Crossbar support assemblies, bolster cart assemblies, and methods of adjusting a datum for locating a crossbar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10441990-B2
Application number	US-201715824561-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2017
Priority date	Nov 28, 2017
Publication date	Oct 15, 2019
Grant date	Oct 15, 2019

Abstract

A crossbar support assembly that supports a crossbar includes a support post, a bracket, a riser, and a lock assembly. The bracket is secured to a distal end of the support post. The lock assembly is configured to releasably secure the riser to the bracket. The lock assembly includes a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration the riser is inhibited from moving with respect to the bracket. In the unlocked configuration the riser is permitted to move with respect to the bracket. The crossbar support assembly may include an adjustment assembly that adjusts a position of the riser with respect to the bracket when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A crossbar support assembly that supports a crossbar, the crossbar support assembly comprising:
a support post;
a bracket secured to a distal end of the support post;
a riser having a datum configured to locate the crossbar in a predetermined location;
a lock assembly configured to releasably secure the riser to the bracket, the lock assembly includes a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, in the locked configuration the riser is inhibited from moving with respect to the bracket, and in the unlocked configuration the riser is permitted to move with respect to the bracket; and
an adjustment assembly that adjusts a position of the riser with respect to the bracket when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration.

2. The crossbar support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a first protrusion that includes an upper wall and an opposite lower wall, the upper wall of the first protrusion faces a bottom wall of the riser.

3. The crossbar support assembly of claim 2 , wherein the adjustment assembly includes a first adjustment fastener and a first through-bore formed in the first protrusion, the first through-bore extends between the lower wall and the upper wall of the first protrusion, the first adjustment fastener extends through the first through-bore of the first protrusion and abuts the bottom wall of the riser,
wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration, rotation of the first adjustment fastener in a first direction displaces the riser with respect to the first protrusion to increase a distance between the upper wall of the first protrusion and the bottom wall of the riser, and
wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration, rotation of the first adjustment fastener in a second direction opposite the first direction displaces the riser with respect to the first protrusion to decrease the distance between the upper wall of the first protrusion and the bottom wall of the riser.

4. The crossbar support assembly of claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes a second protrusion that includes an upper wall and an opposite lower wall, the upper wall of the second protrusion faces the bottom wall of the riser,
wherein the adjustment assembly includes a second adjustment fastener and a second through-bore formed in the second protrusion, the second through-bore extends between the lower wall and the upper wall of the second protrusion, the second adjustment fastener extends through the second through-bore of the second protrusion and abuts the bottom wall of the riser,
wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration, rotation of one of the first adjustment fastener or the second adjustment fastener in one of the first direction or the second direction rotates the riser to angle the bottom wall of the riser with respect to the upper wall of the first protrusion and the upper wall of the second protrusion.

5. The crossbar support assembly of claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes a base wall and a sidewall that extends generally normal from the base wall, the sidewall includes an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface, the first protrusion extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the sidewall, and
wherein the riser includes an interior wall and an opposite exterior wall.

6. The crossbar support assembly of claim 5 , wherein the lock assembly includes a locking fastener, an elongated slot that extends from the interior surface of the sidewall to the exterior surface of the sidewall, and a bore formed in the interior wall of the riser,
wherein in the locked configuration the locking fastener extends through the elongated slot formed in the sidewall and the locking fastener is partially received within the bore of the riser to secure the riser to the sidewall of the bracket to inhibit the riser from moving with respect to the bracket,
wherein in the unlocked configuration the locking fastener extends through the elongated slot formed in the sidewall and the locking fastener is partially received within the bore of the riser to connect the riser to the sidewall of the bracket while permitting the riser to slide with respect to the sidewall.

7. The crossbar support assembly of claim 5 , wherein the lock assembly includes a locking fastener, an elongated slot that extends from the interior wall of the riser to the exterior wall of the riser, and a bore formed in the exterior surface of the sidewall,
wherein in the locked configuration the locking fastener extends through the elongated slot formed in the riser and the locking fastener is partially received within the bore of the sidewall to secure the riser to the sidewall of the bracket to inhibit the riser from moving with respect to the bracket,
wherein in the unlocked configuration the locking fastener extends through the elongated slot formed in the riser and the locking fastener is partially received within the bore of the sidewall to connect the riser to the sidewall of the bracket while permitting the riser to slide with respect to the sidewall.

8. A bolster cart assembly for use in a transfer press assembly, the bolster cart assembly comprising:
a bolster cart configured to receive a bolster;
a crossbar; and
a crossbar support assembly configured to support the crossbar, the crossbar support assembly includes a support post, a bracket, a riser, a lock assembly, and an adjustment assembly, the support post includes a distal end and is connected to the bolster cart, the bracket is secured to the distal end of the support post, the riser includes a datum configured to locate the crossbar in a predetermined location, the lock assembly releasably secures the riser to the bracket, the lock assembly includes a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, in the locked configuration the riser is inhibited from moving with respect to the bracket, and in the unlocked configuration the riser is permitted to move with respect to the bracket, the adjustment assembly adjusts a position of the riser with respect to the bracket when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration.

9. The bolster cart assembly of claim 8 , wherein the bracket includes a first protrusion that includes an upper wall and an opposite lower wall, the upper wall of the first protrusion faces a bottom wall of the riser.

10. The bolster cart assembly of claim 9 , wherein the adjustment assembly includes a first adjustment fastener and a first through-bore formed in the first protrusion, the first through-bore extends between the lower wall and the upper wall of the first protrusion, the first adjustment fastener extends through the first through-bore of the first protrusion and abuts the bottom wall of the riser,
wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration, rotation of the first adjustment fastener in a first direction displaces the riser with respect to the first protrusion to increase a distance between the upper wall of the first protrusion and the bottom wall of the riser, and
wherein when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration, rotation of the first adjustment fastener in a second direction opposite the first direction displaces the riser with respect to the first protrusion to decrease the distance between the upper wall of the first protrusion and the bottom wall of the riser.

11. The bolster cart assembly of claim 10 , wherein the bracket includes a second protrusion that includes an upper wall and an opposite lower wall, the upper wall of the second protrusion faces the bottom wall of the riser,
wherein the adjustment assembly includes a second adjustment fastener and a second through-bore formed in the second pr

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Charles Thoney R

Classifications

• B65G21/10

  movable, or having interchangeable or relatively movable parts; Devices for moving framework or parts thereof · CPC title

• B65G21/2045

  Mechanical means for guiding or retaining the load on the load-carrying surface · CPC title

• B21D43/10

  by grippers {(B21D43/055, B21D43/057, B21D43/145 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B21D43/052 Primary

  Devices having a cross bar · CPC title

• B21D37/147

  Tool exchange carts · CPC title