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Apparatus for installing instrument panel assemblies in automotive vehicle bodies

  • US 5,456,002 A
  • Filed: 02/08/1994
  • Issued: 10/10/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for securing a previously installed instrument panel assembly in an automotive vehicle body to the frame thereof while said body moves along a predetermined path, comprising track means extending generally parallel to said path, a bridge extending transversely of said path and mounted for movement along said track means, a swing frame assembly comprising a carriage mounted on said bridge for movement toward and away from a position adjacent said path, an elongated arm having inner and outer ends, means pivoting the inner end of said arm to said carriage for swinging movement of said arm, said arm having an instrument panel assembly mounting unit adjacent the outer end thereof, said mounting unit having a base, fastening means on said base operable to secure said instrument panel assembly in said body to the frame thereof, means for moving said bridge along said track means with said body, said outer end of said arm and said mounting unit carried thereby being adapted to be introduced within said body when said carriage is moved to said position adjacent said path and while said bridge is moving along said track means with said body to position said mounting unit for operation of said fastening means to secure said instrument panel assembly to said body, means for operating said fastening means, said fastening means comprising a driver on said base for inserting a fastener through the instrument panel assembly and into the vehicle body frame, means for locating said outer end of the arm within said body in operative position for operation of said driver, said locating means comprising a a pair of laterally spaced locators mounted on said base and engageable with said instrument panel assembly, yieldable means urging said locators to an extended position and permitting said locators to yield after initial contact with said instrument panel assembly, said driver being operative after such initial contact of said locators to drive a fastener through said instrument panel assembly and into said frame and said locator continuing to yield until said fastener is fully seated, said locating means comprising a plate, said locators being mounted on said plate, guide means supporting said plate on the base of said mounting unit for sliding movement, said yieldable means comprising a spring extending between said plate and the base of said mounting unit, a balancing cylinder for maintaining an established position of said arm until subjected to an external force thereby enabling an operator to manually move said arm to said operative position prior to operation of said driver, a control panel on said swing frame assembly, a driver control on said control panel for operating said driver when said arm is in said operative position, and a balancing cylinder control on said control panel operative to cause said balancing cylinder to retain said arm in the operative position established by the operator during operation of said driver so that said arm will not move away from said operative position while the fastener is being driven in.

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