Flexible framing apparatus

Framing apparatus for the assembly of the body parts of a vehicle cab including a bottom panel, a back panel, and right and left side panels, said apparatus comprising:

• a framing station having a base adapted to support the bottom panel in a horizontal position,
• laterally spaced-apart first and second side framers disposed respectively on opposite sides of said base,
• releasable side panel holders adapted to support the right and left side panels in upright positions on said respective first and second side framers with the lower edge portions of the side panels at approximately the same level as the bottom panel on said base,
• side tracks carrying said side framers for lateral movement toward and away from advanced positions closely adjacent to the sides of said base with the lower edge portions of the side panels supported thereon juxtaposed to the side edge portions of the bottom panel so that the lower edge portions of the side panels can be connected to the side edge portions of the bottom panel,
• first and second drives for moving said side framers on said tracks,
• a rear framer,
• releasable rear panel holders adapted to support the rear panel in an upright position on said rear framer with the lower edge portion of the rear panel at approximately the same level as the bottom panel on said base and the side edge portions of the rear panel longitudinally aligned with the side edge portions of the side panels,
• a rear track carrying said rear framer for longitudinal movement toward and away from an advanced position closely adjacent to the rear of said base in which the lower edge portion of the rear panel supported thereon is juxtaposed to the rear edge portion of the bottom panel so that the lower edge portion of the rear panel can be connected to the rear edge portion of the bottom panel and in which the side edge portions of the rear panel are juxtaposed to the rear edge portions of the side panels when the side framers are in the advanced positions thereof so that the side edge portions of the rear panel can be connected to the rear edge portions of the side panels, and
• a third drive for moving said rear framer on said rear track.