Used vehicle parts disassembly system and method

A method for providing used vehicle parts obtained from used vehicles comprising:

• conveying the used vehicle along a conveyor line;
• sequentially removing selected used parts from the used vehicle;
• identifying used vehicle parts with inventory numbers which indicate the interchangeability of said parts between various makes, models and years of vehicles;
• cleaning selected used vehicle parts;
• testing selected used vehicle parts;
• storing used vehicle parts in a storage area;
• and
• entering and maintaining inventory information on the used vehicle parts in a record-keeping system comprising an electronic digital computer.

An integrated system for the disassembly, warehousing and inventory of used vehicle parts obtained from used vehicles comprising:

• fixed conveyor means in said integrated system on which the used vehicle is transported during disassembly;
• means for sequentially disassembling at various locations in said integrated system, while preserving the recyclable condition, substantially all recyclable used parts from the used vehicle while it is being transported on the conveyor means;
• a storage area associated with said integrated system for warehousing the used parts removed during disassembly;
• means for identifying the used vehicle parts warehoused in the storage area;
• and
• means for maintaining inventory records of the used vehicle parts which are warehoused in said storage area based on inventory numbers which indicate the interchangeability of certain vehicle parts between various vehicle models, makes and years, whereby the availability of said used vehicle parts disassembled in said integrated system from various vehicle models, makes and years can be determined and a desired used vehicle part and its interchangeable equivalents can be located among the recyclable used vehicle parts warehoused and identified in the storage area of said integrated system.

A system for the disassembly, warehousing and inventory of used vehicle parts obtained from used vehicles comprising:

• endless belt conveyor means on which a vehicle is transported during disassembly;
• means for removing used parts from the used vehicle while it is being transported on the conveyor means;
• means for lifting vehicles onto said conveyor means;
• a storage area for storing the used parts removed during disassembly;
• means for removing larger and heavier vehicle parts from the conveyor means to the storage area;
• means for labeling used vehicle parts;
• means for cleaning used vehicle parts;
• means for testing used vehicle parts;
• means for moving a stripped vehicle hulk from said conveyor means;
• and
• means for maintaining inventory records of the used vehicle parts which are stored in said storage area based on inventory numbers which indicate the interchangeability of certain vehicle parts between various vehicle models, makes and years.