VARIABLE VEHICLE BODY FIXED FRAMER AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A vehicle body framer for use in assembling and establishing the primary geometry of a vehicular body at a geometry framing station positioned along an assembly line, the framer comprising:
- a base positioned at the framing station along an assembly line path;
a first pair of elongate pillars extending upward from the base, each pillar having a first end fixedly connected to the base and a distal second end;
a second pair of elongate pillars extending upward from the base and positioned distant from the first pillars along the assembly path, each second pillar having a first end selectively moveable relative to the base and first pair along the assembly path and a distal second end;
a bridge frame selectively and removably connected proximate the distal ends of the first and the second pairs of pillars, the pillars operable to locationally position the bridge frame in a predetermined location; and
a vehicle body locator connected to each of at least one of the first and the second pillars, each locator adapted to engage the vehicle body and locationally position the vehicle body relative to the respective pillar.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An vehicle body framing apparatus and method for use in assembling vehicle body structures of varying vehicle types in a framing station positioned along an assembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead bridge frame that is connected to two pairs of vertical pillars positioned at a build station. One pair of the pillars is moveable to accommodate different lengths of vehicle bodies. The spaced pillars and overhead bridge provide substantially unobstructed access openings to the body sides of the vehicle to increase efficiency and quality of build. The device and method may include a bridge frame storage and transport system for remotely storing the different bridge frames not in use and then transporting a selected bridge frame to the build station for use.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle body framer for use in assembling and establishing the primary geometry of a vehicular body at a geometry framing station positioned along an assembly line, the framer comprising:
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a base positioned at the framing station along an assembly line path; a first pair of elongate pillars extending upward from the base, each pillar having a first end fixedly connected to the base and a distal second end; a second pair of elongate pillars extending upward from the base and positioned distant from the first pillars along the assembly path, each second pillar having a first end selectively moveable relative to the base and first pair along the assembly path and a distal second end; a bridge frame selectively and removably connected proximate the distal ends of the first and the second pairs of pillars, the pillars operable to locationally position the bridge frame in a predetermined location; and a vehicle body locator connected to each of at least one of the first and the second pillars, each locator adapted to engage the vehicle body and locationally position the vehicle body relative to the respective pillar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for assembling vehicle body components along a vehicle body assembly line path, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first pair of upstanding pillars and a second pair of upstanding pillars in a body framing station, the second set of pillars positioned distant from the first pillars along an assembly line path, each respective pillar of each pair positioned on opposing sides of the assembly line; positioning and removably connecting a bridge frame to the first and the second pillars to locationally position the bridge relative to the pillars to accommodate the particular vehicle to be built; positioning at least a portion of a vehicle body at least partially between the first pillars and the second pillars in the body framing station; and selectively engaging at least one pillar from each of the first and the second pillars with the vehicle body to locationally position the vehicle body relative to the pillars and the bridge. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle body framer for use in assembling a vehicular body at a framing station positioned along an assembly line, the framer comprising:
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means for positioning a first pair of upstanding pillars and a second pair of upstanding pillars in a body framing station, the second set of pillars positioned distant from the first pillars along an assembly line path, each respective pillar of each pair positioned on opposing sides of the assembly line; means for positioning and removably connecting a bridge frame to the first and the second pillars to locationally position the pillars and the bridge relative to one another to accommodate the particular vehicle to be built; means for positioning at least a portion of a vehicle body at least partially between the first pillars and the second pillars in the body framing station; and means for selectively engaging at least one pillar from each of the first and the second pillars with the vehicle body to locationally position the vehicle body relative to the pillars and the bridge.
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Specification