Abstract:
A system for drilling through contiguous first and second plate members (24, 26) such that the formation of burrs at their interface is avoided. A pilot hole (136) is drilled through the first plate member (24) and the plate members are then placed in a jig (28). A horseshoe shaped yoke (22) loosely suspended from a movable frame (38) straddles the plate members with first and second legs (32, 34). A hole finding pin (138) on the first leg (32) is manually inserted into the pilot hole (136). Thereafter, opposed clamps (52, 54) on the legs engage the plate members in the region of the pilot bore (136). From the side of the second plate member (26), bores are drilled through the plate members using a drill (152) which is mounted on the second leg (34) of the yoke (22). Perpendicularity sensors (162) on the second leg (34) engage the second plate member (26) to determine its orientation and the yoke (22) is movable for adjustment based on the signals from the sensors (162).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for repairing vehicle coachwork consisting of nodal components (3, 4) especially in the form of light metal castings and hollow section bearers, especially in the form of light metal extrusions. According to the invention, a damaged or buckled bearer (9) is separated from the nodal component (3, 4) at a distance therefrom and removed, leaving bearer stubs (10, 11). The separating cuts (12, 13) are made in such a way that the free space (14) between the bearer stubs (10, 11) is conically open. Fitted socket sections (15, 16) are inserted into the bearer stubs (10, 11). A replacement bearer (17) is prepared in accordance with the shape of the free space (14) and closely fitted therein so that the socket sections (15, 16) form a circumferential base in the fitting region after the manner of an internal socket. The end of the bearer stubs (10, 11), the appropriate socket section (15, 16) and the end of the replacement bearer (17) are welded together. This provides a repair process especially for aluminium coachwork which enables repairs to be made without extensive operations and without any loss of stability in the coachwork.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a bearer joint for vehicle bodywork, especially a longitudinal bearer joint, and a process for replacing an aluminium bearer on a bearer joint in vehicle bodywork. An extruded aluminium section bearer (4) is inserted in a corresponding tubular aluminium recess (16) and welded by a surrounding weld seam (17). According to the invention, the length of the recess (16) comprises a first longitudinal region (24) which is necessary for matching the shape of a fixed joint and at least one second longitudinal region (18; 22) corresponding to the axial expansion of a heat affected zone, in which a substantial drop in rigidity through welding in the material of the recess (16) may be observed. When the bearer (4) is replaced, a ring (19) in the length of a heat affected zone (18) is separated and removed together with the bearer (4) secured by the weld seam (17). A new bearer (4) is then inserted and reconnected to the front edge of the shortened recess (16) by a surrounding weld seam (21). With a suitably long recess (16), this repair process can be repeated several times while still providing a sufficiently stable bearer joint.
Abstract:
A golf cart vehicle is disclosed having a suspension that, includes a single suspension device that provides for a plurality of functions. In one embodiment the single suspension device includes a plurality of transverse mounted leaf springs that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another to provide a spring and control arm combined effect. The leaf springs can be coupled to a wheel such as through a steering knuckle via a ball and socket joint. The leaf springs can further be mounted to a chassis via clamps. In one embodiment the clamps are connected to the leaf springs through resilient bushings which can be spaced apart from one another to provide an anti-roll bar effect.
Abstract:
A system for assembling a vehicle includes a first assembly line having a plurality of first stations, including a welding station for welding first structural components that define a vehicle body portion. The first structural components are formed of a first material. The second assembly line receives the vehicle body portion from the first assembly line and has a plurality of second stations, including a second welding station where a second structural component is secured to the first structural components. The second structural component is formed of the first material or a second material. The second assembly line is configured such that the second component is one of welded to the first components in the second welding station when the second component is formed of the first material and fastened to the first components in the second welding station when the second component is formed of the second material.
Abstract:
A frame rail for a vehicle has a pair of elongated structural members, each one of the pair of elongated structural members having flanges protruding from lateral edges thereof. The flanges of one of the pair of elongated structural members extend in a direction toward the flanges of the other one of the pair of elongated structural members. The frame rail also has first and second metallic web panels interconnecting the pair of elongated structural members. Overall, the frame rail has a box beam structure, wherein at least a major portion of each one of the first and second metallic web panels has a material thickness that is less than a material thickness of at least a major portion of each one of the pair of elongated structural members.
Abstract:
Such a fuselage comprises cross-members (104) for constructing a floor, at least one of said cross-members (104) comprising an upper part (124), a lower part (126), means (140-150) for connecting the lower part to the upper part, and at least one opening (152) for the passage of systems (14), said opening being defined between the lower part and the upper part. The upper part (124) of the cross-member is fixed to the fuselage and the dimensions thereof are such that it can withstand the stresses that may be applied to said cross-member when the aircraft is on the ground, and the lower part (126) is fixed to the upper part (124) in such a way as to reinforce it such that, once they are assembled, the upper part (124) and the lower part (126) can withstand the stresses that may be applied to said cross-member (104) when the aircraft is in flight.
Abstract:
A below belt bracket assembly includes a weatherstrip or glassrun having first and second sidewalls interconnected along a base member that form a cavity configured to receive an associated window edge. A support member has a cavity configured to at least partially receive the weatherstrip. A first end of the support member includes first and second retention members that each operatively engage an end region of the weatherstrip. A recess/opening formed between the first and second retention members is dimensioned to receive the end region of the base member such that the end region of the weatherstrip base member ramps downwardly from the support member base wall through the recess/opening.
Abstract:
A control arm for a vehicle suspension is provided. The control arm includes a control arm body having a connector for attachment to a wheel assembly, a horizontal bushing for coupling the control arm with a vehicle frame and a vertical socket for also coupling the control arm with a vehicle frame. The vertical socket has a housing which is press fit into an opening of the control arm body and a stud which extends through the housing for engagement with the vehicle frame. A bearing is positioned within the housing between the housing and the stud. The stud has a rounded outer surface, and the bearing has a rounded inner surface for allowing rotational movement of the bearing and housing relative to the stud. A retainer member is in engagement with the housing and the bearing for retaining the bearing in the inner bore of the housing.