System for anchoring frames to a platform

Abstract

A system (20) for anchoring a vehicle frame (22) to a platform (24) utilizes a variety of securement components (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) to secure the vehicle frame (22) from movement at desired locations while the vehicle frame (22) is being aligned with pulling forces applied by pulling towers (26). The securement components (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) are held on cross beams (28, 30) which mount to anchoring stands (32), and the anchoring stands (32) are attached to the platform (24). The securement components include a rail vise (34), a C-channel clamp (36), a leafspring shackle (38), L-clamps (40,41), a slide plate (42), ahole adapter (44), a tie-down ratchet assembly (46), and a turnbuckle assist (48). The rail vise has two guide channels (78, 80) which slidably receive guide pins (114) therein. The guide pins (114) extend from a front movable clamp leg (74). The leaf spring shackle (38) includes an L-shaped base plate (152) and a clamp member (154), which cooperate to clamp a mounting bracket (158) of a leaf spring (176) therebetween. The hold adapter (44) includes a reference hole insert (216) sized and configured to fit in a reference hole (226) of the vehicle frame (22) with slip clearance. The hole adapter (44) also includes an adapter ring (232) for larger reference holes (230). The tie-down ratchet assembly (46) includes a tie-down strap (244) and a ratchet mechanism (248) which is operative to incrementally tension the strap (244).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.