Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6389913?dq=6,202,008
Timestamp: 2014-03-08 15:01:34
Document Index: 359379486

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 1', 'arts 1', 'arts 7', 'arts 7', 'arts 7', 'arts 7', 'art 6', 'art 1', 'arts 1', 'arts 7']

Patent US6389913 - Method of repairing vehicle body and repair indexing device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe present invention concerns a method of repairing a vehicle body and a repair indexing device for estimating the damage of a vehicle body panel and providing a guide for the repair of the vehicle body. A method of repairing the damage of a vehicle body according to the present invention comprises...http://www.google.com/patents/US6389913?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6389913 - Method of repairing vehicle body and repair indexing deviceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6389913 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/434,003Publication dateMay 21, 2002Filing dateNov 4, 1999Priority dateNov 5, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2288466A1, CA2288466C, DE69917182D1, EP0998995A2, EP0998995A3, EP0998995B1, US6595076, US20020058079Publication number09434003, 434003, US 6389913 B1, US 6389913B1, US-B1-6389913, US6389913 B1, US6389913B1InventorsTateo UegakiOriginal AssigneeTateo UegakiExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (7), Referenced by (1), Classifications (12), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod of repairing vehicle body and repair indexing deviceUS 6389913 B1Abstract The present invention concerns a method of repairing a vehicle body and a repair indexing device for estimating the damage of a vehicle body panel and providing a guide for the repair of the vehicle body. A method of repairing the damage of a vehicle body according to the present invention comprises the steps of: measuring quantitatively the depth of a recessed part caused by the damage; and selecting a method from a plurality of previously estimated processes on the basis of the measured result. The processes are selected from putty filling work and sheet metal work. Further, a repair indexing device for a vehicle body according to the present invention comprises: a plate shaped body; and a gauge body provided at the central part of the plate shaped body so as to be capable of sliding in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plate shaped body; a measuring means provided on the plate shaped body to measure the degree of damage of the vehicle body as the amount of sliding of the gauge body; a method display means for displaying a plurality of processes; and a method selecting means for selecting a method for repairing the damage from the plurality of processes so as to meet the amount of sliding obtained by the measuring means. According to the present invention, the damage of the vehicle body can be quantitatively understood and a proper method of repairing the vehicle can be recognized.
What is claimed is: 1. A repair indexing device for a vehicle body, comprising:
a plate shaped body; a gauge body provided at the central part of said plate shaped body so as to be capable of sliding in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said plate shaped body; a measuring means provided on said plate shaped body to measure the degree of damage of the vehicle body as the amount of sliding of said gauge body; a method display means for displaying a plurality of processes; and a method selecting means for selecting a process for repairing the damage from said plurality of processes so as to meet the amount of sliding obtained by said measuring means. 2. A repair indexing device for a vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein said plate shaped body comprises:
a preliminary measuring means for measuring the normal surface configuration of a vehicle body panel to be repaired; and a correcting means for correcting the reference value of said gauge body on the basis of the measured value obtained by said preliminary measuring means. 3. A repair indexing device for a vehicle body according to claim 1, further comprising:
a deforming means for bending said plate shaped body in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of said plate shaped body, wherein said deforming means deforms said plate shaped body so as to correspond to the normal curved surface of the vehicle body panel to be repaired, and said measuring means sets said plate shaped body thus deformed to the reference value of said gauge body. 4. A repair indexing device for a vehicle body according to claim 3, wherein said deforming means has a long plate, peninsular parts respectively extend from the both ends of the long plate in the directions perpendicular to that of the long plate, the tip ends of the peninsular parts are connected together by means of a substantially expansible high strength body, and the high strength body is expanded and contracted so that the long plate can be bent perpendicularly and in the direction of its thickness.
5. A repair indexing device for a vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein said plate shaped body is provided with a base formed so as to freely slide in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said plate shaped body, and said base has auxiliary gauge bodies at both the ends thereof so as to freely slide in the directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said base.
6. A repair indexing device according to claim 5, wherein when the normal curved surface of the vehicle body panel is a protruding or convexed surface, said auxiliary gauge bodies are slid to the vehicle body panel side from said base to correct the reference point of said gauge body.
7. A repair indexing device for a vehicle body according to claim 5, wherein when the normal curved surface of the vehicle body panel is a recessed surface, said plate shaped body is slid to the vehicle body panel side from said base to correct the reference point of said gauge body.
Further, on the other hand, when the degree of the dent is not so large as to apply the sheet met a work thereto, only the processes after the sheet metal work may be carried out. As for the putty filling process, there exist some methods depending on the degree of the dent and the kinds of putty to be used also differ depending on the degree of the dent. Recently, there has been developed a technique for repairing even a considerably severe dent by using special putty.
However, there are few engineers having such a high level of judgment and technical ability, and particularly, it is unreasonable from an economic point of view to engage such an experienced engineer to repair slight and minor damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made with taking the above described matter into consideration, and accordingly, has an object to provide a method of repairing a vehicle body panel and a repair indexing device by which damage of a vehicle body can be quantitatively recognized, the damage can be estimated and recorded with ease and even a person having little experience can properly determine a proper repairing method.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of repairing the damage of a vehicle body, comprising the steps of: measuring quantitatively the depth of a recessed part caused by the damage; and selecting a process from a plurality of previously estimated processes on the basis of the measured result, wherein the process is selected from putty filling work and sheet metal work. direction of the plate shaped body, and the base has auxiliary gauge bodies at both ends thereof so as to freely slide in the directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base. Further, when the normal curved surface of the vehicle body panel is a protruding or convex surface, the auxiliary gauge bodies are slid to the vehicle body panel side from the base to correct the reference point of the gauge body. Still further, when the normal curved surface of the vehicle body panel is a recessed surface, the plate shaped body is slid to the vehicle body panel side from the base to correct the reference point of the gauge body.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a repair indexing device for a vehicle body in addition to the second aspect, wherein the plate shaped body is provided with a base formed so as to freely slide in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
FIG. 10 is a side view of a second state of the procedure for using the repair indexing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of a second state of the procedure for using the repair indexing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now, a method of repairing a vehicle body and a repair indexing device according to the present invention will be described in more detail by way of embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12.
The gauge body 2 is generally formed in the shape of an arrow mark as shown in FIG. 3. One end of the gauge body is a tip end part 2 a and two slots 2 b and 2 b are provided at the central parts of the gauge body 2. Then, pointers 2 c and 2 c are formed at both the sides of the main body part of the gauge body 2.
On the other hand, pins 1 a and 1 a are provided on the plate shaped body 1 as shown in FIG. 4. The above described slots 2 b and 2 b are loosely fitted to the pins 1 a and 1 a. Thus, the gauge body 2 is capable of freely sliding in a direction shown by an arrow mark F relative to the plate shaped body 1.
On the surface of the plate shaped body 1, there are scored scales (measuring means) 3 for measuring the amount of sliding of the gauge body 2. The pointers (method selecting means) 2 c and 2 c correspond to the scales 3, so that a user can see which parts of the scales 3 the pointers 2 c and 2 c indicate through the transparent plate shaped body 1.
As shown in FIG. 4, on the rear edge of the plate shaped body 1, an engaging part 1 b with a U-shape in section is provided. Side engaging parts 1 c are provided on both the side edges of the plate shaped body 1.
Further, area display scales 20 and 20 for displaying the length and the area of the damaged part are provided on the front edge of the plate shaped body 1. On the area display scales 20 and 20, there are also provided displays on the basis of decimeter unit. There are displayed 1 square decimeters (10 cm square) 2 square decimeters, 3 square decimeters and 4 square decimeters, successively from the internal side of the scales. The scales are made to abut on the actual damaged part, so that an approximate area (area gained by assuming that the lengthwise length of the damaged part is approximate to the widthwise length thereof) can be calculated.
On the surface of the plate shaped body 1, a plurality of methods (method display means) 4 are displayed so as to correspond to the scales 3. In the methods 4, a �putty scales� and a �sheet metal scale� are independently displayed. The �putty scale� shown in the loft side of FIG. 1 comprises four steps of �range of finishing by performing a special putty filling work once�, �range of finishing by performing a special putty filling work twice�, �specification of ordinary formed putty� and �sheet metal work required�.
These steps show that the more the step advances, the more heavy the degree of the damage becomes. As mentioned below, as the amount of protrusion of the gauge body 2 increases (the recessed part becomes deeper),it is more necessary to carry out sheet metal work.
On the other hand, the �sheet metal scale� shown in the right side of FIG. 1 is employed when the body is repaired mainly by sheet metal work without using the above described �putty scale�, which is only used as an auxiliary method. The �sheet metal scale� of the methods 4 comprises four steps of �optimum surfacing�, �minimum range in which a surfacing is difficult�, �range of drawing out by a sealing method� and �striking work from a back side required�. These steps also indicate a fact that the more the step advances, the more heavy the degree of the damage becomes. As the amount of protrusion of the gauge body 2 increases, it is more necessary to carry out the sheet metal work.
Here, the sealing method means a method employing a transparent sheet on which a recommended position where the body is to be drawn out is printed. More specifically, when the dent of the body is drawn out, it is not desirable to carry out drawing-out work at random, but it is necessary to carry out the drawing-out work at a plurality of proper positions in order to perform repairing work more rapidly and effectively. For this purpose, the positions where the dent of the body is to be drawn out are designated by the positions printed on the transparent sheet.
In the plate shaped body 1, is provided a deforming means 5 for bending the plate shaped plate 1 in the direction of its thickness (in the direction of a short side in the rectangular plate shaped body 1) and in the direction perpendicular to the direction of thickness (in the direction of a long side in the rectangular plate shaped body 1). The deforming means has a long plate 6 formed with an elastic synthetic resin. Peninsular parts 7 and 7 extend from both the ends of the long plate 6 in the directions perpendicular to the long plate 6. The ends of the peninsular parts 7 and 7 are connected together by an expansible high strength body 8. The high strength body 8 is provided with a stainless steel rod with a screw 8 a cut at its one end and has a thumbscrew 8 b attached to one end side. Further, the high strength body 8 is supported by the peninsular parts 7 and 7 by means of cylindrical stoppers 8 c and 8 c. Then, the thumbscrew 8 b is rotated so that the high strength body 8 can be tensed or stretched, or compressed or reduced from both the sides thereof. In other words, the length of the high strength body 8 between both the peninsular parts 7 and 7 is substantially expanded or contracted. Since the long plate 6 has an elasticity (flexibility), the tension or compression of the high strength body 8 causes the long plate 6 to be bent. The front edge of the long plate 6 is formed in an acute angle part 6 a. The deforming means 5 having the above mentioned structure is formed integrally with the plate shaped body 1 as shown in FIG. 6. That is to say , the deforming means 5 is held by the engaging part 1band the side engaging parts 1 c so that the deforming means 5 is formed integrally with the plate shaped body 1.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the non-deformed (i.e., normal) configuration of the body is stored in a position symmetrical with respect to a position 22 where the body 21 is deformed (for instance, a right door panel with respect to a left door panel). In other words, the plate-shaped body 1 is calibrated by positioning the body 1 on a non-deformed body 21 which is similar in shape to the deformed body, and adjusting the deforming means. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this adjusting is carried out by turning the thumb screw 8 b so as to change the length of the distance between the peninsular parts 7 and 7 to a sufficient extent that the pointers 2 c are adjusted to point to the 0 position on the scales 3. At this time, the deforming means 5 is adjusted so that three points including the both ends of the plate shaped body 1 and the tip end of the gauge body 2 come into contact with the body 21. Here, the pointers 2 c are adjusted so as to point to points 0 of the scales 3. In other words, the dent to be corrected is calibrated to 0 in the normal configuration.
Subsequently; as shown in FIG. 10, the repair indexing device is made to abut on the deformed side of the body 21 to push out the gauge body 2 toward the interior of the deformed position 22. Then, the pointers 2 c advance on the scales 3 by the amount of pushing out the gauge body 2, hence the amount of the dent of the recessed part can be recognized (the above described operations correspond to a measuring step).
The repair indexing device according to the present invention may be reused during the repair work so as to properly obtain a new repair index. Further, the methods in the sheet metal scale side may be combined stepwise with the methods in the putty scale side to cay out the repairing work.
Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below by viewing FIGS. 7, 8, 11 and 12.
According to this embodiment, a base 9 is added as an additional component to the plate shaped body 1 of the first embodiment. The base 9 is provided with a reinforcing body 9 a therein and auxiliary gauge bodies 10 and 10 at both the ends thereof so as to be retractable. The auxiliary gauge bodies 10 and 10 are provided with pins 25. On the other hand, slots 23 and 23 are provided in the base 9. Then, the pins 25 are inserted into the slots 23 and 23 and fixed by means of round nuts 24 and 24. Consequently, the auxiliary gauge bodies 10 and 10 can slide in such a manner as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Then, on the base 9, a plate shaped body 1 similar to that in the first embodiment is provided so as to be capable of sliding. The plate shaped body 1 of the second embodiment is different from the plate shaped body 1 of the first embodiment in that slots 26 and 26 are formed in both the sides of the plate shaped body 1 according to the second embodiment. Other structural components of the plate shaped body 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention are identical with those of that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the same reference characters as those of the first embodiment are attached thereto and an explanation thereof will be omitted.
In this repair indexing device, the base 9 and the plate shaped body 1 can slide in the direction of thickness so as to store a normal body configuration. Measuring methods are different from each other between a case in which the normal body configuration is provided with a recessed surface and a case in which tie normal body configuration has a convex or protruding surface.
Initially, a form in which a body 21 is configured so as to have a recessed surface is described by referring to FIGS. 11 and 12. In this case, in the body 21 with the normal configuration as shown in FIG. 11, the plate shaped body 1 is moved toward the body side so that three points including the auxiliary bodies 10 and 10 and the gauge body 2 come into contact with the body 21. Here, pointers 2 c are adjusted so as to point to the point 0 of scales 3.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above described embodiments, and a person with ordinary skill in the art can form various kinds of modifications without departing from the gist described in the scope of the claims.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4479305Mar 12, 1982Oct 30, 1984Applied Power Inc.Measuring bridgeUS4507872 *Jan 20, 1982Apr 2, 1985Garages Mutualistes FrancaisMethod for measuring the state of damage of an automobile vehicle and measuring apparatus for carrying out said methodUS4823469 *Dec 17, 1987Apr 25, 1989Broselow James BMeasuring tape for directly determining physical treatment and physiological values and proceduresUS5522145Mar 11, 1994Jun 4, 1996Chisum; F. LavellCenterline gauging system with floating pointer for vehicle alignment equipmentUS5644854May 20, 1994Jul 8, 1997Bergeron; Marcel J.Measuring device for vehicle body repairUS5801834May 17, 1996Sep 1, 1998Danielson; Glen C.Vehicle straightener measuring unit, measuring apparatus reliant on reflected beam(s), and source, targets and methodFR2703447A1 Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8322044Jan 21, 2009Dec 4, 2012Dow Corning CorporationMethod of measuring dents and method of classifying dentsClassifications U.S. Classification73/866.3International ClassificationB21D1/06, B60S5/00, G01B5/20, G01B5/02, G01B5/18Cooperative ClassificationG01B5/02, G01B5/18, B21D1/06European ClassificationB21D1/06, G01B5/18, G01B5/02Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 27, 2013REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedOct 1, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Oct 7, 2005FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Sep 12, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: UEGAKI, TATEO, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUKEPLANNING & CO., INC.;REEL/FRAME:012161/0956Effective date: 20010828Owner name: UEGAKI, TATEO 8-3, SAKAE 1-CHOME, MIYAGINO-KU SENDOwner name: UEGAKI, TATEO 8-3, SAKAE 1-CHOME, MIYAGINO-KUSENDAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DUKEPLANNING & CO., INC. /AR;REEL/FRAME:012161/0956Nov 4, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: DUKEPLANNING & CO., INC., JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UEGAKI, TATEO;REEL/FRAME:010378/0240Effective date: 19991027Owner name: DUKEPLANNING & CO., INC. 1-8-3, SAKAE MIYAGINO-KURotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google