Spindle extension for securing automotive chassis components to automotive body

• US 20070175011A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KUKA Systems Corp. North America (Midea Group Co., Ltd)
• Original Assignee: KUKA Systems Corp. North America (Midea Group Co., Ltd)
• Inventors: Ziesel, Detlev
• Application Number:
  US11/345,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20070175011A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/244
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/06 Screw or nut setting or loosening machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53796 Puller or pusher means, contained force multiplying operator

Abstract

Apparatus for securing an automotive chassis component to an automotive body. The apparatus comprises a vertically movable pallet, and a spindle extension mounted on the pallet generally perpendicularly thereto. The spindle extension includes a shaft, a bolt socket on an upper end of the shaft, and a driver socket on a lower end of the shaft. The spindle extension includes a spring operable between the shaft and the pallet which functions to normally bias the spindle extension to the generally perpendicular orientation relative to the pallet.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing an automotive chassis component to an automotive body comprising:

a vertically movable pallet,

a spindle extension mounted on said pallet generally perpendicularly thereto,

said spindle extension including a shaft, a bolt socket on an upper end of said shaft, and a driver socket on a lower end of said shaft,

said spindle extension including a spring operable between said shaft and said pallet which functions to normally bias said spindle extension to the generally perpendicular orientation relative to said pallet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring is a compression spring.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a housing mounted to said pallet, said spring positioned between said housing and said lower end of said shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including a bushing below said housing, said spring mounted on said bushing, said bushing including first and second retainers thereon, said first retainer positioned at an upper end of said spring, said second retainer positioned at a lower end of said spring.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spring is a tension spring.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a housing mounted to said pallet, said spring positioned between said housing and said upper end of said shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including a bushing above said housing, said spring having an upper end secured to said bushing and a lower end secured to said housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including a handle mounted to said shaft to enable an operator to lower said spindle extension relative to said pallet from a raised position, and a spring operable between said shaft and said pallet which functions to return said spindle extension to the raised position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said spring is a compression spring.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 including a housing mounted to said pallet and a bushing associated with said housing, said spring operable between said shaft and said bushing.