JPS6026609B2 - tension device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to tensioning devices and, more particularly, to tensioning devices designed for use in straightening frame panels and the like, such as in the repair of automobile crash damage.

Various types of tensioning devices have long been used in connection with straightening and straightening operations of automobile frames and various other body parts.

Generally speaking, such devices include one or more vertically elongated members having a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes therein. A shaft is inserted through this hole to vary the position of a guiding device, such as a pulley, through which a chain is guided and one end of which is attached to a suitable location on the vehicle. A tensioning device, typically a hydraulically actuated piston, is operated in conjunction with the device, and the other end of the chain is connected to the tensioning device to exert a pulling force on the vehicle. The height of the upper pulley is adjusted to some extent by the plurality of openings, but the number and spacing of these openings are determined so as not to unduly increase the size of the vertical member and introduce cost and weight. Limited by necessity to provide sufficient strength. Weight reduction is an important consideration since the towing equipment is normally located at a remote location and must be transported to the working position for each towing operation. Furthermore, in the case of special workpieces, it is necessary to perform repairs by changing the equipment several times & changing layers. Therefore, the unnecessary weight impairs the maneuverability of the device. Typically, the vertical members are supported on the foundation by a plurality of uprights of approximately equal length extending therebetween.

Each of these struts has approximately the same dimensions, and its strength is determined by the strut that supports the largest load. For this reason, the other columns become large, which unnecessarily increases not only the weight but also the cost, and furthermore, the movement of the layer becomes even more difficult.
Accordingly, the novel tensioning device of the present invention includes a pair of vertical members, each of which is supported substantially parallel and spaced apart by a pair of unequal length branched support members; are arranged to distribute the applied loads so as to maximize the support thus obtained and at the same time minimize the weight as well as the size of the member.

It is important to use a supporting member of the minimum size without compromising the overall length and rigidity of the tensioning device in terms of reducing the cost of the device and improving the operability of the device. Also in accordance with the present invention, an inwardly facing opposed channel is provided in the vertical member, within which an upper pulley is movably supported, the pulley being moved from a load carrying assembly supported on the top of the vertical member. Preferably, it is supported by a pair of depending chains. The suspension chain and load carrying assembly cooperate with the channels to provide different operating heights for each link of the suspension chain. This feature therefore allows greater flexibility in controlling the angle or direction of pull on the workpiece, which is important for proper, efficient and effective repair of automobiles and other vehicles. be. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, particularly in FIG. 1, a tensioning device 10 according to the invention is shown exerting a tensioning force on a motor vehicle 12 via a portable connecting device 14 extending therebetween.

As shown, the tensioning device 1 is a generally horizontal surface 16 of the riverbed.
Supported thereon and connected to the horizontal surface 16 by suitable anchor bolts 20 or the like, there is an anchoring device 18 which serves to counter the pulling forces acting on the motor vehicle 12. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tensioning device 1 includes a pair of separated, generally parallel and perpendicularly extending members 22 and 24, each member supported by a pair of elongated lean-tos. It is rigidly supported on the base member 26 by branch support members 28, 30, 32 and 34.

As shown, the vertical members 22 and 24 are hollow and have generally rectangular cross-sections, although any other cross-sectional shape may be used. An additional generally vertically extending support member 36 is provided fixed at one end to the base 26 and at the other end to the lower surface 38 near the attachment of the support member 30 to the vertical village 22. Similarly,
A second vertically extending support village 40 is similarly aligned between the support member 34 and the foundation 26. As shown, support members 30 and 34 are connected to corresponding support members 28 and 3.
2, and the respective longitudinal rattan lines are arranged to intersect each other at substantially right angles.

Preferably, support members 30 and 34 are approximately twice as long as support members 28 and 32, forming right triangles of 30o-600-90o, respectively. This arrangement, along with the corresponding vertical members 36 and 40, provides maximum support strength for a given size support village, thereby reducing weight without compromising bulk or durability. It has been found that it is possible to obtain a tensioning device that is easy to operate. As shown, the longitudinal support members 30 and 34 are located on the workpiece side of the tensioning device 10. A pivot arm 42 is pivotally mounted between support members 30 and 34 near their lower ends by a pin 44.

This pivot arm 42 is connected to a pair of separated planar sections 4.
6 and 48, both members are interconnected by a longitudinally extending flange portion 5 near their lower ends and hingedly provided with a releasable connection device 52 near their upper ends. Preferably, the portable member 14 is in the form of a chain;
The releasable connection channel 52 then takes the form of a planar member with an inwardly extending elongated slotted hole 54 centrally located along the lip 56 and opening outwardly. slot 54
has a width slightly larger than the rod diameter of the chain 14, but slightly wider than the width of the links, and interlocks with the next adjacent link, thereby preventing the chain 14 from sliding through the slot. A stop device 56 is provided extending between the sections 46 and 48 to limit pivoting of the capital 52 and to stop the chain 14 during tensioning operations.
Can be held stopped. Additional side stop members 58 can also be provided if desired. chain 14
Hydraulic power cylinder 60 has one end 62 pivoted between support villages 28 and 32 via pin 64 and the other end 66 attached to pin 68 near the upper end of pivot arm 42 .
It is mounted between the planar portions 46 and 48 of the arm.

A suitable power source 70 is connected to the power cylinder 60 to control the operation of the cylinder. Suitable wheels 72 are mounted on support members 28 and 3 to provide maneuverability of the tensioning device 1.
2, which engages a surface 16 when the tensioning device 10 is pushed back, thereby allowing the device to be brought into or moved from a working position. Pulley 7 is mounted on a shaft 76 extending between vertically extending members 22 and 24 to orient the tensile force onto flexible member 14.
4 is rotatably supported and a flexible member 14 extends around it.

Therefore, due to the action of the power cylinder 60, the pivot arm 4
2 swings to produce a tensile action on the flexible member 14, which is applied by the pulley member 74 to the vertical section 22.
and 24, directed upward in a direction approximately parallel to . A load carrying assembly 78 is provided extending from the upper ends of the vertical members 22 and 24 for adjustable support of a guiding device in the form of a pulley assembly 80 between the vertical members 22 and 24. .

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the load retaining assembly 78 includes a pair of generally rectangular slightly elongated sections 82 and 84 with a gap between each member. has constricted circumferential portions 86 and 88, respectively, near the lower end;
This forms downwardly directed annular shoulders 90 and 92.

The vertical members 22 and 24 are hollow rectangular structures with a rectangular section 82.
The portions 86 and 88 of and 84 are sized and configured to be received therein so that the load retaining assembly 78 can be removably positioned on the vertically extending members 22 and 24. desirable. Planar door member 94
is pivotally mounted between the upper ends of rectangular members 82 and 84 and extends inwardly in a substantially parallel manner with a pair of gaps.

Opening holes 96 and 98 are provided along the lip 100 and close outwardly. The slots 96 and 98 are sized to pass the thickness of the chain link 102, but only wide enough to prevent the passage of the next adjacent link 104. A pulley assembly 80, shown most clearly in FIGS. 6-8, is rotatably mounted on a shaft 108 and adapted to receive a flexible member 14 for use in connection with the tensioning device 1. This includes the pulley 106 that has changed. Axis 108 has a length approximately equal to or slightly less than the gap between vertically extending members 22 and 24 and an inwardly closing longitudinally extending channel 110 provided on vertically extending members 22 and 24. 1
It is housed between 12 and 12. As is clear here, axis 1
08 and associated pulley 106 guide channels 110 and 112
It can be moved up and down inside. A pair of chains 114 and 116 are secured to shaft 108 near opposite sides of pulley 106 to support the pulley member in position within vertical members 110 and 112. Chains 114 and 116 extend generally parallel upwardly and are connected at their upper ends by a generally cylindrical handle 118. Anchoring device 18 includes a pair of gap members 119 and 120 which are also rotatably mounted to shaft 108 to permit upward and downward movement of pulley 106 within channels 110 and 112. It is configured so that it can be done. The first requirement for the construction and operation of the present invention is to position the tensioning device 10 between the intended vehicle 12 or other workpiece and a suitable anchor located in close proximity. .

Next, the flexible member or chain 14 is connected to the point to be tensioned. The pulley assembly 80 is then adjusted to the desired height to form the proper pulling angle relative to the object being pulled. This adjustment is easily accomplished by grasping the handle 118 and raising the pulley 106 and shaft 108 upwardly through the tension chains 114 and 116. Once the desired height is reached, the selected chain links 114 and 11
6 are inserted into respective slot holes 96 and 98 of planar door 94, and door 94 is then pivoted to a closed position supporting pulley 106 at a predetermined height. Pulley 106
An elongated cylindrical section 122 is provided between the rectangular members 82 and 84 to assist in raising the chains 114 and 116 in position relative to the door 94. A shortened diameter portion 124 with a gap between
and 126 are formed which serve to guide each of the chains 114 and 116 during the stratification of the pulley 106 and to simultaneously maintain the respective chains in proximity to the slotted holes 96 and 98 of the door 94.

Once pulley 106 is compromised, chain 1
4 is mounted on a pulley, runs downward, and is mounted on a fixed pulley 74, which is further mounted on a pivot arm 42.

Thereafter, the work piece is inserted into the slot hole 54 by applying tension by pulling it. Next, the anchor device 18 is attached to a suitable anchor 20' on the surface 16, and the power device 70 is attached.
Connect the power cylinder 6 rivers.

Movement of the power cylinder 60 causes the pivot arm 42 to swing toward the workpiece, thereby exerting a tensioning action on the chain 14 and pulling the portion of the workpiece to which the chain is attached toward the tension rod. Anchor device is chain 114 and 1
16 to act in opposition to the force acting on chain 14. Thus, the present invention provides an extremely strong and durable construction using a new configuration for vertical member support that allows for the use of lighter weight support members without compromising strength or durability. Provides a long tensioning device.

Additionally, because the upper pulley assembly is supported from the top of the vertically extending member, there is no opening that reduces strength along the vertical member.
There is no need to set up a section. This further facilitates the production of lighter units in that smaller vertical members can be used without compromising strength. The suspended configuration of the pulley assembly also provides the additional feature of improved falsification flexibility as each link of the support chain presents a new incremental position, thereby increasing tension accuracy. While it is evident that the preferred embodiments of the invention as herein described are well designed to obtain the advantages and features described above, the present invention does not lie within the proper scope or true meaning of the appended claims. Repairs and changes can be made as long as they do not deviate from the system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a side view of a tensioning device according to the invention shown in operation on a motor vehicle; FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the tensioning device of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the tensioning device of the invention. , FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view with the lower part of the tensioning device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 partially cut away, and FIG.
- 5, a cross-sectional view of the pivot arm of the present invention taken along line 5;
The figure is an enlarged fragmentary side view showing the upper part of the tensioning device of FIGS. 1 to 3 with the upper part removed, and FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tensioning device of the invention, FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the upper part of the tensioning device of the invention, and FIG. 9 is a load carrying assembly for use in conjunction with the invention. FIG. 12: Workpiece, 14: Operable connection device, 22, 24: Vertically extending capital material, 26: Foundation section, 28, 32: Support member, 30, 34: Support member, 60: Tension tool, 80: Pulley or guiding device. ”1. Self. Upper IL,. three. Yu L・-4. F Masahiro, myself, - 1. 2. -1. 9, -1. White. -1. 9.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A foundation member 26, a pair of members 22, 24 extending vertically with a gap between them,
an anchoring device 18 acting on the pair of vertically extending members 22, 24, the pair of vertically extending members 22,
24 and the base member 26, a pair of first support members 30, 34 having a spacing, and each of the pair of vertically extending members 22, 24 and the base member 26. and a pair of second support members 28, 3 with a space between them.
2, a guide device 80 movably supported between the pair of vertically extending members 22 and 24, and the foundation member 2
a power source 70 connected to the pulling tool 6; a power source 70 connected to the pulling tool 60 at one end, extending through the guide device 80 and connected at the other end to the workpiece; a flexible connection device 14, wherein the first support members 30, 34 are substantially longer than the second support members 28, 32, and the vertically extending members 22, 24 are connected to the base member 26. said second support member 28 for support thereon;
, 32; furthermore, the flexible connection device 14, the guide device 80, and the tensioning device 60 cooperate to apply a tensioning force to the workpiece, and the anchoring device 18 A tensioning device characterized by bearing a force reaction.