Patent ID: 6505726
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: B62D,B66F

Abstract:
For use in conjunction with a skid which supports an automotive body and a conveyor which transports the skid to an assembly station, a lift assembly for elevating the automotive body at the assembly station to an assembly position comprising:a base, a lift frame vertically slidably mounted to said base at the assembly station and movable between a first position in which said lift frame is positionable beneath the skid positioned at the assembly station, and a second position elevated from said first position, a tooling assembly mounted to said lift frame, said tooling assembly having a plurality of locators for registering with position receptors on the automotive body when the skid is positioned at the assembly station, a pair of lift arms, said lift arms being vertically slidably mounted to said base adjacent opposite ends of the assembly station and movable between a lower position in which the lift arms are positionable beneath the skid when positioned in said assembly station and an upper position, each lift arm having a portion for registering with the skid, means for moving at a first speed said lift frame from said first position to said second position, means for moving at a second speed said lift arms from said lower position to said upper position in synchronism with said lift frame as said lift frame moves from said first position to said second position, wherein said second speed is slower than said first speed, and wherein with said lift frame in said second position and said lift arms in said upper position, said locators are capable of engaging said receptors and elevating the automotive body from the skid.