Remote locking apparatus for securing a vehicle body to a vehicle body support
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 engageable 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;
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; and
a crank body connected to the second end of the axle and having an axis of rotation, the crank body further having a crank pin radially positioned from the axis of rotation and connected to the elbow, wherein on rotation of the crank body about the axis of rotation, the crank pin linearly moves the elbow and rod in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the vehicle support.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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. A compliant body clamp design is included to provide a desired clamping force between the pallet and a vehicle body across a range of motion of the body clamp to accommodate vehicle build variances.
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Citations
19 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 engageable 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; 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; and a crank body connected to the second end of the axle and having an axis of rotation, the crank body further having a crank pin radially positioned from the axis of rotation and connected to the elbow, wherein on rotation of the crank body about the axis of rotation, the crank pin linearly moves the elbow and rod in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the vehicle support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. 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 engageable 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, the body clamp including an articulatable hook having a body portion defining at least one slot, the apparatus further having at least one cam pin positioned in the slot and adapted to be connected to the pillar, wherein on movement of the locking arm the hook is articulated through a path of travel determined by the cam pin and slot to engage the vehicle body to secure the vehicle body to the vehicle body support. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. 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 engageable 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; 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; and a compliance device connected to the rod and the body clamp, the compliance device defining a compliance range of the body clamp wherein a predetermined clamping force is applied by the body clamp to the vehicle body throughout the compliance range, the compliance device having a base connected to the rod, a nut threadibly engaged on the second end of the rod and a compression spring positioned between and abuttingly engaging the base and the nut. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification