TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to automotive repair equipment, and in particular to an improved apparatus for use in repair of vehicle bodies and more particularly vertical realignment repairs of vehicle frames and other major structural components of a vehicle

BACKGROUND ART

For the proper repair of damaged vehicles, especially those with misaligned frames, the correct measurements of the damaged portion of the vehicle must be accurately determined relative to the undamaged portion of the vehicle Typically repairs are effected by bending major structural portions of the vehicle, e g , the aprons, radiator support, inner structure or undercarriage, into proper alignment with the undamaged portion of the vehicle Generally the structure of the vehicle must be aligned properly both horizontally and vertically Alternately, where the structural misalignment is relatively minimal, the structure itself may not need be realigned If sufficient adjustments in position can be made in attaching component parts, e g , the hood, fenders, bumpers or quarter panels, onto the misaligned major structural components, the component parts can be secured in place in correct reference to the undamaged portions of the vehicle

Myriad mechanisms exist to assist in alignment of the vehicle, but most of them provide beneficial assistance only with horizontal alignment Frequently the body shop is left with no accurate method of vertically aligning the vehicle and must resort to visual estimation Therefore, it is not unusual for the major structural elements of the vehicle body to be properly aligned horizontally, but left misaligned vertically This creates problems with the proper fitting of component parts and is aesthetically unacceptable Body alignment machines in the prior art require anchoring the vehicle in place with respect to the alignment machine Others suffer from being overly complicated to use, or from being prohibitively expensive The less expensive devices are best suited to horizontal alignment repairs, leaving vertical repairs unaddressed

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved tool for use in vehicle body repairs to properly determine the vertical alignment of the frame or other structural components. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tool for use in vehicle body repair to properly determine the horizontal alignment of the frame or other structural components. A further objective is to provide a tool for use in vehicle body repairs that is inexpensive to manufacture, portable and easy to use.

A typical vehicle collision creates damage to only one area of the vehicle, frequently a single corner or a single side, leaving the remaining portions of the vehicle unaltered, Three set point extension members in contact with undamaged (hence, properly aligned) areas of the vehicle can be used to fix a rigid framework in reference to the undamaged portions of the vehicle. Using the rigid framework, this invention takes useful advantage of the general transverse symmetry of most vehicles to create a reference field with respect to which the damaged portion of the vehicle may be repaired by either alignment of major structural portions of the vehicle, e.g., the undercarriage, or by proper positioning of component parts, such as a fender or quarter panel. This invention is especially useful for vertical alignment of the frame, but can as easily be used for horizontal structural repairs and alignments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body repair apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of a vehicle body repair apparatus in accordance with the invention in typical disposition with respect to a vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle body repair apparatus in accordance with the invention having additional horizontal bars and extension members attached to the rigid framework to facilitate disposition of side repair reference point extension members.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of an sleeve assembly for adjustably securing horizontal bars and extension members to each other. Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the sleeve assembly shown in Fig. 2A with an

extension member disposed within one sleeve of the assembly

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle body repair apparatus in accordance with the invention configured by connection of two of the basic apparatus configurations shown in Fig 1 with side bars for facilitating disposition of one or more side repair reference point extension members

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the configuration shown in Fig 3 in typical disposition with respect to a vehicle

Fig. 3B is a simplified side view of the configuration of the invention shown in Fig 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A vehicle body repair apparatus according to the invention includes a rigid framework The framework must be rigid to extend the field of reference of the undamaged areas of the vehicle In its most common configuration, the framework is planar and rectangular Two horizontal bars are adjustably attached to the rigid framework, allowing the horizontal bars to be moved independently along the rigid framework longitudinally and transversely with respect to the framework Extension members are adjustably attached to each end of the horizontal bars allowing the extension members to be adjusted vertically and longitudinally with respect to the horizontal bars The extension members are thus adjustable vertically, longitudinally and transversely with respect to the rigid framework and, hence, the vehicle

Typically the extension members are attached to predetermined set points on the vehicle such as to the upper apron, the wheel house reinforcement, or fender, rear hinge or hood hinge bolts Three set point extension members in contact with the set points on the vehicle, that is, three undamaged, and hence accurately aligned areas of the vehicle, are used to establish a position of the rigid framework to provide a platform for calculating the proper position of a repair reference point extension member adjacent the damaged area The repair reference point extension member is also adjustably attached to one of the horizontal bars allowing it to be adjusted transversely, longitudinally and vertically The repair reference point extension member may be positioned transversely opposed to one of the set point extension members and juxtaposed to the damaged area

of the vehicle. Measuring indicia on the horizontal bars and on the extension members are used to determine a point transversely opposed and longitudinally and vertically equivalent to the position of one of the set point extension members in contact with a set point on an undamaged portion of the vehicle. If the set point extension member opposing the repair reference point extension member has a transversely symmetrical equivalent in an undamaged vehicle, as in for example, the upper apron, the repair reference point extension member can be positioned easily

The rigid framework is typically rectangular and the horizontal bars and extension members are interconnected so that, while they are adjustable in multiple dimensions, the bars and extension members retain their right angle attitude with respect to each other The rigidity of the framework, bars and extension members enables the user to quickly and easily determine the position of the repair reference point extension member which will be longitudinally and vertically equivalent to that of the opposing set point extension member In normal use, the other two set point extension members will be in contact with the vehicle at symmetrically equivalent and transversely opposed set points. This allows rapid determination of the longitudinal midpoint of the vehicle and the transverse coordinate of the repair reference point extension member with reference to the opposing set point extension member. The damaged area of the vehicle's structure can then be bent to bring it into contact with the repair reference point extension member Alternatively, if the misalignment is sufficiently small, a component part can be attached to the vehicle's structural member using the repair reference point extension member as a reference point with respect to which to properly and accurately position the part.

There have thus been described certain preferred embodiments of a vehicle body repair apparatus While preferred embodiments have been described and disclosed, it will be recognized by those with skill in the art that modifications are within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention discloses an apparatus for use in alignment of vehicle bodies. It also may have application in aviation and shipping, and in any application where accurate vertical and horizontal alignment are required.