VEHICULAR BODY ASSEMBLY LOCKING APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A remote locking apparatus for use in securing an automotive vehicle body to a vehicle body support, the vehicle support including at least two pillars and is positionable at a process station along a progressive assembly line, the locking apparatus comprising:
- a locking arm connected to a vehicle support surface, the locking arm adapted to be accessible and engagable by an actuator positioned at the build station;
an elongate axle having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the locking arm;
an elbow connected to the axle second end;
an elongate rod having a first and a second end, the rod connected to the elbow at the first end; and
a body clamp connected to the second end of the rod wherein on movement of the locking arm, the body clamp is articulated through a path of travel to engage a portion of the vehicle body to secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle body positioning and locking devices for use in assembling a vehicle body positioned on a movable vehicle support positioned at a vehicle build station. The locking device includes a remote vehicle locking device for selectively securing and locking a vehicle body to a support pallet. The support pallet is accurately and precisely positioned at a build station through alignment and inserting engagement of locating pads in at least one four-way and at least one two way receiver mounted to a build station foundation.
43 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A remote locking apparatus for use in securing an automotive vehicle body to a vehicle body support, the vehicle support including at least two pillars and is positionable at a process station along a progressive assembly line, the locking apparatus comprising:
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a locking arm connected to a vehicle support surface, the locking arm adapted to be accessible and engagable by an actuator positioned at the build station; an elongate axle having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the locking arm; an elbow connected to the axle second end; an elongate rod having a first and a second end, the rod connected to the elbow at the first end; and a body clamp connected to the second end of the rod wherein on movement of the locking arm, the body clamp is articulated through a path of travel to engage a portion of the vehicle body to secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A remote locking apparatus for use in securing an automotive vehicle body to a vehicle body support, the vehicle support including at least two pillars and is positionable at a process station along a progressive assembly line, the locking apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle support pallet having at cross member having an end; at least one pillar extending substantially vertically upward from the pallet, the pillar having a locating pin connected to the pillar; a locking arm rotatably connected to the pallet, the locking arm rotatable about an axis of rotation; an elongate axle rotatably connected to the pallet and positioned along the axis of rotation, the axle having a first end connected to the locking arm and an opposing second end; an elbow positioned within the pillar cavity and connected to the axle second end; an elongate rod positioned within the pillar cavity and having a first and a second end, the rod connected to the elbow at the first end; a body clamp at least partially positioned within the pillar locating pin, the body clamp connected to the second end of the rod; and a remote actuator positioned at a build station, the actuator engagable with the actuating arm to forcibly rotate the actuating arm to articulate the body clamp through a path of travel to engage and secure the vehicle body to the pallet. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for remotely locking a vehicle body to a movable vehicle body support located at a vehicle process station, the method comprising the steps of:
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aligning a powered actuator positioned remotely at the build station with a locking arm connected to the vehicle body support; engaging the remote actuator with the locking arm; moving the locking arm connected to a body clamp positioned adjacent the vehicle body; articulating the body clamp through a path of travel; and engaging the body clamp with a portion of the vehicle body to lockingly secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for remotely locking a vehicle body to a movable vehicle body support, the apparatus comprising:
aligning a powered actuator positioned remotely at the build station with a locking arm connected to the vehicle body support; means for engaging the remote actuator with the locking arm; means for moving the locking arm connected to a body clamp positioned adjacent the vehicle body; means for articulating the body clamp through a path of travel; and means for engaging the body clamp with a portion of the vehicle body to lockingly secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support.
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20. An apparatus for accurately positioning a vehicle support at a vehicle build station, the apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle foundation having at least one four-way receiver and at least one two way receiver, the four-way receiver having at vertical support and at least two rollers; and a vehicle support pallet having at least two pillars adapted for abutting engagement with a vehicle body, the vehicle support having a locator pad for insertion and engaging receipt with each of the at least one four-way receive and two-way receiver, wherein on the pallet positioned in the build station, the pallet is oriented to place the locator pads in engagement with the four-way and two-way receivers to accurately and precisely position the pallet in the X, Y and Z dimensional directions.
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Specification