Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VEHICLE FRAME MEASURING BRIDGE
INCLUDING SPRING ACTUATED TELESCOPING LEGS
FIELD OF THE_INVENTION
The invention relates to apparatus or
use in repair of vehicles and more particularly to
measuring bridges used in measuring the relative
position of various points of a vehicle with respect
to reference points on the bottom o~ the vehicle
frame.
BACKGROUND PRIOR ART
Measuring bridges for use in vehicle
repair commonly include a frame supporting a
plurality of upwardly extending set-up pointers
adapted to engage reference points on the underside
of the frame of a vehicle being repaired. The set-up
pointers establish a horizontal reference plane
beneath the vehicle. The measuring bridge also
includes structure for supporting a plurality of
measuring pointers for use in measuring the position
of other points on the vehicle frame and the vehicle
body with respect to the reference plane established
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by the set-up pointers. During vehicle repair, the
mechanic can compare the relative positions of the
points being measured with reference manuals to
determine the extent of misalignment of these points
and the amount o~ adjustment of the frame required
for realignment. The measuring bridge is also used
during vehicle repair to determine the accuracy of
repairs made to a vehicle frame.
An example of a prior art measuring
bridge is described in the U.S. Legrand Patent No.
4,342,154, issued August 3, 1982 and assigned to the
assignee of the present invention. The measuring
bridge illustrated in that patent illustrates a
plurality of fluid actuated cylinders or raising the
measuring bridge into position beneath a vehicle and
for maintaining the measuring bridge in contact with
the vehicle.
Attention is also directed to prior art
measuring bridges of the type sold by Continental
Collision Repair Systems, Ale~andria, Minnesota under
the trademark CONTINENTAL UNIVERSAL MEASURING SYSTEM
and by Car-O-Liner Company, Livonia, Michigan under
the trademark CAROLINER MR III.
The pointers employed in measuring
bridges commonly include conical upper ends adapted
to engage holes provided in the vehicle frame.
Vehicle manufacturers provide reference holes of
various diameters, and accordingly, in measuring
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alignment of the vehicle, mechanics working on the vehicle
must calculate factors compensating for variations in the
extent of insertion o~ the conical ends of the set-up
pointers in the re~erence bores depending on the diameter
of the bore.
5UMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, the present invention provides a
measuring bridge for determining the orientation of
measured points on a motor vehicle with respect to
reference points; the measuring bridge comprising; an
elongated main beam; a pair of set-up beams connected to
the elongated beam, the set-up beams being positioned in
spaced apart parallel relation and extending generally
perpendicularly to the elongated main beam, the set-up
beams each including opposite ends, and the set-up beams
and the elongated main beam being adapted to be positioned
beneath a vehicle, vertically extending set-up pointers
supported by the set-up beams and including upper ends
adapted to engage reference points on the motor vehicle;
means for connecting the set-up pointers to the set-up
beams for adjustable movement along the length o~ the set-
up beams; at least one measuring beam connected to the
elongated main beam and extending yenerally perpendicularly
to the elongated main beam, a measuring pointer supported
by the measuring beam; and means for resiliently supporting
the set-up beams such that the set-up pointers are
selectively biased upwardly against the vehicle frame, the
means for resiliently supporting including a plurality of
extensible legs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a measuring bridge
embodying the invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view taken along line 2-2
in Fig. 1.
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Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged
cross-section view of a pointer embodied in the
measuring bridge illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4
in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged elevation
view of a measuring bridge support leg included in
the measuring bridge as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and
with portions shown in cross-section.
Fig. 6 is a side-elevation view of the
supporting leg illustrated in Fig. 5 and with
portions shown in cross-section.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Illustrated in Fig. 1 is a measuring
bridge 10 embodying the invention and adapted to be
positioned beneath the frame of a vehicle to be
repaired. The measuring bridge 10 is used to measure
damage or distortion of a vehicle frame resulting
from a coilision and to provide a means for
establishing reference planes for realignment of the
frame during repair of a vehicle. The measuring
bridge 10 includes at least one central elongated
main beam 12 and a pair of transverse set-up beams 14
positioned in spaced apart parallel relation and
connected to the elongated main beam 12 for selective
slideable movement along the main beam.
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While the main beam 12 could have other
constructions, in the illustrated arrangement it is
comprised of a pair of elongated generally tubular
aluminum extrusions 16 spaced apart by a plurality of
spacers 18 and joined together by bolts 20 extending
through the spaced extrusions 16 and through the
spacers 18. While in the illustrated construction, a
single beam 12 is shown, in other arrangements the
measuring bridge could include a pair of parallel
beams 12. In the illustrated construction, each
elongated e~trusion 16 is generally rectangular in
cross section but includes beveled corners. The
set-up beams 14 each have a construction which is the
same as that of the main beam and each include a pair
of spaced apart extrusions 22 separated by spacers 18.
