The subject of the invention is a supporting structure for straightening and repairing vehicle body elements, which allows the fixirig of any body element in a simple manner in the required position after rerrioving it from a vehicle damaged by hailstones or other external effects, so that the dents being in the body elements could be repaired conveniently arid easily with the use of a repairing bar.

The body of vehicles parking in the open is often damaged significantly in a hailstorm by the ice particles. Many small dents occur in the body elements in such cases, which are very inconvenient for the owners as far as the aesthetics of the vehicles is concerned. The; hailstorms also affect the vehicles stored at outdoor locations of the companies selling vehicles. During big hailstorms the damage caused to vehicles is enormous. A solution has been developed, to straighten the dents caused by hailstorms, but this method does riot include the fastening of the body elements. The lack of such fastening is a great obstacle in the application of the method.

According to the -state of art,- the HU 212 168 patent description makes known a self- contained equipment to be used for shaping metal sheets by means of stretching, the main component of which is a double-action press, which lias a pressing tool making alternating movement in vertical direction, as well as an external pressing slide, where an upper frame is attached to the external pressing slide, while a lower frame is attached to the lower pressing slide, the said equipment contains a forming tool consisting. of a lower tool and an upper tool, which can be moved between the open state and the closed state, the upper tool is being attached to the upper frame in a replaceable manner, and the top source of the lower tool is matched to the counter surface of the upper tool, so that a sheet to be formed can be inserted between the upper surface and the counter surface, and the equipment contains a hydraulic unit having at least one piston rod that performs a alternating movement.

The HU 212 889 patent description makes known the straightening beam to be used with a stand for straightening vehicle body, where the said straightening beam has a vertical beam, which is attached to the base of the beam in a way, that it can be rotated in a lateral direction, arid is connected to the stand for straightening vehicle body with an openable joints, and has elements that can be attached to the vehicle body for guiding the pulling device and to adjust the position of the pulling device. The main feature of the straightening beam is that it has an extension beam attached to the vertical beam, Which can be rotated and fixed in various alignment angles, and that the vertical beam has a power source connected to the pulling device, which can produce a downward force along the vertical beam.

The drawback of the straightening structures described above arid used in practice is that they do not allow a simple and tight fastening of the damaged body elements. By developing the solution according to the invention we had the objective of producing a structure, which is suitable for fixing any body part of a vehicle damaged by hailstorm or by other external effect in a simple manner, which could provide proper support for the straightening repairing bar, and allowing a convenient and simple way to repair the dents of the body parts.

During the development of the solution according to the invention, we recognised that if a structure is created consisting of a central framework, with at least three assembled legs and a central rotating mechanism, which is suitable for supporting the repairing bar in a way that the movement and rotation of its component relative to one another is possible to allow entirely safe fixing of vehicle body elements having different sizes and different shapes, then the set aim can be achieved.

The invention is a supporting structure for straightening and repairing vehicle body elements, which consists of a central framework, assembled legs and central rotating mechanism. It is characterized by that, at least three assembled legs and a central rotating mechanism are attached to the central framework, which central framework is connected to the right-hand threaded nut of the central locking mechanism together with at least three horizontal main trusses located on the top of one another, and the lower retracting shaft, which is designed with the external spacer backbone, and is connected by means of the threaded lugof the lower retracting shaft to left-hand threaded nut of the central locking mechanism with the fixing lock, and with at least three horizontal main trusses and upper retracting shaft provided with external spacer backbone, by means of the threaded lug of the upper retracting shaft, also containing the assembled legs designed with horizontal supporting elements, with legs having fixing lugs on its external surface, where the said legs have supporting arms having spherical supports at its top part, fastened by means of cartridge fixture in a way that it can be pulled out, and furthermore, the central rotating mechanism consists of rod fastened in the T shaped arrangement which is provided with a screw, and a flat bar holder passed through the T shaped arrangement, where a rod, witch has a bar holder fork, is connected to one of the ends of the said flat bar holder through the bar holder sleeve, which is provided with a screw, and at the same time, the horizontal supporting element of the assembled legs are connected to the horizontal main trusses of the central framework, and furthermore, the rod of the central rotating mechanism is connected to the upper retracting shaft of the central framework with the help of the fixing lock of the central framework.

