft mountable by means of a mounting platform with threaded stud is internally threaded to engage said stud.

169. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium as in claim 168, wherein said mounting platform with threaded stud is equipped with a recess on the mounting side in order facilitate removal upon completion of the work by prying means, in order to remove if adhered to work surface by weld or other means, and which may be of a configuration to allow the clearance of obstacles to mounting at the site of the work.

170. A method and apparatus for the attachment of a shaft to a medium as in claim 45, wherein said mounting shafts may be equipped with a facility to engage a wrench in order to provide the operator with additional means of tightening in threaded engagements of said shaft.