Patent ID: 6463644
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B25B,B25J,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A vehicle panel alignment system for coupling a vehicle component having an exterior surface defining a non-flat contour to a vehicle body comprising:a suction cup assembly including a housing, said housing having a non-flat face matable with said non-flat contour of said exterior surface of said component and having a contour substantially the same as a portion of the non-flat contour prior to engagement with the component, a suction cup operably associated with said housing and being movable with respect thereto, and means for selectively moving said suction cup with respect to said housing, wherein said suction cup is operable to grasp the article and positions the article in nesting position with the contoured surface of said housing; an arm having a pneumatic drive mechanism capable of moving said suction cup to a non-flat surface engaging position; and a frame surrounding the vehicle body to which said suction cup assembly and said arm are operably attached, said suction cup assembly and said arm being fixed in spaced apart relation on said frame.