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:
Oct. 31, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 01, 2004
Keith A. Oldford, Howell, MI (US);
Michael R. Dugas, Brighton, MI (US);
Velibor Kilibarda, Birmingham, MI (US);
Alan S. Kaufman, White Lake, MI (US);
Karl G. Johnson, New Hudson, MI (US);
Keith A. Oldford, Howell, MI (US);
Michael R. Dugas, Brighton, MI (US);
Velibor Kilibarda, Birmingham, MI (US);
Alan S. Kaufman, White Lake, MI (US);
Karl G. Johnson, New Hudson, MI (US);
Progressive Tool & Industries Co., Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line. The workstation along the subassembly line can include a plurality of geometry fixtures that are exchangeable at a ready position of the workstation.