. Means are also provided for supporting
the set-up beams 14 for independent adjustable
movement along the length of the main beam 12 and for
adjustable movement in the direction of their
longitudinal axes with respect to the main beam~
While the set-up beams 14 could be supported by other
structure, in the illustrated arrangement a tubular
slide mount 24 surrounds the main beam 12 so as to be
slideable on the main beam in the direction of its
a~is, and an identical tubular slide mount 26 is
fixed to the top of the tubular slide mount 24
surrounding the main beam 12 and perpendicular
thereto and houses the set~up beam 19 for slideable
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movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of
the set-up beam 14. Set screws (not shown) are
provided for securing the slide mount 24 to the main
beam 12 and the slide mount 26 to the set-up beam 14.
Each set-up beam 14 supports a pair of
upwardly extending pointers 28 (Fig. 2) having upper
ends adapted to engage reference points on a vehicle
frame. More specifically, each pointer 28 is
sùpported by a pointer slide mount 30 compri~ing a
length of a tubular extrusion adapted to surround a
portion of the set-up beam 14 and having inside
dimensions slightly larger than the exterior
dimensions of the set-up beam lq such that the slide
mount 30 is slideable along the length of the set-up
beam 14. A set screw 32 is threaded through one
lower corner of the slide mount 30 and is adapted to
engage the set-up beam 14 to selectively secure the
slide mount in place on the beam. In the illustrated
arrangement the slide mount also includes a pair of
nylon slides 36 adapted to support the slide mount
for slideable movement along the top of the set-up
beam 14. The pointer slide mount 30 also includes a
central upwardly extending collar or pointer support
38 (Fig. 3) including a central bore 40 adapted to
house the pointer 28. The lower end of the pointer
28 can extend downwardly through the slide mount 30
and through the space between the tubular extrusions
22 forming the set-up beam lg. A thumb screw 42
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~Fig. 4) is threaded through the collar 38 and
engages.the pointer 28 for fixing the vertical
position of the pointer 28 with respect to the slide
mount 30 and set-up bar 1~.
. The apparatus embodying the invention
also includes at least one measuring beam 44
supported by the ~longated main beam 12 and a pair of
slide mounts 24 and 26 in the same manner as the
set-up beams 14 for selective adjustable movement
along the length of the main beam 12 and for
adjustable movement in the direction perpendicular to
the axis of the elongated main beam. The measuring
beams 44 can each have a construction which is the
same as that of the main beam 12 and the set-up beams
14.,~ The measuring beam supports one or more
measuring pointers 46 each supported by a pointer
slide mount 30.
Means are also provided for supporting
the set-up beams 14 and the main beam 12 in elevated
relation with respect to a floor and for biasing the
upper ends of the set-up pointers 28 upwardly into
engagement with the vehicle reference points. The
set-up pointers 28 will then support the set-up beams
14 and the main beam 12 such that they define a
reference plane.
In a preferred arrangement, set-up
pointers 28 are provided generally at the opposite
ends of each of the set-up beams 14 and are intended
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to be located beneath reference points on the vehicle
frame and to engage the reference points and
establish a reference plane. The measuring pointers
46 can then he used to determine the relative
position of other points of the ~ehicle frame with
respect to the reference points. As shown in Fig. 4,
metric scales 48 are provided extending along the
length of each of the measuring pointers to permit
' determination of the vertical position of a point to
be measured with respect to the reference plane
established by the set-up pointers. Metric scales 50
(Fig. 4) are also provided along the length of each
of the measuring beams 99, and the set-up beams 14 as
well as along the length of the main beam to permit
measurement of the position of the measuring pointet
away from the a~is of the main beam and the position
of the measuxing beam or set-up beam along the length
of th~ main beam 12. The measuring bridge can thus
be used in measuring various points on a damaged
vehicle to determine the amount of damage to a
vehicle and the relative position of frame
components. The measuring bridge can also be used
during the repair operation to indicate the position
of vehicle components as they are being bent to the
proper position.
In the illustrated arranyement the
means for supporting the main beam, the set-up beams
and the measuring beams in spaced relation from the
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floor, includes a plurality of telescoping leg
assemblies 60 (Figs. 2, 5 and 6? each including an
upper leg section 62 and a lower leg section 64 in
telescoping relation~ A compression spring 66 is
housed in the telescoping leg sections 62 and 64 and
biases them toward an extended position. In the
particular arrangement shown in the drawings, the
compression spring 66 is housed in the upper leg
section 62.
Means are also provided for securing
ths legs 60 to the set-up beams. In the illustrated
arrange~ent a T-shaped block 68 is fixed to the upper
end of the upper leg section 62 and includes an upper
end 70 housed in the central space of one of the
set-up beams 14 and a pair of flanges 72 supporting
the bottom of the set-up beam. A locking block 74
extends across the top of the set-up beam, and a bolt
76 extends through the locking block 74 down into the
lower block 68 to permit the blocks 68 and 74 to
clampingly engage the set-up beam 14.
Means are also provided for releaseably
holding the telescoping legs 60 in a compressed or
non-extended condition. In the illustrated
arrangement, the upper telescoping leg portion 62
includes a bore 78 intermediate its opposite ends,
and a detent pin 80, supported by a spring 82 fixed
to the inner leg member, i~ engageable with the bore
78 in the outer leg member. The detent pin 80 can be
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manually pushed inwardly to release the detent and
permit extension of the leg assembly.
In a preferred form of the invention
the lower end 64 of the leg assembly is supported by
ball caster 86 to provide for movement of the
measuring bridge on the floor and for movement of the
measuring bridge into position beneath a vehicle.
The reference bores provided in the
bottom of the vehicle frame and engaged by the
pointers 28 and 46 may be of different diameters
depending on the vehicle manufacturer. As previously
stated, the upper ends of the pointers 28 and 46 are
conical to facilitate location of the reference holes
by the pointers. ~ecause the ends of the pointers
are.conical, they will project farther into a larger
diameter reference hole than into a smaller diameter
reference hole. Additionally, it is important that
the pointers provide for an accurate measurement of
the vertical position of the reference plane defined
by the set-up beams and accurate measurement of the
vertical position of the points being measured. The
measuring bridge embodying the invention includes
means or compensating for differences in the
diameters of the reference holes in the frame such
that the relative position of points of the frame can
be accurately measured without calculation of factors
compensating for hole size variations. The
compensating means includes a sleeve or cap 88 (Figs.
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3-4) surrounding the upwardly projecting collar 38 of
the Pointer slide mount 30, the sleeve 88 including
an upper portion or top 90 having a central bore 92
adapted to house the pointer 28 or 46 and a lower
portion 94 surrounding the collar 38 and having a
first vertically e~tending slot adapted to house the
set screw 92 e~tending through the threaded bore in
the collar and engageable with the pointer to secure
the pointer with respect to the collar. The lower
portion 94 of the sleeve 88 further includes a second
slot 96 (Fig. 4) adapted to house a set screw 98
threaded into the collar 38, and for use in
adjustably securing the sleeve 88 to the collar 38.
In a preferred form of the invention the sleeve 88
will be comprised of transparent plastic material and
a scale 100 is provided on the sleeve 88, the scale
100 including markings for identifying the proper
vertical positioning of the sleeve 88 with respect to
the upper surface of the collar. The scale 100 is
calibrated to identify the proper height of the
sleeve 88 with respect to the collar 38 depending of
the size of the hole to receive the end of the
pointer 28 or 46 and to compensate for the vertical
height of insertion of conical end of the pointer
into the vehicle frame. When the sleeve is properly
positioned on the collar, the set screw 96 is
tightened to secure the sleeve to the collar. As
previously stated the pointer 28 or 46 includes a
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scale 48 on one side, and the scale of the pointer
indicates the vertical extension of the pointer with
respect to the top o~ the sleeve 88. The
compensation apparatus provided by the invention
provides an uncomplicated means for calibrating the
vertical position of pointers and minimizes
calculations otherwise required to compensate for
positioning of conical points in reference holes of
vario~s sizes.
While the measuring bridge 10 embodying
the invention could include more or fewer measuring
beams 44, in the illustrated arrangement the
measuring bridge includes three measuring beams 44
for supporting pointers 46 adapted to engage points
to be measured on the bottom of the vehicle, and a
bridge assembly 110 or supporting a plurality of
additional pointers ~not shown) intended to measure
the relative position of reference points of the body
or frame of the vehicle. The bridge assembly 110
includes a pair of parallel relatively closely spaced
bridge beams 112 each supported by the main beam 12
in the same manner as the measuring beams 44 and the
set-up beams 14. The opposite ends of one of the
bridge beams 112 each support a vertically upwardly
extending frame member 114, and an upper cross bar
116 joins the upper ends of the vertically extending
frame members 119. The vertically extending frame
members 114 and the cross bar 116 can each support a
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plurality of measuring pointers. A triangular brace
118 is provided for stabilizing the vertically
extending frame members 114. In the illustrated
arrangement, the ends of the bridge beams are also
joined by outrigger assemblies 120 each including a
cross member 122 and a pair of downwardly extending
legs 124.
Various features of the invention are
set forth in the following claims.
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