VEHICLE BODY SURFACING AND DOLLY ASSEMBLY

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sender unit (12) is attached to the portion of the body corresponding to the damaged opposite part and a surfacing unit (13) is attached to the damaged portion. A sending head (12), which is provided with surface contacting probes, is traversed over the undamaged portion. Each probe follows the contour of the body and transmits the contours to the surfacing unit (13). The surfacing unit (13) is provided with a surfacing head which traverses the damaged area in synchronization with the sending head. Chisel like cutters in the surfacing head are moved upwardly and downwardly by the vertical movement of the sender probes so that the cutters follow the contour of the undamaged surface and cut away filler material. This enables the filler material to be contoured rapidly and easily using the undamaged corresponding body portion as a template. In another embodiment, the cutters are replaced by small anvils which traverse the damaged portion and act as a dolly for initial straightening of the damaged portion.

Description: Vehicle Body Surfacing and Dolly Assembly DESCRIPTION Technical Field This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices which facilitates the repair to body v.'ork cf cars , 5 tru ks ΌO tl _ like. Background.Art At.the present time, it is conventional, with minor damage, to fill same with a filler and then to surface this filling material prior to painting. With more severe damage, dollies 10 are used to back up the material which is then hammered into the approximate contour whereupon filler material is used and surfaced by hand. In both instances, it is sometimes difficult to match the contour of the damaged surface with the contour of the orig- 15 inal portion of the body work. This is particularly true when a double curved contour is being repaired such as on a fender or the like. Thus contour surfacing before paintin g - is a laborious and time consuming portion of the repair operation. 20 Disclosure of Invention This invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a light weight and largely portable surfacer for body vehicle reshaping, and other ancillary repair which will effectively perform most of the handwork. ? ' j In one embodiment, it will consist of two similar components, one a sending unit and the other a surfacing unit with a con¬ nexion to transmit contours from the sending unit to the sur¬ facing unit. In single component usage, either the sending unit or sur- 30 facing unit can be used as a dolly or re-finisher or in other operations. An operator should therefore be able to prepare most surfaces more accurately and with much less time. The principal object and essence of the invention is there¬ fore to provide a device of the character herewithin describ which enables the sending unit to be placed on portion of th vehicle body matching the damaged portion and to use the un¬ damaged portion as a contour template to transmit contour information mechanically to the surfacing unit which is affi ed over the corresponding damaged portion of the vehicle bod Another object of the invention is to provide a device of th character herewithin described which enables the filler mat¬ erial to be machined accurately to the contour of the portio of the vehicle body being used as the template for the send¬ ing unit. Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which either the seeding or surfacing units can be used as a dolly to back up the damaged portion of the vehicle body prior to filling and resurfacing. Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which will facilitate the preparation of damaged vehicle body surfaces, which is relatively economical and which is otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is' designed. With the foregoing objects in view, and other such objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specificat¬ ion proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arran gement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more par¬ ticularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: Brief Description of Drawings Fig 1 is a schematic isometric view of the front portion of a vehicle showing the device installed thereon. Fig 2 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view showing a detail of the surf cer leg in working position. /-BU RE ' ' ' f OMPI ft. WIP0 Fi -3 is a fragmentary sectioned side elevation of one of the attaching legs. Fig 3A is an enlarged underside view of the connector bet- ween legs of the two legs of the sender and surfacing units. Fig 4 is a top plan view of Fig 3. Fig 5 is a top plan viewof -one of the frames -per se. Fig 6 is a side sectional view of Fig 5 along the lines 6-6 of Fig 3. Fig 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig 6 but sectioned in part. Fig 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the attachment of the lower side of the carriage to the frame. Fig 9 is a fragmentary partly schematic enlarged view of one part of the sending and surfacer heads. Fig 10 is a fragmentary partly schematic top plan view of the surfacer carriage enlarged with respect to Fig 1. Fig 11 is a fragmentary schematic top plan view of part of the surfacer component enlarged with respect to Fig 10. Fig 12 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the connect¬ ion between a sending unit probe and a surfacing unit sur¬ facer element. " Fig 13 is a fragmentary schematic view of one of the sur¬ facing components in the uppermost position. Fig 14 is a view similar to Fig 13 but showing the unit in the lowermost position. Fig 15 is a fragmentary schematic top plan view showing the interconnection between surfacing units. Fig 16 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the method of rotating the surfacing units. Fig 17 is a schematic view of the drive connections to the device. Fig 18 is a top plan view of the bow assembly. Fig 19 is an end view of Fig 18. Fig 20 is a fragmentary isometric view of one end of the bow assembly. Fig.21 is a fragmentary isometric view of the positioning arm and leg of the bow assembly. In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. Further Description Referring first to Fig 1, reference character 10 illustrates the front part of a vehicle with an area 11 having been dam¬ aged. A sending unit collectively designated 12 is secured to the corresponding portion of the vehicle body on the opposite side of the damaged portion 11, and a surfacing unit collect¬ ively designated 13 is secured to the corresponding position adjacent the damaged area 11 and connected to a source of power collectively designated 14 and shown schematically in Fig 16. In detail, the construction of units 12 and 13 are similar and where common components occur, the corresponding compon¬ ents in the surfacing unit 13 will be provided with a suffix "A". Each unit 12 and 13 comprises a substantially rectangular frame 15 and 15A detachably securable to the vehicle body by a plurality of leg attaching devices collectively design¬ ated 16 and 16A. Reference to Fig 3 and 4 will show details of the leg assemblies 16 and 16A. An attachment bracket 17 extends from a channel section slider 18 which in turn en¬ gages over one of the longitudinal frame mem. bers 19 of the frame 15. Both the channel member 18 and the frame member 19 are provided with longitudinally extending channels 20 carrying enclosed balls 21 to facilitate the sliding move¬ ment of the channel 18 longitudinally along the frame mem¬ ber 19 and means (not illustrated) are provided to detach¬ ably lock the channel 18 in position upon the frame member 19. The bracket 17 is pivotally secured to the channel 18 for OMPI 1P0 - rotational movement when viewed in plan (see Figure 4) a pivot pin 22 connecting the two parts together with the pin being secured to bracket 17, and a locking lever 23 opera- tively reacts between the bracket 17 and the channel 18 to detachably lock the bracket in the desired radial relation¬ ship relative to the channel 18. The bracket 17 includes an offstanding arm portion 24 carrying a tubular member 25 upon the distal end thereof engaging over an endwise movable tubular member 26 and being interconnected by means of a screw 27 screw threadably en¬ gaging through the upper end of the tubular member 26. The outer end 28 of the screw extends upwardly through the outer end of the tubular member 25 and may be engaged by a con¬ nector 29 as will hereinafter be described and also may be retained in the desired relationship by means of a brake . shown schematically by reference character 30 in Figure 3. Rotation of screw 27, by pressure upon member 26, raises or lowers the tubular member 26 relative to the tubular member 25. An electro-magnetic attaching block 31 is secured to the lower end of tubular member 26 and a circular vacuum assembly 32 surrounds the lower end of the tubular member 26 and is secured for limited universal connection in the form of a ball joint type connection. It may be connected to a source of vacuum.33 -within the source of power 14, although the natural action of the shape of pad 32 gives a certain amount of attachment by suction. The electro-magnetic block assists in attaching the leg to the vehicle body surface 34 and when positioned correctly, the vacuum 32 assists in holding the leg firmly to the sur¬ face. It will be observed that there are four adjustable leg assemblies 16 and 16A on the frames 15 and 15A respectively all of which may be adjusted so that a firm three or four point connection may be obtained for each of the sending and surfacing units. Means are provided so that, if desired, the leg lengths of the units 12 and 13 can be equalized and positioned radially to the same degree in order to facilitate the attachment of both units to either side of the vehicle. The two units are first clamped by the frames thereof in back to back relation¬ ship either by holding them manually or by simple clamps (not illustrated). During this action, the four legs are positioned in corresponding positions so that adjacent legs are interconnected one with the other. This interconnection takes the form firstly of the outer ends of the pivot pins 22 and secondly by means of connec¬ tors 29. The outer ends of the pivot pins of one of the units is provided with a V formation 22A and the outer ends of the corresponding pivot pins are chamfered or slightly pointed so that they will engage within the V grooves thus giving a temporary connection between the two so that rotation of one gives corresponding rotation of the other. The outer ends of the screws 27 are provided with flattened sides as shown in Figure 3A and the distal ends of the con¬ nector 29 are slotted to engage over these flattened sides as clearly shown by reference character 29A. The screw threads of the screws 27 are shaped so that out¬ ward or downward movement of the sleeve or cylinder 26 causes these screws to rotate and as they are bearably mounted for rotation within the outer ends 25A of the . sleeves 25, the screws rotate within sleeves 25 and also to- tate the connectors 29. Once the units are clamped in back to back relationship with the legs interconnected, the legs of the surfacing unit are positioned manually so that the pads 32 engage the sur¬ face of the metal surrounding the damaged portion. These adjustments may take the form of linear movement along the frame portions 19, radial adjustment around pivot pins 22 and in and out adjustment of the pads 32 relative _to the cylinders 25 all of which movements are automatically trans¬ mitted to the corresponding legs of the sender unit. When the three or four legs of the surfacing unit are correctly positioned, brake 30 may be applied and the locks 23 released so that they lock the brackets 17 radially with respect to pivot pins 22. At the same time the clamps (not illustrated) locks the the portions 18 relative to the frame members 19. The sender unit is then detached from the surfacing unit and moved to the opposite side of the vehicle and positioned so that the three or four legs accurately engages the multi- curved surface of the other side of the body thus locating the sender unit in the correct position relative to the surfacing unit whereupon it may be attached to the body or fender by the electro-magnetic block 31 and the vacuum cups 32. Reference should next be made to Figures 5 through 8 which illustrate one of the units 12 or 13, it being understood that they are similar insofar as these particular views are concerned. The frame collectively disgnated 16 includes the longitudin¬ ally extending members 19 and 19' together with the end frame members 35, said end frame members including manipu¬ lating or carrying handles 36. Situated within the channel making up -member 19, is a hori¬ zontal drive screw 37 journalled within the ends of the frame and extending beyond the frame in the form or exten¬ sions 38. Spacedand parallel from this horizontal drive screw 37 is a shaft rod 39 also mounted at the ends of the frame member 19. A steady or support rod 40 is situated within the channel 19' and also is mounted at the ends of the frame. A support block 41 is slidably mounted upon the shaft rod 39 and also bears on frame member 19 , and is apertured and provided with an internal thread engageable around the drive screw rod 37 so that rotation of the drive screw rod 37 will cause the block 41 to move longitudinally along the drive screw rod supported by the shaft rod 39 and frame member 19. A support block 42 slidably engages over the steady or sup¬ port rod 40 and a further steady or support rod 43 extends between the block 41 and the block 42. A vertical screw drive rod 44 also extends between block 41 and 42 so that movement of block 41 by rotation of the screw drive rod 37, not only moves block 41 horizontally but also the other block 42 together with the steady rod 43 and the vertical screw drive rod 44. A carriage 45 is mounted upon the steady or support rod 43 and is apertured and engages over the screw threaded rod 44 and is provided with internal screw threading adapted to complement the screw threading of rod 44. Rod 44 is jour- nalled for rotation by one end thereof within block 42 and by the other end thereof within block 41. The end within block 41 is provided with a spiral bevel gear 46 meshing diagonally on perpendicular axes with corresponding gear 47, slidable along the shaft rod 39 which is splined so that rotation of the shaft rod also rotates the corresponding gear 47 and hence the vertical drive rod 44. The ends of the shaft rod (not illustrated) also extend beyond the frame similar to the extension 38 hereinbefore _OMP described and all of these extending ends are preferably splined (not illustrated) and provided with quick connect means of a conventional nature to the drive means as will hereinafter be described. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that rotation of the horizontal drive screw 36 will move the carriage 45 across the frame and rotation of the shaft rod 47 will move the carriage vertically relative to the frame. In this particular embodiment, flexible drive shafts 48 and 49 extend from the source of power 14 with one of them being connected to one end 38 of the drive screw 37 by means of a conventional quick connection and the other being connected in a similar way to the corresponding end of the shaft rod 39 (not illustrated) . Reference to Figure 1 will also show that further flexible drive cables 48A and 49A extend from the opposite ends of the shafts or rods 37 and 39 to extending ends of similar shafts on the other unit 12 as shown in Figure 2 thereby giving exactly the same relative movement to the carriage 45A on the unit 22. Dealing next with the sender unit specifically, the carriage 45 includes a substantially planar screw plate 50 shown in Figures 9 and 12. A plurality of cylindrical casings 51 extend upwardly from the screw plate and each casing is provided with a tube of element 52 slidable therein and splined to prevent rotation of the tube 52 relative to the casing 51. For clarity, this spline is not shown in the drawings. A sensing element or component in the form of a ball 53 is journalled for rotation within the lower end of tube 52 and connects the surface 34 of the vehicle body when the sending unit is in position. These tubes or elements are in close contact with one another so that when the sending unit is mounted on the vehicle body as hereinbefore described, each tube will be positioned so that the balls 53 are in contact with the surface and in this regard, a spring 54 reacts be¬ tween the upper end of the tube 52, within the casing 51, and the upper end of the casing. Vertical movement of tubes or elements 52 within casing 51 causes rotation of a screw shaft 55 also mounted within the casing and being provided with a steeply pitched screw 56 of approximately Tube 52 is correspondingly internally threaded fir engagement on the screw shaft 55 and this en¬ gages the said threaded portions at intervals within the tube (not illustrated) . A bevel gear 57 is secured to the upper end of each of the shafts 55 and this in turn engages a further bevel gear 58 situated at right angles thereto which in turn is connected to a flexible drive cable 59. Each of these bevel gear assemblies and drive cables are contained within an elbow casing 60 situated at the upper ends of the casing 51 as shown schematically in Figure 9. All the drive cables 59 extend from the sending unit carriage 45 to the surfacing unti carriage 45A and these cables are collectively designated a contour transmitter in Figure 1. The carriage 45A of the surfacing unit 13 also includes a screw plate 50A which supports an enclosing casing 61 within which are situated surfacing components collectively desig¬ nated 62, each one corresponding to and operatively connected to one of the sender elements hereinabove described. These casings are mounted in an eccentric bushing 513 selectively rotatable for limited spatial adjustment purposes in plate 50 Each surfacing component 62 includes a drive tube 63 having a relatively narrow upper portion 64 and an enlarged lower end 65. This lower end is provided with gear teeth 66 on part of the surface thereof (see Figures 12 and 14) ' engageable by a worm gear 67 to which the aforementioned flexible drive cable 59 is connected, said drive cable passing downwardly between the narrow portions 64 of adjacent- drive tubes 63. The worm gear 67 is secured for rotation to the screw plate 50A so that rotation of this worm gear, causes the drive tube to raise or lower relative to the lower surface of the screw plate. A rotatable tube or element 68 is journalled for rotation within the drive tube 63 and is provided, in the present embodiment, with a chisel bit 69 detachably secured within the lower end thereof, said bit having a leading edge 70. An elongated spur gear 71 is secured to the upper end of the tube or element 68 and each of these spur gears meshes with an adjacent spur gear as clearly shown in Figure 14. These spur gears are provided so that the position of the leading edges 70 of the bits can be adjusted. In this regard, reference should be made to Figures 14 and 15 which includes an actuating spur gear 71A mounted on a fixed shaft 72 extending upwardly from the screw plate and having a projection 73 engaging in a spiral groove 74 on the inner surface of the spur gear. A push-pull element 75 operated from the source of power, moves this spur gear vertically thus rotating same through 180 and as this spur gear is meshed with one of the spur gears 71, rotation of spur gear 71A causes simultaneous and equal rotation of all of the other spur gears and hence the bits 69. In this connection, it will be appreciated that the initial position of the bits is such that they all face in one direction and when the spur gear 71A is moved vertically, then they all rotate through 180° as will hereinafter be explained. The narrow portion 64 of the drive tubes , is cut away in "BU EAT J - OMPI part allowing worm gear 67 contact with gear teeth 66, The portion bearing the gear teeth 66 extends the full length of the drive tube so that the drive tube together with the rota¬ table tube 68 and bit 69 can move from the uppermost position shown in Figure 13 to the lowermost position shown in Figure 14. It will be noted that the depth of the spur gears 71 is not sufficient to allow this full movement between ad acent elements, but of course it will be appreciated that any change in contour is gradual -so that adjacent spur gears will always be meshed one with the other although a considerable range of movement is possible between a bit at one side of the casing 61 and a cit at the opppsite or diametrical side of the casing 61. Regardless of the position of the spur gear engaging with the splined spur gear 71A, they will always be engaged. Although the drawings show chisel type cutting bits 69 , nevertheless if the device is to be used as an anvil, these can be replaced with planar anvil type bits. Under these circumstances, it will be appreciated that the worm gear 67 together with the gear teeth 66, will enable the device to be used as a dolly or anvil as backlash or upward movement of the rotatable tubes and drive tubes cannot occur because of the worm drive effect. In usual operation, the sending and surfacing units are secured back to back and then the surfacing unit is position¬ ed over the damagedportion 11 with the sending unit attached • to it. Since the units are secured back to back with the transmitting-connector pieces 29 between corresponding leg assemblies, the positioning of the surfacer to the contour of the area surrounding the damaged portion will simultan¬ eously set leg lengths of surfacer and sender. The sender is then removed and because its corresponding legs have been adjusted, the sender is then readily positionable to the corresponding contour on the other side.of the vehicle since the leg legnths allow locationing in only the one place. Alternatively, the leg lengths of sender can be adjusted sep¬ arately after the surfacer legs have been adjusted by equalizing the corresponding legs of the sending unit. When the sending unit is in position, all of the balls 53 are engaged upon the undamaged surface of the body due to the extension springs 54 and each tube 52 is positioned rela¬ tive to the casing 51 thereby rotating the screw rods 55 by the necessary amount. These amounts are transmitted indi¬ vidually to the bits on the surfacing unit as hereinbefore described and they are adjusted so that the leading .edges are facing the direction of travel of the carriage. The controller 76 is programmed so that the desired movement of the carriage of the units, both vertically and horizon¬ tally or within a defined perimeter, is initiated through the drive cables 48 and 49 and 48A and 49A whereupon the carriages will traverse automatically as programmed. This removes paint and filler from the damaged are and pro¬ duces a contour identical to that being tracked by the sending unit with the leading edges of the chisels adjusting due to the control by the individual balls of the sending unit. Alternatively, the damaged surface is urged by mechanical means such as hammering or beating against anvil type bits until the damaged surface corresponds approx.ntely to the surface covered by the sending unit whereupon it can be filled and surfaced with the surfacing bits being substituted for the anvil or dolly type bits. Reference should next be made to Figure 17 which shows a schematic view of the drive connections to the unist. Upon certain circumstances , it is desirable, especially in dolly back-up operations in which the movement is irregular and thus being most often properly controlled by the operator, to have a control additional to the automatic controller 76 and this is indicated by reference character 77 in Figure 17. It consists of a multi-directional switch having a manually operable switch lever 78 which can be moved in any one of four directions so that it completes a circuit through segments 79A, 79B, 79C or 79D. 79A, 79B, 79C or 79D correspond to the four directions that the vertical and horizontal screws turn. The width of the contact segments together -with the contact arm of the center pole 78 determines the allowable ratio of any two directions which the override allows response to. This override switch may be considered as a switch with contacts spaced on a cir¬ cle numbered with four directions, with the north and south directions corresponding to the two vertical directions and with the east and west directions cooresponding to the hori¬ zontal directions. The center segment is not normally in contact being centered by spring pressure ( . shown schemat¬ ically by reference character 80). If, for example, upward or vertical movement is wanted, the segment 79A is contacted by the switch pull 78 sending current through the controller and causing the screw to move the carriage up. Since the positioning of the surfacer head, in its operating location, is fixed by the length of legs and since much of the filler material profiling and dolly back-up requires progressive lessening of the distance to attain final pro¬ file, a differential screw assembly 81 is provided and shown in Figure 9. This assembly is set in the surfacer screw plate 50 and adjusts by raising and lowering the block 82 within which the surfacer head is seated via the eccentric 51B. One type of differential screw assembly is shown and is similar to that illustrated in Volume 4 of INGENIOUS MECHANISMS FOR DESIGNERS AND INVENTORS, pages 297 and 298. Briefly, a nut block 83 extends from block 82 and engages around a screw threaded drive shaft 84, rotation of which by handwheel 85, raises and lowers the nut block 83. The handwheel 85 is a sliding fit on the square ended shaft portion of shaft 84. Part of the cylindrical length of the drive shaft 84 bears in a bushing 86 which in turn is externally screw threadably engaged within the fixed portion 87. Shoulders 88 of the bushing serve to limit its axial movement in the portion 87. In addition, the upper shoulder is designed as a straight tooth clutch 89, the other member of which is developed from the hub end of teh handwheel and identified by reference character 90. A spring 91 maintains the two parts 89 and 90 of the clutch, in a normally disengaged relationship. Since another pair of shoulders 92 fixed on the drive shaft, prevent its axial movement, rotating the handwheel produces a vertical travel of the nut block 83. The nut block is pro¬ vided with a smaller pitch thread than the external threads on the bushing. When the clutch is disengaged, the bushing remains station¬ ary while the drive shaft 84 is rotated by the handwheel 85 and the nut block tavels a distance equal to the pitch of the screw threads thereof, each revolution of the handwheel. • However, to produce speed differential and fine adjustment of the vertical relationship of the surfacer unit, the clutch elements 89 and 90 are engaged and the bushing now rotating in unison with the drive shaft 84, also moves axially. This axial movement of the bushing is transmitted to the drive shaft through the thrust against the shoulders 92. Movement of the bushing and drive shaft is opposite to the direction o the nut block but since the bushing and drive shaft only move a distance equal to the pitch of the bushing, per revolution, the net result is to reduce the travel of the nut block to a distance equal to the difference of the pitches of the bushing and the nut block. Figures 18 through 22 show a bow assembly collectively desig¬ nated 93 which is adapted to be detachably secured to either the sending or surfacing units 12 or 13. In conjunction with this bow assembly, a flexible trans¬ mitting cable assembly 59 is required in order to transmit the curvature set by the bow, to the surfacing unit. It will of course be appreciated that if the sending unit is used as the surfacer head, then a replacement of the head on the sending unit is required because the bits at this end of the head are the active or working parts of the surfacer. The reason for the bow assembly is that it can be used on non-compound curves or very slightly compound curves and enables curves which one might term "symmetrical arcs" to be transmitted. In shop operations, it is found that perhaps one third of the curves are of this type thus allowing the use of the less sophisticated bow and one frame either the surfacer frame or the sending frame thus realizing an economy in the pro¬ vision of equipment since most of the cost is represented by the basic surf cer and sending units. The bow assembly 93 is secured to the frame which can be situated in any convenient location, the curve of the bow can be set by the operator whereupon this curvature is transmitted to the surfacer unit on the work piece by the transmitting cable assembly. The bow assembly comprises a pair of brackets 94 which may be detachably secured to the frame- 15A by means of screws or - bolts 95 or quick securing means. An upstanding vertical flange 96 extends between the brackets and carries a bow rod 97 parallel to the frame as clearly shown. The bow assembly collectively designated 98, is mounted upon the bow rod 97 by a pair of squeeze positioners 99 secured to each end of a flexible strip 100 forming the bow. These squeeze positioners are apertured as at 101 and are main¬ tained in the diverging or apart position by means of V-springs 102 reacting therebetween as clearly shown in Figure 20, it being understood that the parts .99 are pivot- ally secured to the ends 103 of the bow 100. In other words when they are in the position shown in Figure 20, they cannot be moved along the bow rod 97 due to fric- tional interference but when they are squeezed together, this frictional interference is removed thus enabling the resilient strip 100 to be adjusted as to the arcuate curva¬ tures thereof by moving the ends 103 towards or away from one another along the rod 97.. Release of the squeeze positioners locks the bow in position upon the rod thus setting the cur¬ vature of the bow 100. A positioning link 104 slidably engages the bow rod 97 inter¬ mediate the ends thereof by means of the apertured block 105 and includes a vertical link 106 extending upwardly therefrom to which is attached apositioning arm 107 having a ring mounting 108 adjacent the end attached to the link 106. This ring bearing 108 receives one end of the contour transmitter 59 with the balls thereof engageable upon the flexible bow 100 so that as the device is traversed over the bow 100, the contour of the bow will be transmitted to the surfacer unit in a manner similar to traversing the sender unit over the surface of the vehicle body being used as a pattern. The positioning arm 107 is set in a support block 109 with a sliding fit. The support block is removably secured to the screw plate 50 of the carriage 45 so that movement of the carriage will move the positioning arm and link together with the block 105 along the bow rod 97 hence traversing the balls along the curved length of the bow plate or strip 100. In operation, the operator secures the bow assembly to either a surfacing or sender frame positioning the curve of the bow to correspond to that of the work surface and since the bow is used only on those surfaces curving in one direction, placement of the bow can be to either direction of the work surface. Care is required in ensuring that the bow assembly and frame are parallel to the curve being repaired. Then by using the squeeze positioners, the curve of the bow is selected to correspond to that curve desired on the work surface and the remaining operation is then similar to the regular operation. Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing -from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. OMPI

Claims: CLAIMS What I Claim as my Invention: 1. A vehicle body surfacing and dolly assembly for use with a source of power and comprising in combination a sending unit and a surfacing unit, means to detachably secure said surfac¬ ing unit over the area of the vehicle body requiring repair and means to detachably secure said sending unit over a cor¬ responding portion of the vehicle body having contours similar to the contours of the portion of the vehicle body requiring repair, each of said units including a frame, a carrier mounted on said frame for horizontal and vertical movement relative thereto, means operatively connecting said carriages to said source of power, a plurality of movable surface sensing element assemblies mounted in said carriage of said sending unit and contacting the vehicle body surface beneath said sending unit when secured to said vehicle body as afore¬ said, a plurality of movable surfacing components mounted in the carriage of said surfacing unit and contour transmitting drive cable extending between each of said surface sensing elements and a corresponding surfacing component whereby ver¬ tical movement of said surface sensing element is reproduced in the corresponding surfacing component, 2. The invention according to Claim 1 in which said sensing carriage includes a screw plate, each of said surface sensing element assemblies comprising a cylindrical casing extending upwardly from said screw plate, an element vertically slidable within said casing, means to prevent rotation of said element relative to said casing, a sensing component journalled for rotation in the lower end of said element and contacting the surface of the vehicle body, a screw shaft also mounted in said casing, means operatively connected between said element and said shaft whereby vertical movement of said element causes -corresponding rotation of said screw shaft and gear means operatively connected between said screw shaft on one end of said contour transmitting drive cable for rotating said drive cable. 3. The invention according to Claim 1 in which said surfacing unit includes a screw plate, each of said movable surfacing components including a drive tube, gear means operatively connected between said drive tube and the other end of said contour transmitting drive cable whereby rotation of said gear means causes corresponding vertical movement of said drive tub an element journalled for selective rotation within said drive tube, a surfacing bit secured at the lower end of said element and means to 'selectively rotate said element to position the surfacing bit as required. 4. The invention according to Claim 3 in which said last men¬ tioned means includes means interconnecting all of said ele¬ ments simultaneously and means operatively connected to said ' source of power to rotate said elements. 5. The invention according to Claim 2 in which said surfacing unit includes a screw plate, each of said movable surfacing components including a drive tube, gear means operatively connected between said drive tube and the other end of said contour transmitting drive cable whereby rotation of said gear means causes corresponding vertical movement of said drive tube, an element journalled for selective rotation within said drive tube, a surfacing bit secured at the lower end of said element and means to selectively rotate said ele¬ ment to position the surfacing bit as required. 6. The invention according to Claim 5 in which said last mentioned means includes means interconnecting all of said elements simultaneously and means operatively connected to said source of power to rotate said elements. 7. The invention according to Claim 1 in which said sending unit and said surfacing unit each includes a pair of horizon¬ tally spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertically space and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operative¬ ly connecting said carriage to said source of power being operatively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said blocks , means operatively connecting said drive screw to ^BUR ( OM said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage whereby rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod, 8. The invention according to Claim 2 in which said sending unit and said surfacing unit each includes a pair of horizon¬ tally spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertically spaced and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operatively connecting said carriage to said source of power being operatively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said blocks, means operatively connecting said drive screw to said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage whereby rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod. 9. The invention according to Claim 3 in which said sending unit and said surfacing unit each includes a pair of horizon¬ tally spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertically spaced and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operatively connecting said carriage to said source of power being operatively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said blocks, means operatively connect¬ ing said drive screw to said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage whereby rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod. 10. The invention according to Claim 4 in which said sending unit and said surfacing unit each includes a pair of horizon¬ tally spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertically spaced and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operativel connecting said carriage to said source of power being opera¬ tively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said blocks, means operatively connecting said drive screw to said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage where by rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod. 11. The invention according to Claim 5 in which said sending unit and said surfacing unit each includes a pair of horizonta ly spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertically spaced and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operativel connecting said carriage to said source of power being opera¬ tively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said blocks, means operatively connecting said drive screw to said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage where by rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod. 12. The invention according to Claim 6 in which said sending unit and said surfacing unit each includes a pair of horizon¬ tally spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertically space and parallel, rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operativel connecting said, carriage to said source of power being opera¬ tively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said / ^BURE ( . _0MP blocks ' , means operatively connecting said drive screw to said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means opera¬ tively connecting said -drive screw to said carriage whereby ro- ration of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod. 13. A sending unit for a body--surfacing =assembly including a source of power and comprising in combination means to- detach¬ ably secure said sending unit to a vehicle body, a frame, a carriage mounted on said frame for horizontal and vertical move¬ ment relative thereto, means operatively connecting said carriage to said source of power, a plurality of movable surface sensing element assemblies mounted in said carriage and contacting the vehicle body surface beneath said sending unit, said carriage including a screw plate, each of said surface sensing element assemblies- comprising a cylindrical casing extending outwardly from said screw plate, an element vertically slidable within said casing, means preventing rotation of said element relative to said casing, a sensing component journalled for rotation in the lower end of said element contacting the surface of said vehicle body, a screw shaft also mounted in said casing, means operatively connected between said element and said shaft whereby vertical movement of said element causes corresponding rotation of said screw shaft, gear means on said screw shaft, and a con¬ tour transmitting drive cable operatively connected to said gear means and rotatable thereby. "14. The sending unit according to Claim 13 in which said frame includes a pair of horizontal spaced and parallel rails and a pair of vertical spaced and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted on each horizontal rail for movement therealong, means operatively connect said carriage to said source of power and being operatively connected to one of said blocks to move same along said horizontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between said blocks, means operatively connecting said drive ■ screw to said- cne of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage whereby rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along OMPI ^ said carriage support rod. 15. The vehicle body surfacing unit, together with a source of power and comprising in combination means to detachably secure said surfacing unit over the area of a vehicle body requiring repair, said surfacing unit including a frame, a carriage mounted on said frame for horizontal and vertical movement relative thereto, means operatively connecting said carriage to said source of power, a plurality of movable surfacing components mounted in the carriage of said surfacing unit, said carriage including a screw plate, each of said movable surfacing components including a drive tube, gear means on said drive tube, an element journalled for selective rotation within said drive tube, a surfacing bit secured be¬ low the end of said element and means to selectively rotate said element to position the surfacing-bit as required. 16. The invention according to Claim 15 in which said sur¬ facing unit includes a pair of horizontally spaced and par¬ allel rails and a pair of vertically spaced and parallel rails, a carriage support block mounted upon each horizontal rail for movement therealong, said means operatively connec- ing said carriage to said source of power being operatively connected to one of said blocks to move same along'said hori¬ zontal rail, a carriage support rod extending between said blocks, said carriage being mounted for vertical movement upon said support rod, a drive screw also extending between, said blocks, means operatively connecting said drive screw to said one of said blocks for rotating said drive screw and ' means operatively connecting said drive screw to said carriage where- ^ by rotation of said drive screw moves said carriage along said carriage support rod. 17. The invention according to Claim 1 which includes a bow assembly for use with either of said sending and surfacing units and comprising a bow supporting rod, means mounting said rod upon said frame parallel to the ends thereof, a flexible and resilient bow strip, means mounting said strip to said rod, whereby the arc-of said bow strip can be selectively adjusted within limits, and means to operatively connect said, sensing element to said bow strip whereby movement of said carriage moves said last mentioned means along said bow strip. OMPI sensing element to said bow strip whereby movement of said carriage moves said last mentioned means along said bow strip. 18. The invention according to Claim 17 in which said means mounting said bow strip to said rod includes at least one squeeze positioner secured to- one end of—said bow strip and frictionally engaging with said bow supporting rod. 19. The invention according to Claim 2 which includes a bow assembly for use with either of said sending and surfacing units and comprising a bow supporting rod, means mounting said rod upon said frame parallel to the ends thereof, a flexible and resilient bow strip, means mounting said strip to said rod, whereby the arc of said bow strip can be select¬ ively adjusted within limits, and means to operatively connect said sensing element to said bow strip whereby movement of said carriage moves said last mentioned means along said bow strip. 20. The invention according to Claim 3 which includes a bow assembly for use with either of said sending and surfacing units and comprising a bow supporting rod, means mounting said rod upon said frame parallel to the ends thereof, a flexible and resilient bow strip, means mounting said strip to said rod, whereby the arc of said bow strip can be selectively adjusted within limits, and means to operatively connect said sensing element to said bow strip whereby movement of said carriage moves said last mentioned means along said bow strip. 21. The invention according to Claim 4 which includes a bow assembly for use with either of said sending and sur¬ facing units and comprising a bow supporting rod, means mounting said rod upon said frame parallel to the ends there¬ of, a flexible and resilient bow strip, means mounting said strip to said rod, whereby the arc of said bow strip can be selectively adjusted within limits, and means to operatively connect said sensing element to said bow strip whereby move¬ ment of said carriage moves said last mentioned means along said bow strip. 22. The invention according to Claim 19 in which said means ' BUREAU __OMPI_ y 23. The invention according to Claim 20 in which said means mounting said bow strip to said rod includes at least one squeeze positioner secured to one end of said bow strip and frictionally engaging with said bow supporting rod. 24. The invention according to Claim 21 in which said means mounting said bow strip to said rod includes at least one squeeze positioner secured to one end of said bow strip and frictionally engaging with said bow supporting rod. 25. The invention according to Claim 1 in which said means to detachably secure said units to a vehicle body includes a plurality of leg assemblies secured to said frame of each of said units and including means on the distal ends of said leg assemblies to detachably secure said leg assemblies to the vehicle body, means to selectively move said leg assemblies along said frame, means to position said leg assemblies radial¬ ly with respect to said frame and means to adjust the distance of the distal ends of said leg assemblies from said frame. 26. The invention according to Claim 25 which includes means to secure the frames of said unit in back to back relationship for mutual adjustment of the corresponding leg assemblies of said units, said last mentioned means including means to detach¬ ably interconnect the corresponding leg assemblies for mutual radial movement one relative to the other, and means to inter¬ connect the corresponding leg assemblies for mutual adjustment of the distance between the distal ends of said leg assemblies relative to the respective frames, said last two mentioned means detachably interconnecting said corresponding leg assemblies for mutual movement along the frames of said units.

Inventors: FAHRNER D
Applicants: FAHRNER D
Application year: 1978
Main classification: B23D1
IPC codes: B23D7, B23Q35