USRE18714E - Axle straightening mechanise - Google Patents

Description

H. WOCHNER AXLE STRAIGHTENING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 6, 1929 m m w m 7 D M ATTORNEY.

Reiuued Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY WOGHNER, 01 ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T0 BEAR MANUFACIUBHVG 00mm, 03' ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS AXLE STRAIGHTENING MEGHANISE Original Io. 1,818,811, dated August 18, 1931, Serial No. 360,882, flied- Kay 6, 1928. Application for reissue illed Iarch 28, 1932. Serial No. 601,681.

My invention has reference to an axle straightening device, and is of the same claw as the automobile axle press for which I filed application for Letters Patent of the United States on the twenty-first day of December, 1928, Serial No. 327,643. The purpose of the present invention is largely similar to that of the one shown in said former application, and it is intended for use with a heavy crossbeam orother fixture, preferably with a pit or other space beneath it to facilitate the manipulation of the device.

One of the objects of the present invention is -to provide an attachment for a beam of the kind named which will provide a substantial holding frame or vise, by means of which an axle can be held in immovable position while it is being bent or twisted. The correction of a fault in the axle can also be made without heating the axle, and in most cases without removing the same from the motorvehicle.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a mechanism which is capable of a quick set-u ,-when being applied to an axle, and which, except in special cases, does not require the use of bolts or similar fastening means, excepting those by the use of which the device is rigidly supported on a beam, and which only require to be manipulated in case of a desired adjustment thereof on the beam. It can be as quickly disconnected and taken apart afterbemg used.

The above named and other features and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the followim; specification, taken in cohnection with the drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows the invention in use in its simple form, for correcting a bend in an axle in a vertical plane, with the axle detached from the vehicle.

Fig."2 is a similar view, showing the 1nvention in use for correcting a bend'in the axle in,a horizontal plane.

Fig. '3 shows the complete mechanism, with an axle in position therein for correcting a twist in the axle, with the axle in position in the vehicle.

accompanying Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the vise I line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail of the cradle 30.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the vise mechanism and twisting tool, in detail.

On account of the length of an ordinary axle it is found to be necessary to make use of two of the. devices for holding the same, one near each end of the axle. This arrangement is shown in the first three figures of the drawings, and said mechanisms are similarly constructed and operated, so that the description of one thereof will-be understood to relate to the other one also.

In said first three figures the device is shown in connection with a pit, having side walls 1 and 2, in which are imbedded the ends of a cross-beam, formed of a pair of spaced channel-plates 3 and 4.' Mounted transversely of the beam is an oblong frame 5, secured to said beam by a bolt 6 passing downwardly through the space in the beam and through an eye 7 in the lower bar 9 of the frame, and provided on its lower threaded end with a nut 8. The frame 5 is thereby rigidly connected with said beam. In Fig. 1 an axle 10 is shown in position beneath the up er bars of two of the frames 5, and supporte at a central point by a jack 11, which may be of any known construction. By upward pressure being applied by said jack the central portion of the axle can be bent upwardly to correct a faulty curvature therein. By inverting the axle the force can be applied to bend it in the opposite direction.

In Fig. 2 an axle 17 is shown supported sideways against one of the side plates of the frames 5, said plates being provided with openings 12 and 13 through which pass bolts 14, supporting shackle-plates 15, which are clamped tightly against the axle 17 by means of nuts 16 on the threaded-ends of said bolts. (Fig. 6). Force can then be applied to the center or ends of the axle by means of a jack, to bring the body of the axle or either end thereof backinto proper alignment. In

Fig. 2 a jack 18 is shown positioned on the beam 34, beneath one end of the axle 17.

In Fig. 3 is shown an axle 20, provided on its ends with wheels 21, which rest on the floor at the sides of the pit. The axle is supported at each end on top of one of the frames 5, and is held from side movement by pairs of lugs 22 on the upper bar of the frame. (Fig. 5.) The axle 1s held from movement by means of auxiliaryframes, each comprising a cross-bar 23 and a. pair of arms 24 projected upwardly therefrom, and provided at their ends with hooks 25, which engage the gpper faces of the springs 26 of the vehicle,

en thus positioned there is a space between the bar 23 and the upper bar of the frame 5, into which a pair of wedges 27 and 28 is driven, in opposite directions, with the effect of spreading said bars'and clamping the spring 26 and axle 20 tightly in place. While thus held immovably in position, force can be applied to the end of the axle to reduce any tort or twist therein. A mechanism for accomplishing this is more particularly shown in Figures 7 and 8, and consists of a cradle 29, capable of receiving one end of the axle 20, and provided with additional axle seats 30, to accommodate axles of greater sizes. At its lower side the cradle 29 is provided with a socket 31 in which is inserted oneend of a bar 32. At each end of the cradle is a bearing point 33, by means of which one end or the other is supported on the jack 34, permitting a rocking movement to the tool. By applying an upward force by means of the jack and at the same time bearing down upon the bar 32 the cradle 29 is tilted, and the desired amount of twist given to the axle. If the twist is to be given in the opposite direction the position of the bar is reversed in the socket and the jack positioned beneath the other bearing point 33.

When the auxiliary frame is used the axle is held as in a vise, and while thus held any of the bending or twisting operations may be performed thereon. It is alwa s essential that the'jack shall have a su tantial support on the beam, and in some cases when the twisting tool is being used it is necessary to support the axle a little to one side'ofthe.

beam. To do this the bolt 6 is ositioned in an extra eye 36 at one end 0 the bar 9, which results in the greater part of the frame and axle being held-at one side of the beam. The jack can usually be supported on the beam member on the side opposite to that on which the axle is held.

In some cases where the length of the frames 5 would .cause the axle to be supported at too great a height above the cross-beam said frames can be turned on their sides, and the bolts 6 passed through some of the o nin the side pieces. In other cases w ere it is desired to increase 'the spacing between the axle and the beam the frames 5 can be supported on blocks 37- (Fi 2), with the bolts 6 pasin through per orations in the blocks. A di erent positioning of the axle with reference to the frames can also be secured by projecting the bolts 14 outwardly and supporting t e shackleplates 15 on the outside of the frames. By the various adjustments of position of WhlCh the device is capable it can be readily accommodated to axles of different makes, and to the various positionings of such axles above the crossbeam. If an axle is subject to two or more defects, all of these can be corrected while it is in position in the vise.

After an axle has been operated upon while held in place by the auxiliary frames, it can be quickly released by driving out the wedges 27 v and 28 and removing saidframes. If the frames 5 are also removed, together with the jack, there is nothing above the floor to interfere with the movement of a vehicle above the pit. In replacing the frames 5 they can be adjusted in position with relation to each other or the ends of the beam.

The drawings herein illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, the possibility of changes in the form and arrangement of some of the parts being obvious. 1

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combipation with a fixed beam, a rectangular frame supported thereon, and rigidly connected therewith, an auxiliary frame including hooked ends for engagement with the axle structure of an automobile, and having a cross-barspaced from the upper cross-bar of the first-named'frame when thus engaged, and means for reading said bars to cause a rigid clamping o the axle structure to said frame.

' 2. In combination'with a rigidly mounted beam, a rectangular frame havin an axle seat on its upper bar and prov ded with two or more bolt openings in lts lower bar, a bolt connecting said frame with said beam, and an auxiliary frame adapted to hold an axle rigidly in said seat.

3. In combination with a fixed beam, comprising a pair of spaced plates, a rectangular frame, provided with an axle seat on its upr bar, a. bolt connected with said frame, and held adjustably in the space in said beam, an auxiliary frame provided with means for engagement with the spring of an automobile, andhaving a part spaced from the upper bar of said first-named frame, and apair of wedges oppositely disposed between said part and said upper bar to force the same apart.

4. In combination with a fixed beam having a longitudinal channel, a pair of axle vises secured thereto and adjustable longitudinally thereof, each of said vises consisting of a fixed frame for the support of an ax e and an auxiliary frame for enga ement with the axle structure, and means or imparting movement to the auxiliary frame relatively to the fixed frame to clam the axle tightly against the fixed frame.

5. In combination with a fixed beam having a longitudinal channel, a bolt .held adjustably in said channel, an axle vise supported on said beam and secured thereto by said bolt, said vise consisting of a fixed frame and an auxiliary frame, engageable with an axle structure, and means for movement of the auxiliary frame to cause the same to hold an axle tightly against the fixed frame.

6. In combination with a fixed beam and an axle clamping mechanism mounted thereon, and rigidly attached thereto, a power jack supported on said beam, a cradle provided with a plurality of axle holds of varying widths, for engagement with the end of an axle held in said clamping mechanism, and having a bearing point on one end for engagement by said jack, and a bar connected with said cradle, and projected in the opposite direction from the bearing point.

7 In combination with a fixed beam, a frame supported on said beam and laterally adjustable thereof, an auxiliary frame adapted for engagement with the axle structure of an automobile, means for actuating said auxiliary frame to clamp an axle rigidly upon said first-named frame, a cradle engageable with the end of an axle held-by said frames. provided with bearing points on both sides of such axle, a power jack mounted on said beam, and engaging one of said bearing points, and a bar secured to said cradle, projecting oppositely to said jack, and capable of being reversed in position.

8. In' combination with a rigidly mounted beam, a rectangular frame and means for attachment thereof to said beam, fastenings supported in one side of said frame, and a shackle plate supported by said fastenings in parallel relation with said frame and adapted to clamp an axle tightly against the same.

9. In combination with a fixed beam, an axle clamping mechanism mounted thereon and rigidly attached thereto, a power jack mounted on said beam, and a cradle for engagement with the end of an axle held in said clamping mechanism, and adapted to receive movement from said jack to give a twisting movement to the axle.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HENRY IVOCHNER.

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