Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6625861
-
Patent Number
6,625,861
-
Date Filed
Monday, January 29, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 30, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Vidovich; Gregory
- Nguyen; T.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 029 8972
- 029 4264
- 029 4265
- 029 4261
- 029 40201
- 029 40206
- 029 40203
- 029 239
- 029 267
- 029 252
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A method is provided for removing a slug from a frame of an automobile. A mandrel configured for insertion into an aperture of the slug and a mandrel engaging plate configured to engage the mandrel. The method also includes a cammed jaw connected to the mandrel engaging plate and an actuator. The mandrel engaging plate is configured to engage the automobile frame and the actuator is configured to separate the cammed jaw from the mandrel engaging plate such that the mandrel is drawn through the aperture of the slug, thereby removing the slug from the automobile frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to automobile slug removal, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for removing a slug from a frame of an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automobiles are typically designed with portions of the suspension fixed in a predetermined position, such that the suspension is pre-aligned prior to installation into the automobile. This is particularly applicable to the front suspension and more particularly applicable to the upper control arm pocket frame of the front suspension. Unfortunately, suspensions become misaligned and adjustments are desirable after initial assembly of an automobile is complete. Therefore, the automobile industry has provided a mechanism for suspension realignments.
More specifically, the frame of the suspension is manufactured with multiple mounting apertures that have been completely or partially covered with preformed, perforated or plastically deformed material to facilitate removal. The re-alignment of the suspension is accomplished with the selection of a mounting aperture that positions the suspension in a realigned position, removing the material to open the selected mounting aperture, and re-mounting the frame at the selected mounting aperture. Thus, these preformed, perforated or plastically deformed mounting apertures provided a viable solution for the realignment of the suspension after initial assembly of the automobile.
Attempts have been made to provide efficient and consistent removal of the material that covers the mounting apertures, which is typically referred to as a slug. For example, in one prior art method, a hammer and punch was used to remove the slug. In a second prior art method, a grinder was used to remove the slug covering the mounting aperture, and in a third prior art method a manual threaded tool was used to force the slug out of the mounting aperture. However, these prior art methods have not generally provided time efficient and consistent results.
In view of the forgoing, it should be appreciated that it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for removing a slug from an automobile frame that are efficient and produce consistent results. Furthermore, additional desirable features will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for removing a slug from an automobile frame. The apparatus includes a mandrel configured for insertion into an aperture of the slug and a mandrel engaging plate configured to engage the mandrel. The apparatus also includes a cammed jaw connected to the mandrel engaging plate and an actuator. The mandrel engaging plate is configured to engage the automobile frame and the actuator is configured to separate the cammed jaw from the mandrel engaging plate such that the mandrel is drawn through the aperture of the slug, thereby removing the slug from the automobile frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an apparatus for removing a slug from an automobile frame according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a top view of the slug puller assembly before the slug has been removed from the automobile frame;
FIG. 3
is a top view of the slug puller assembly after the slug has been removed from the automobile frame;
FIG. 4
is an exploded perspective of the mandrel and mandrel engaging plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
The following detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is mainly exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or its application or uses.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, an apparatus
12
is illustrated for removing a slug from an automobile frame according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus
12
includes, but is not limited to, a slug puller assembly
14
and charging unit
16
. The slug puller assembly
14
and charging unit
16
are connected with a conduit
18
. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit
18
is a hydraulic fluids line that channels hydraulic fluids from the charging unit to hydraulically drive the slug puller assembly
14
. In a non-limiting embodiment, the conduit
18
can transfer fluids from a number of charging means (e.g. hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically or there like) to the slug puller assembly
14
.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the slug puller assembly
14
of
FIG. 1
is shown in greater detail according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The slug puller assembly
14
is preferably configured to remove a slug
20
from a frame
22
, more preferably configured to remove a slug
20
from a frame
22
of an automobile suspension, and most preferably configured to remove a slug
20
from a frame
22
of an automobile front suspension. However, the present invention is configurable for removing a slug from any number of automobile support structures and components. The slug puller assembly
14
includes, but is not limited to a cammed jaw
24
, and a actuator assembly
26
, a mandrel engaging plate
28
and a mandrel
30
.
The mandrel
30
is configured for insertion into an aperture in the slug
20
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
is configured to engage the mandrel
30
. The cammed jaw
24
is connected to the mandrel engaging plate
28
and configured to engage the inner surface
36
of frame
22
causing the mandrel head
31
to contact the outer surface
37
of the frame
22
. The actuator assembly
26
is configured to move the cammed jaw
24
such that a distance
32
between a contact surface
34
of the cammed jaw
24
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
. The increase in the distance
32
between the contact surface
34
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
results in the contact surface
34
of the cammed jaw
24
contacting the inner surface
36
of the frame
22
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
engaging the mandrel
30
. These actions draw the mandrel
30
through the aperture of the slug
20
, thereby removing the slug
20
from the frame
22
. The removal of the slug
20
from the frame
22
can consist of a complete removal of the slug
20
from the frame
22
to open an aperture in the frame
22
, a partial removal of the slug
20
to open an aperture in the frame
22
, or an adjustment to the reposition of the slug
20
to open the aperture in the frame
22
.
Referring momentarily to
FIG. 4
, the mandrel engaging plate
28
is provided with a first end
38
having a channel
40
for engaging a mating neck
42
of the mandrel
30
and a second end
44
for attachment to a slug puller housing
46
, which is also attached to the cammed jaw
24
(FIG.
2
and
3
). Continuing with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the cammed jaw
24
is preferably attached to the slug puller housing
46
with a pivot pin
48
. The attachment of the cammed jaw
24
to the slug puller housing
46
with the pivot pin
48
provides a pivot action of the cammed jaw
24
about the pivot pin
48
as a protruding drive rod
50
of the actuator assembly
26
traverses an elongated groove
52
of the cammed jaw
24
, which is preferably a concave groove and more preferably a concave groove towards the mandrel engaging plate. The movement of the protruding drive rod
50
in a first direction pivots the cammed jaw
24
about the pivot pin
48
to increase the distance
32
between the contact surface
34
of the cammed jaw
24
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
. Conversely, movement of the protruding drive rod
50
in a second direction, which is substantially opposite to the first direction, pivots the cammed jaw
24
to decrease the distance
32
between the contact surface
34
of the cammed jaw
24
and mandrel engaging plate
28
.
The movement of the protruding drive rod
50
in the first and second direction to pivot the cammed jaw
40
about the pivot pin
48
is provided by the actuator assembly
26
, which includes, but is not limited to a piston
54
and a cylinder
56
. The protruding drive rod
50
is connected to the piston
54
and the piston
54
is contained within the cylinder
56
. The cylinder
56
also contains a fluid that is increased in volume through the transfer of fluid from the charging unit
16
(
FIG. 1
) to the cylinder
56
. Therefore, as the fluid volume is increased in the cylinder
56
, the piston
54
vacates the cylinder
56
and moves the protruding drive rod
50
in the first direction. Conversely, as the fluid volume is decreased in the cylinder
56
, the piston
54
enters the cylinder
56
and moves the protruding drive rod
50
in the second direction. As previously discussed in this detailed description of a preferred exemplary embodiment, the movement in the first direction pivots the cammed jaw about the pivot pin
48
to increase the distance
32
between the contact surface
34
of the cammed jaw
24
and mandrel engaging plate
28
. The increase in the distance
32
between the contact surface
34
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
results in the contact surface
34
of the cammed jaw
24
contacting the inner surface
36
of the frame
22
and the mandrel engaging plate
28
engaging the mandrel
30
, thereby drawing the mandrel
30
through the aperture in the slug
20
and removing the slug
20
from the frame
22
.
From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that methods and apparatus are provided for removing a slug from an automobile frame that are efficient and produce consistent results. In addition, while the foregoing detailed description provides a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the ensuing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing a preferred embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A method for removing a slug from an automobile frame, comprising:inserting a mandrel into an aperture of the slug; engaging said mandrel with a mandrel engaging plate; separating a cammed jaw from said mandrel engaging plate such that said mandrel is drawn through said aperture of the slug and removes the slug from the automobile frame; wherein said engaging said mandrel with said mandrel plate comprises engaging a mating neck of said mandrel with a channel of said mandrel engaging plate and wherein separating said cammed jaw from said mandrel engaging plate comprises pivoting said cammed jaw about a pivot pin of a slug puller housing as a protruding drive rod of an actuator assembly traverses an elongated groove of said cammed jaw.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein pivoting said cammed jaw about said pivot pin further comprises moving said protruding drive rod in a first direction such that said cammed jaw pivots about said pivot pin and a distance between a contact surface of said cammed jaw and said mandrel engaging plate is increased.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein pivoting said cammed jaw about said pivot pin further comprises moving said protruding drive rod in a second direction such that said cammed jaw pivots about said pivot pin and said distance between said contact surface of said cammed jaw and said mandrel engaging plate is decreased.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein moving said protruding drive rod in said first direction comprises increasing the volume of a fluid contained in a cylinder with said piston.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0555584 |
Aug 1993 |
EP |