Flexible headliner assembly table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10005508-B2
Application number	US-201414260924-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2014
Priority date	Apr 24, 2014
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

A headliner assembly apparatus includes an input delivery device attempting to deliver an input related to a predetermined headliner to a controller that is in communication with the input delivery device. An indexing assembly is in communication with the controller, wherein the indexing assembly positions at least one headliner detail in an installation position in response to the input related to the predetermined headliner. A headliner support is adapted to position the predetermined headliner, wherein the predetermined headliner is placed on the indexing assembly, and wherein the headliner is placed to engage the at least one headliner detail in the installation position. A detail installing assembly couples the at least one headliner detail in the installation position to the predetermined headliner.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A headliner assembly apparatus comprising:
a controller in communication with an input delivery device that is adapted to deliver an input related to a respective set of headliner details and a respective installation position to the controller;
an indexing assembly having a plurality of detailing mechanisms and in communication with the controller, wherein at least one detailing mechanism of the plurality of detailing mechanisms positions the respective set of headliner details in the respective installation position in response to the input, wherein the respective set of headliner details corresponds to at least a portion of the plurality of detailing mechanism;
a headliner support that operates laterally and vertically and further operates independently of the indexing assembly and is adapted to position a predetermined headliner on the respective set of headliner details that are placed in the respective installation position; and
a detail installation assembly that couples with a corresponding headliner detail of the respective set of headliner details in the respective installation position, the detail installing assembly adapted to secure the respective set of headliner details in the respective installation position to the predetermined headliner, and wherein each detailing mechanism of the plurality of detailing mechanisms is a rotating assembly with a plurality of detailing ends, wherein each detailing end of the plurality of detailing ends selectively receives the corresponding headliner detail of the respective set of headliner details, and wherein the plurality of the detailing ends are moved to successively position each corresponding headliner detail into the respective installation position based upon the input delivered to the controller.

2. The headliner assembly apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input delivery device delivers the input, wherein the input is one of a plurality of successive inputs to the controller, wherein the input of the plurality of successive inputs corresponds to the respective installation position and a corresponding detail set that includes the respective set of headliner details, wherein the corresponding detail set in the respective installation position.

3. The headliner assembly apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:
a detail delivery apparatus in communication with the controller, wherein the respective set of headliner details are delivered to the at least one detailing mechanism of the plurality of detailing mechanism via the detail delivery apparatus, wherein the detail delivery apparatus supplies the respective set of headliner details according to the input of the plurality of successive inputs delivered to the controller, the detail delivery apparatus adapted to supply, in response to the input, one or more of vehicles visors, vehicle grab handles, headliner consoles, vehicle lamps, garments hooks, and air handling vents.

4. The headliner assembly apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the headliner support includes a plurality of operable members that cooperatively operate relative to the corresponding detail set.

5. The headliner assembly apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the input delivery device is an indicia scanner adapted to scan an indicia that relates to the respective installation position and the corresponding detail set.

6. The headliner assembly apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of attaching fixtures, wherein each attaching fixture of the plurality of attaching fixtures corresponds to the corresponding headliner detail of the respective set of headliner details, and wherein the each of the plurality of attaching fixtures at least partially couples the corresponding headliner detail while in the respective installation position, and wherein the each of the plurality of attaching fixtures are coupled to the corresponding headliner detail by a portion of the detail installing assembly.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Huelke David

Classifications

• B60R2013/0287

  integrating other functions or accessories · CPC title

• Y10T29/49622

  Vehicular structural member making · CPC title

• B23K37/04

  for holding or positioning work · CPC title

• B62D65/14 Primary

  the sub-units or components being passenger compartment fittings, e.g. seats, linings, trim, instrument panels · CPC title

• B25H1/04

  portable · CPC title