Method and apparatus for simultaneous application of surface treatment of vehicle components
OwnerDaniel J. McCormack, Samuel D. King +5inventors
InventorsDaniel J. McCormack, Samuel D. King, SoonDong Jung, David J. Klapper, Bradley T. Windy, John A. Hill, David M. Rulon
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for simultaneous application of surface treatment of components such as vehicle components is provided. A plurality of components is affixed via at least one bracket having at least one lifting attachment point, in a manner such that each of the plurality of components does not touch another component of the plurality of components.
Claims19
An apparatus for securing components for simultaneous surface treatment, comprising:
- a plurality of vehicle components;
- at least one bracket attached to each of the plurality of vehicle components so that each of the plurality of vehicle components is spaced apart from each other vehicle component of the plurality of vehicle components and so that none of the vehicle components of the plurality of vehicle components touch each other;
- and
- a plurality of spacers respectively disposed between the plurality of vehicle components and the at least one bracket,
- wherein the plurality of spacers have different lengths with respect to each other, so that the spacers dispose the plurality of vehicle components in at least two different distances from the at least one bracket, and
- wherein the at least one bracket defines a least one aperture configured to receive a lifting connector.
A method for preparing a plurality of components for simultaneous surface treatment comprising:
- spacing the components of the plurality of components so that no component of the plurality of components touches another component of the plurality of components;
- providing at least one bracket having a plurality of first apertures at which the components are selectively attachable to the at least one bracket and attaching the plurality of components to the at least one bracket so that each component of the plurality of components is spaced apart from each other component of the plurality of components in a first direction, wherein the at least one bracket has at least one second aperture configured to receive a lifting connector;
- disposing respective spacers between the components of the plurality of components and the at least one bracket so that the components of the plurality of components are spaced from the at least one bracket in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction;
- and
- securing the attached plurality of components at the at least one second aperture and inserting the attached plurality of components, while supported at the at least one second aperture, into a surface treatment bath.
A method for simultaneous surface treatment of a plurality of vehicle components, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of vehicle components into an arrangement;
- rigidly attaching at least one bracket to each said vehicle component in the arrangement so that each of the plurality of vehicle components is in a fixed position with respect to, and does not touch, each other vehicle component of the plurality of vehicle components;
- lifting the arrangement via the at least one bracket and, while supporting the arrangement via the at least one bracket, transporting the arrangement to a surface treatment bath;
- and
- while supporting the arrangement via the at least one bracket, inserting the arrangement into the surface treatment bath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.