The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 08, 1997
Anthony Parete, St. Clair Beach, CA;
Valiant Machine & Tool Inc., , CA;
Abstract
An automotive framing system for positioning a lower body component and at least two upper body components together at precise positions relative to each other prior to fixedly securing the body components together. The framing system includes a conveyor for sequentially moving body preassemblies to a predetermined assembly station. A lifter at the assembly station lifts the lower body component and upper body components from the conveyor to a predetermined elevated position in which the lower body component abuts against the upper body components. At least two turret assemblies are movably mounted to a ground support surface in a direction transverse to the conveyor. The turret assemblies are positioned at opposite ends of the assembly station and movable between an operative position in which the turret assemblies are aligned with the conveyor, and a standby position in which the turret assemblies are laterally spaced from the conveyor. Each turret includes a base and at least two circumferentially spaced arms each having one end pivotally secured to the base. The bases are selectively indexed so that one arm on each turret assembly faces the assembly station and the arms are movable between a raised position in which the arms extend upwardly from the base, and a lower position in which the other ends of the arms extend over the top of the body preassembly and abut against each other. Clamps are mounted to each arm for selectively engaging the body components at predetermined location positions in order to hold the body components at precise positions relative to each other.