Patent ID: 6827197
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An apparatus for transporting a selectable one of a plurality of automobile body configurations comprising:an overhead transport system including a plurality of trolleys for movement along a predetermined path of travel defined by at least one overhead rail extending between a plurality of workstations in a closed loop configuration; at least one carriage for each trolley connected to the at least one overhead rail for moving the trolley along the path of travel defined by the at least one overhead rail; at least one downwardly extending pillar from each carriage; a horizontal support member connected to the at least one support pillar for movement between a raised position and a lowered position; a latch for connecting the horizontal support member to the at least one support pillar when in the raised position; and means for transferring automotive components between the overhead transport system and a geometry fixture at a ready position of at least one workstation along the closed loop path of travel, the geometry fixture supporting an automotive component for a processing operation such that each automotive component of an identical configuration is supported by the same geometry fixture at the at least one workstation during the processing operation.