Aluminium based support bench for automotive repair

Abstract

A support bench (100) for automotive repair is disclosed. The support bench comprises a main frame (102) comprising at least two parallel and spaced apart rail members (110) connected to each other by means of one or more cross bars (112). Each rail member (110) comprises a plurality of tubular portions (114) formed one over another in series and at least one metal insert (116) disposed within the tubular portion(114). The metal insert (116) extends along a length of the tubular portion (114). The rail members (110) and cross bars (112) are made of aluminium material. Further, one or more fastener modules (118,120,122,124) are configured to detachably fasten the cross bars (112) to the rail members (110). The bench further comprises chassis clamps (104) attached to the rail members (110) for rigidly connecting a vehicle to the main frame (102). The support bench can be easy of assembly, portable, ergonomic, lightweight, sturdy and easily configurable to accommodate various repair tasks and vehicle sizes.

Description

ALUMINIUM BASED SUPPORT BENCH FOR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a support bench, and more particularly, a support bench made of aluminium material for automotive repair.BACKGROUND

[0002] The field of automotive repair and maintenance continually evolves alongside advancements in vehicle technology. Modem automobiles incorporate increasingly complex systems and components, which presents challenges for mechanics tasked with repairs and adjustments. Traditional repair processes often involve the use of numerous tools and equipment, and require mechanics to adopt uncomfortable positions and perform repetitive motions over extended periods.

[0003] The existing support benches and workstations used in automotive repair lack the flexibility and portability required to address these challenges effectively. Many conventional benches are bulky, cumbersome to assemble, and limited in their adaptability to different repair tasks and vehicle types. Additionally, the weight and rigidity of traditional bench materials, such as steel, can hinder mobility and increase the physical strain on mechanics.

[0004] Therefore, there exists a need for a support bench that prioritizes ease of assembly, portability, and ergonomic design that could significantly enhance the efficiency and comfort of automotive repair operations. Further, the support bench needs to be lightweight, sturdy, easily configurable to accommodate various repair tasks and vehicle sizes, and incorporate features that promote mechanic safety and well-being.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention discloses a support bench for automotive repair. The support bench comprises a main frame comprising at least two parallel and spaced apart rail members connected to each other by means of one or more cross bars. The cross bars extend between the rail members. Each rail member comprises a plurality of tubular portions formed one over another in series and at least one metal insert disposed within the tubular portion. The metalinsert extends along a length of the tubular portion. The rail members and cross bars are made of aluminium material.

[0006] Further, one or more fastener modules are configured to detachably fasten the cross bars to the rail members. Each rail member comprises a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. At least one cross bar extends between the first end portions of two rail members and at least one cross bar extends between the second end portions of two rail members.

[0007] The fastener module comprises a sheet metal part disposed at a first side portion of a first joining location of the end portions of the rail member and the cross bar. The fastener further comprises a bracket disposed at a second side portion of the first joining location. The first side portion is opposite to the second side portion. The sheet metal part and the bracket are connected to the rail member and the cross bar by nuts and bolts. The fastener module further comprises at least two brackets. At least one bracket is disposed at a first side of a second joining location of the rail member and the crossbar, and at least one bracket is disposed at a second side of the second joining location of the rail member and the crossbar. The first side is opposite to the second side. Each bracket comprises one or more holes. Each bracket is connected to the rail member and the cross bar by bolts and nuts.

[0008] The brackets and the sheet metal parts comprise one or more holes. The rail members and the cross bars comprise a series of spaced apart cavities to receive nuts. The holes enable to receive the bolts therethrough and fasten the bolts to the nuts, thereby fastening the cross bars to the rail members. The bench further comprises chassis clamps attached to the rail members for rigidly connecting a vehicle to the main frame. Each chassis clamp has a jaw part connectable to a rim on the underside of a vehicle.

[0009] The bench further comprises a pulling unit for a straightening pull. The pulling unit is attached to the main frame and to the car body for a straightening pull. The bench further comprises one or more wheel assemblies arranged at a bottom portion of the rail members. Each wheel assembly comprises a swivel caster and a wheel mounted to a shaft of the swivel caster.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a support bench, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a side view of the support bench of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates another side view of the support bench of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a main frame and a fastener module of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a portion A of the exploded view of the main frame and the fastener module of FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates another exploded view of the main frame and the fastener module of the support bench.

[0016] FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a chassis clamp of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates the chassis clamp connected to a rim on the underside of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a pulling unit of the support bench of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 10 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a wheel assembly of the support bench of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Example embodiments of the disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The concepts discussed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should notbe construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements but not necessarily the same or identical elements throughout.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a support bench 100 is made of standard aluminum (alloy) profile, which is a readily available raw material, ensuring accessibility and compatibility. The benches used in the collision repair industry for body repairs require a flat surface with minimal tolerance, which is achieved effortlessly by the bench 100 through the precision extrusion of aluminum profiles, while eliminating the need for additional machining processes. The aluminium profile is 100% recyclable compared to the steel and offers advantage in term of ecology and sustainability. Further, the aluminum profile reduces weight of the bench 100. The bench 100 could be locally produced without the need for shipping, which lowers transportation costs and minimize carbon emissions. The lack of machining and welding results in smaller and lighter packages, further reducing costs. The bench 100 is a do- it-yourself (DIY) product and is compatible with all existing Celette equipment, with the flexibility to adapt to competitor's benches as well.

[0022] The support bench 100 comprises a main frame 102, one or more fastener modules, one or more chassis clamp 104, a wheel assembly 106 and a pulling unit 108. The main frame 102 comprises one or more rail members 110 connected to each other by means of one or more cross bars 112. In one embodiment, the main frame 102 comprises at least two parallel rail members 110 connected to each other by means of one or more cross bars 112. The aluminium profile rail members 110 are assembled by bolting the rail members 110 to the cross bars 112, and adjusting the rail members 110 and the cross bars 112 with small adapter insert.

[0023] The cross bars 112 extends between the rail members 110. The rail members 110 and cross bars 112 are easily connectable to and detachable from each other in arbitrary positions. The rail members 110 comprises a plurality of tubular portions 114. The tubular portions 114 are formed in series above one another. The tubular portion 114 is configured to receive at least one insert 116. In one embodiment, the insert 116 is a metal insert. The insert 116 is also referred as metal insert throughout this specification. The insert 116 extends along a length of the rail members 110. The insert 116 is at least 2 meters long.

[0024] The cross bars 112 are detachably connected to the rail members 110 via the fastener module. Each rail member 110 comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. In oneembodiment, one or more cross bars 112 comprises at least four cross bars 112. At least one cross bar 112 extends between the first end portions of two rail members 110 and at least one cross bar 112 extends between the second end portions of two rail members 110. Further, one or more cross bars 112 extend at the middle portions and portions proximal to the middle portion of the rail members 110. The wheel assembly 106 is arranged at a bottom portion of the rail members 110.

[0025] The pulling unit 108 is provided for a straightening pull of the car body. The pulling unit 108 is attached to the main frame 102 and to the car body for a straightening pull. In one embodiment, the support bench 100 is made of aluminium material. In one embodiment, the cross bars 112 and the rail members 110 are made of aluminium material. In another embodiment, the cross bars 112 and the rail members 110 are made of titanium material.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the fastener module comprises one or more sheet metal parts 118 and one or more brackets 120. A location at which the cross bar 112 and the end portion of rail members 110 joins are referred as a first joining location. Further, the location at which the cross bar 112 and the mid portions of rail member 110 joins are referred as a second joining location. The sheet metal part 118 is disposed at a first side portion of the first joining location of the rail member 110 and the cross bar 112. Further, the bracket 120 is disposed at a second side portion of the first joining location. The first side portion is opposite to the second side portion.

[0027] The sheet metal part 118 and the bracket 120 are connected to the rail members 110 and the cross bar 112 by nuts 122 and bolts 124. Further, at least one bracket 120 is disposed at a first side of the second joining location of the rail member 110 and the crossbar 112. At least one bracket 120 is disposed at a second side of the second joining location of the rail member 110 and the crossbar 112. The first side is opposite to the second side. Each bracket 120 is connected to the respective rail member 110 and the cross bar 112 by bolts 124 and nuts 122. One or more nuts 122 is provided at the location proximal to the first joining location and the second joining location of the rail members 110 and the cross bars 112. The rail members 110 and the cross bars 112 comprises a series of spaced apart cavities 132 to receive nuts 122. The cavity 132 has a shape complementary to receive the nut 122.

[0028] The brackets 120 and sheet metal part 118 further comprises one or more holes 134. The bolts 124 are passed through the holes 134 of the respective brackets 120 and sheet metal part 118 to fasten to the respective nut 122. Thereby, the rail members 110 are fastened to therespective cross bar 112. Further, one or more washers 136 are used to fix nuts 122 and bolts 124. Further, the brackets 120 are a 90-degree jointing brackets.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the chassis clamp 104 is attached to the rail members 110. The chassis clamp 104 enables to rigidly connect a vehicle 140 to the main frame 102. Each chassis clamp 104 has an upper jaw part 126 connectable to a rim on the underside of the vehicle 140. In one embodiment, the chassis clamp 104 pivotably fixed at the chassis clamp 104. In one embodiment, the jaw part 126 is pivotable around an axis perpendicular to the direction of the rail members 110. Further, the chassis clamp 104 further comprises a controllable locking module to lock the jaw part 126 in a non-pivotal condition.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 9, the pulling unit 108 is attached to the main frame 102 and to the car body for a straightening pull. The pulling unit 108 comprises a first frame 142 connected to the main frame 102 and a second frame 144 extending perpendicular to the first frame 142. The first frame 142 extends horizontally with respect to the main frame 102. The chassis clamp 104 and the pulling unit 108 further comprises a lock module 138 to enable quick lock.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 10, one or more wheel assemblies 106 are arranged at a bottom portion of the rail members 110. The wheel assembly 106 provides mobility and maneuverability to the support bench 100. The wheel assembly 106 comprises a swivel caster 128 and a wheel 130 mounted to a shaft of the swivel caster 128. The swivel caster 128 attaches the wheel 130 to the rail members 110. The swivel caster 128 facilitates smooth rotation and directional movement of the wheel 130, which enables easy navigation of the support bench 100 across various surfaces.

[0032] The bench 100 is designed for automotive repair and bodywork applications. The bench 100 is lightweight, DIY (Do-it-yourself) bench: easily assembled without machinery, and could be disassembled into several pieces for convenient shipping and storage. The use of aluminum as the primary material offers durability and strength comparable to traditional steel benches while being lighter and more portable. Further, the metal insert 116 provides additional support and stability to the bench 100, particularly for larger vehicles and heavy-duty repair tasks. The bench 100 is equipped with mobile wheels 130 for easy maneuverability within the workshop. The chassis clamp 104 and pulling unit 108 secures vehicles during repair procedures. The bench 100 ensures safety and stability during use and facilitates efficient and effective automotive repairs.

[0033] Although the features, functions, components, and parts have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

[0034] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A support bench for automotive repair, comprising: a main frame comprising at least two parallel and spaced apart rail members connected to each other by means of one or more cross bars, wherein each rail member comprises a plurality of tubular portions formed one over another in series and at least one metal insert disposed within the tubular portion, wherein the rail members and cross bars are made of aluminium material; one or more fastener modules configured to detachably fasten the cross bars to the rail members, and one or more chassis clamps attached to the rail members for rigidly connecting a vehicle to the main frame.

2. The support bench of claim 1, wherein the cross bars extend between the rail members.

3. The support bench of claim 1 , wherein the metal insert extends along a length of the tubular portion.

4. The support bench of claim 1, wherein each chassis clamp has a jaw part connectable to a rim on the underside of a vehicle.

5. The support bench of claim 1, wherein the rail member comprises a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion.

6. The support bench of claim 5, wherein at least one cross bar extends between the first end portions of two rail members and at least one cross bar extends between the second end portions of two rail members.

7. The support bench of claim 6, wherein the fastener module comprises a sheet metal part disposed at a first side portion of a first joining location of the end portions of the rail member and the cross bar, and a bracket disposed at a second side portion of the first joining location, wherein the first side portion is opposite to the second side portion, wherein the sheet metal part and the bracket are connected to the rail member and the cross bar by nutsand bolts.

8. The support bench of claim 7, wherein the fastener module comprises at least two brackets, wherein at least one bracket is disposed at a first side of a second joining location of the rail member and the crossbar, and at least one bracket is disposed at a second side of the second joining location of the rail member and the crossbar, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side, wherein each bracket is connected to the rail member and the cross bar by bolts and nuts.

9. The support bench of claim 8, wherein the brackets and the sheet metal parts comprise one or more holes, wherein the rail members and the cross bars comprises a series of spaced apart cavities to receive nuts, wherein the holes enable to receive the bolt therethrough and fasten the bolt to the nuts, thereby fastening the cross bars to the rail members.

10. The support bench of claim 1, further comprises a pulling unit for a straightening pull, wherein the pulling unit is attached to the main frame and to the vehicle for a straightening pull.

11. The support bench of claim 1, further comprises one or more wheel assemblies arranged at a bottom portion of the rail members.

12. The support bench of claim 11, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a swivel caster and a wheel mounted to a shaft of the swivel caster.

13. A support bench for automotive repair, comprising: a main frame comprising at least two parallel and spaced apart rail members connected to each other by means of one or more cross bars, wherein each rail member comprises a plurality of tubular portions formed one over another in series and at least one metal insert disposed within the tubular portion, wherein the rail members and cross bars are made of at least one of aluminium and titanium material; one or more fastener modules configured to detachably fasten the cross bars to the rail members; one or more chassis clamps attached to the rail members for rigidly connecting a vehicle tothe main frame, wherein each chassis clamp has a jaw part connectable to a rim on the underside of a vehicle; a pulling unit attached to the main frame, wherein the pulling unit is configured to attach to the vehicle for a straightening pull, and one or more wheel assemblies arranged at a bottom portion of the rail members, wherein each wheel assembly comprises a swivel caster and a wheel mounted to a shaft of the swivel caster.

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