Vehicle Body Or Frame Straightener Patents (Class 72/705)
  • Publication number: 20040103712
    Abstract: A body frame corrector (1) capable of efficiently correcting a complicatedly deformed frame or the like and providing an excellent workability, comprising a frame-shaped body (2) for installing a deformed body frame (40) therein, a plurality of ceiling cylinders (7), floor cylinders (10), and side cylinders (9) disposed on the ceiling surface, floor surface, inner side surfaces of the frame shaped body (2) and movable to directions along each of the respective surfaces, and tilting mechanisms for changing the pressing directions of the side surface cylinders (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Takichi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20040099039
    Abstract: A deck leverage anchor for securing an external device has an anchor body that is positioned at least partially within an opening of the deck so that a notch receives the edge of the surface. The anchor body comprises a coupler that extends outward from the opening. The coupler couples to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Marx
  • Patent number: 6739173
    Abstract: A sheet metal forming tool is designed to remove raised eyebrows surrounding dents in the body of a vehicle before the dent itself is pulled back to a flush configuration. The tool comprises a pneumatic hammer driver provided with a special attachment having a body and a plastic head. The head is formed of plastic and is configured to define a ring-shaped support base that surrounds a dome-shaped hammer pad. A hammer within the tool impacts the back of the hammer pad at a frequency of between 2000 and 5000 impacts per minute, each impact moving the hammer pad slightly outwardly with respect to the plane of the support base. In use, the head is placed over an eyebrow to be treated with the support base resting on the surface surrounding the eyebrow and the hammer pad overlying the eyebrow. The tool is then actuated and moved along the eyebrow until it is bent back down flush with the surrounding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert S. Lowery
  • Patent number: 6722179
    Abstract: A dent puller includes a bridge having a pair of legs extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees. Each leg has a lower end with a foot. Each foot has a resilient pad secured thereto. An aperture formed through the bridge receives a shaft. An engagement member connected to a lower end of the shaft includes a plate having at least one opening extending therethrough. A knob is connected to the shaft such that application of a rotational force to the knob acts to draw the engagement member toward the bridge. The dent puller may further include a tool adapter comprising a socket engageable with the knob and an arbor extending axially outward from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Miracle Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George Ventura
  • Patent number: 6722176
    Abstract: A rescue tool is for use with emergency extrications from a structure. The tool includes a shaft and a pair of arms coupled to the shaft. The shaft has an axis of symmetry, and the pair of opposing arms include a first arm and a second arm. At least one of the first arm and the second arm is slidably coupled to the shaft and is configured to move along the shaft in a direction that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis of symmetry. Each of the arms includes an inner face and an outer face. At least one of the arm inner and outer faces includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact the structure. At least one of the first arm and the second arm extends substantially perpendicularly to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Jason Cerrano, Todd Metzger
  • Patent number: 6722180
    Abstract: Frame vehicle clamp adapters which allow a frame of a frame-type vehicle to be connected to a pinch weld-type clamp. One embodiment comprises a first section having an elongated rigid protrusion extending from a base. The elongated rigid protrusion is adapted to be secured to a pinch weld clamp. A second portion of the adapter is provided with a clamp for securing a frame thereto. A preferred embodiment comprises a mechanism for adjusting the height of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Bradley R. Weschler
  • Publication number: 20040045338
    Abstract: A collision repair rack is provided. The rack includes a platform and a plurality of pivotally mounted arms which arms and associated pulling towers can be moved to positions on either side of the rack in addition to being positionable at an end of the rack. The arms are mounted in a manner to allow the arms to remain generally in the same plane while providing a high degree of freedom of movement of the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Dobbins, Robert L. Watts, Giovanni Dallapiccola
  • Publication number: 20040045337
    Abstract: A vehicle frame straightening apparatus includes a substantially upright post adapted to engage a rail mounted transversely to a series of rails fixed to the floor on which the vehicle rests, and adapted to apply pressure between the floor and outward on a deformity in the frame from under the vehicle by a ram engaged therebetween. A holding assembly for holding the vehicle in position engages the vehicle frame from the outside and engages a second rail mounted transversely to the rails fixed to the floor. Preferably the post includes a substantially upright lower portion and an upper portion pivotally attached thereto in order to extend its height, wherein the lower portion does not exceed the ground clearance of the vehicle. Thus, the post may be placed into position against the deformity from beside the vehicle without requiring an increase in the vehicle's ground clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Scott Allan Linquist
  • Patent number: 6701770
    Abstract: A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. McClellan, Richard H. Nagorski, Jeffrey L. Dobbins, Jeffrey A. Hess, Charles A. Schulte, Nathan Adams, Robert W. Thomas, Marco Tulio Nossa Reyes
  • Patent number: 6684677
    Abstract: Method of removing dents from sheet-metal parts, in particular from lacquered parts of an automobile body, wherein the metal part (3) in the region of a dent (B) is warmed locally in a substantially non-contact manner, in such a way that a mechanical tension gradient produced by the local warming causes the dent to spring back so as to restore the original shape of the metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Photonics Technologies AG
    Inventors: Kai K. O. Bär, Rainer Gaus, Frank Weckenmann
  • Publication number: 20040016282
    Abstract: A planishing device (10) with a pulling element (11) and lever arms (151.1, 151.2) connected in an articulated manner, with bearing elements (12.1, 12.2) for bearing on a material layer (WS), characterised in that the lever arms (151.1, 151.2) in the region of the end (158.1, 158.2) lying opposite their grip are connected in an articulated manner to a joint member (157) connecting the lever arms (151.1, 151.2) at a location (161) distanced from these ends (158.1, 158.2), are supported in an articulated and movable manner via supports (162.1, 162.2) on a supporting element (16) that is interactively connected to the bearing elements (12.1, 12.2). Pulling element (11) is connected to joint member (157) via a rod (154).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Ralph Meichtry
  • Patent number: 6679092
    Abstract: An automobile sheet metal surface correcting equipment capable of permitting alignment between a piston of the equipment and a portion of the sheet metal surface to be corrected to be carried out from an inside of the sheet metal such as a bonnet, to thereby facilitate sheet metal working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Star Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Irii
  • Publication number: 20040000185
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for straightening the body and the structures of a damaged vehicle, comprising: a master cylinder (CE) filled with hydraulic fluid, wherein moves a master piston (PE) under the action of a rotary member actuated by a motor; a slave cylinder (CR), connected to the master cylinder through a flexible conduit (F) extending from said master cylinder, and designed to be connected by some means to the body or to the structure to be straightened, said slave cylinder receiving a slave piston (PR), driven in translation inside the slave cylinder under the action of the hydraulic fluid, so as to be urged to strike the neighbourhood of the end (FA) of said slave cylinder connected to the body or to the structure, by being subjected to a return force tending to bring it back to its initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Alain Couturier
  • Patent number: 6655185
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a vehicle repairing device capable of pulling out a damaged portion to a predetermined position safely and easily. A device for pulling out a damaged portion of a panel surface to a normal position includes a first puller having a first fixing portion to be fixed to the damaged portion and adapted to pull up the first fixing portion in a state in which it is fixed to a predetermined range of the damaged portion, and a second puller having a second fixing portion to be fixed to the damaged portion and adapted to pull up the second fixing portion in a state in which it is further locally fixed to the damaged portion of the panel surface to be pulled up by the first puller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Tateo Uegaki
  • Publication number: 20030196474
    Abstract: A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicants: Chief Automotive systems, Inc., Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. McClellan, Richard H. Nagorski, Jeffrey L. Dobbins, Jeffrey A. Hess, Charles A. Schulte, Nathan Adams, Robert W. Thomas, Marco Tulio Nossa Reyes
  • Publication number: 20030172711
    Abstract: Frame vehicle clamp adapters which allow a frame of a frame-type vehicle to be connected to a pinch weld-type clamp. One embodiment comprises a first section having an elongated rigid protrusion extending from a base. The elongated rigid protrusion is adapted to be secured to a pinch weld clamp. A second portion of the adapter is provided with a clamp for securing a frame thereto. A preferred embodiment comprises a mechanism for adjusting the height of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Bradley R. Weschler
  • Publication number: 20030172710
    Abstract: Frame vehicle clamp adapters which allow a frame of a frame-type vehicle to be connected to a pinch weld-type clamp. One embodiment comprises a first section having an elongated rigid protrusion extending from a base. The elongated rigid protrusion is adapted to be secured to a pinch weld clamp. A second portion of the adapter is provided with a clamp for securing a frame thereto. A preferred embodiment comprises a mechanism for adjusting the height of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Bradley R. Weschler
  • Patent number: 6612144
    Abstract: A dent repair tool has a motor tool having a body and a motor shaft capable of spinning, an elongated inner shaft connected at its proximal end to the motor tool positioned within an elongated outer shaft, and separated from the outer shaft by bushings; and a working head releasably connected to the distal end of the inner shaft. The working head may take any of several forms, including a circular disk having curved protrusions disposed regularly around the perimeter of the disk, an elliptical plate, a triangular plate having rounded vertices and concave sides, and a square plate having rounded corners and concave sides. A system for repairing a dent in sheet metal includes urging the spinning working head of the dent repair tool against a raised portion of dented sheet metal to reduce or eliminate a dent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Darryl D. Domino
  • Patent number: 6609404
    Abstract: A forming or re-rounding machine has opposed inner and outer hydraulic ram sets each carried in a housing with rollers. The ram set housings are movably mounted onto an I-beam frame connected by hydraulic cylinders. The frame supports a can or shell for rotation of the surface to position a region for forming or reforming between the hydraulic ram sets. Each ram set has a hydraulic cylinder for advancing a re-forming tool on either the inside or outside of the can or shell to reform the selected region. The I-beam hydraulic cylinders are allowed to compress when the can or shell is positioned for forming or reforming and help prevent flexing of the can or shell outside the selected region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke George Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 6601430
    Abstract: A lifting platform with a scissor type jack. The jack includes a plurality of inter-connected struts pivotally connected to a base forming a double X strut arrangement. A power actuator is connected to at least one strut in each X to effect extension and retraction of the jack. A safety latch is provided to prevent accidental retraction of the jack from an extended position should the power actuator fail to hold the jack in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel McClellan
  • Publication number: 20030136172
    Abstract: The vehicle metal pulling apparatus may be mounted on a forklift for use of the hydraulic system to pull metal parts. A cross bar may be attached to the main vertical beam element of the forklift. A push bar may be attached to the cross bar to project forwardly from the forklift for placement against a vehicle to brace the vehicle while pulling on parts. A cable that may be attached at one end to a vehicle part is threaded through a pulley on the cross bar and attached to the forklift vertical lift apparatus. The forklift may then be operated to pull the cable and thereby the part to which attached. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Milazzo
  • Patent number: 6588249
    Abstract: The vehicle metal pulling apparatus may be mounted on a forklift for use of the hydraulic system to pull metal parts. A cross bar may be attached to the main vertical beam element of the forklift. A push bar may be attached to the cross bar to project forwardly from the forklift for placement against a vehicle to brace the vehicle while pulling on parts. A cable that may be attached at one end to a vehicle part is threaded through a pulley on the cross bar and attached to the forklift vertical lift apparatus. The forklift may then be operated to pull the cable and thereby the part to which attached. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Milazzo
  • Patent number: 6581434
    Abstract: A vehicle frame straightening system includes a rigid vertical post secured to a rigid base and a circumferential post sleeve slidably mounted about an upper segment of the post. The system further includes an elongate pulling member including a frame engagement element at one end and a circumferential sleeve slidably mounted about a central segment of the pulling member, the sleeve having a frame-opposing end and a fame-distal end. An axle is transversely mounted upon the post sleeve to which is pivotally secured the pulling sleeve member. The system also includes first and second linear position actuation elements, the first of which is pivotally mounted to the first sleeve above the axle. Selectable actuation of the second linear position actuation element effects incremental linear pulling of the pulling member inclusive of the frame engagement elements of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Ivan Vilches, Hector P. Vilches
  • Patent number: 6578821
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rescue apparatus 1 with two tool halves 4, 5 that are arranged swingably on a head component 2, which tool halves in each case display a working tip 6, at least one working tip 6 being attached to the tool half 4, 5 so as to be longitudinally displaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Lukas Hydraulik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Christoph Lasaroff, Heinz Heller
  • Publication number: 20030106360
    Abstract: A slide hammer puller for car-body sheet metals of a vehicle in the invention has a driven rod, a slide hammer and at least one pulling member. A shank body of the driven rod with a stop portion disposed at a proper position of the shank body corresponding to a hammer face of the slide hammer is extended through the slide hammer and combined with the pulling member at one end of the shank body. Place the pulling member on a dent of a car-body sheet metal and fill hot-melt adhesives between the pulling member and the dent. After the adhesives get dry, strike the slide hammer toward the stop portion to make the driven rod have backward pulling movements to force the pulling member to pull the dent outwardly to its normal smooth position, thereby the dent can be repaired without disassembling interior parts and accessories of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Kun-Wang Wang
  • Publication number: 20030101791
    Abstract: An arrangement for removing dents from sheet metal contains a lever, which at a support point can be supported on the metal sheet. A handle is fitted to the lever end. To the lever can be connected a tension element, which can be connected to an adapter connected to the metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Olaf Ritter
  • Publication number: 20030097869
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a repair device for repairing a dent in a surface of a sheet metal structure. The repair device comprises a stand to be placed on the surface of the sheet metal structure, a pulling mechanism, which is connected to the stand, a welding head comprising at least one electrically conductive grounding connection and at least one electrically conductive pulling electrode, suitable to be welded to the surface of the sheet metal structure by a welding current. The welding current is generated by a welding machine. The pulling electrode is mechanically connected to the pulling mechanism such that the pulling electrode is movable by the pulling mechanism away from said surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Ralph Meichtry
  • Patent number: 6568237
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for anchoring a vehicle with a manipulative anchoring device comprises a base configured to engage a frame removably mounted on a work surface with the base slidingly attached to the frame. An upright column is mounted in the base, with the upright column supporting an anchoring collar and a clamping platform. The anchoring collar can be rotated about the upright column and is configured to receive at least one anchoring chain. The clamping platform is configured to receive a plurality of interchangeable clamping members and can also be configured to support a force applying device, such as a fluid cylinder or a screw jack. When the vehicle manipulative anchoring device is configured with the force applying device, it is used to impart a force to the vehicle, typically to counter a force being applied to the vehicle in a different area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Hein-Werner Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Graham, James G. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20030089155
    Abstract: A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel R. McClellan, Richard H. Nagorski, Jeffrey L. Dobbins, Jeffery A. Hess, Charles A. Schulte, Nathan Adams, Robert W. Thomas, Marco Tulio Nossa Reyes
  • Publication number: 20030089154
    Abstract: A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel R. McClellan, Richard H. Nagorski, Jeffrey L. Dobbins, Jeffery A. Hess, Charles A. Schulte, Nathan Adams, Robert W. Thomas, Marco Tulio Nossa Reyes
  • Publication number: 20030070470
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a vehicle repairing device capable of pulling out a damaged portion to a predetermined position safely and easily. A device for pulling out a damaged portion of a panel surface to a normal position includes a first puller having a first fixing portion to be fixed to the damaged portion and adapted to pull up the first fixing portion in a state in which it is fixed to a predetermined range of the damaged portion, and a second puller having a second fixing portion to be fixed to the damaged portion and adapted to pull up the second fixing portion in a state in which it is further locally fixed to the damaged portion of the panel surface to be pulled up by the first puller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Tateo Uegaki
  • Publication number: 20030066333
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis straightening bench. The bench includes a platform on which a chassis can be secured and have various forces applied to locations on the chassis to assist in repairing collision damage or the like. The bench includes at least one pulling assembly comprising a head movably mounted in a guide. The head is movable by actuation of a double acting hydraulic cylinder. An attachment member is attached to a holder portion of the head and movable thereby. The attachment member can be selectively secured to a portion of a chassis for transmitting force from the hydraulic cylinder to the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Thomas, Greg Penner, Daniel McClellan
  • Publication number: 20030066334
    Abstract: A lifting platform with a scissor type jack. The jack includes a plurality of inter-connected struts pivotally connected to a base forming a double X strut arrangement. A power actuator is connected to at least one strut in each X to effect extension and retraction of the jack. A safety latch is provided to prevent accidental retraction of the jack from an extended position should the power actuator fail to hold the jack in the elevated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel McClellan
  • Patent number: 6543270
    Abstract: A kit of parts for auto body dent repair includes a plurality of tool bodies (11) and a plurality of tips (80). Each tool body includes a rearward shaft (20) and handle (60). The rearward shafts of the various tool bodies include both those with compound (bent) shafts and simple (straight) shafts. The lengths of the tool bodies varies to fit different needs. Each tool body also includes a forward shaft (40), which is adjustably attached to a forward end of the rearward shaft. The appropriate tip may be installed on the forward end of the forward shaft of the appropriate tool body. As an alternative to the tips (80) and forward shafts (40), an integral dent repair tip (50) provides the functionality of a both in a single unit. In use, the appropriate tip (80), or integral dent repair tip (50), for the job may be installed on the appropriate tool body. The overall tool is then used to remove the dent from an auto body panel by applying force correctly to the inside surface of the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Mike J Cmelik
  • Patent number: 6539769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for straightening bridges that have had their lower girders bent by trucks passing underneath having loads higher than the clearance afforded by the bridge. The invention contemplates using a threaded rod with two clamping members to engage both the bent beam and a rigid part of the bridge to as to gradually bend the beam back into alignment by rotating a nut portion on the rod so as to turn the rod and allow one clamping member to move slowly along the rod. The clamping members have a portion designed to engage the flange area and thereby allow firm engagement of the beam by the straightening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick N. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 6539770
    Abstract: A hand held dent pulling device for attachment to and use in combination with a MIG or similar welder. The device features a elongated body member with an axial cavity and a face plate mount at a front end. An elongated shaft slidably engages the body member through the axial cavity and is biased toward the face plate. The shaft has an electrode attachment at one end and an attachment for a welder at the opposite end. The elongated shaft is selectively laterally translatable in its mount to the body. The front tip of the electrode is selectively translateable through an aperture through the face plate allowing the user to weld the electrode to the metal body being repaired and to draw the metal toward the face plate by laterally translating the elongated shaft. A handle is provided to grip the device and to translate the shaft once the device is welded to the metal body. Removal from attachment to the body done with a twist of the device snapping off the electrode tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Goran K. Olsson
  • Patent number: 6536250
    Abstract: A dent removal system is provided having a portable vacuum chamber head and a shaper vacuum roller coupled to a vacuum source. The vacuum chamber head has a center see-through window for aligning the head over a dented work surface, a template of desired surface shape and a matrix of closely-spaced standoff pins to communicate the template shape to the work surface while allowing passage of vacuum to the dent. A method is provided for removing dents in sheet metal surfaces using the dent removal system. The vacuum chamber head is positioned over the dented work surface and sealed. The work surface is excited with vibrational energy. Within the vacuum chamber head, force is applied to the template face to hold the template in fixed relation to the work surface. The template shape is transmitted to the work surface via the matrix of standoff pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Dent Defyer, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Paul Borchert
  • Patent number: 6526796
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame puller attachment which includes a generally triangular main member having three sides with opposite side edges extending along each of the sides. The main member comprises a first side adapted for coupling to a chain to facilitate pulling on the main member using the chain, with a generally round aperture for freely passing a portion of a chain therethrough and a pair of chain slots for positioning a link of the chain in one of the chain slots such that an adjacent link in the chain is prevented from passing through the chain slot. A second side has four door hinge slots with each of the door hinge slots being elongate and having longitudinal axes extending substantially parallel to the side edges. A third side has a plurality of bolt slots for coupling to various bolt patterns used to attach door hinges to different vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hofseb K. Markarian
  • Publication number: 20030037587
    Abstract: A sheet metal forming tool is designed to remove raised eyebrows surrounding dents in the body of a vehicle before the dent itself is pulled back to a flush configuration. The tool comprises a pneumatic hammer driver provided with a special attachment having a body and a plastic head. The head is formed of plastic and is configured to define a ring-shaped support base that surrounds a dome-shaped hammer pad. A hammer within the tool impacts the back of the hammer pad at a frequency of between 2000 and 5000 impacts per minute, each impact moving the hammer pad slightly outwardly with respect to the plane of the support base. In use, the head is placed over an eyebrow to be treated with the support base resting on the surface surrounding the eyebrow and the hammer pad overlying the eyebrow. The tool is then actuated and moved along the eyebrow until it is bent back down flush with the surrounding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Robert S. Lowery
  • Publication number: 20030019273
    Abstract: Unibody devices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle. Some devices of the present invention can be positioned on a vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and removing one wheel. Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously comprise a sidearm which is disposed at an angle preferably close to but preferably other than 90° to a main beam. The sidearm is advantageously slidably positionable on the main beam and comprises at least one clamp for securing the sidearm to a vehicle being repaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Bradley R. Weschler
  • Publication number: 20030005745
    Abstract: A dent repair tool has a motor tool having a body and a motor shaft capable of spinning, an elongated inner shaft connected at its proximal end to the motor tool positioned within an elongated outer shaft, and separated from the outer shaft by bushings; and a working head releasably connected to the distal end of the inner shaft. The working head may take any of several forms, including a circular disk having curved protrusions disposed regularly around the perimeter of the disk, an elliptical plate, a triangular plate having rounded vertices and concave sides, and a square plate having rounded corners and concave sides. A system for repairing a dent in sheet metal includes urging the spinning working head of the dent repair tool against a raised portion of dented sheet metal to reduce or eliminate a dent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Darryl D. Domino
  • Patent number: 6499332
    Abstract: A pair of upright arms are connected at their lower ends to an anchoring beam that lies on the floor after the truck is driven onto a ramp. The front truck axle is positioned below the top ends of the upright arms, which are then joined by a pressure distributor located above the axle to form an upright arm assembly. A hydraulic ram presses upwardly against the axle, which is restrained by the pressure distributors, thereby bending the axle to align the wheels. A system of countersunk apertures and mating conical frustrum fittings and bushings distribute the resulting forces more evenly throughout the apparatus, thereby preventing bending of the upright arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Progressive Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Clingan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020184937
    Abstract: A hydraulic system comprises a pump having a fluid feed and a fluid release. Hydraulic actuator has an advance port and a retract port. A directional converter is fluidically coupled between the pump and the hydraulic actuator. The converter has a housing having a plurality of fluid passages therethrough. The plurality of fluid passages terminates in a pump outlet port, a pump inlet port, a first actuator port, and a second actuator port. The pump outlet port is coupled to the fluid release of the pump. The pump inlet port is fluidically coupled to the fluid feed of the pump. The first actuator port and second actuator port are respectively coupled to the advance port and the retract port of the actuator. A plurality of valves is disposed within the fluid passages. The plurality of valves has a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Marx
  • Patent number: 6490906
    Abstract: The carriage has a main frame supported by caster wheels. A vertical mast is connected to a mounting stud on the main frame. A tubular sleeve is slideably mounted on the vertical mast and held in fixed positions by a pin. A winch fixed to the tubular sleeve has a winch cable that extends over a roller on top of the mast and has a hook that engages the sleeve to raise and lower the sleeve. A mounting stud on the sleeve receives an accessory base or cable guide pulley accessory. The accessory base receives adjustable attachments for supporting vehicle components such as doors, hoods, bumpers and trunk lids. The cable guide pulley guides the winch cable to pull dented sheet metal vertically or horizontally. The carriage is anchored in place, when pulling dented sheet metal, by a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Rick H. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6490907
    Abstract: A system (20) for anchoring a vehicle frame (22) to a platform (24) utilizes a variety of securement components (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) to secure the vehicle frame (22) from movement at desired locations while the vehicle frame (22) is being aligned with pulling forces applied by pulling towers (26). The securement components (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) are held on cross beams (28, 30) which mount to anchoring stands (32), and the anchoring stands (32) are attached to the platform (24). The securement components include a rail vise (34), a C-channel clamp (36), a leaf spring shackle (38), L-clamps (40,41), a slide plate (42), a hole adapter (44), a tie-down ratchet assembly (46), and a turnbuckle assist (48). The rail vise has two guide channels (78, 80) which slidably receive guide pins (114) therein. The guide pins (114) extend from a front movable clamp leg (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Dobbins, Roger Harmon, Melvin Soyk
  • Publication number: 20020174704
    Abstract: A hand held dent pulling device for attachment to and use in combination with a MIG or similar welder. The device features a elongated body member with an axial cavity and a face plate mount at a front end. An elongated shaft slidably engages the body member through the axial cavity and is biased toward the face plate. The shaft has an electrode attachment at one end and an attachment for a welder at the opposite end. The elongated shaft is selectively laterally translatable in its mount to the body. The front tip of the electrode is selectively translateable through an aperture through the face plate allowing the user to weld the electrode to the metal body being repaired and to draw the metal toward the face plate by laterally translating the elongated shaft. A handle is provided to grip the device and to translate the shaft once the device is welded to the metal body. Removal from attachment to the body done with a twist of the device snapping off the electrode tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Goran K. Olsson
  • Patent number: 6484554
    Abstract: An automobile lift and straightening platform is useful for performing repairs on motor vehicles received thereon, and includes a base, a bench which includes treadways for permitting the vehicle to roll thereon and receiving anchors for coupling the vehicle body to the bench, a lifting unit for raising and lowering the bench relative to the base, and a locking unit for locking the bench in an elevated position relative to the base and thereby inhibiting undesired lowering of the vehicle. An unlocking member is provided which may be actuated by the foot of the worker. A hand held control is connected to a power unit for operating an extensible ram of the lifting unit to raise and lower the bench, thus permitting one worker to lower the bench when simultaneously actuating the control and the unlocking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin A. Soyk
  • Publication number: 20020170338
    Abstract: A vehicle frame straightening system includes a rigid vertical post secured to a rigid base and a circumferential post sleeve slidably mounted about an upper segment of the post. The system further includes an elongate pulling member including a frame engagement element at one end and a circumferential sleeve slidably mounted about a central segment of the pulling member, the sleeve having a frame-opposing end and a fame-distal end. An axle is transversely mounted upon the post sleeve to which is pivotally secured the pulling sleeve member. The system also includes first and second linear position actuation elements, the first of which is pivotally mounted to the first sleeve above the axle. Selectable actuation of the second linear position actuation element effects incremental linear pulling of the pulling member inclusive of the frame engagement elements of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Jose Ivan Vilches, Hector P. Vilches
  • Patent number: 6481257
    Abstract: An automobile repair clamp for clamping onto an anchor point on a damaged structural component of an automobile. The clamp can be coupled to a pulling device for pulling the anchor point to straighten the structural component, and includes a pair of clamping jaws movable together into a clamping position and apart to respectively grip and release the anchor point. Also included is a locking mechanism coupled to the clamping jaws for selectively locking the jaws in the clamping position. The clamping jaws each include a rotatable gripper for gripping the anchor point and permitting adjustment of the angle of the clamping jaws in a first plane relative to the structural component to allow the clamp to be aligned with the direction of pull by the pulling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Guy Chartier
  • Patent number: 6474124
    Abstract: A cold steel cambering apparatus and method of use, the apparatus comprising, a cambering assembly having a forward-most end and a rearward-most end and therebetween a plurality of adjustable beam guides, each having means to restrain lateral movement of at least one cold steel beam placed on the cambering assembly, with a plurality of guides also having second means to restrain upward movement of at least one cold steel beam placed on the cambering assembly; and at least one hydraulic lift cylinder positioned directly under at least one cold steel beam placed on the cambering assembly with means to impart a concave or upward camber to at least one cold steel beam placed on the cambering assembly over the forward hydraulic cylinder and restrained by the means to restrain lateral and upward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Banks Corporation
    Inventor: William B Leftwich