DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the manufacture of the body welding fixture. In particular, the present invention relates to the levelling of the body welding fixture by using base levelling screw. More particularly, the present invention relates to a special spanner configured and manufactured for levelling of the body welding fixture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, the levelling of the base levelling screw is done by an adjustable spanner or a fixed spanner. The levelling of the body welding fixture with respect to the ground is a time consuming, unsafe and non-ergonomic activity.

The method of levelling of base levelling screw comprises of the steps of:

- Arranging all required accessories for levelling of the base levelling screw of body welding fixture, which include adjustable or fixed spanner, spirit level etc.;

- Tightening the base level screw by means of fixed or adjustable spanner to change the level of individual base levelling screw.

- Checking the levelling of the body welding fixture with respect to ground by using the spirit level; and

- Tightening all the base levelling screws of the body welding fixture in the similar manner.

DISDVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

This conventional method for levelling of the base levelling screws of the body welding fixture has the following disadvantages:

- Spanner slips frequently during tightening of the screw.

- Time required for tightening of the base levelling screw is quite high, i.e. about 5 mins per screw.

- Extreme care should be taken by workmen during this complex operation from the safety point of view.

- Further, total operation is not ergonomic and accessing the base levelling screw s of the body welding fixture for levelling of the base levelling screws is very difficult.

Therefore, there is an existing need for obviating the disadvantages associated with the present method and device used for levelling of the body welding fixture with respect to the ground.

So, the present invention offers an improved method and device for overcoming all above disadvantages associated with conventional device and method to substantially reduce the time required for tightening the base levelling screw s of the body welding fixture.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a special spanner for levelling of the base levelling screw of the body welding fixtures for easy tightening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a special spanner for levelling of the base levelling screw of the body welding fixtures for reducing the time required for tightening the base levelling screws.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a special spanner for levelling of the base levelling screw to significantly increase the productivity of die shop.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method of levelling of the base levelling screw by means of a special spanner, which is easy and safe to use.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method of levelling of the base levelling screw by means of a special spanner of an ergonomic configuration.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method of levelling of the base levelling screw by using a simple and operator-friendly special spanner for use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a spanner with an openable hexagonal head configured for slippage-free tightening of the fixtures, wherein the spanner comprises the following components:

• a handle, preferably made of steel rod provided with fastening means at one end thereof;

• a solid shank shaped as the first hexagonal portion and provided with a central extension for tightening the same on the handle-end provided with fastening means;

• a second hexagonal half portion hinged at one end of the first hexagonal half portion by means of a hinge joint;

wherein a locking means is provided at the other ends of the first and second hexagonal half portions for closing the hexagonal head spanner around the screws of the fixtures for safe and secured tightening thereof.

Typically, the first hexagonal half portion comprises T-shaped pivoting end and lockable ends and the second hexagonal half portion comprises C-shaped pivoting and locking ends.

Typically, the first hexagonal half portion comprises C-shaped pivoting end and lockable ends and the second hexagonal half portion comprises T-shaped pivoting and locking ends.
Typically, a hole is provided through the pivoting and lockable ends of the first and second hexagonal half portions.

Typically, all the external corners or edges of the hexagonal half portions are suitably chamfered to avoid injury to the operator.

Typically, the hinge joint is made by loosely riveting together the T-shaped pivoting end of the first hexagonal half portion and the C-shaped lockable first hexagonal half portion.

Typically, the locking means comprises a fastener inserted through the lockable T-shaped end and C-shaped hexagonal half portions provided in the hole/s provided there through.

Typically, a pair of fastener is screwed on one side of the first hexagonal portion with a solid shank as a replacement for a lost fastener.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method for safe and slippage-free tightening of the fixture screws, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
• Opening the hexagonal half portions of the spanner head by unscrewing the fastener;

• Engaging the spanner head around the screw of the fixture;

• Closing the spanner head by bringing together both the hexagonal half portions;

• Screwing the fastener into the hole passing through the respective free ends of the first and second hexagonal half portions for secure locking of the spanner around the screw of the fixture to be tightened; and

• Tightening the fixture screw as per the requirement by holding the handle of the spanner with its hexagonal head closed around the fixture screw.

Typically, the surface level of the fixture is simultaneously checked by using a spirit level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1a shows the schematic view of the conventional method for levelling of the base levelling screw s of a body welding fixture.

Figure 1b shows the conventional spanner used for levelling the base levelling screw s of a body welding fixture using the conventional method.

Figure 2a shows the schematic view of the method for levelling the base levelling screw s of the body welding fixture by using the special spanner configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2b shows the special spanner in its opened configuration, which is configured for carrying out the method according to Figure 2a.

Figure 2c shows the special spanner in its locked/closed configuration, which is configured for carrying out the method according to Figure 2a.

Figure 3a shows a detailed perspective view of the special spanner shown in Figures 2a to 2c.

Figure 3b shows an enlarged detailed perspective view of the hexagonal head of the special spanner shown in Figure 3a.

Figure 4a shows a front-view of the special spanner of Figure 3a.

Figure 4b shows a top-view of the special spanner of Figure 4a.

Figure 4c shows the side-view of the special spanner of Figure 4a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1a shows the schematic view of the conventional method for levelling the base levelling screw s 12 of a body welding fixture 10 by using a conventional spanner 20.

Figure 1b shows the conventional spanner 20 used for levelling the base levelling screw s 12 of a body welding fixture 10 by using the conventional method of Figure 1a.

Figure 2a shows the schematic view of the method for levelling the base levelling screw 12 of a body welding fixture 10 by using the special spanner 200 configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2b shows the special spanner 200 with its head 220 in an open condition and ready for carrying out the method shown in Figure 2a.

Figure 2c shows the special spanner with its head 220 in a closed condition carrying out the method shown in Figure 2a.

Figure 3a shows a detailed perspective view of the special spanner 200 shown in Figures 2b, 2c and consisting of a handle bar 210 and an openable hexagonal head 220 to be described further below.

Figure 3b shows an enlarged detailed perspective view of the hexagonal head 220 of the special spanner 200 shown in Figures 3a. It includes a shank 230 connected to the handle arm 210 with a first hexagonal half grip 240 configured thereon. The second hexagonal half grip 250 is connected to the first half grip 240 by means of a hinged joint 290, e.g. via a rivet 260. The second hexagonal half grip 250 can be opened by opening the hinged joint 290 and by placing the special spanner 200 on the base levelling screw to be tightened and subsequently closing and locking it by means of a locking bolt 270 for tightening the base levelling screw 12 of the body welding fixture 10. Two additional bolts 280 are provided as standby in case of loss of the locking bolt 240, which are all normally M5 bolts. Preferably, all the external corners or edges of the hexagonal half portions are suitably chamfered to avoid injury to the operator.

Figure 4a shows a front-view of the special spanner 200 depicted in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 4b shows a top-view of the special spanner 200 depicted in Figure 4a.

Figure 4c shows the enlarged side-view of the special spanner 200 depicted in Figure 4a.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION

The special spanner 200 configured in accordance with the present invention and shown in Figure 3a is used for levelling of the base levelling screw 12 of the body welding fixture 10 is used in the manner described in the following. The spanner 200 is made from mild steel (MS). An MS rod 210 of about 470 mm length is connected to the head 220 of the spanner 200 via the shank 230. There are two separate hexagonal half portions 240, 250 of the head 220 forming the hexagonal head 200 thereof. These hexagonal half portions 240, 250 of the head 220 are joined at one hinge joint 290 with the help of a rivet 260. The other detachable end of the first hexagonal half portion 250 can be opened or closed and locked to the second hexagonal half portion 240 by means inserting an M5 bolt 270in a through hole passing through their respective free ends, for locking the hexagonal head 200 to the base levelling screw 12 to be tightened. There are two extra M5 bolts 280 parked on the shank 230 of the spanner 200 as stand-by bolts in case of a loss of the M5 bolt 270.

The method of levelling of base levelling screw 12 of the body welding fixture 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises the following sequence of steps:

- Opening the hexagonal half portions 240, 250 of the spanner head 220 by unscrewing M5 bolt 270.

- Engaging the spanner head 220 around the base levelling screw 12.
- Closing the spanner head 220 by bringing together both the hexagonal half portions 240, 250 and screwing M5 bolt 270 into the hole passing through the respective free ends of the hexagonal half portions 240, 250.

- Tightening the base levelling screw 12 as per the requirement by using the special spanner 200 with its head closed around the base levelling screw 12 and simultaneously checking the surface level of body welding fixture 10 by using a spirit level (not shown).

The main advantages derived out of the special spanner 200 in accordance with the present invention are as under:

- By using this special spanner 200, the possibility of slippage seen with the conventional spanner is totally eliminated and the operation of setting and levelling the base levelling screw of the body welding fixture is made quite simple, safe, ergonomic and user friendly.

- Time for tightening the base levelling screw is substantially reduced by about 40% and it requires just about 3 minutes as against 5 minutes required earlier by using the conventional spanner earlier used in the conventional method.

- Reduction in the lead time and thereby increased productivity of the die shop.

- Reduction in operator’s fatigue due to elimination of the repetitive adjustments by using this special spanner 200.

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 above description, provided herein purely by way of example and illustration. 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. 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.

The skilled person 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.

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 spanner with an openable hexagonal head configured for slippage-free tightening of the fixtures, wherein the spanner comprises the following components:

• a handle, preferably made of steel rod provided with fastening means at one end thereof;

• a solid shank shaped as the first hexagonal portion and provided with a central extension for tightening the same on the handle-end provided with fastening means;

• a second hexagonal half portion hinged at one end of the first hexagonal half portion by means of a hinge joint;

wherein a locking means is provided at the other ends of the first and second hexagonal half portions for closing the hexagonal head spanner around the screws of the fixtures for safe and secured tightening thereof.

2. Spanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hexagonal half portion comprises T-shaped pivoting end and lockable ends and the second hexagonal half portion comprises C-shaped pivoting and locking ends.

3. Spanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hexagonal half portion comprises C-shaped pivoting end and lockable ends and the second hexagonal half portion comprises T-shaped pivoting and locking ends.

4. Spanner as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein a hole is provided through the pivoting and lockable ends of the first and second hexagonal half portions.

5. Spanner as claimed in claim 4, wherein all the external corners or edges of the hexagonal half portions are suitably chamfered to avoid injury to the operator.

6. Spanner as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hinge joint is made by loosely riveting together the T-shaped pivoting end of the first hexagonal half portion and the C-shaped lockable first hexagonal half portion.

7. Spanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a fastener inserted through the lockable T-shaped end and C-shaped hexagonal half portions provided in the hole/s provided there through.

8. Spanner as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of fastener is screwed on one side of the first hexagonal portion with a solid shank as a replacement for a lost fastener.

9. A method for safe and slippage-free tightening of the fixture screws, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

• Opening the hexagonal half portions of the spanner head by unscrewing the fastener;

• Engaging the spanner head around the screw of the fixture;

• Closing the spanner head by bringing together hexagonal half portions;

• Screwing the fastener into the hole passing through the respective free ends of the first and second hexagonal half portions for secure locking of the spanner around the screw of the fixture to be tightened; and

• Tightening the fixture screw as per the requirement by holding the handle of the spanner with its hexagonal head closed around the fixture screw.

10. Method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the surface level of the fixture is simultaneously checked by using a spirit level.

Dated: this day of 04th April, 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT