DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to compact storage of body-in-white (BIW) in any automobile manufacturing plant. In particular, the present invention relates to a storage device for stacking BIW of various models. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable and/or collapsible, portable and adjustable BIW stand for an automobile manufacturing plant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, vehicle bodies (BIWs) are normally stacked on trollies and storage stands. These trollies and stands occupy a substantially large area of the automobile manufacturing facilities for storing such BIW in process, which frequently causes a shortage of storage space and leads to inefficient and often unsafe handling thereof.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

Moreover, the storage of these large numbers of empty trollies and/or stands, when not in use, also becomes a serious concern while managing the space within the vehicle manufacturing facilities. Generally, the area required for storing one such trolley and/or stand is about 6.5 m2 (5.25 m length x 1.25 m width). Although, empty trollies and/or stands can be stacked one over the other, it is unsafe to store more than 5 such units in any such stacked storage.

On the other hand, the introduction of ever new models in the existing vehicle manufacturing facilities, the space availability became a serious constraint both for handling and storage of the vehicle bodies and for efficient storage of the empty trollies and/or stands themselves, which are required on and off for these large number of in-process BIWs, that too of different vehicle models.

Therefore, it was felt necessary to optimize the storage space within vehicle manufacturing facilities, in which the vehicle bodies (BIWs) are stored on stands and/or trollies in the body shop and also to reduce the space required for storing these stands and/or trollies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The Invention is related to making an arrangement for storing any model of Body-in-white in a significantly lesser available area in the body shop of an automobile manufacturing plant. The invention also relates to a foldable, portable and adjustable stand for stacking / storing BIWs in a body shop.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a foldable stand for storing BIWs in an optimized manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable stand for storing BIWs in an optimized manner.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable stand for storing different variants of BIWs in an optimized manner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow and thus, light-weight stand for storing the BIWs in an optimized manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost stand for storing the BIWs in an optimized manner.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a stackable stand to be stored in the body shop in an optimized manner.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a foldable and/or collapsible stand for storing body-in-white (BIW) thereon in an automobile manufacturing plant; wherein the stand comprises at least two profiled arms made of hollow sections pivoted to each other substantially at the center thereof by means of a pivoting and swiveling arrangement fitted on a central column supported on the shop-floor of the manufacturing plant.

Typically, the profiled arms are configured ‘H’ shaped, the longer central portion thereof disposed parallel to the shop floor and both the legs thereof disposed vertically and joined at either end of the longer central portion, the bottom ends of the legs supported on the shop floor and the top ends of the legs for supporting the automobile body-in-white thereon.

Typically, a support plate each is welded at the top ends of the legs for supporting the automobile body-in-white thereon.

Typically, a base plate each is welded at the bottom ends of the legs for resting the stand on the shop floor.

Typically, the pivoting and swiveling arrangement comprises a hollow section having a support plate at the top thereof for supporting the central portion of the body-in-white thereon and a broad base plate at the bottom thereof for resting on the shop floor.

Typically, the central longer portion of the first profiled arm is disposed above the central longer portion of the second profiled arm, with both the profiled arms resting on the shop floor.

Typically, the legs of the second profiled arm are accommodated between the legs of the first profiled arm, when both the profiled arms are folded or collapsed for storage of the stand.

Typically, the stand comprises an upper and a lower frame configured with right angled arms to reduce the storage space required for the same.

Typically, the upper and lower frame arms are equal in length, but mutually offset vertically for facilitating the lower frame to be fully accommodated under the upper frame when folded.

Typically, the lower frame comprises detachable extension to be fitted on top of the vertical legs thereof for a maintaining the same level as the upper frame vertical legs for supporting the automobile body-in-white.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1 shows a conventional arrangement for storage of vehicle bodies (BIWs) on stands in an automobile manufacturing facility.

Figure 2 shows a conventional arrangement for storage of vehicle bodies (BIWs) moveable on trollies in an automobile manufacturing facility.

Figure 3a shows a front view of the conventional arrangement of storing stands not in use, stacked in an automobile manufacturing facility.

Figure 3b shows a side view of the conventional arrangement of storing stands not in use, stacked in an automobile manufacturing facility.

Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a scissor type of stand configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4b shows the front view of a scissor type of stand configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4c shows a top view of the scissor type of stand of Figure 4a.

Figure 5a shows a view from the front of the scissor type of stands optimally stored within a limited space in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5b shows scissor type of stands of Figure 7a saving the storage space.

Figure 5c shows front view of a collapsed scissor type stands of Fig. 7a.

Figure 6 shows front view of a collapsed scissor type stands of Fig. 7a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows a conventional arrangement for storage of vehicle bodies on stands 10 in an automobile manufacturing facility.

Figure 2 shows a conventional arrangement storing (BIWs) moveable on trollies 20 in an automobile manufacturing facility.

Figures 3a shows a partial view of the conventional arrangement of storing stands 10 not in use, duly stacked in an automobile manufacturing facility. A maximum of five (5) numbers of such large stands 10 can be safely stacked one over the other, because stacking of more than five stands 10 in this manner poses a risk of accidents during stacking and handling thereof. The same applies to trollies 20 stacked in a similar manner.

Figure 3b shows a side view of the conventional arrangement of storing stands 10 not in use, stacked in an automobile manufacturing facility. By stacking more than five (5) numbers of such large stands 10, there is a possibility of an accident during stacking and handling thereof. Same holds good for trollies 20 as well.
Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the scissor type of stand 100 configured in accordance with the present invention for optimizing the available storage space in an automobile manufacturing facility. The stand 100 consists of two H shaped frames 110, 120 with straight arms made of square hollow metallic sections, which can be anchored in the center thereof by means of a pivoting and swiveling arrangement 130, which in turn is fitted on a central column 135 supported on a base plate 140 resting on the shop-floor of the automobile manufacturing plant. This pivoting and swiveling arrangement 130 is also provided with a supporting plate 132 on top end thereof for supporting BIWs (not shown). One supporting plate 105 and 125 each is welded to the respective upper and lower ends of the vertical legs 112 and 122 of the frames 110, 120 respectively to be supported on the shop floor. Triangular metallic brackets 114 and 124 are welded at the lower corners of the joint of the horizontal straight arms and vertical legs 112, 122 of the frames 110, 120 respectively for imparting additional rigidity thereto.

Figure 4b shows the front view of a second embodiment of the scissor type of stand 200 configured in accordance with the present invention. The upper and lower frames 210 and 220 are not configured with straight arms as in the first embodiment, but with right angled arms, which can by brought together to further reduce the space required for storing the same. In this embodiment, the right angled arms of the upper and lower frames 210, 220 are equal in length, but can be disposed mutually offset vertically for facilitating the lower frame 220 to be fully accommodated under the upper frame 210 when collapsed or folded.

Figure 4c shows a top view of the scissor type of stand of Figures 4b, when upper and lower frames 210 and 220 are fully spread apart for storing BIWs (not shown).

Figure 5a shows a view from the front of the scissor type of stands 100 (Fig.4a) optimally stored within a limited space in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5b shows a side view of the scissor type of five number of stands 100 of Figure 7a optimally stored side-by-side for saving the storage space.
Figure 5c shows top view of a collapsed scissor type stands 100 (Fig. 4a) of Fig. 5a.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the scissor type stand 100 for storing BIWs B and folded in accordance with the present invention kept near the storage space. Here, the stand 300 consists of two H shaped frames 310, 320 with straight arms made of square hollow metallic sections, which can be anchored in the center thereof by means of a pivoting and swiveling arrangement 330, which in turn is fitted on a central column 335 supported on a base plate 340 resting on the shop-floor of the automobile manufacturing plant. This pivoting and swiveling arrangement 330 is also provided with a supporting plate 332 on top end thereof for supporting BIWs (not shown). One supporting plate 305 and 325 each is welded to the respective upper and lower ends of the vertical legs 312 and 322 of the frames 310, 320 respectively to be supported on the shop floor. Triangular metallic brackets 314 and 324 are welded at the lower corners of the joint of the horizontal straight arms and vertical legs 312, 322 of the frames 310, 320 respectively for imparting additional rigidity thereto. However, the major difference of this embodiment from the first embodiment 100 (Fig. 4a) is that the horizontal arms 310 and 320 are configured such that on collapsing the two arms, lower arm 320 is accommodated under the upper arm 310 to further reduce the storage space required therefor.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION:

The scissor type stand in accordance with the present invention are specially designed to be easily foldable, portable and adjustable for storing the body-in-white (BIW) preferably of size up to 3 m length and can be adapted to different models of vehicle bodies being produced in any manufacturing facility.

This can be easily shifted to a different location and stored in an optimum area and thus occupy significantly lesser space. Since these stands are also foldable, they can be stacked together in stacks and/or rows in a minimum space, when not in use.

In a specific embodiment, the innovative stand consists of:

(a) Center pillar and 4 swivel arms with end posts or legs (preferably made of 40 mm square mild steel tubes.

(b) Arms can be swiveled / rotated about the center pillar to be adjusted to different sizes of vehicle bodies to be stored thereon.

(c) Accommodate any variant of white bodies of the Utility Vehicles (preferably from 1500 mm single cab to 3000 mm larger cabin).

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The scissor type storage stand configured in accordance with the present invention offer the following advantages:

• Stores the body-in-white in substantially less area, thereby optimizes limited available storage space.

• Avoids unsafe condition of storing bigger stands and ensures safe handling of vehicle bodies (BIW).

• Light-weight stands are easy to carry and secure BIWs from any possible damages.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in the above description in accordance with the present invention. The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, the skilled person will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein and can easily make innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies, assemblies and in terms of the size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A foldable and/or collapsible stand for storing body-in-white (BIW) thereon in an automobile manufacturing plant; wherein the stand comprises at least two profiled arms made of hollow sections pivoted to each other substantially at the center thereof by means of a pivoting and swiveling arrangement fitted on a central column supported on the shop-floor of the manufacturing plant.

2. Stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profiled arms are configured ‘H’ shaped, the longer central portion thereof disposed parallel to the shop floor and both the legs thereof disposed vertically and joined at either end of the longer central portion, the bottom ends of the legs supported on the shop floor and the top ends of the legs for supporting the automobile body-in-white thereon.

3. Stand as claimed in claim 2, wherein a support plate each is welded at the top ends of the legs for supporting the automobile body-in-white thereon.

4. Stand as claimed in claim 2, wherein a base plate each is welded at the bottom ends of the legs for resting the stand on the shop floor.

5. Stand as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivoting and swiveling arrangement comprises a hollow section having a support plate at the top thereof for supporting the central portion of the body-in-white thereon and a broad base plate at the bottom thereof for resting on the shop floor.

6. Stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central longer portion of the first profiled arm is disposed above the central longer portion of the second profiled arm, with both the profiled arms resting on the shop floor.

7. Stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legs of the second profiled arm are accommodated between the legs of the first profiled arm, when both the profiled arms are folded or collapsed for storage of the stand.

8. Stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stand comprises an upper and a lower frame configured with right angled arms to reduce the storage space required for the same.

9. Stand as claimed in claim 8, wherein the upper and lower frame arms are equal in length, but mutually offset vertically for facilitating the lower frame to be fully accommodated under the upper frame when folded.

10. Stand as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lower frame comprises detachable extension to be fitted on top of the vertical legs thereof for a maintaining the same level as the upper frame vertical legs for supporting the automobile body-in-white.

Dated: this day of 27th September, 2015. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT