EP0458268A2

EP0458268A2 - Traction rig particularly for repairing damaged vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP0458268A2
Application number: EP91108193A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Orazio Spanesi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-05-24
Filing date: 1991-05-21
Publication date: 1991-11-27
Also published as: EP0458268A3

Abstract

The traction rig which can be used particularly but not exclusively for repairing damaged vehicles, includes, around a conventional vehicle repair lifter (1), a pair of annular guides (2,6) which are arranged above one another on parallel and spaced planes. Preferably, a first lower guide (2) is floor-mounted, whereas a second upper guide (6) is fixed to a supporting structure which can conveniently include the posts (5) of the lifter (1). One or more rod-like supports (9) for traction means, for example of the chain type, are slidingly coupled between the guides (2,6).

Description

The present invention relates to a traction rig particularly for repairing damaged vehicles.
Numerous devices for subjecting to traction the bodywork of damaged vehicles are currently used: devices applied to the lifter which supports the vehicle to be repaired, devices anchored to the floor by means of chains, etc.
Traction is exerted by means of jacks or L-shaped uprights which can be applied to the lifter with front and rear or lateral couplings.
Said uprights are usually fixed in their lower horizontal part and can be inclined to the right or to the left in their vertical part so as to be able to perform traction without having to release them from a given position for fixing to the lifter.
Other L-shaped uprights are fixed to the lifter individually or in groups; each upright is fixed by means of a rotation pivot which allows articulation through an angle of approximately 180 degrees.
Other devices are slidingly associated with guides defined on said lifter and therefore are not applicable to, or compatible with, lifters of a different type.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a traction rig which can be used on most currently commercially available vehicle repair lifters.
A consequent primary object is to provide a traction rig which also adapts particularly to four-post vehicle repair lifters.
Another important object is to provide a traction rig which can comprise a plurality of traction means so as to allow the operator to perform multiple and simultaneous tractions around the vehicle.
Another important object is to provide a traction rig by means of which the operator is spared from having to shift and change the various traction means, reducing said operator's fatigue and increasing his productivity.
Still another important object is to provide a traction rig which allows relative movements of the lifter, and therefore of the vehicle arranged thereon, with respect to the traction means.
Yet another important object is to provide a traction rig wherein the supports for the traction means are locked during use and can be released automatically at the end of the work.
Still another object is to facilitate the positioning of particularly damaged vehicles on the repair lifter.
Another object is to provide a traction rig which also includes a device for the trueing of vehicles with respect to a template.
A further object is to provide a traction rig which allows to place on the repair lifter even particularly tall vehicles, such as trucks or buses.
A further object is to provide a rig which also allows to repair motorbikes and three-wheelers.
Not least object is to provide a traction rig which can be manufactured with conventional equipment and facilities.
This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a traction rig particularly for repairing damaged vehicles, characterized in that it comprises, around a conventional vehicle repair lifter, a pair of annular guides which are arranged above one another on parallel and spaced planes, preferably a first floor-mounted lower guide and a second upper guide fixed to a supporting structure, one or more rod-like supports for traction means being slidingly coupled between said guides.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of some embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the traction rig according to the invention;
figure 2 is an enlarged perspective detail view of a rod-like support for traction means which is comprised in the rig of figure 1;
figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the traction rig according to the invention;
figure 4 is a detail view of a ramp for rising toward the lifter, related to the embodiment of figure 3;
figure 5 is a detail view of a rod-like support for the traction and trueing means related to the rig of figure 3;
figure 6 is a detail view of the device for locking and releasing the supports for the traction means related to the embodiment of figure 3;
figure 7 is a detail view of a winch to be used for lifting and lowering cars, which is also related to the embodiment of figure 3;
figure 8 is a detail view of the articulation of a portion of the upper annular guide of the embodiment of the rig illustrated in figure 3.

With reference to the above figures 1 and 2, a conventional four-post vehicle repair lifter is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1.
A first annular guide 2, having a rectangular profile with rounded corners and composed for example of metallic profiled elements with a C-shaped transverse cross-section, is floor-mounted around said lifter 1.
Platforms 3 are advantageously arranged and fixed between said first guide 2 and the lifter 1, whereas it is possible to arrange an inclined ascent platform 4 at the region where the vehicle climbs over the guide 2.
Said platforms can be constituted by metal plates and can be fixed by means of bolts.
A second annular guide 6, identical to the preceding one, is arranged above the first annular guide 2 at the ends of the posts 5 of the lifter 1.
Said second guide 6 is conveniently supported by longitudinal elements 7a and by transverse elements 7b which, by means of couplings 8, are bolted to, and associated with, the posts 5 of the lifter 1, which thus constitute a supporting structure for said elements.
The two guides 2 and 6 are therefore parallel, and rod-like supports, each indicated by the reference numeral 9, are slidingly coupled to said guides in a vertical arrangement.
In particular, each support 9 is constituted by a tubular element 10 with a square transverse cross-section which is rotatably coupled, at its ends, to plate-like elements, respectively a lower one 11 and an upper one 12, which are arranged orthogonally thereto; rollers are rigidly associated with each of said plate-like elements and slidingly associate said elements with the corresponding guides 2 and 6.
The plate-like element 11 has two front rollers 13, which are suitable for inserting themselves between the wings of the C-shaped cross-section of the guide 2, and a rear roller 14, which is rigidly associated upwardly with a tab 15, the roller 14 resting on the bottom of said C-shaped cross-section.
Two pairs of rollers, respectively 16 and 17, a front one and a rear one, are rigidly coupled to the upper plate-like element and slidingly associate said element with the guide 6.
As illustrated in the figures, a square frame 18 is rigidly associable at different points with each of said rod-like supports 9; such frame 18 embraces the support 9 and is fixed thereto by means of screws 19.
Conveniently, said frame 18, which acts as engagement means for bodywork traction means, for example of the chain or jack type, can be moved along the corresponding support 9 so as to adjust the position of the traction point.
With reference now to the above figures 3 to 8, a second embodiment of the traction rig comprises, around a four-post vehicle repair lifter 101, a first annular guide 102 which is fixed to the posts and rests on the floor.
Said first guide 102 has a rectangular profile with rounded corners and is composed for example of metallic profiled elements with a C-shaped transverse cross-section with the wings directed outward.
Platforms 103 are arranged between said guide 102 and the lifter 101, and an inclined ramp 104 is arranged at the vehicle ascent region; said ramp is composed of two mutually articulated portions, respectively 104a and 104b, the first of which can be folded onto the second one, which is conveniently arranged within the perimeter of the guide 102.
A second annular guide 106, equal in shape to the preceding one but with its wings directed inward, is arranged above the first annular guide 102 at the ends of the posts 105 of the lifter 101.
Said second guide 106 is conveniently supported by couplings 107 which are bolted so as to associate with the posts 105 of the lifter 101; said posts thus constituting a supporting structure for said guide.
The portion 106a of the upper guide 106 which is arranged at the vehicle ascent side is not monolithically associated with the remaining part, but is articulated on pivots 109 which allow its possible folding upward (figure 8) to allow the access of vehicles such as trucks or buses which are higher than its lowered distance from the guide 102.
The two guides 102 and 106 are parallel, and rod-like supports 108 are slidingly coupled thereto in a vertical arrangement; in particular, each of said supports 108 is constituted by a profiled element with an H-shaped cross-section which is rotatably coupled, at its ends, to plate-like elements, respectively a lower one 111 and an upper one 112, which are arranged orthogonally thereto; each of said plate-like elements supports rollers, respectively 113 and 114, which slidingly associate said elements with the corresponding guides 102 and 106.