In a preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention horizontal supporting elements are fixed at a distance of Fl, F2, ... FN from the bottom of the legs, and at a distance Gl, G2, ... GN from the top of the legs.

In another preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention fix braked wheelsare attached to the end of legs.

In a further preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention a plug is installed at the bottom of the lower retracting shaft. In a further preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention there are ring nuts, flat bar extension and supporting heads placed on the legs.

In a further preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention there is a screw attached to the horizontal main trusses.

In a further preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention the material of the structure is metal, carbon steel, preferably stainless steel.

The solution according to the invention is furthermore set forth by the attached figures: Fig. 1 shows the perspective drawing of a possible embodiment of the structure according of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the perspective drawing of the central unit of the structure introduced in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the perspective drawing of one of the assembled legs of the structure introduced in Fig. Ϊ .

Fig. 4 shows the perspective drawing of another assembled leg of the structure introduced in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows the lateral view of the central rotating mechanism of the structure introduced in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 6 shows the section A- A according to Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows the perspective drawing of the central rotating mechanism of the structure introduced in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows the lengthwise cross section of the node part "B" of the central framework introduced in Fig. 2, together with the lower design of the central framework.

Fig. 9- shows the lengthwise cross section of the upper retracting shaft.

Fig. 10 shows the perspective drawing of the fixing lock mounted on the .upper retracting shaft.

Fig. 1 1 shows the perspective image of a possible embodiment of the structure according to the invention, where the four assembled legs are aligned with an angle of a = 90° relative to one another.

The perspective view of a possible embodiment of the structure according to the invention can be seen in Fig. 12, when the four assembled legs are aligned with different inclination angles relative to one another.

Fig 13. shows the structure according to the invention in folded condition.

Fig. 1 shows the perspective drawing of a possible embodiment of the structure 1 according of the invention. The figure shows the central framework 2 of the structure 1 , as well as the four assembled legs 3 and the central rotating mechanism 4. The lower retracting shaft 5 of the central framework 2 can be seen together with the plug 25 installed at its bottom. It can be well seen in the figure, that four main trusses 7 are mounted on the lower retracting shaft 5 on top of one another, and then the external spacer backbone 8, and finally the central lock mechanism 9 is installed. Various items are attached to the upper part of the central locking mechanism 9, including the upper retraction shaft 6, the external spacer backbone 8, and the four horizontal main trusses 37, which are provided with screws 1 1. The fixing lock 10 can be seen on the top part of the upper retracting shaft 6.

Figure 1 also shows the bracket of the flat bar holder 22, as it is passed through the T shaped arrangement 21 , which is provided with a screw 1 1 , as well as the bar holder sleeve 23 haying a screw 1 1 , and the rod 16 provided with the bar holder fork 24.

The four assembled legs 3 of the structure 1 can be seen in Fig, 1, together with the legs 12 having the horizontal supportint element 13, as well as the fix braked wheels 14, and the fixing lugs 19 attached to the external side of the legs 12. The figure also shows the screw 1 1 on the upper part of the legs 12, together with the supporting arms 15 with cartridge fixture 17, as well as the spherical support 18 in this case on the supporting arms 15. It can be seen well in the figure, that various components are attached to the internal sides of the legs 12, which include the flat bar extension 39, the ring nut 38 and the supporting head 40 in this case.

In Fig. 1 the angle between the horizontal main trusses 7, 37 of the structure 1 is indicated with the inclination angle a. Also, the width L of the structure 1 is shown, which width L may vary according to the angle a. between the assembled legs 3, and depending on how much of the legs are extended, arid on the position of the supporting arms 15 mounted on the assembled legs 3.

The shown items also include the height M of the structure 1 , which dimension depends on how much the support arms 15 of the assembled legs 3 are pulled out of the upper retracting shaft 6, and on how they are positioned.

Fig. 2 shows the perspective drawing of the central unit 2 of the structure 1 introduced in Fig. 1,. The figure shows the lower retracting shaft 5 of the central framework 2 together with the plug 25 installed at its bottom. As can be seen in the figure, the four horizontal main trusses 7 are located on the lower retracting shaft 5 on top of one another, together with the external spacer backbone 8, and finally the central locking mechanism 9. In the upper part of the central locking mechanism 9 there are installed the upper retracting shaft 6, the external spacer backbone 8, then the four horizontal main trusses 37 which are provided with screw 1 1. A fixing lock 10 is located at the top part of the upper retracting shaft 6.

Fig..3 shows the perspective drawing of one of the assembled legs 3 of the structure 1 introduced in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows the perspective drawing of another assembled leg 3 of the structure 1 introduced in Fig. 1 ;

In the figure it is possible to see the leg 12 of the assembled leg 3 with the horizontal supporting elements 13, as well as the fix braked wheel 14 located at the bottom of the leg 12, together with the fixing lugs 19 attached to the side of leg 12. The figure also shows the screw 11 on the upper part of the leg 12, as well as the supporting arm 15 together with a cartridge fixture 17, and spherical support 18 in this case on the supporting arm 15.

Fig. 4 shows the flat bar extension 39 attached to the leg 12, while Fig. 3 shows the ring nuts 38 and the supporting heads 40 fixed to the leg 12.

The distances 1 1 , F2 are shown in the figure, which mean the distance of lower horizontal supporting elements 13 measured from the bottom of leg 12, and the distances Gl, G2 are also shown, which mean the distance of the upper horizontal supporting elements 13 measured from the top of the leg 12. The distances Fl , F2, Gl and G2, as well as the distances F3, F4, G3 and G4 in ease of further two legs 12 of the structure 1 , are determined in a way that the horizontal supporting element 13 of the legs 12 could be just exactly slid into the horizontal main trusses 7, 37 of the central framework 2 of the structure 1 .

Fig. 5 shows the lateral view of the central, rotating mechanism, of the structure 1 introduced in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows the section A-A according to Fig, 5. Fig. 7 shows the perspective drawing of the central rotating mechanism of the structure 1 introduced in Fig. 5.

It can be seen on the figures, that the central rotating mechanism 4 having a T shaped arrangement 21, through which a flat bar holder 22 is passed, which flat bar holder 22 is fixed at the plane of the its flat surface by means of the screw 1 1. Its rod 20 can also be seen as fixed in the T shaped arrangement.

It can also be seen in the figure, that the one of then ends of the flat bar holder 22 is connected in the bar holder sleeve 23 which is provided with a screw 1 1, which bar holder sleeve 23 is a T shaped arrangement, and to its other end the rod 16 is connected, which is provided with a bar holder fork 24, and the height of the rod 16 can be adjusted with the help of the screw I T

Fig. 8 shows the lengthwise cross section of the node part "B" of the central framework 2 introduced in Fig: 2, together, with the lower design of the central framework 2. The figure also shows the lower retracting shaft 5 having a plug 25, as well as the horizontal main truss 7 and the external spacer backbone 8. As can be well seen in the figure, the threaded liig 26 of the lower retracting shaft 5 is connected to the right-hand threaded nut 28 part of the central locking mechanism 9 through a bearing 34. Furthermore, the figure shows the upper retracting shaft.6 with the external spacer backbone 8, arid it can be seen, that the threaded lug 26 of the upper, retracting shaft 6 is connected, to the left- hand threaded nut 27 of the central locking mechanism 9 through a bearing 34. The figure also shows, the handle 30, fork 29 of the central locking mechanism 9, the spring 31 located around the fastener 32, as well as the dowel pin 35 having two flat surfaces 33.

Fig. 9- shows the lengthwise cross section of the upper retracting shaft 6.

The figure shows the upper retracting shaft 6 with the threaded lug 2 installed at its lower part, as. well as the fork .29 attached at its upper part. Fig. 10 shows the perspective drawing of the fixing lock 10 mounted on the upper retracting shaft 6.

The fixing lock 10 with the handle 30 and the fork 29 can be seen in the figure. It can be well seen, that the fixing lock 10 is attached to the upper retracting shaft 6 with the help of its fork 29.

Fig. 11 shows the perspective image of a possible embodiment of the structure 1 according to the invention, where the four assembled legs 3 are aligned with an angle of a = 90° relative to one another. It can be seen in the figure, that the assembled legs 3 of the structure 1 are aligned with equal angles relative to one another, i.e. with a = 90°. Furthermore, it can be well seen, that in this case the horizontal supporting elements 13 are pulled out to different distances from the horizontal main trusses 37, and they are fixed at these distances, while the supporting arms 15 are also pulled out of the legs 12, and they are fixed in different directions making sure that they are accurately adjusted to the supporting points of the workpiece to be fixed to the structure 1.

The perspective view of a possible embodiment of the structure 1 according to the invention can be seen in Fig. 12, when the four assembled legs 3 are aligned with different inclination angles relative to one another. The assembled legs 3 of the structure 1 can be seen in the figure, which assembled legs 3 are aligned with different inclination angles a relative to one another, meaning that three assembled legs 3 are. located relatively close to one another, because the inclination angles among them is relatively small, while the fourth assembled leg 3 has a larger inclination angle a relative to the assembled legs 3 next to it.

It can be also well seen, that in this case the ^' horizontal supporting elements 13 are pulled out to different distances from the horizontal main trusses 37, and they are fixed at these distances, while the supporting arms 15 are also pulled out of the legs 12, and they are fixed in different directions making sure that they are accurately adjusted to the supporting points of the workpiece to be fixed to the structure 1.

Fig 13 ->shows the structure 1 according to the invention in folded condition. The structure 1 with four assembled legs 3 can be seen in the figure. It can be seen well in the figure that the four assembled legs 3 are positioned directly next to one another in this case. In the completely folded condition of the structure 1, the horizontal supporting elements 13 are fixed after pushing them entirely into the horizontal main trusses 37, and the supporting arms 15 are also fixed after completely pushing them into the legs 12, so that the supporting arms 15 are turned in the direction of the fixing lock 10 of the central framework 2. Additionally, the central rotating mechanism 4 is fixed in a way, that its flat bar holder 22 is pushed in completely, and it is folded over the assembled legs 3.

As can be well see in the figure, all the legs of the structure 1 can be folded. This folded condition allows a simple transport of the structure 1 with small stowing space.

At the same time, it can be folded out quickly and in a simple manner after delivering to the site, and it provides a suitable large working surface, where the spherical supports 18, or other supporting elements as may be required, could be adjusted accurately to the technological holes located at the bottom of the vehicle body elements when the structure 1 is being used.

In case of a possible actual embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the structure 1 according to the invention is assembled in a way, that its major components are assembled initially, which are the central framework 2, the assembled legs 3 and the central rotating mechanism 4.

The assembling of the central framework 2 takes place according to the following steps: The four horizontal main trusses 7 are placed on the top of one another on the lower retracting shaft 5, which is provided with a plug 25 at its bottom, then the external spacer backbone 8 is placed on the lower retracting shaft 5. Then the central locking mechanism 9 is screwed on the threaded lug 26 located on the top part of the lower retracting shaft 5 with the ^' help of its right-hand threaded nut 28 through a bearing 34. In the next step, the fixing lock 10 is attached to the upper retracting shaft 6 with the help of the fork 29, then the horizontal main trusses 37 having screws 1 1 are placed one by one on the upper retracting shaft 6, and then the external spacer backbone 8 is mounted on it. Then the upper retracting shaft is screwed with the help of its threaded lug 26 into the left-hand threaded nut 27 of the central locking mechanism 9 through a bearing 34.

The setting up of the assembled legs 3 can take place in the steps described below:

For setting up the four assembled legs 3 the fix braked wheels 14 are attached to the bottom of legs 12, then the horizontal supporting elements 13 are fixed at a distance Fl from the bottom of legs 12 and at a distance Gl from the top of legs 12 with a known method, for instance by means of welding, and the fixing lugs 19 are attached to the external surface of legs 12. The supporting arms 15, in the give case with spherical supports 18, are attached at the top of the, legs 12 with the help of cartridge fixtures 17, so that one end of each supporting arm 15 is inserted through the cartridge fixtures 17 into the legs 12, and this way the supporting arms 15 can be positioned at various heights with the help of the cartridge fixtures 17 depending on how much the ends of the supporting arms 15 in the legs 12 are pulled out. The ring nuts 38, the flat bar extensions 39 and the supporting heads are mounted on the internal surface of legs 12.

The assembling of the central rotating mechanism 4 can take place according to the steps described below:

First, the rod 20 is fixed to the vertical outlet of the T shaped arrangement 21 having a screw 1 1 with a known method, and the flat bar holder 22 is passed through its horizontal pathway. The bar holder sleeve 23, having a screw 1 1, is attached to one of the ends of the flat bar holder 22, which has a T shaped configuration. The rod 16, which is provided with the bar holder fork 24, is passed through the vertical pathway of the bar holder sleeve 23, which rod 16 can be moved as required up and down in the bar holder sleeve 23, and it can be fixed by means of the screw 1 1 at the desired height.

Finally, the structure 1 is assembled in a way, that the horizontal supporting elements 13 of the assembled legs 3 are installed in the horizontal main trusses 7, 37 of the central framework 2, and the upper horizontal supporting elements 13 of the assembled legs 3 are positioned and fixed by means of the screws 1 1 of the horizontal main trusses 37. Then the central rotating mechanism 4 is fixed through the fixing lock 10 of the central framework 2, so that the rod 20 of the central rotating mechanism 4 is installed through the fixing lock 10 into the upper retracting shaft 6, and it is positioned with the help Of the fixing lock 10.

In case of a possible actual application of the solution according to the invention, the structure 1 according to the invention is opened so that its configuration is matched to the shape of the body element to be repaired.

Accordingly, first the assembled legs 3 are aligned relative to each other with an inclination angle a after releasing the central locking mechanism 9 of the central framework 2, for the purpose of which the handle 30 is turned with an upward movement through 90° degrees to horizontal position, and then the fastener 32 is fixed with the other flat surface 33 of the dowel pin 35, as a result of which the handle 30 is fixed in horizontal direction. Then the handle 30 is rotated in the horizontal plane in order to slightly open the central locking mechanism 9, meaning that the threaded lugs 26 in the left-hand threaded nut 27 and in the right-hand threaded nut 28 are shifted apart slightly, they get unscrewed, and therefore, they push the lower retraction shaft 5 and the upper retraction shaft 6 slightly apart. In this position, it is possible to rotate the horizontal main trusses 7, 37 relative to each other. After rotating to the desired position, they can be fixed by rotating back the handle 30 of the central locking mechanism 9 in horizontal direction. Then the handle 30 is brought to its basic position.

In the next step, the assembled legs 3 are pulled out to the desired dimension from the horizontal main trusses 7, 37 of the central framework 2 with the help of their horizontal supporting elements 13, then they are fixed by means of the screw 1 1 located on the horizontal main trusses 37 of the central framework 2.

Then the supporting arms 15 of the assembled legs 3 are pulled out to the required extent, and are rotated Until they are located beneath the supporting points of the body elements, and are fixed by means of the cartridge fixture 17.

Finally, the position of the central rotating mechanism 4 is adjusted by pulling out the rod 20 to the required height, and by rotating and positioning it with the help of fixing lock 10, then the flat bar holder 22 is shifted by an appropriate extent in the T shaped arrangement 21, and it is fixed with the screw 1 1, and the rod 16 is adjusted at the appropriate height, and then it is fixed by means of the screw 1 1 of the bar holder sleeve 23.

After the vehicle body element placed on the structure 1 has been supported sufficiently, it is fixed properly, so that a couple of ring nuts 38 mounted on the legs 12 are inserted into the fixing points of the vehicle body element, and straps are attached to these, for instance with the help of hooks, while the other end of the straps is fastened to the fixing lugs 19 of the legs 12. 5

9

In the case of the solution according to the invention in the open position of the assembled legs 3 the distance between the opposite spherical supports 1 8 can be in the range 530 - 1300 mm, if the legs 12 of the bench are aligned to an angle of 90° relative to each other. By varying the angle between the legs, the 530 mm distance can be reduced further to make sure that any asymmetric fixing points and small workpiece could be secured safely:

In the case of the solution according to the invention M = 990 - 1600 mm of the assembled leg 3. Within this height range it is possible for the operator to perform the technological operations on the structure according; to the invention while seated.

In the case of the solution according to the invention Gl= 125 mm. Fl= 102 mm G2= 155 mm F2= 132 mm of the assembled leg 3.

In case of the structure 1 , it is possible to ^' use other supporting elements on the supporting arm 15 as needed instead of the spherical support 18, such as the supporting head 40 mounted on the leg 12.

The material of the structure 1 according to the invention is metal, carbon steel, preferably stainless steel.

According to the invention at least three assembled legs 3 should be used for ensuring a safe application of the structure 1 , but five or more assembled legs 3 could also be used if required for fixing special vehicle body elements or other objects, however, the preferred quantity of assembled legs 3 is four.

With the application of the supporting arms 15 of the structure ,1 according to the invention, and the spherical supports 18 placed on the supporting arms Γ5, and with the simultaneous use of the fixing lugs 19, it can be made sure that the workpiece is fixed in a stable manner without causing damage to it.

The structure 1 according to the invention can be used in a compatible manner with straightening bars which are already applied in practice. With the help of the bar holder fork 24 of the central rotating mechanism the straightening bar can be supported in a stable manner, while its possible axial movement by 360° degrees and in X-Y direction, a large working surface can be utilized.

The shape and form of the structure 1 according to the invention can be changed as required. It allows a versatile utilization. It can also be used as a repair bench for various professional trades in addition to the repairing operations (straightening, preliminary production), and to the final assembling (installing glasses, locks and electrical equipment in the doors), and it can alsp be used for supporting and securing the vehicle body elements before application of paint coatings. It is also suitable for visual demonstration of exhibiting products, small and large vehicle body elements, painted and upholstered vehicle doors. In its open condition the structure 1 allows an access to the workpiece which fixed to the supporting structure 1 at the lower and upper parts in 360° degrees alike during the repairing, straightening and handling operations. Because of the compact size of the supporting structure 1 in folded condition, it is easy to store and transport (e.g. when it has to be transported by air). Also, operators may perform the technological operation while standing or seating as a result of the adjustability of the height of the structure 1.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is the vehicle body elements can be secured safely, it ensures the stable support of the straightening bar in a way, that a large working are is allowed by to axial movement through 360° degrees and in vertical direction, and the structure can be matched to ,the from of the vehicle body elements.

Its additional benefit is that the special central lock fixes the supporting legs against the movement in axial direction. In this way, the vehicle body elements can be securely positioned on the supporting heads (spherical supports), and legs mounted on braked wheel allows the use of the structure also as a transporting means during the work in the workshop.

Yet another advantage is the versatility, because it can also be used as a repair bench for various professional trades in addition to the repairing operations (straightening, preliminary production), and for the final assembling (installing glasses, locks and electrical equipment in the doors), and the structure can be easily transported in open or folded condition.

Its further advantage is that the form and shape of the structure can be changed as required to match the form of the vehicle body element, so that it would not hinder the operations used for the technological process.

List of references

1 - structure

2 - central framework

3 - assembled leg

4 - central rotating mechanism

5 - lower retracting shaft

6 - upper retracting shaft

7 - horizontal main truss

8 - external spacer backbone

9 - central locking mechanism

10 - fixing lock

1 1 - screw

12 - leg ·

13 - horizontal supporting element

14— fix braked wheel

15 - supporting arm

16 - rod

17 - cartridge fixture

18 - spherical support

19 - fixing lugs

20 - rod

21 - T shaped arrangement

22 - flat bar holder

23 - bar holder sleeve .

24 - bar holder fork

25 - plug

26 - threaded lug

27 - left-hand threaded nut

28 - right-hand threaded nut

29 - fork

30 - handle

31 - spring

32 - fastener

33 - flat surface

34 - bearing

35 - dowel pin

_. 37 - horizontal main truss

38 - ring nut

39 -flat bar extension

40— supporting head

Fl, F2... FN - distance

G1 , G2...GN - distance

L - width

M - height

a - inclination angle