Importance

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Abstract

A framing apparatus that accurately and efficiently clamps and welds a loosely assembled vehicle body with a high degree of repeatability between consecutive vehicle bodies while also having the ability to adapt to a plurality of different, predetermined loosely assembled vehicle body configurations in a quick and efficient manner. The framing apparatus provides a first and second framing means that move between a raised position for introducing and removing the vehicle body from a welding station and a lowered position for clamping and welding the loosely assembled vehicle body. The first and second framing means are pivotally connected to a carriage which is supported on a pair of substantially parallel inner rails for movement along a first path of travel. A pair of substantially outer rails support the first and second framing means for movement along the first path of travel when in the raised position. The outer rails contain a movable portion within the welding station which movably support the first and second framing means between the raised position and the lowered position. When the first and second framing means are in the lowered position, a means for releasably locating the ends of the first and second framing means is provided to locate and secure the first and second framing means in a fixed relationship relative to the welding station. A means for interchanging the first and second framing means is provided to adapt to a plurality of different, predetermined loosely assembled vehicle body configurations.

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First Claim