A locking element 117, in the shape of an inverted U, can be inserted between a block 115 with a seat defined on the lower plate-like element 111 and holes 116 of a set defined perimetrically on the platforms 103.
Two vertical pivots 118 are rotatably coupled to the upper plate-like element 112 in opposite positions with respect to the support 108, and respective equally vertical plates 119 are welded along one edge to said pivots; each plate supports a dowel 120 which is suitable for inserting itself in the holes 121 of a set defined on the second guide 106.
The distance between the plates 119 is different from a multiple of the distance between two holes 121, so that they cannot be simultaneously engaged with the respective rows.
Each dowel 120 locks the support 108 in the direction of the traction performed with the traction means, whereas in the opposite direction release occurs automatically simply by pushing the support 108, by virtue of the edgewise association of each plate 119 on the respective pivot 118.
It should be furthermore noted that each support 108 accommodates an upper pneumatic cylinder 122 which is articulated thereto by means of a pivot 123 and is associated with a traction chain 124 which is returned by a pulley 125 which is adjustably pivoted on a tubular lever 127.
The tubular lever 127 is adjustably accommodated in a downward position in said support 108 and is articulated, with its upper end, to a pivot 128 which is arranged between the wings of said support 108; said lever can be used for the trueing of damaged vehicles.
On this subject, the lever 127 is inserted in an annular element 129 which has a rectangular cross-section and supports, in an upward position, bearings 130 which are suitable for allowing it to slide along said lever.
A bar 131 is articulated on said annular element 129 and supports two parallel spaced rods 132, suitable for engaging below the chassis of the vehicle, which are welded above said bar in a longitudinal position.
As can be seen in figure 5, the lever 127 is kept in position by means of the chain 124, of the cylinder 122 and of the pulley 125.
It should furthermore be noted that transverse engagement elements 133 for the pneumatic pump 134 for actuating the cylinder 122 are welded between the wings of the support 108 on the side opposite to the region which accommodates said cylinder 122.
A winch 135 can also be pivoted between holes 126 provided on the wings of the support 108 and, by means of a hook 136, is suitable for engaging eyelets 137 defined on the body of the vehicles to position them on the lifter 101.
The possibility of applying the winch 135 to the support 108 allows said winch to be moveable, so that the hook 136 can be arranged in a parallel position with respect to the axis of the lifter 101, performing the traction of the vehicle so that said vehicle is positioned correctly on said lifter.
As regards the operation of the rig, for example of the embodiment of figure 1, after positioning the vehicle on the lifter 1, the damaged regions of the bodywork can conveniently be subjected to traction for repairs by means of one or more of the supports 9.
It should be noted that the position of the vehicle can be changed, with respect to a preset traction point on one of the supports 9, by means of an appropriate movement of the lifter, which is not rigidly associated with the rig.
It should furthermore be noted that the possibility of operating all around the vehicle with different traction devices considerably rationalizes the repair operations, making them less awkward and faster.
There is also a considerable advantage with respect to the known art due to the fact that this type of traction rig can be applied to all commercially available repair lifters, although in the version not suitable for four-post lifters it is necessary to provide an appropriate supporting structure for the upper guide.
The possibility of operating with a series of traction elements allows to operate simultaneously on various parts without having to perform traction on one part, disassemble the rig and reassemble it on another part of the bodywork, as with rigs currently in use.
The rig is also less bulky than other ones, particularly in its second embodiment, which is structured so as to be able to accommodate even rather large vehicles such as trucks and buses as well as motorbikes and three-wheelers.
In practice it has thus been observed that the traction rig according to the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In practice, the materials employed, so long as compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

Traction rig particularly for repairing damaged vehicles, characterized in that it comprises, around a conventional vehicle repair lifter (1;101), a pair of annular guides (2,6;102,106) which are arranged above one another on parallel and spaced planes, preferably a first floor-mounted lower guide (2;102) and a second upper guide (6;106) fixed to a supporting structure (5;105), one or more rod-like supports (9;108) for traction means (122-125) being slidingly coupled between said two guides.
Traction rig according to claim 1, characterized in that each guide of said pair (2,6;102,106) has a rectangular profile with rounded corners and is constituted by metallic rod-like elements with a C-shaped cross-section.
Traction rig according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure for said upper guide (6) comprises, in the case of mounting on a conventional four-post lifter, by longitudinal (7a) and transverse (7b) supporting elements, said longitudinal elements (7a) being fixed to couplings (8), each coupling (8) being bolted to the upper end of a corresponding post (5).
Traction rig according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure of said upper guide comprises longitudinal and transverse elements for supporting and fixing said guide, couplings extending between said elements and being bolted to posts fixed to the floor.
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region comprised between said conventional lifter (1;101) and the lower guide (2;102) is completely covered with metal plate platforms (3;103).
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said rod-like supports (9;108) for traction means comprises a tubular element with a square transverse cross-section which is rotatably associated, at its ends, with corresponding plate-like elements (11,12,112,113), each of which is slidingly coupled to the respective guide (2,6;102,106) by means of rollers (13,14,16,17;113,114).
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower one (11) of said plate-like elements rigidly supports a pair of rollers (13), said rollers being suitable for inserting themselves between the wings of said C-shaped cross-section of said guide (2), and a roller (14) which is suitable for arranging itself with a rearward support on the element which joins said wings.
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper one (12) of said plate-like elements rigidly supports two pairs of rollers (16,17) which are suitable for being supported at the front and rearward on the C-shaped cross-section of said guide (6).
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a square frame (18) is rigidly associated with said rod-like support (9), is adjustably movable thereon and is suitable for constituting an engagement means for said traction means.
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said traction means are constituted by chains and jacks.
Traction rig according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is not fixedly connected to the movable platform of said conventional lifter (1;101) and is suitable for allowing said platform to perform relative movements with respect to said rig.
Traction rig according to claim 1, characterized in that said rod-like supports (108) accommodate, inside them, a pneumatic traction cylinder (122) for said traction means, a transmission system (124,125) for said traction means and a device (127-132) which is articulated thereto for the trueing of the vehicle.
Rig according to claim 12, characterized in that said rod-like supports (108) for the traction means have an H-shaped transverse cross-section, said pneumatic cylinder (122) being articulated in an upward position and being contained between the wings of said supports (108).
Rig according to claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said traction means are constituted by a chain (124) which is fixed to said pneumatic cylinder (122) with one end and is transmitted by a pulley (125) which is adjustably pivoted on a lever (127).
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said device for trueing the vehicle is composed of a lever (127) which is accommodated between the wings of said support (108) and is articulated thereto with one of its ends, said lever (127) being inserted in an annular element (129) which can slide thereon by means of bearings (130), said annular element (129) supporting a bar (131) which is articulated in an upward position thereto, said bar (131) being arrangeable below a vehicle and supporting two horizontal clamping rods (132).
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that each of said supports (108) is rigidly associated, in an upward position, with a plate-like element (112) provided with rollers (114) suitable for rigidly associating it with the corresponding upper guide (106), on opposite positions with respect to the support (108), two vertical pivots (118) being rotatably coupled to each upper plate-like element (112), said vertical pivots (118) supporting respective plates (119) which are welded thereto edgewise and have dowels (120) suitable for inserting themselves in holes (121) defined perimetrically on said guide (106), the distance between said dowels (120) being different from a multiple of the pitch between the holes (121).
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that each of said rod-like supports (108) is rigidly associated, in a downward position, with a plate-like element (111), a locking element (117) shaped like an inverted U being arrangeable between one seat (115) of the plate-like element (111) and a corresponding hole (116) of a series provided on covering platforms (103) of the lifter.
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that said upper guide (106) has at least one front and/or rear portion (106a) articulated to the remaining part so as to be able to fold upward.
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that it has, in the vehicle access region, a ramp (104) composed of two mutually articulated portions (104a,104b), one of said portions being foldable onto the other so as to not constitute a hindrance to the sliding of said supports (108).
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that said lower guide (102) and said upper guide (106) are fixed to the posts (105) of a conventional post lifter and form a unit therewith.
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the pneumatic pump (134) for actuating said traction cylinder (122) is provided with couplings for engaging bars (133) which are welded between the wings of each support (108) on the side opposite to said cylinders.
Rig according to one or more of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that a winch (135) can be pivoted to each of said supports (108) and has traction elements (136,137) for positioning the vehicles on the lifter (101).