Method for positioning a pair of hinges on a vehicle body
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for positioning a pair of hinges on a vehicle body adjacent to a vehicle door opening, said method including:
- (a) placing the hinges on locator pins that extend from a hinge positioner fixture;
(b) locking the door sections of the hinges to the locator pins;
(c) advancing the fixture against the vehicle body so that multiple pegs on the fixture extend into locator holes on the body;
(d) clamping the fixture to the vehicle body;
(e) fastening the body sections of the hinges to the vehicle body;
(f) releasing the door sections of the hinges from the locator pins;
(g) unclamping the fixture from the vehicle body; and
(h) separating the fixture from the vehicle body;
wherein steps (a) through (h) are performed while the vehicle body is being moved along a predetermined path by a conveyor;
and steps (a), (c), (e) and (h) are performed by a human technician located on a platform that is moving at the same speed as the aforementioned conveyor;
and step (d) is controlled automatically by proximity switches that respond to insertional movements of the pegs into the locator holes on the vehicle body;
and steps (f) and (g) are accomplished sequentially by an automatic timer.
20 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for positioning a pair of door hinges on a vehicle body can include the sequential steps of placing the hinges on locator pins carried by a portable fixture, advancing the fixture against the vehicle body so that multiple pegs on the fixture enter into preformed locator holes on the vehicle body, and clamping the fixture in position by automatic mechanisms responsive to entry of the pegs into the locator holes.
39 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for positioning a pair of hinges on a vehicle body adjacent to a vehicle door opening, said method including:
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(a) placing the hinges on locator pins that extend from a hinge positioner fixture; (b) locking the door sections of the hinges to the locator pins; (c) advancing the fixture against the vehicle body so that multiple pegs on the fixture extend into locator holes on the body; (d) clamping the fixture to the vehicle body; (e) fastening the body sections of the hinges to the vehicle body; (f) releasing the door sections of the hinges from the locator pins; (g) unclamping the fixture from the vehicle body; and (h) separating the fixture from the vehicle body; wherein steps (a) through (h) are performed while the vehicle body is being moved along a predetermined path by a conveyor; and steps (a), (c), (e) and (h) are performed by a human technician located on a platform that is moving at the same speed as the aforementioned conveyor; and step (d) is controlled automatically by proximity switches that respond to insertional movements of the pegs into the locator holes on the vehicle body; and steps (f) and (g) are accomplished sequentially by an automatic timer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification