VEHICLE FRAMING SYSTEM FOR PLURALITY OF VEHICLE BODY STYLES
First Claim
1. A method of body framing on a vehicle assembly line in which loosely pre-assembled vehicle bodies are moved incrementally along a single assembly line from station to station, successive loosely pre-assembled vehicle bodies arrive at a framing station along the assembly line at predetermined build cycle time intervals, and each loosely pre-assembled vehicle body arriving at the framing station is welded to form a rigid vehicle body, the method for body framing comprising the steps of:
- positioning a plurality of more than three pairs of opposed side framing gates at opposite sides of the framing station for use in welding a respective plurality of more than three vehicle body styles allowing random production of the plurality of more than three vehicle body styles on the single assembly line; and
randomly exchanging with a transfer apparatus assembly any of the plurality of pairs of side framing gates positioned at the framing station with any other of the plurality of pairs of side framing gates within the predetermined build cycle time interval to allow the random production interchange of the more than three vehicle body styles on the single assembly line while maintaining the predetermined build cycle time interval.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for randomly interchanging up to four pairs of side framing gates at a framing station of a vehicle for randomly interchanging up to four pairs of side framing gates at a framing station of a vehicle assembly line while maintaining a predetermined build cycle time interval of the assembly line. The method includes positioning first and second carousels on opposite sides of the assembly line upstream of the framing station and third and fourth carousels on opposite sides of the production line downstream of the framing station. The method further includes providing a first linear track structure extending from the first carousel to a first side of the framing station, a second linear track structure extending from the second carousel to a second, opposite side of the framing station, a third linear track structure extending from the third carousel to the first side of the framing station, a third linear track structure extending from the third carousel to the first side of the framing station, and a fourth linear track structure extending from the fourth carousel to the second side of the framing station. The carousel are provided with at least two sides, possibly three sides, four sides or more, each side capable of receiving a framing gate. The method includes randomly interchanging framing gates positioned at the framing station by a combination of rotary movements of the carousels and linear movements of framing gates along the linear track structures.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of body framing on a vehicle assembly line in which loosely pre-assembled vehicle bodies are moved incrementally along a single assembly line from station to station, successive loosely pre-assembled vehicle bodies arrive at a framing station along the assembly line at predetermined build cycle time intervals, and each loosely pre-assembled vehicle body arriving at the framing station is welded to form a rigid vehicle body, the method for body framing comprising the steps of:
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positioning a plurality of more than three pairs of opposed side framing gates at opposite sides of the framing station for use in welding a respective plurality of more than three vehicle body styles allowing random production of the plurality of more than three vehicle body styles on the single assembly line; and randomly exchanging with a transfer apparatus assembly any of the plurality of pairs of side framing gates positioned at the framing station with any other of the plurality of pairs of side framing gates within the predetermined build cycle time interval to allow the random production interchange of the more than three vehicle body styles on the single assembly line while maintaining the predetermined build cycle time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for use in delivering framing gates to a framing station on a vehicle body assembly line, the carousel comprising the steps of:
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providing a base structure positioned proximate the assembly line and including a support surface and a central pivot shaft upstanding from the support surface; providing a carousel body supported on the support surface, mounted on the pivot shaft for rotary movement about the axis of the shaft, and defining a plurality of sides, each side adapted to receive a framing gate; generating an air cushion between the support surface and an underface of the carousel body to lift the carousel body off of the support surface; and applying a turning force to the carousel body to rotate the body about the central axis to bring successive sides of the body into a position proximate the assembly line. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for use in delivering framing gates to a framing station on a vehicle body assembly line, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a linear track structure having one end positioned proximate the framing station and a free end; providing a carousel positioned proximate the assembly line, defining a plurality of sides each adapted to receive a framing gate, and mounted for rotation about a central axis to bring successive sides of the carousel into a position proximate the free end of the track structure and in linear alignment with the track structure; and moving a framing gate positioned on a side of the carousel in alignment with the track structure from the carousel side, onto the track structure, and along the track structure to the framing station with a transfer device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for use in delivering framing gates to a framing station on a vehicle body assembly line, the transfer apparatus comprising the steps of:
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positioning a linear track structure having one end proximate the framing station and a free end; moving a carousel positioned proximate the assembly line, defining a plurality of sides each adapted to receive a framing gate, to bring the carousel into a position proximate the free end of the track structure and in linear alignment with the track structure; and operating a transfer device operative to move a framing gate positioned on a side of the carousel in alignment with the track structure from the carousel side, onto the track structure, and along the track structure to the framing station. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification