METHOD FOR MEASURING DEFORMATIONS OF VEHICLE FRAMES OR BODIES AND MEASURING FRAME FOR PERFORMING THAT METHOD

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a mea­ suring frame for checking frames and bodies of vehicles to de­ tect possible deformations, and it is destined to provide a sim­ ple and inexpensive means for the said purpose that may be easily transported and may be quickly put into operating condi­ tion for exact measurement. With the said object in mind, according to the invention an H-shaped structure consisting of two transverse beams (1. 2) and of a longitudinal centre beam (3) is assembled and is sus­ pended through specially designed gripping means (9) to four reference points on a vehicle to be examined to define a mea­ suring plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle. A mea­ suring beam (4) is attached to the transverse beams (1. 2) in such a manner that it can be oriented in a plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle along any desired direction with re­ spect to the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle. A measuring pole (13) and a measuring rod (5) may be attached to the mea­ suring beam (4) and to the transverse beams (1. 2) respective­ ly for both horizontal and vertical measurement of the posi­ tions of further reference points on the vehicle.

Description: METHOD FOR MEASURING DEFOX IONS OF VEHICLE FRIES OR BODIES A1iD Ia ASIIRING FRAME FOR PERFORMING THAT METHOD The invention relates to a method for measuring deformations of vehicle frames or bodies and to a measuring frame for performing that method. The invention is particularly destined for usage in connection with the inspection of damages or of the alignment of vehicles involved in an accident. The known technique for detecting the kind and the extent of damages on vehicles involved in an accident mostly requires usage of heavy, bulky and expensive measuring frames or measuring jigs (cf. DE-BS 22 46 011, DE-AS 23 24 530, US 3 805 396, SW 7513214-5). Such devices, however, are not appropriate means for checking in cases of small deformations or in cases of mere suspicion of possible deformations. Simple crosswise measurement which is being used under such circumstances involves a great risk of erroneous diagnosis, since the measurements, as a rule, are carried out only in two dimensions. Thus, at present, there is no simple method and light, portable, quickly adjustable and simple measuring device which could provide sufficiently reliable and exact measuring results within short time and at reasonable cost. Accordingly, it is the main object of the present invention to provide simple and inexpensive but efficient method and apparatus for reliably and rapidly checking vehicles to decide how big a certain damage is, whether a certain vehicle can be repaired and if a vehicle can be considered aligned in a roadworthy and acceptable manner. This and other objects are attained according to the invention through the features claimed in the appended claims. According to one aspect of this invention specially constructed gripping means are clamped to four undamaged reference points in the central section of a vehicle to be examined so that two transverse beams can be rapidly coupled to the said gripping means. The said two transverse beams both of which are coupled to one pair of gripping means each then are combined with a longitudinal centre bean to form an H-shaped measuring frame which is adjusted to lie in a plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle. Then a measuring beam is rapidly coupled to the two transverse beams by using movable attaching means so that the said measuring beam can be given an arbitrary orientation within a plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle to define a measuring plane. Measurements along horizontal directions in the said measuring plane may be effected then using measuring scales provided on the several beams preferably in cooperation with indicating means arranged for sliding movement along the beams. Moreover, the measuring beam is provided with at least one measuring pole for vertical measurement perpendicular to the ground plane of the vehicle. Additionally, to perform crosswise and/or direct measurement at least one measuring rod can be coupled to the longitudinal centre beam and/or to the transverse beams. Preferably, the said measuring rod is designed for telescopic extension of its length and is provided with a measuring tip on its one end and with a ball joint for rapid coupling to fixed balls mounted on the transverse and longitudinal centre beams for sliding movement therealong. The measuring method according to this invention is carried out in such a way that four gripping means are clamped to four reference points on the vehicle located in the centre portion thereof. The said gripping means in turn are combined with a quickly mountable measuring frame which is placed in a plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle. For the said purpose either the gripping means are attached to four undamaged reference points or at least three gripping means are coupled to undamaged reference points and the fourth gripping means being attached to a damaged reference point is clamped thereto and adjusted in such a manner that the measuring plane as defined by the measuring frame is not dislocated. Then a measuring beam provided with the measuring means required can be quickly coupled parallely to the ground plane of the measuring frame and of the vehicle so that all the other reference points on the vehicle can be rapidly checked by appropriate measurement. Preferably, the measuring frame according to this invention can be dismantled to obtain short beam sections and other parts or components which can be easily accommodated in a usual suitcase. Further, the measuring frame is provided with a telescopic measuring rod by means of which any desired crosswise measurements can be rapidly carried out. Thus the invention permits to in practice detect every small deformation of a vehicle which though involved in an accident would not be placed to a levelling bench or similar equipment for reasons of time and costs. Therefore the invention provides a portable quickly usable und cheap diagnostic instrument which is of special advantage for insurance companies, trading companies, research laboratories, police officials etc. which though not directly engaged in motor car repair activities often are required to perform checking of such vehicles in a simple, quick and cheap way. An essential and important advantage of this invention is the fact that it takes only very little space under the vehicle to be examined and leaves the floor free such that work with the vehicle can be effected in upright position without troublesome obstacles. Moreover, it is of special advantage that the whole apparatus can be made with low weight and dimensions using profiled rods made from light metal such as aluminium such that it can be easily accommodated and transported in a usual suitcase. Further objects of this invention, together with additional features contributing thereto and advantages accuring therefrom, will be apparent from the following description of one preferrred embodiment of this invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a measuring frame as a whole Fig. 2 is a sectional view of measuring pole attachment, longitudinal centre beam and measuring beam, Fig. 3 shows one gripping means with its pole and attachment, Fig. 4 shows one gripping means in a sectional view, Fig. 5 shows added measuring means including telescopic poles and rods and measuring tips and Big. 6 shows jointing means for connecting beam parts to each other in connected condition (Fig. 6) and in split condition (Fig. 613). Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a selected example is shown for illustrative purposes where two transverse beams 1, 2 are made of aluminium profiles having grooves 37 for simply fitting mounting discs 34, 35 (Fig. 2) having threaded holes in which several mounting and screwing operations can be easily carried out. Moreover, a longitudinal centre beam 3 is shown having the same profile as the transverse beams 1, 2. The longitudinal centre beam 3 is placed on top at the centre of the transverse beams 1, 2 by means of quick fastening means including locking discs and locking screws not specifically shown in the drawings and cooperating through tapered guides in order that the longitudinal centre beam 3 might be clamped to the two transverse beams 1, 2 to form a fixed H-shaped measuring frame. A measuring beam 4 can be arranged below and attached to the two transverse beams 1, 2 by means of two quick couplings 23, 25 (cf. Fig. 2) engaging attachments 11 so that the measuring beam 4 will hang under the measuring frame. The attachments 11 for the measuring beam 4 can be pushed to and locked in an arbitrary position along the transverse beams 1, 2. Quick coupling 23, 25 cooperates with a screw 24 which can be locked to mounting disc 35 which can slide along the profiles of the transverse beams 1, 2. Functional details of quick coupling 23, 25 being self-explaining are not shown specifically. A measuring rod 5 can be rapidly connected to the transverse beams 1, 2 - and possibly also to the longitudinal centre beam 3 by means of ball joints 17 provided on the respective beams 1, 2, 3 for cooperation with a quick coupling 16 provided on one end of the measuring rod 5 and designed for receiving one ball to form a universal joint. The measuring rod 5 is of telescopic type and is provided with a measuring tip 18 on its free end and with a graduated scale 57 along its length. Each transverse beam 1, 2 is provided with two pole feet 6 which can be locked in an arbitrary position along the transverse beams 1, 2 by means of mounting discs 34 cooperating with locking screws 31. Every pole foot 6 is provided with a pole hole 38 and a locking screw 30 for vertically adjustably receiving and fixing poles 7 provided with graduated scales 36. Brides 8 can be attached to poles 7 through quick cuoplings 32 (Fig. 3). Gripping means 9 are pivotably connected to brides 8 through joint pins 33 for being coupled to the transverse beams 1, 2. Pole feet 6 are further provided with pointers 19 for indicating the position of the respective pole foot 6 along graduated scales 20 provided along the lengths of the transverse beams 1, 2. Each gripping means 9 is provided with at least three gripping clutches 10 for clamping attachment to one of the reference points on the vehicle to be checked. It should be noted that graduated scales 20 can be provided also along the longitudinal centre beam 3 and along the measuring beam 4 for effecting length measurement therealong. At one of its ends the measuring beam 4 is provided with an attachment 12 for securing a measuring pole 13 by means of a locking screw 54. The measuring pole 13 is of a telescopic design and is provided with a measuring tip 14 on its free upper end and with a graduated scale 57 extending along its length. On its upper side the longitudinal centre beam 3 is provided with an adjustable reference ball 15 which can be locked on the longitudinal centre beam 3 by means of locking means including a locking screw and a mounting disc not specifically shorn in the drawing but arranged and designed for cooperation with each other for locking action in a beam groove extending along the length of the longitudinal centre beam 3. Through the attachments 11 the measuring beam 4 can be suspended under the transverse beams 1, 2 and be locked therealong by means of locking screws 22, the respective position of the measuring beam 4 along the transverse beams 1, 2 being indicated by pointers 21 sliding along the scales 20. For the purpose of obtaining protection against breakage the ends of every beam 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be provided with end caps 26 as shown in Fig. 1 for one end of the longitudinal centre beam 3. Referring to Fig. 4 one gripping means 9 is shown in more detail in a sectional view. The gripping means 9 shown consists of an adjusting screw 40 and of a sleeve 41 receiving a piston 43 for sliding movement. A cylinder 42 is rigidly connected to the sleeve 41 by means of a locking screw 45. The adjustment screw 40 can be rotated within a central hole in the cylinder 42 and is locked to it by means of a locking ring 44. The cylinder 42 and the piston 43 have two semi-circular concave surfaces 46 and 47 which axially move relative to each other upon rotation of the adjusting screw 40. The adjustment screw itself then moves in a threaded central hole 49 of the piston 43. At least three gripping clutches 10 having double balls 45, 48 are fitted into the concave surfaces 46 and 47 so that the gripping clutches 10 may be pivoted towards or from the longitudinal axis of the gripping means 9 upon rotation of the adjustment screw 40 for axial movement of the surfaces 46 and 47 relative to each other. In order that the gripping clutches 10 may move axially grooves 39 are provided in the piston 43. When the adjustment screw 40 is rotated clockwise, the piston 43 moves to the right (in Fig. 4) entraining the surface 47 therewith such that the innermost balls 48 of the gripping clutches 10 are moved to the right swiveling the gripping clutches 10 towards the centre axis of the gripping means 9 for clamping action upon a reference bolt and for releasing action from a reference hole respectively. When the adjustment screw 40 is rotated anticlockwise, the gripping clutches 10 are swiveled towards the opposite direction for releasing and for clamping action respectively. Thanks to the gear of the adjusting screw 40 the gripping clutches 10 can be easily clamped within a reference hole or clamped around a reference bolt with great force. Fig. 5 first specifically shows one telescopic measuring rod 5 provided with locking rings 52 and double measuring tips 18 as well as an angle bracket 51. Moreover, the attachment 12 on the measuring beam 4 having a locking screw 54 and one telescopic-type measuring pole 13 for the measuring tip 14 having locking rings 53 are shown. The measuring tip 14 is mounted on the measuring pole 13 by means of a locking ring 55 and an angle bracket 56. The angle bracket 56 is provided with V-shaped grooves at an angle of 450 for locking the measuring tip 14 which thus can be adjusted in 0 450 and 90 relativ to the measuring pole 13. The measuring rod 5 and the measuring pole 13 can be given the same design with three different angular settings. Fig. 6 shows the principle of joining two beam parts of the longitudinal centre beam 3 at the joint 60 (Fig. 1). A jointing block 64 has been screw-fixed into the left beam part by a locking screw 68. The jointing block 64 is further provided with provided with a conical guide 66 so that the right beam part is guided into position when a second locking screw 61 is tightened. In the same manner parts of the measuring beam 4 can be jointed at a joint 62 by means of a jointing block (not shown) screw-fixed within the left beam part by a locking screw 69 such that after introduction into the right beam part that can be drawn into position through a guide groove and locked by a locking screw 63. Fig. 6 moreover illustrates another way for joining beam parts to each other. Here two jointing blocks are used one of which is fixed within the left beam part and has a grooved pin 65 projecting towards the right beam part to be introduced into a hole in another jointing block fixed in the right beam part for being locked there by a spring-loaded locking ball 67 in the manner of a snap-coupling. In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings the reference ball 15 on top of the longitudinal centre beam 3 may be replaced by a shaft around which a measuring rod in the form of a beam can be rotated into several positions in a ground plane. That beam nay be provided with a measuring tip of the same type as that of the measuring beam 4, and then it is also possible to carry out a height measurement. Moreover, gripping means of a design different from that of the gripping means 9 as shown in Fig. 4 may be used. A possible way of changing design is to make the concave surfaces 46, 47 and the cooperating balls 48 change positions. That might lead to a considerable reduction in diameter for the gripping means. Advantageously, the concave and convex joint surfaces cooperating with each other can be coated with a film of rubber or similar material to get a soft motion of the gripping clutches without any play. Quick couplings used for connecting beams and other components instead of being designed in the form of cooperating mounting discs slidably guided within grooves and locking screws may also be designed as sliders having an upper portion to be placed on top of a beam and downwardly extending sides designed for being clamped to the said beam by cooperation of locking screws and jaws. Sliders of the said type may be used not only for carrying measuring rods or measuring poles but may also serve as carriers for pointers for direct measurement in a horizontal plane. In addition to measuring tips placed on the free ends of measuring rods or measuring poles extensions of various design may be connected to the measuring means for pointing to or contacting certain reference points on the vehicle to be checked. The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 6 may be put into operation in the following manner: Two reference points located symmetrically on either side of a vehicle to be examined are localized, and the vehicle is hoisted up to a suitable working height with the vehicles weight left on all four wheels of the vehicle. The several beam parts are connected to each other at the respective joints. Four single gripping means 9 are clamped to four selected reference points on the vehicle. At least three of the said reference points which may be reference holes and/or reference bolts have to be undamaged. The two transverse beams 1, 2 each having two pole feet 6 loosely fitted thereupon for sliding movement therealong are coupled to the four gripping means 9 in pairs. In that connection it is within the scope of this invention to attach the poles 7 to the brackets 8 through bayonet couplings, and such couplings may be used also for connecting other parts and components with each other. Then the pole feet 6 act to loosely suspend the transverse beams 1, 2 below the vehicle to be examined. The net step is to adjust the pole feet 6 as to their positions along the transverse beams 1, 2 to obtain symmetrical configuration using the pointers 19 in cooperation with the scales 20. Then the pole feet 6 are locked with the transverse beams 1, 2 being symmetrically suspended below the vehicle. Then the poles 7 are checked and if necessary are adjusted with regard to their heights to obtain conditions suitable with respect to the vehicle. Then the longitudinal centre beam 3 is screwed home exactly along the centre line of the vehicle reading the scales 20 for controlling purposes. Thus an H-shaped measuring frame structure is obtained defining a measuring plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle. Then the measuring beam 4 is coupled to the measuring frame through the corresponding quick couplings, and the attachments 11 are adjusted to bring the measuring beam 4 in a position to extend straight below a specific reference point to be checked. It is advantageous to place one of the two attachments 11 centrally on the centre line of the vehicle but this is not a necessary condition. Then the measuring pole 13 through adjusting the corresponding attachment 12 is moved to bring the measuring tip 14 in contact with another reference point. Every part of the measuring beam 4 is locked then, and readings are effected on the scale 57 along the measuring pole 13 for height measurement and on the scales 20 on the transverse beams 1, 2 for angle measurement in the measuring plane. Preferably, but not necessarily, one of the transverse beams 1, 2 in advance has been adjusted to zero by locating the measuring beam 4 on the centre line. Length reading then is carried out on scale 20 along the measuring beam 4. Thus the position of the reference point in the ground plane has been obtained in the form of a direct length measurement and one or two measures from the scales 20 on the transverse beams 1, 2 which in principle give the angle relative to the centre line. The corresponding reference point on the other side of the centre line is then measured for control in the same way, and any difference in the readings obtained is a measure for a possible deformation of the vehicle. Height difference and lateral and longitudinal displacements can be easily calculated then. Advantageously, an alignment chart can be prepared for direct reading of the results in mm. In cases where there is no difference in height it may be convenient to use the measuring rod 5 for the direct measurement, the reference ball 15 being used. The whole proceedings for measurement can be completed within only a fraction of one hour of working even if several reference points have to be checked. A certain reference point can be quickly checked by means of prepared data sheets by preadjusting certain values on the scales. Therefore, the apparatus can also be used as a comfortable and quick measuring instrument. While the invention has been described above with reference to some preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of this invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as a mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: Claims: 1. A method for measuring deformations of frames or bodies of vehicles by detecting the positions of reference points provided on the respective vehicle, characterised in that gripping means (9) are clamped to four reference points which are located in the central part of the vehicle and at least three of which are undamaged, that two transverse beams (1, 2) are coupled to the said gripping means (9) in pairs, that a longitudinal centre beam (3) is coupled to the said two transverse beams (1, 2) to form an H-shaped measuring frame, that the said measuring frame is adjusted to lie in a measuring plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle, the fourth gripping means (9), if attached to a damaged reference point, being clamped thereto and adjusted in a manner not to dislocate the said measuring plane, that a measuring beam (4) is coupled to the said transverse beams (1, 2) using displaceable fastening means (11) permitting arbitrary orientation of the measuring beam (4) in the said measuring plane and that the said measuring beam (d) is provided with at least one measuring pole (13) for measurement in vertical and horizontal directions to check the positions of further reference points on the vehicle. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that at least one measuring rod (5) is provided having one of its ends connected to one of the transverse beams (1, 2) or to the longitudinal centre beam (3) for direct and/or cross measurements to check the positions of further reference points on the vehicle. 