Chassis/body marriage lift machine
First Claim
1. Apparatus for lifting and supporting an automotive chassis module in position to be assembled with an automotive body along a moving assembly line, said apparatus comprising:
- a mobile vehicle;
at least one fixture arranged above said vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module; and
a guided lift mechanism for moving said fixture vertically between a lowered position and a raised position, said mechanism including a push chain coupled to said fixture, at least one sprocket drivingly engaging said chain to displace a vertical section of said chain vertically to move said fixture between said lowered and said raised positions, and at least one support member extending between said fixture and said vehicle operative to guide said fixture in the vertical direction while isolating said push chain from any loads transverse to said vertical direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine for supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module into position for assembly with a vehicle body being conveyed overhead along an assembly line includes a mobile vehicle having at least one fixture arranged above the vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module, and a guided lift mechanism for moving the fixture vertically between lowered and raised positions. The lift mechanism includes a push chain that is coupled to the fixture and a sprocket that engages the chain and is operative when driven to displace a section of the chain vertically to move the fixture. The lift mechanism further includes at least one support member extending between the fixture and the vehicle which operates to guide the fixture in the vertical direction while isolating the push chain from any loads transverse to the vertical direction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for lifting and supporting an automotive chassis module in position to be assembled with an automotive body along a moving assembly line, said apparatus comprising:
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a mobile vehicle; at least one fixture arranged above said vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module; and a guided lift mechanism for moving said fixture vertically between a lowered position and a raised position, said mechanism including a push chain coupled to said fixture, at least one sprocket drivingly engaging said chain to displace a vertical section of said chain vertically to move said fixture between said lowered and said raised positions, and at least one support member extending between said fixture and said vehicle operative to guide said fixture in the vertical direction while isolating said push chain from any loads transverse to said vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module for assembly with an automotive body, said method comprising the steps of:
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loading the chassis module onto a fixture supported at a lowered position and coupled to a push chain lift mechanism mounted on a mobile vehicle; operating the lift mechanism to extend a section of push chain and the fixture vertically upwardly to a raised position; and providing at least one vertical guide between the fixture and the vehicle to support the fixture during its vertical movement while isolating the push chain from any non-vertical loads. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification