Patent GB-1111239-A (GB)
Title: Vehicle frame straightening device
Inventor: LATUFF JOSEPH JOHN
IPC: B21D1/14
Filed: 1966-12-08
Abstract: 1,111,239. Straightening vehicle frames. LATUFF HERCUL-EASE CO. 8 Dec., 1966, No. 54948/66. Heading B3Q. Apparatus for straightening vehicle frames 121, Fig. 4, comprises upper and lower horizontal frames 20, 21, Fig. 8, a vertical subframe 68 movable horizontally on the frames 20, 21 and having a portion rotatable about a vertical axis, and power means 98 on the subframe connected by flexible means 116 to the vehicle frame for applying a straightening force. As shown, the frames 20, 21 are of 0-form and H- section, with outer flanges 145-148, and are interconnected by vertical bars 22. Stationary or vertically-adjustable tread rails 30, on to which a vehicle may be driven up ramps 32, are supported by beams 31 which are interconnected by cross-beams 151, 152 and spaced from the   frames by members 33 carrying shoes 34 slidable along the vertical bars 22. A winch (37), Fig. 2 (not shown), may be used to position vehicles too damaged to use the ramp. Vertical adjustment of the vehicle support is by an electromotor 58 and coupled shafts 56, 57, 59 which, through worm gearing, rotate nuts carried by the members 33 at each corner of the support and engaging stationary screws (55), Fig. 10 (not shown), within the vertical bars 22. Between adjacent bars 151, 152 are bolsters 150 against which the vehicle frame is located, Fig. 4, during the straightening operation. A vertical bar 154, Fig. 6, passing through the bolster engages the vehicle frame, the bar being located vertically and the bolster horizontally by dogs 155, 162 on the bolster engaging racks 157, 160 respectively, on the vertical bar 154 and horizontal bar 151. The subframes 68, Fig. 8, run on horizontal and vertical rolls 81, 82, 86 on the frames 20, 21 and are located by a lower pin 90 and an upper, spring-pressed pin 88 which engage holes 91, 89 in the frames. Inward movement of the subframes is restricted by short beams 140, 141 engaging the frames 20, 21, the beam 141 carrying a roller 144. The body 73, 74 of the subframe is rotatable on vertical pivots 78, 84 relatively to plates 80, 85 carrying the rolls 81, 82, 86. A bearing 96 is located between the plate 80 and a plate 95 which carries the motor 98 and is secured to the rotatable body of the subframe. Chains 101 transmit the motor-drive to a shaft 102 on which a sprocket 115 engages a chain 116 connected to the vehicle-frame. The chain 116 is taken round a further sprocket 120 in a slide 124, 126 located vertically by a pin 127 passing through the slide and engaging holes (128), Fig. 2 (not shown), at different heights in the subframe. A counterweight (130) balances the sprocket-slide. As a vertically adjustable vehicle support, a grease rack may be used, to which the bolsters are attached. A different design of subframe may be used, Fig. 13, the lower sprocket 245 of which is adjustable by an electromotor (237), Fig. 14 (not shown), driving a screw 236 which engages a nut 240 controlling the sprocket. The screw 236 and the sprocket slide 241, 242, Fig. 17, are contained in a casing 220, of D-section mounted on pivots 222, 227, the slide moving slightly, laterally of the casing, to bear against flanges 243 upon application of a straightening force. Rollers 201, 230 on the subframe bear on the horizontal frames 20<SP>1</SP>, 21<SP>1</SP>, and a solenoid (139), Fig. 15 (not shown), on the platform 200 projects its plunger into one of the locating holes (89<SP>1</SP>) in the top frame 201. A further solenoid 234 locates in the lower frame. The electromotor 205 drives through a worm reduced gear 206, the tensioned chain passing through the hollow pivot 222 while the loose end is housed behind a partition 235. Spring-pressed rollers 233 on the plate 226 bear against the lower frame 21<SP>1</SP>, and stops (232), Fig. 18 (not shown), on the plate prevent excessive rotation.