3. A measuring frame for performing the method of claim 1, charact- erised by two transverse beams (1, 2) each provided with two gripping means (9) adjustable along the respective transverse beam (1, 2) to suspend the said transverse beams (1, 2) below four reference points on a vehicle, by a longitudinal centre beam (3) releasably coupled to the two transverse beams (1, 2) to form an H-shaped structure in a measuring plane parallel to the ground plane of the vehicle, by a measuring beam (4) adjustably attached below the two transverse beans (1, 2) by means of fastening means (11) lockably displaceable along the transverse beams (1, 2) for adjusting the measuring beam (4) under an arbitrary angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the measuring plane, and by at least one measuring pole (13) attached to the measuring beam (4) for vertical measurement of the positions of further reference points on the vehicle. 4. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 3, characterised by at least one measuring rod (5) each pivotably connected to one of the transverse beams (1, 2) and/or to the longitudinal centre beam (3) for direct or, alternatively, cross measurement towards further reference points on the vehicle. 5. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that each of the transverse beams (1, 2) and/or the longitudinal centre beam (3) are provided with universal joints (17) for pivotably connecting one end of a measuring rod (5). 6. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the several beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are designed divisible with regard to their lengths, including jointing means (64) having guiding means (65; 66) and locking means (61, 68; 67) cooperating with each other for properly introducing the beam parts into each other to be releasably locked to each other. 7. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the parts of the subdivided beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are locked to each other by screw means 61, 63, 68, 69). 8. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the parts of the subdivided beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are connected to each other by bayonet joints or by snap couplings (65, 67). 9. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the several beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are profiled rods, preferably including longitudinal grooves (37), made from light metal such as aluminium. 10. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 9, characterised in that the connections between the gripping means (9) and the transverse beams (1, 2) include bayonet joints and/or snap couplings for rapid connection. 11. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 10, characterised in that the measuring poles (13) and/or the measuring rods (5) are designed to be telescopically extensible arms provided with measuring scales (57) along at least part of their lengths and /or with measuring tips (14, 18) at their free ends. 12. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 11, characterised in that the beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are provided with measuring scales (20) extending along at least parts of their lengths. 13. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 12, characterised in that the several beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are connected to each other, to the gripping means (9), to the measuring poles (13) and to the measuring rods (5) by means of connecting means (6, 11, 12, 17) designed for blockably sliding movement along the respective beams (1, 2, 3, 4). 14. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the beams (1, 2, 3, 4) are provided with grooves (37) extending along their lengths to receive part (34, 35) of the said connecting means (6, 11, 12, 17) for sliding movement therealong. 15. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the connecting means (6, 11, 12, 17) are designed to engage the respective beams (1, 2, 3, 4) along the upper surfaces and at least part of the sides thereof. 16. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the connecting means (6, 11, 12, 17) include screw means (22, 3d, 54) for locking the connecting means (6, 11, 12, 17) on the respective beams (1, 2, 3, 4). 17. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 16, characterised by at least one additional slider mounted on at least one of the beams (1, 2, 3, 4) for blockable movement therealong permitting direct measurements towards further reference points. 18. A measuring frame as claimed in clain 17, characterised in that the additional sliders are designed to be locked on the respective beams (1, 2, 3, 4) by screwing action. 19. A measuring frame as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the additional sliders are provided with extensions designed to point towards or to contact further reference points. 20. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 19, characterised in that the measuring pole (13) and/or the measuring rod (5) are provided with extensions slidable therealong and /or rotatable thereabout to point towards or to contact further reference points. 21. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 20, characterised in that the longitudinal centre beam (3) is provided with a reference means (15) projecting from its upper surface to create a zero point for measurement. 22. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 21, characterised in that the gripping means (9) are provided with replaceable head portions (10) specifically designed for attachment to specially designed reference points such as reference holes or reference bolts. 23. A measuring frame as claimed in one of the claims 3 to 22, characterised in that the gripping means (9) are pivotably connected to height adjusting means (7, 30) which are attached to the transverse beams (1, 2) for sliding movement therealong.

Inventors: GIACOMINI, JEAN FRANCOIS, MARCHAND, CLAUDE, Giacomini, Jean François
Applicants: HEIN-WERNER CORPORATION
Application year: 1983
Main classification: G01B5
IPC codes: G01B3, G01B5