Spin stand device

A spin stand device has an adjustable base frame to allow width and depth profile adjustments and a multitude of mounting accessories which can account for efficiently painting a body part or item of many different types, makes, models, and years of vehicles; with minimized drying time and greatly reduced painting time due to the variety of positions achievable during the painting process.

This invention relates to a spin stand device and more particularly to a spin stand device which holds a large variety of vehicle parts and allows every portion to be painted without removing the part from the spin stand device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles, including trucks, sports utility vehicles, vans, cars, and any other vehicle, are exposed to environmental wear and tear including, but not limited to, salt on the roads, hail, sun damage, snow, ice, and rain. Furthermore, vehicles can have the paint damaged due to crashes or to a lesser extent, car doors hitting other cars in parking lots or shopping carts colliding with cars. All of these factors can damage the paint job on a car and require repair. Also, owners may want to change the color of a car during their ownership which also requires a new paint job.

Painting any portion of a vehicle is a difficult task. Vehicle parts are heavy and bulky and therefore cumbersome to handle. Lifting of a vehicle part usually requires the help of at least two people. The vehicle part has to be moved a minimum of two times during the painting process because the part has to be painted then lifted, once the original paint dries, to paint the other side. A device that will minimize the amount of lifting is a useful invention.

Moreover, painting a vehicle part is a time consuming process. The vehicle part must be positioned to be painted and then painted. Then, the vehicle part must be put through a drying cycle to allow the paint to dry. Then, the vehicle part must be repositioned to allow the other side of the vehicle part to be painted and put through yet another drying cycle. This process is required because not every portion of the vehicle part can be exposed for painting in a single step. An invention that allows the entire vehicle part to be painted all at once and requires only one drying cycle or period is a very useful invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a spin stand that can securely hold a vehicle part, yet allow the entire area of the vehicle part to be exposed for painting.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand that can allow for every portion of a vehicle part to be painted without the need to remove the part from the spin stand.

A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand that can allow every portion of a vehicle part to be painted, in its entirety, without the need to allow one portion to dry, reposition, and then paint a second portion.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand that can allow a vehicle part to be painted without the need for two or more drying cycles or periods.

Moreover an objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand which is compactly foldable for storage when the spin stand is not in use.

Also, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand that can have its width and depth profiles increased or decreased based on the needs of the item or vehicle part being held.

A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of spin stand that can adjust for a multitude of makes, types, models and years of vehicles.

Moreover, another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand that can reduce the amount of times the vehicle part needs to be lifted or turned.

Yet, another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand that can reduce the overall amount of time required to paint the vehicle part.

Also, another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand which can hold and position the vehicle part during all stages of restoration including, but not limited to, cleaning, disassembling, repairing, sanding, filling, hammering, reshaping, painting, reassembling, and other vehicle body shop functions.

A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand which can be moved into the paint drying mechanism or area and utilize the paint drying equipment without removing the vehicle part from the spin stand.

Moreover, another objective of the present invention is the provision of a spin stand which has a variety of attachments to aide in loading bulky, cumbersome, or heavy vehicle parts to allow the job to be performed by a single person.

These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a spin stand having an adjustable base frame to allow width and depth profile adjustments and a multitude of mounting accessories which can account for different types, makes, models, and years of vehicles.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar to directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words attach, connect, couple, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also include connections through mediate elements or devices.

The spin stand of this invention permits the painting of a vehicle body part with minimized handling of that part. When the part is mounted on the spin stand, all or almost all areas of the part can be painted at once. This feature minimizes downtime, especially the downtime caused by painting the part, allowing the paint to dry, repositioning the part to paint another area, allowing the paint to dry on the second area, and repeating these steps until the part is fully painted and dried.

Now referring toFIG. 1, the structure of spin stand100can be clearly seen. Spin stand100holds latch door110so that both sides may be painted simultaneously. Spin stand100makes the painting process much more efficient as only one drying cycle or period is required. In the prior art, one side of the latch door or other vehicle part was painted and dried and then, the second side was painted and dried. Thus, the prior art required two drying cycles or periods which required much more time and was much less efficient.

Now addingFIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4to the consideration, the structure of spin stand100can be more clearly seen. Spin stand100has a left hand assembly230connected to a right hand assembly232. Left hand assembly230and right hand assembly232cooperate and hold item112. Left base end120has inner center support130extending perpendicularly, from the side, and right base end122has outer center support132extending perpendicularly, from the side. Inner center support130attaches and inserts into outer center support132to connect left hand assembly230to right hand assembly232. The connection between inner center support130and outer center support132is secured by base locking knob172. Spin stand100can have an increased depth to account for larger items112by decreasing the distance inner center support130is inserted into outer center support132. In contrast, spin stand100can have a decreased depth to account for smaller items112by increasing the distance inner center support130is inserted into outer center support132.

Left hand assembly230has a left base end120which is connected to a castor assembly124on opposing ends. Second support post bracket128attaches perpendicularly, on the upper side, to left base end120. Second support post136inserts into and attaches to second support post bracket128in a male to female relationship. Second support post136is secured to second support post bracket128through the cooperation of hinge bolt168with hinge nut170and lock pin166with cotter pin160.

When spin stand100is in use, both hinge bolt168with hinge nut170and lock pin166with cotter pin160are secured in place. When spin stand100is stored, only the hinge bolt168with hinge nut170are in place so that second support post136may fold downward. Lock pin166with cotter pin160are secured in an unused aperture so that they are easily accessible when spin stand100is needed. Thus, the hinging capability provides great flexibility and saving of storage space.

Base locking knob172cooperates with castor assembly124to allow the castor assembly124to be moved outward, from left base end120, to increase the width profile to add stability and security for larger items112. In contrast, castor assembly124can be moved further into left base end120to decrease the width profile to provide more flexibility and maneuverability for smaller items112.

Second support post136has accessory aperture188. Flat door or hood mount210(seeFIG. 10), 30 degree door or hood mount212(seeFIG. 11), 90 degree door or hood mount222(seeFIG. 12), and slave side support bar194(seeFIG. 14) can be attached to second support post136through cooperation with accessory aperture188. Bushings206(seeFIG. 36) can be used on both sides of second support post136to secure the connection.

Right hand assembly232has right base end122. A castor assembly124inserts into oppositely disposing ends of right base end122and the connection is secured with base locking knob172. Again, the width profile can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the distance castor assembly124is inserted into right base end122.

Right base end122has first support post bracket126extending perpendicularly, from the top side thereof. First support post134attaches and inserts into first support post bracket126in a male to female relationship. First support post134is secured to first support post bracket126through the cooperation of hinge bolt168with hinge nut170and lock pin166with cotter pin160. Again, the removal of lock pin166and cotter pin160allows first support post134to fold downward for storage.

First support post134attaches to swing arm144. Positioning disk142attaches to swing arm144and is secured by fasteners146. Fasteners146can be screws, rivets, or any other suitable fastening mechanism. Swing arm144attaches to positioning disk142and first support post134through cooperation with positioning disk bolt156, disk apertures158, spacer bushing150, washers152, and lock nut164.

Hitch pin140is inserted into first support post134through pin aperture184and positioning disk142through positioning disk apertures158. When hitch pin140is pulled outward, it releases from positioning disk142through cotter pin160and washer152compressing spring162. Positioning disk142is adjusted to the desired position and hitch pin140is released, spring162is decompressed and hitch pin140once again inserts into the desired positioning aperture186. This interaction allows item112to be rotated and properly positioned for painting.

Now addingFIG. 22,FIG. 23, andFIG. 24to the consideration, the flexibility and versatility of spin stand100can be clearly seen. Spin stand100allows latch door110or other item112to rotate 360 degrees and be locked at any position throughout the continuum.FIG. 22depicts latch door110in horizontal position240,FIG. 23depicts latch door110in vertical position242, andFIG. 24depicts latch door110in oblique position244. This rotation, multitude of positioning apertures186, and the variety of positions allows every part of latch door110or item112to be painted without being removed from spin stand100. Thus, only one drying cycle or period is required.

Now addingFIG. 25to the consideration, the flexibility of spin stand100can be seen. Spin stand100is holding door104in vertical position242. In this embodiment, slave side support bar194(seeFIG. 14) is inserted into accessory aperture188on second support post136. This connection may be secured by bushings206(seeFIG. 36). Slave side support bar194has blind threaded aperture214. Either right latch bolt200(seeFIG. 7) or left latch bolt202(seeFIG. 8) can be fastened into blind threaded aperture214and secured by locking nut216. Right latch bolt200or left latch bolt202attach to door104through door latch218to secure it on spin stand100. Right latch bolt200is used when right door104is attached to spin stand100and left latch bolt202is used for left door104.

Now addingFIG. 26andFIG. 27to the consideration, the flexibility of spin stand100can be seen. Spin stand100is holding hood102in vertical position242. Slave side support bar194(seeFIG. 14) attaches to second support post136through accessory aperture188. Hood strut192(seeFIG. 16) and hood latch adapter190(seeFIG. 13) attach to slave side support bar194. Hood strut192rests against hood102to keep the position stable while rotating.

Moreover, hood latch adapter190attaches to slave side support bar194to further aid in attaching spin stand100to hood102. Hood latch adapter190attaches to hood latch264and the connection is secured through the cooperation of lock pin166and cotter pin160with hood latch aperture266. Hood latch adapter190has a series of support bar apertures268. Locking knob172inserts into support bar apertures268and cooperates with spring clip208(seeFIG. 6) to create tension to hold hood102or item112in a stable and secure position as it is being rotated. In converse, locking knob172can be released and releases the tension on spring clip208so that these parts can be removed from slave side support bar194when the project is finished. The series of support bar apertures268are present to accommodate for different makes, models, and years of hood102or item112.

Now addingFIG. 28,FIG. 37, andFIG. 38to the consideration, the flexibility and structure of spin stand100can be seen. Spin stand100is holding truck bed108. The depth and width adjustments of spin stand100are increased in proportion to the size of truck bed108. Two of U-tube supports250are added to accommodate the weight, width, and bulkiness of truck bed108. U-tube supports250are attached to left base end120and right base end122through support apertures138in each castor assembly124. Truck bed108rests on U-tube supports250. Spin stand100, through the U-tube supports250, can accommodate for the variety of truck makes, models, and years.

U-tube supports250are supported by adjustable struts300which prevent supports250from wobbling due to the weight of truck bed108. Adjustable struts300are connected to U-tube supports250through bracket bushing302. Bracket bushing302attaches to U-tube supports250in any suitable and secure fashion including but not limited to welding, sweating, and fasteners. Adjustable struts300are telescopic to accommodate a variety of different sizes of truck beds108. Adjustable struts300are held and secured in position through locking knobs172.

Adjustable struts300have mounting tongues310which cooperate with fasteners146to secure adjustable struts300to U-tube supports250. The attachment between adjustable struts300and mounting tongues310are more clearly seen inFIG. 37andFIG. 38. U-tube support250has bracket bushing302. Bracket bushing302has mounting tongue310. Bracket bushing mounting tongue310cooperates with adjustable strut mounting tongue310through the alignment of apertures. This alignment is secured with fastener146.

Now referring specifically toFIG. 38, the structure of adjustable strut300can be more clearly seen. Adjustable strut300has a telescopic sheath332. Telescopic shaft330inserts into or extends from telescopic sheath332in a male to female relationship. To make adjustable strut300longer, telescopic shaft330is extended outward from telescopic sheath332. To make adjustable strut300shorter, telescopic shaft330is pushed into telescopic sheath332. Telescopic sheath332has adjustment lock320which is similar to locking knob172. Adjustment lock320secures the telescopic shaft330in the desired position.

Now addingFIG. 29to the consideration, the flexibility and structure of spin stand100can be clearly seen. Spin stand100is attached to bumper106. First support post134is attached to swing arm144as seen in earlier embodiments. In this embodiment, right door hinge mount180(seeFIG. 20) and left door hinge mount182(seeFIG. 19) are attached to swing arm144. Locking knob172(seeFIG. 18) secures the connection between right door hinge mount180, left door hinge mount182, and swing arm144. Right door hinge mount180may attach to the bottom of bumper106and be secured with fasteners146.

Moreover, right door hinge mount180(seeFIG. 20) and left door hinge mount182(seeFIG. 19) may have an attached multiple position door hinge mount198(seeFIG. 21) and be secured in place with locking knob172. Multiple position door hinge mount198may attach to 30 degree door or hood mount212(seeFIG. 11) as shown. Or, multiple position door hinge mount198may attach to flat door or hood mount210(seeFIG. 10) or 90 degree door or hood mount222(seeFIG. 12) depending on the make, model or year of the bumper106. Door or hood mounts210,212, and222attach to the top of bumper106and are secured with fasteners146.

Now addingFIG. 30to the consideration, the expandability and flexibility of spin stand100can be clearly seen. Width224and depth226may expand to accommodate heavier or bulkier items112.

To expand width224of spin stand100, the distance castor assembly124is inserted into left base end120or right base end122is decreased and the inverse action decreases width224. To expand depth226of spin stand100, the distance inner center support130is inserted into outer center support132is decreased and the inverse action decreases depth226. Thus, spin stand100has great flexibility to accommodate a wide range of items112.

Now addingFIG. 31to the consideration, the three castor configuration260of spin stand100can be clearly seen. In this embodiment, left base end120has two castor assemblies124. However left hand assembly230is removed and replaced with castor assembly124which is attached to outer center support132. As seen in earlier embodiments, width224of spin stand100can be increased or decreased based on the requirements of item112. Three castor configuration260has greater maneuverability and requires less storage space during a drying cycle or period.

Now addingFIG. 32to consideration, the structure and function of flat fixed position262of spin stand100can be clearly seen. In this particular embodiment, right hand assembly232has two castor assemblies124connected to right base end122. Left hand assembly230is removed and replaced by a single castor assembly124attached to outer center support132.

Castor assemblies124can be rotated from zero to 360 degrees. This rotation allows the right base end122and castor assemblies124to have the wheels off of the ground and the right base end122and castor assemblies124are lying flat on the ground. This provides greater security and stability for heavier items112and other applications that do not need to move the entirety of spin stand100.

Again, as seen inFIG. 30, the width profile224and depth profile226can be increased or decreased depending on the needs of item112. Also, left hand assembly230can be in place and right hand assembly232can be replaced with a single castor assembly124. Finally, right hand assembly232and left hand assembly230can both remain in place and four castor assemblies124can be present and flat fixed position262can still be achieved.

Now addingFIG. 33to the consideration, the structure of castor assembly124, suitable for use in spin stand100, can be clearly seen. Castor assembly124has wheel lock154. Wheel lock154is released when spin stand100needs to be moved. Once spin stand100is in the desired location, wheel lock154is engaged to provide stability and security so that item112can be repaired or painted safely and easily.

Now addingFIG. 34to the consideration, the structure and function of positioning disk142can be clearly seen. Positioning disk142has a series of positioning apertures186which cooperate with hitch pin140to hold swing arm144in a desired position. Fasteners146attach positioning disk142to swing arm144. The cooperation between positioning disk142, swing arm144, and hitch pin140allow for the horizontal position240, vertical position242, oblique position244, and the multitude of positions in between. These positions240,242,244, and the variety of others, allow item112to be rotated, placed in a variety of positions, and have every portion painted without the need to remove item112from spin stand100or use multiple drying cycles or periods.

Now addingFIG. 35to the consideration, the structure and connection of positioning disk142, swing arm144, and hitch pin140can be clearly seen. First support post134attaches to positioning disk142and swing arm144through fastener146. Fastener146has a series of washers152to aid the connection with fastener146and spacer bushing150to add security and stability.

Positioning disk142has a series of positioning apertures186to accommodate for horizontal position240, vertical position242, and oblique position244, and the multitude of other positions. When hitch pin140is pulled outward from first support post134, it compresses spring162and releases hitch pin140from positioning aperture186on positioning disk142. In converse, when hitch pin140is pushed inward toward first support post134, spring162is released and hitch pin140inserts into the desired positioning aperture186. This secures the positioning disk142in a stable position and allows item112to be securely held in the desired position. Thus, great flexibility and function can be achieved.

This application taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined; provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.