US3301547A - Means for handling radiators for repairs - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 31, 1967 c. R. JORDAN 3,301,547

MEANS FOR HANDLING RADIATORS FOR REPAIRS Filed June 18, 1964 2 SheetsSheet l FIG.I.

INVENTOR Charles Ray Jordan ATTOR NEY Jam-31,1967

Filed June 18, 1964 C. R. JORDAN MEANS FOR HANDLING RADIATORS FOR REPAIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 99 57 as u 98 50 n IO Ii 4 2 a I C 4 I] 44 l6 l1 Q as INVENTOR 40 Charles Ray Jordon 27 v ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,301,547 MEANS FOR HANDLING RADIATORS FOR REPAIRS Charles Ray Jordan, Box 105, Toccoa, Ga. 30577 Filed June 18, 1964, Ser. No. 376,172 6 Claims. (Cl. 269-20) The present invention relates to work holding means and more particularly to an improved universally adjustable cradle to hold automobile radiators for inspection, testing and for repair thereof.

There have been many forms of adjustable radiator support devices to hold radiators for testing and for repair and this prior art while it has recognized the problem of handling all sizes of radiators and of universal adustment of the same has nevertheless failed to successfully provide an optimum performing radiator cradle of simple construction with maximum flexibility for universal adjustment.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide for maximum flexibility in a work holder for radiators or the like.

Another object is to provide a novel radiator cradle for support of any type or'size radiator in any and all positions to be required for testing or repair thereof.

Still another object is to provide a radiator cradle having in combination therewith a novel arrangement of holding clamps so shaped and, so positioned that the radiator surfaces to be inspected and repaired may always be exposed and free of the clamped area.

.The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description, when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein the parts in the specification are numbered and referred to by like numerals throughout the drawings.

In the drawings:

. FIGURE 1 is a general perspective view of the novel radiator holding cradle. of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is "a'perspective view-of the novel cradle and its supporting arm and cross arm positioned to hold a radiator for inspection and repair above a tub; and

l FIGURE 3 is a perspective view like FIGURE 2 with the novel cradle, its supporting arm and cross arm positioned so as to place the radiator held in the cradle in a different position.

1;. Referring 'in detail to the drawings and first with particular reference to FIGURE 1, there is shown an empty radiator cradle device A ang-ularly suspended over a tub B and pivotal-1y secured to a support :arm C vertically depending from a horizontally extending cross arm D. FIGURES 2 and 3 show a radiator 'W clamped in the cradle device A.

The cross arm D is formed with a vertical T head mounted between vertically spaced ears 11 and 12 formed from a side plate 13 of aboX-like casing head 14 slid able up or down ona standard 15 by a fluid motor E. This casing head embraces the standard or upright 15, which is rectangular in cross section in the provision of four side wallsformed with triangular supporting 'base members'16 and 17 extending from each opposite side of the upright. Each base member 16 and 17 may be hinged to oppositely faced sides of the upright so as to fold into inactive raised or to down work supporting position; The apex of each of the members 16 and 17 is made with an extension 18 and as shown in FIGURE 2.is secured to one of the adjacent legs 21 of a suitable tub, such as the tub B to provide for rigidity and steadiness during use of the device.

The standard or upright 15 is held spaced from the side wall 24 of the tub B by the aforesaid base members and 3,301,547 Patented Jan. 31, .1967.

a side shelf 25 is provided to support a valve housing 27 which connects to a source of fluid from connections 28 and 29 and to flexible hose means 32 and 33 coupled to each connection, said valve housing on an opposite side having connections 35 and 36 within respective flexible hose members 37 and 38 to the fluid power ram or motor E. The hose member 37 connects to the lower side of the motor adjacent a lug and pin connection 39 on the bottom of the vertical cylinder 40 mounted on the standard 15 and the hose 38 connects to the top of the cylinder.

The cylinder 40 houses a piston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 42 projecting upwardly adjacent the standard 15 and the piston rod connects at 43 to the bottom wall of the box-like casing head 14. This casing head 14 includes spaced ball bearings 44, which serve as anti- I the piston rod 42.

Y ator cradle A are likewise raised and lowered by the As shown in FIGURE 1 the valve housing is provided with a valve operating lever 45 pivoted on a pin 46 mounted between lugs 47 and the lever at its lower extremity connects to the projected end 48 of the valve element, not shown, confined within thevalve housing. Any suitable conventional spool valve or the like may be used and if desired a fluid cut-off valve 49 and a pressure gauge 50 may be mounted adjacent the valve lever for motor operating pressure regulation.

The raising and lowering of the casing head 14 carries the cross arm D by virtue of its T-head connection 10 therewith and since the free end of the cross arm is journalled to the upper end of support arm C in the provision of a swivel joint 52, this arm and the novel radi:

From the swivel joint 52.the support arm C is defined:

with a shaft 53 extending at right angles toward a support frame 54 for the cradle A, see FIGURE 1.-

This support frame is U-shaped in the provision of side legs 56 and 57 and a bridge portion 58. This bridge is trunnions or bearings 63 and 64 in the free ends thereof is asecond U-shaped frame 65. This second frame for examplernay be comprised of a pair of spaced bars 67 and 68 formed with right angled ends 69-70,--7172 and with the spacedfree endsofthe respective bars each joined together by centrally apertured bridge bars 74 and by set screws or bolts 73.

The backing frame 77 is relatively wider than the second tilting frame 65 and each of the side bars 78 and 79 thereof projects beyond each side of frame 65. Backing frame 77 includes two longitudinal contiguous elongated tubes; 80 and 81 securedbetween 'cross bars:

82 and 83 at each end of frame 77. Telescopically mounted in each tube is a clamp bar 85"and 86, respectively. The bars telescope outwardly at opposite sides of the backing frame 77 between the spaced bars 67 and 68 and each projected end of the bars on one side surface thereof is formed with a threaded socket to receive the threaded end 90 of a rod 91 which extends at right angles to its respective clamp bar 85 or 86. A clamp support arm 94 is journalled on each respective rod 91 and may be swung laterally in an arc to any desired positions with respect to the backing frame 77. Carried at the tip end of each clamp arm 94 is a screw shaft 95 with a manually turnable handle 96 at one end and a clamp plate 98 with a ball joint connection 99. These screw shafts 95 are threadable in an internally threaded bushing 100 formed from the end of each clamp support arm 94, whereby a radiator clamp assembly is provided for any size of radiator to be supported in the cradle assembly for inspection, testing and/or repair.

As an example, a radiator to be worked upon may be placed on the backing frame 77 and clamped thereto by the clamp means.

Prior to the clamping, it is preferable to operate the motor and raise and lower the cradle assembly to the most suitable work position over the tub B. This is accomplished by the manual actuation of the valve lever to cause the motor piston rod to impart movement to the sliding head 14 to raise and lower the same on the standard 15.

Once the radiator W and the first and second frames are in position over the tub B with the radiator clamped in the second U-shaped frame or cradle, the laterally pivoted cross arm D carried by the head 14 may be moved, the cradle may be rocked in the first frame and the first U-frame support bar turned on its vertical swivel, and also the first U-frame may be tilted as required.

This tilting of the first frame bodily tilts the second U-frame therewith either up or down at each end, to thereby rock the radiator W clockwise or counter-clockwise. Then, if desired, the entire frame assemblies may be swiveled on the swivel connection at the end of the support arm C for different angular settings in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. In fact the radiator is so mounted in the frame assemblies that it may be tilted in any direction, tumbled end over end or otherwise generally maneuvered.

The second U-frame may be locked to any tilted position and the first frame may likewise be held set to any selected angular tilt r tumbled position.

Also, when in a desired set position, the complete assembly may be lowered by the motor E into the tub B and immersed in water to locate tell-tale bubbles indicative of leaks in the radiator and after the leak is located the motor may be reversed to raise the assembly free of the tub B to suitable repair positions.

Without further description it is believed that the advantages of the present invention over the prior art is apparent and while only one embodiment of the same is illustrated, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto as various changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of the parts ill-ustrated, as will now likely appear to others and those skilled in the art. For a definition of the scope or limits of the invention, reference should be had to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for holding work for inspection, testing and repair comprising a vertical standard, motor means adjacent the standard, a head portion slidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motor means, a cross arm .pivotally connected to said head portion and movable therewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, said end swivel connecting with a support arm, said support anm having a shaft on one end at right angles thereto, said shaft having bearing means, a first U-shaped frame journalled by said bearing means to said shaft of the support arm, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, a backing frame secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by said backing frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame of said second U-shaped frame.

2. Means for holding work for inspection, testing and repair comprising a vertical standard, motor means adjacent the standard, a head portion slidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motor means, a cross arm pivotally connected to said head portion and movable therewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, and end swivel connecting with a support arm, said support arm having a shaft on one end at right angles thereto, said shaft having bearing means, a first U-shaped frame journalled by said bearing means to said shaft of the support arm, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, a backing frame secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by said backing frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame of said second U-shape-d frame, said clamp means being swingable in an arc to permit clamping selectively at desired areas of the work.

3. Means for holding work for inspection, testing and repair comprising a vertical standard, motor means adjacent the standard, a head portion slidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motor means, a cross arm pivotally connected to said head portion and movable therewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, said end swivel connecting with a support arm, said support arm having a shaft on one end at right angles thereto, said shaft having bearing means, a first U-shaped frame jouranlled by said bearing means to said shaft of the support arm, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, a backing fna-me secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by said backing frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame of said second U-shaped frame, said clamp means being swingable in an arc to permit clamping selectively at desired areas of the work, and said clamp means each including a clamp plate having a self-adjustable action when engaged with the work.

4. Means for holding radiators for inspection, testing and repair comprising a vertical standard, a fluid motor connected to the standard, a head portion slidbale vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motor, a horizontal cross arm pivotally connected to said head portion and movable vertically therewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, said end swivel connecting with a substantially veritcal support arm, said vertical support arm having a horizontally extended shaft, said extended shaft supporting bearing means, a first U-shaped frame journalled by said :bearing means to said extended shaft, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, a backing frame secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried by said backing frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame.

5. Means for holding radiators for inspection, testing and repair comprising a vertical standard, a fluid motor connected to the standard, a head portion slidable vertically on said standard and movably operated by said motor, a horizontal cross arm pivotally connected to said head portion and movable vertically therewith, said cross arm having an end swivel, said end swivel connecting with a substantially vertical support arm, said vertical support arm having a horizontally extended shaft, said extended shaft supporting bearing means, a first U-shaped frame journalled by said bearing means to said extended shaft, a second U-shaped frame trunnion mounted in the said first U-shaped frame, a backing frame secured to a medial section of said second U-shaped frame, and adjustable clamp means carried 'by said backing frame for clamping a piece of work to said backing frame, and means to lock said second U-frarne in an adjusted position.

6. A radiator positioner and holder comprising a standard, said standard having base supports, said supports being connectable to the legs of a suitable tub positioned adjacent thereto, a travelling head on said standard, a motor supported on said standard connected to said head for raising and lowering the head on said standard, an arm extending laterally from a side of said head, said arm being swivelled to a depending assembly, said assembly comprising a support means, a first frame swivelled to said support means, a second frame pivotally mounted in said first frame, and clamp means mounted in said second frame for holding said radiator, said first frame being vertically rotatable on said support means with said second frame means in one plane, said second frame being vertically rotatable in said first frame in a plane at right References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,660 11/1951 Williams 26958 X 2,679,092 5/1954 Austin 26958 X 2,737,709 3/1956 Lovelace 269-60 X 3,027,158 3/1962 Barbee 26920 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

I. F. MCKEOWN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. MEANS FOR HOLDING WORK FOR INSPECTION, TESTING AND REPAIR COMPRISING A VERTICAL STANDARD, MOTOR MEANS ADJACENT THE STANDARD, A HEAD PORTION SLIDABLE VERTICALLY ON SAID STANDARD AND MOVABLY OPERATED BY SAID MOTOR MEANS, A CROSS ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID HEAD PORTION AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, SAID CROSS ARM HAVING AN END SWIVEL, SAID END SWIVEL CONNECTING WITH A SUPPORT ARM, SAID SUPPORT ARM HAVING A SHAFT ON ONE END AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO, SAID SHAFT HAVING BEARING MEANS, A FIRST U-SHAPED FRAME JOURNALLED BY SAID BEARING MEANS TO SAID SHAFT OF THE SUPPORT ARM, A SECOND U-SHAPED FRAME TRUNNION MOUNTED IN THE SAID FIRST U-SHAPED FRAME, A BACKING FRAME SECURED TO A MEDIAL SECTION OF SAID SECOND U-SHAPED FRAME, AND ADJUSTABLE CLAMP MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BACKING FRAME FOR CLAMPING A PIECE OF WORK TO SAID BACKING FRAME OF SAID SECOND U-SHAPED FRAME.

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