GB2027623A

GB2027623A - Straightening apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2027623A
Application number: GB7927209A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Applied Power Inc
Current assignee: Enerpac Tool Group Corp
Priority date: 1978-08-04
Filing date: 1979-08-03
Publication date: 1980-02-27
Also published as: IT7924849A0; FR2432345A1; JPS5527498A; AU4946879A; FR2432345B1; IT1122676B; DE2834319A1

Abstract

Apparatus for straightening damaged motor vehicles comprises a beam 1 which can be positioned beneath, and detachably fixed to, a motor vehicle. The beam 1 is made of steel and is of generally rectangular cross-section, the height of the beam being substantially less than its width. The upper side 2 of the beam is provided with a plurality of supports 3, each of which can pivotally support a hydraulic ram Z,D. One end 4 of the beam 1 is provided with a plurality of slots 7, and lateral extension pieces 15 and 16 of the beam are also provided with slots 7 which constitute anchoring points for chains K. In a modification, one part of the beam is pivotable on the other, and the beam may be attached to a frame carrying the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Straightening apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for straightening damaged motor vehicles A known straightening apparatus has a beam of rectangular cross-section which can be introduced beneath the vehicle to be straightened and disengageably connected therewith by means of anchoring devices. The beam of this apparatus has a rectangular cross-section and is positioned, in use, with its larger cross-sectional dimensions at right-angles to the underneath side of the vehicle being straightened. A pivot arm is pivotally attached to one end of the beam, the pivot arm being pivotal about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal central plane. The pivot arm can be moved by means of a hydraulic ram which is pitovally attached to the pivot arm and to the beam.The pivot arm is provided with a row of teeth onto which chains can be hooked for transferring traction or thrust forces to the vehicle being straightened. To provide an abutment for these forces, an anchoring post is displaceably secured to the other end of the beam, the anchoring part being attachable to the motor vehicle by means of anchoring devices such as anchoring clamps and support tubes.

This known straightening apparatus can be used, either alone, or in combination with a frame carrying the motor vehicle to be straightened. In both cases, however, the motor vehicle must be jacked up to permit the introduction of the upright beam and its connection with the vehicle and this is obviously disadvantageous. Moreover, this known apparatus permits the application of only one straightening force at a time.

The aim of the invention is to provide a vehicle straightening apparatus which can readily be introduced beneath a motor vehicle standing on its own wheels (or beneath a low frame carrying the motor vehicle), and which enables a of forces to be applied at the same time to the motor vehicle.

The present invention provides apparatus for straightening a damaged motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising a beam which can be positioned beneath, and detachably fixed to, the vehicle, the beam having a generally rectangular cross-section, wherein the height of the beam is less than its width, wherein the upper side of the beam is provided with a plurality of supports each of which is capable of pivotally supporting a hydraulic ram, and wherein the beam is provided with a plurality of anchoring points for anchoring chains which co-operate with the hydraulic rams to transfer straightening forces to the vehicle.

This straightening apparatus has the advantage of a very low height. Moreover, its beam upper side is generally smooth and flat so that it can be easily introduced beneath a damaged motor vehicle standing on its own wheels or supported by a frame. Nevertheless, this apparatus permits the transmission of very large straightening forces, since its beam, which may be made of steel, displays great bending strength despite its small vertical dimension. Furthermore, this apparatus permits a plurality of forces to act simultaneously upon a damaged motor vehicle. In particular, traction and thrust forces can be applied simultaneously, the size, direction and point of action of these different forces being freely selectable within wide limits.

Advantageously, the beam is provided with ground-engageable wheels.

Preferably a plurality of anchoring points are provided at one end of the beam, and at least one anchoring point is provided on each side of the beam. In this case, the anchoring points at said one end of the beam may be equispaced along said one end, and the anchoring points on the beam sides are each provided on a respective lateral extension piece of the beam. Preferably, a ground-engageable wheel is mounted on each of the extension pieces by means of a respective pivot bearing. Each of the anchoring points may be constituted by an elongate slot in the beam.

In a preferred embodiment, the beam is constituted by two beam portions which are pivotally joined together by means of a pivot joint fixed to one of the beam portions, the pivot joint having a pivotal axis perpendicular to the upper side of the beam. Advantageously, means are provided for fixing the two beam portions together, at any one of a plurality of different angular positions. Said one beam portion may be longer than the other beam portion and is positioned, in use, beneath the vehicle. Preferably, at least two supports are provided on both the pivot joint and the other beam portion, and at least two anchoring points are provided on both beam portions. In this case, after the apparatus has been anchored to the motor vehicle, the positions of the supports for the rams can be repeatedly changes, so that the straightening forces can be still further varied.

Two forms of straightening apparatus, each constructed in accordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first form of straightening apparatus; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the second form of straightening apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows straightening apparatus having a beam 1 whose width is substantially greater than its height. The beam 1 is made of steel and displays outstanding bending strength. The beam 1 is arranged with its width parallel to the floor, and can be moved along the floor on three small wheels 14. Two of the wheels are pivotally attached, by means of pivot bearings 12 and 13, to lateral extension pieces 15 and 1 6 of the beam 1, the other wheel 14 being positioned at the centre of one end of the beam. A handle 1 8 is provided at the other end 4 of the beam 1, the handle facilitating movement of the beam along the floor. The entire upper side 2 of the beam 1 is smooth and flat.

Between the beam end 4 and the lateral extension pieces 15 and 16, three supports 3 are provided in the upper side 2 of the beam 1. The supports 3 each constitute a seat for a universal ball joint attached to one end of a respective hydraulic ram. For example, Figure 1 shows a hydraulic ram Z which is used for traction, and a hydraulic ram D which is used for thrust. Thus, this apparatus allows simultaneous exertion of traction and thrust forces upon a motor vehicle attached to the beam 1. The ball joints enable the rams Z and D to pivot in any direction. The traction and thrust forces are transmitted to the motor vehicle by means of chains K which co-operate with the rams Z and D and are anchored to the beam 1.The chain K associated with the ram Z is anchored to the beam end 4, whilst the chain K associated with the ram D is anchored to the two sides 5 and 6 of the beam 1 at the extension pieces 1 5 and 16. In each case, anchoring is accompiished by hooking the respective chain end into an elongated slot 7. As can be seen in Figure 1, the chain K associated with the ram Z can optionally be hooked into any one of three slots 7 provided in the beam end 4.

In order to straighten a damaged motor vehicle using the apparatus described above with respect to Figure 1, the beam 1 is rolled under the vehicle and correctly positioned. The beam 1 is then firmly attached to the motor vehicle using clamping devices (not shown). Thanks to its low height, the beam 1 can readily be rolled beneath the motor vehicle itself, or beneath a frame carrying the vehicle. Then the hydraulic rams necessary for the particular repair job needed, are fitted on the supports 3 on the uper side 2 of the beam 1, and the associated chains K are hooked into the slots 7 selected for the purpose. The preparations for the actual straightening operations are then concluded, and by pressurising the hydraulic rams straightening forces can be exerted upon the motor vehicle. In Figure 1, these forces are schematically represented by the arrows P.The position and orientation of both the rams (and of the chains co-operating therewith) can be varied extensively so that all practically occurring requirements can be fulfilled for the transfer of the straightening forces to the motor vehicle. This adaptability arises because of the number of supports 3 and slots 7. As indicated above, this straightening allows the use of several rams at the same time, so that different straightening forces (particularly traction and thrust forces) can be applied simultaneously.

Figure 2 shows a modified form of the straightening apparatus of Figure 1 and accordingly like reference numerals have been used for like parts. This apparatus has a beam 1 whose width is greater than its height, and which is divided into a shorter part 8 and a longer part 9 which are pivotally joined together by a pivot joint 10 fixed to the beam part 9. The beam part 8 can be pivoted about a pivot pin 1 1 whose axis is perpendicular to the upper side 2 of the pivot joint 10, and can be fixed thereto, at one of a plurality of angles to the beam part 9, by means of a peg (not shown). The peg locks the beam part 8 to the pivot joint 10 by passing through one of a plurality of holes 1 7 in the pivot joint and through a hole (not shown) in the beam part 8. This possibility of pivoting is indicated in Figure 2 by a double arrow.

As with the embodiment of Figure 1, the beam 1 can be moved along the floor on wheels 14 (only one of which can be seen in Figure 2).

Both the beam part 8 and the pivot joint 10 (which is attached to the beam part 9) are provided with several supports 3 for supporting hydraulic rams by means of universal ball joints.

For example, Figure 2 shows a hydraulic ram Z which is used for traction, and a hydraulic ram D which is used for thrust As with the embodiment of Figure 1, chains K are provided for transferring traction and thrust forces to the vehicle, the directions of these forces being indicated by the arrows P. The chains K are anchored to the beam 1 by hooking into elongated slots 7, arranged on both the beam parts 8 and 9.

The straightening apparatus of Figure 2, in comparison with that of Figure 1, enables further variation of the straightening forces which can be exerted by the rams. Moreover, owing to the pivotability of the beam part 8 in relation to the beam part 9 at the pivot joint 10, it is possible to achieve a variation of the seating points for some of the rams, while maintaining the connection with the motor vehicle.

Figure 2 further shows the possibility of attaching the straightening apparatus to a frame B which carries the motor vehicle. The straightening apparatus is fixed to the frame B by means of anchoring devices V1 and V2, which clamp the beam part 9 to flanges of the frame B.

Claims

1. Apparatus for straightening a damaged motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising a beam which can be positioned beneath, and detachably fixed to, the vehicle, the beam having a generally rectangular cross-section, wherein the height of the beam is less than its width, wherein the upper side of the beam is provided with a plurality of supports each of which is capable of pivotally supporting a hydraulic ram, and wherein the beam is provided with a plurality of anchoring points for anchoring chains which co-operate with the hydraulic rams to transfer straightening forces to the vehicle.

2. Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the beam is provided with groundengageable wheels.

3. Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the beam is made of steel.

4. Straightening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of anchoring points are provided at one end of the beam, and at least one anchoring point is provided on each side of the beam.

5. Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the anchoring points at said one end of the beam are equispaced along said one end.

6. Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the anchoring points on the beam sides are each provided on a respective lateral extension piece of the beam.

7. Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 when appendant to Claim 2, wherein a ground: engageable wheel is mounted on each of the extension pieces by means of a respective pivot bearing.

8. Straightening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the anchoring points is constituted by an elongate slot in the beam.

9. Straightening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the beam is constituted by two beam portions which are pivotally joined together by means of a pivot joint fixed to one of the beam portions, the pivot joint having a pivotal axis perpendicular to the upper side of the beam.

10: Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein means are provided for fixing the two beam portions together at any one of a plurality of different angular positions.

11. Straightening apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein said one beam portion is longer than the other beam portion and is positioned, in use, beneath the vehicle.

12. Straightening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 1 wherein at least two supports are provided on both the pivot joint and the other beam portion.

13. Straightening apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, wherein at least two anchoring points are provided on both beam portions.

14. Straightening apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.