Apparatus for repairing and straightening

Claim 2

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member having a first end and a second end and having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a right track member and a left track member, each of the right and left track members having a top surface formed thereon to allow support of the vehicle thereon; means for allowing placement of a vehicle upon the tread member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; a tram body; means for pivotally interconnecting the force applying means to the tram body to allow positioning the force applying means on the outside of the tread member; and means for movably mounting the tram body having the force applying means pivotally interconnected thereto in the space which separates the right and left track members including means for moving the tram body along the right and left track members to thereby allow the tram body to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member and to allow the force applying means to be positioned at any desired angle around the tread member such that the reparing and straightening force can be applied at any angle around the entire 360 degree periphery of the vehicle.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises: a first force applying means and a second force applying means and wherein the first force applying means is pivotally interconnected to the tram body adjacent to the right track member and the second force applying means is pivotally interconnected to the tram body adjacent to the left track member such that the first and second force applying means are located on opposite sides of the apparatus for repairing and straightening.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus further comprises: a third force applying means; and means for pivotally interconnecting the third force applying means about the first end and front sides of the tread members of the apparatus for repairing and straightening.

Claim 5

Apparatus for repairing and straigtening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member having a first end and a second end and having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a right track member and a left track member, each of the right and left track members having a top surface formed thereon to allow support of the vehicle thereon; means for allowing placement of a vehicle upon the tread member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; a tram body; means for pivotally interconnecting the force applying means to the tram body to allow positioning the force applying means on the outside of the tread member; and means for movably mounting the tram body having the force applying means pivotally interconnected thereto between the right and left track members including means for moving the tram body along the right and left track members to thereby allow the tram body to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member and to allow the force applying means to be positioned at any desired angle around the tread member such that the repairing and straightening force can be applied at any angle around the entire 360 degree periphery of the vehicle, wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one rotatable shaft carried by the tram body having a first end which engages a portion of the right track member and a second end which engages a portion of the left track member; and wherein the moving means comprises, in combination: means for rotating the shaft and means operatively connected to the shaft for converting the rotation of the shaft to cuase movement of the tram body along the right and left track members.

Claim 6

Apparatus for repairing and straigtening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member having a first end and a second end and having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a right track member and a left track member, each of the right and left track members having a top surface formed thereon to allow support of the vehicle thereon; means for allowing placement of a vehicle upon the tread member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; a tram body; means for pivotally interconnecting the force applying means to the tram body to allow positioning the force applying means on the outside of the tread member; and means for movably mounting the tram body having the force applying means pivotally interconnected thereto between the right and left track members including means for moving the tram body along the right and left track members to thereby allow the tram body to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member and to allow the force applying means to be positioned at any desired angle around the tread member such that the repairing and straightening force can be applied at any angle around the entire 360 degree periphery of the vehicle, wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one rotatable shaft carried by the tram body having a first end which engages a portion of the right track member and a second end which engages a portion of the left track member; and wherein the moving means comprises, in combination: means for rotating the shaft and means operatively connected to the shaft for converting the rotation of the shaft to cuase movement of the tram body along the right and left track members.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the converting means comprises, in combination: a first stationary, elongated gear member located on the right track member; a second stationary, elongated gear member located on the left track member parallel to the first gear member; and wherein the tram body further includes: a first sprocket located on the first end of the shaft and engaging the first gear member; and a second sprocket located on the second end of the shaft and engaging the second gear member to form a rack and pinion gear arrangement such that as the rotatable shaft is rotated, the first and second sprockets mesh with the first and second stationary gear members thereby moving the tram along and between the track members.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the force applying means includes a hydraulic cylinder; wherein the apparatus further comprises a hydraulic unit for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder of the force applying means; and wherein the means for rotating the shaft and the hydraulic unit are carried by the tram body.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the converting means comprises, in combination: at least one stationary, elongated gear member attached to the apparatus for repairing and straightening, and wherein the shaft includes at least one sprocket which meshes with the stationary, elongated gear member.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 3 or 5 wherein the stationary, elongated gear member comprises chain links fastened to the apparatus for repairing and straightening.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus further comprises, in combination: means for reducing the amount of weight carried by the sprocket.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the reducing means comprises, in combination: a roller mounted on the shaft adjacent to the sprocket.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus further comprises, in combination: a rail portion formed adjacent to the stationary gear member upon which the roller rides.

Claim 14

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member arranged for allowing support of the vehicle thereon, with the tread member having a first end and a second end and having a right track member and a left track member spaced from the right track member, with the right and left track members having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first flange; a body member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for interconnecting the force applying means to the body member; means for movably mounting the body member to the first flanges of the right and left track members in the manner to allow the body member to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member, with the body member arranged to accept counterforce from repairing and straightening the body and frame of the vehicle; and means for receiving at least upward and downward counterforces exerted on the body member and for subjecting the movably mounting means and the first flanges of the right and left track members only to the initial force under load condition, wherein the first flanges of the right and left track members are formed on the inside of the right and left track members, the body member is located between the right and left track members, and the movably mounting means movably mounts the body member between the right and left track members.

Claim 15

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member arranged for allowing support of the vehicle thereon, with the tread member having a first end and a second end and having a right track member and a left track member spaced from the right track member, with the right and left track members having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first flange; a body member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for interconnecting the force applying means to the body member; means for movably mounting the body member to the first flanges of the right and left track members in the manner to allow the body member to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member, with the body member arranged to accept counterforce from repairing and straightening the body and frame of the vehicle; and means for receiving at least upward and downward counterforces exerted on the body member and for subjecting the movably mounting means and the first flanges of the right and left track members only to the initial force under load condition, wherein the first flanges of the right and left track members are formed on the inside of the right and left track members, the body member is located between the right and left track members, and the movably mounting means movably mounts the body member between the right and left track members.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first flange is formed on the track bottom surface and wherein the right and left track members further includes a second inside flange formed on the track top surface such that the first and second flanges form a C-shape track on the inside surface of each of the right and left track members, and wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one shaft carried by the body member and having a first end which engages the first flange of the right track member and a second end which engages the first flange of the left track member.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for receiving the counterforce includes means for resiliently mounting the shaft in the body member such that, under load condition, the shaft deflects due to the resiliently mounting means.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the movably mounting means includes means for moving the body member along and between the right and left track members.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one shaft carried by the body member and having a first end which engages the first flange of the right track member and a second end which engages the first flange of the left track member.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the moving means comprises, in combination: means for rotating the shaft; and means operatively connected to the shaft for converting the rotation of the shaft to cause movement of the body member along and between the right and left track members.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the converting means comprises, in combination: a first stationary, elongated gear member located on the first flange on the right track member; a second stationary, elongated gear member located on the first flange of the left track member parallel to the first gear member; and wherein the body member further includes: a first sprocket located on the first end of the shaft and engaging the first gear member; and a second sprocket located on the second end of the shaft and engaging the second gear member to form a rack and pinion gear arrangement such that as the rotable shaft is rotated, the first and second sprockets mesh with the first and second stationary gear members thereby moving the tram along and between the track members.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the stationary, elongated gear members comprise chain links fastened to the flanges of the right and left track members.

Claim 23

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member arranged for allowing support of the vehicle thereon, with the tread member having a first end and a second end and having a right track member and a left track member spaced from the right track member, with the right and left track members having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first flange; a body member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for interconnecting the force applying means to the body member; means for movably mounting the body member to the first flanges of the right and left track members in the manner to allow the body member to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member, with the body member arranged to accept counterforce from repairing and straightening the body and frame of the vehicle; and means for receiving at least upward and downward counterforces exerted on the body member and for subjecting the movably mounting means and the first flanges of the right and left track members only to the initial force under load condition, wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one shaft carried by the body member and having a first end which engages the first flange of the right track member and a second end which engages the first flange of the left track member.

Claim 24

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member arranged for allowing support of the vehicle thereon, with the tread member having a first end and a second end and having a right track member and a left track member spaced from the right track member, with the right and left track members having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first flange; a body member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for interconnecting the force applying means to the body member; means for movably mounting the body member to the first flanges of the right and left track members in the manner to allow the body member to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member, with the body member arranged to accept counterforce from repairing and straightening the body and frame of the vehicle; and means for receiving at least upward and downward counterforces exerted on the body member and for subjecting the movably mounting means and the first flanges of the right and left track members only to the initial force under load condition, wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one shaft carried by the body member and having a first end which engages the first flange of the right track member and a second end which engages the first flange of the left track member.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for receiving the counterforce includes means for resiliently mounting the shaft in the body member such that, under a load condition, the shaft deflects due to the resiliently mounting means.

Claim 26

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member arranged for allowing support of the vehicle thereon, with the tread member having a first end and a second end and having a right track member and a left track member spaced from the right track member, with the right and left track members having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first flange; a body member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for interconnecting the force applying means to the body member; means for movably mounting the body member to the first flange of the right and left track members in the manner to allow the body member to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member, with the body member arranged to accept counterforce from repairing and straightening the body and frame of the vehicle; and means for receiving at least upward and downward counterforces exerted on the body member and for subjecting the movably mounting means and the first flanges of the right and left track members only to the initial force under load condition, wherein the counterforce receiving means comprises, in combination: a top attached to the body member, with the top extending over the top surface of the right and left track members; and a bottom attached to the body member, with the bottom extending below the bottom surface of the right and left track members such that under load condition, the top contacts at least one of the top surfaces of the right and the left track members and the bottom contacts at least one of the bottom surfaces of the right and the left track members.

Claim 27

Apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tread member arranged for allowing support of the vehicle thereon, with the tread member having a first end and a second end and having a right track member and a left track member spaced from the right track member, with the right and left track members having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a first flange; a body member; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for interconnecting the force applying means to the body member; means for movably mounting the body member to the first flange of the right and left track members in the manner to allow the body member to be positioned at substantially any position between the first end and the second end of the tread member, with the body member arranged to accept counterforce from repairing and straightening the body and frame of the vehicle; and means for receiving at least upward and downward counterforces exerted on the body member and for subjecting the movably mounting means and the first flanges of the right and left track members only to the initial force under load condition, wherein the counterforce receiving means comprises, in combination: a top attached to the body member, with the top extending over the top surface of the right and left track members; and a bottom attached to the body member, with the bottom extending below the bottom surface of the right and left track members such that under load condition, the top contacts at least one of the top surfaces of the right and the left track members and the bottom contacts at least one of the bottom surfaces of the right and the left track members.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein under no load condition, the top attached to the body member is vertically spaced above the top surfaces of the right and left track members and the bottom attached to the body member is vertically spaced below the bottom surfaces of the right and left track members such that only the movably mounting means contacts the right and left track members to reduce the sliding friction to a minimal amount.

Claim 29

Tram for use in an apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tram body; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for pivotally interconnecting the force applying means to the tram body; and means for movably mounting the tram body having the force applying means pivotally interconnected thereto to the apparatus for repairing and straightening, wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one shaft carried by the tram body having a first end and a second end and with the shaft engaging a portion of the apparatus for repairing and straightening; means for rotating the shaft; at least one stationary elongated gear member attached to the apparatus for repairing and straightening; and at least one sprocket carried by the shaft which meshes with the stationary, elongated member.

Claim 30

Tram for use in an apparatus for repairing and straightening the body and frame of a wheeled vehicle comprising, in combination: a tram body; at least one means for applying a force to the vehicle; means for pivotally interconnecting the force applying means to the tram body; and means for movably mounting the tram body having the force applying means pivotally interconnected thereto to the apparatus for repairing and straightening, wherein the movably mounting means comprises, in combination: at least one shaft carried by the tram body having a first end and a second end and with the shaft engaging a portion of the apparatus for repairing and straightening; means for rotating the shaft; at least one stationary elongated gear member attached to the apparatus for repairing and straightening; and at least one sprocket carried by the shaft which meshes with the stationary, elongated member.

Claim 31

The tram of claim 24 wherein the apparatus for repairing and straightening includes a tread member having a top surface and a bottom surface and including a right track member and a left track member; and wherein the movably mounting means comprises: means for movably mounting the tram body between the right and left track members of the apparatus for repairing and straightening.