Jeffrey S Mcnamara

US Patent:

6364817, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/658477

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. McNamara - Grosse Ile MI
William M. Faitel - New Baltimore MI
Douglas J. Schrandt - Chesterfield Township MI
Zhiguo Shen - Madison Heights MI

Assignee:

Unova Ip Corp. - Woodland Hills CA

International Classification:

B23Q 3155

US Classification:

483 1, 29 33 K, 29791, 219158, 228 41, 483 14

Abstract:

An automotive framing apparatus with a support frame having a frame roof supported above a generally horizontal support surface. At least four gate assemblies are carried by a carrousel supported on the frame roof for rotational movement around a common vertical axis and form two gate assembly pairs of diametrically-opposed gate assemblies. The gate assemblies of each gate assembly pair are supported for pivotal movement between generally horizontal stowed and generally vertical working positions. A rotary drive selectively positions one gate assembly pair at a time in a framing position from which the two gate assemblies of the selected gate assembly pair can be pivoted by a drive downward to respective diametrically opposed working positions on opposed sides of a vehicle body to be welded.

US Patent:

20030037432, Feb 27, 2003

Filed:

Aug 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/217879

Inventors:

Jeffrey McNamara - Grosse Ile MI, US

International Classification:

B23P021/00

US Classification:

029/771000

Abstract:

An automotive body component positioning method and apparatus including a framing station that receives and supports the two gates of a framing gate pair in respective framing positions against opposite sides of a vehicle body disposed between them. At least two framing gate pairs are movable between the framing station and respective gate pair storage stations. Each framing gate pair includes a plurality of locating fixtures that hold sub-elements of a vehicle body in their respective proper positions relative to one another when the gates are held in their respective framing positions. Each framing gate pair accommodates a specific corresponding vehicle body configuration. A turntable is rotatably supported adjacent the framing station with the gate storage stations spaced circumferentially around and adjacent the turntable. The turntable is rotated into respective positions to receive a framing gate pair from any one of the stations and is then rotated into respective positions to allow the framing gate pair to be offloaded to any other of the stations.

US Patent:

20030071111, Apr 17, 2003

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/267938

Inventors:

Jeffrey McNamara - Grosse Ile MI, US
William Faitel - New Baltimore MI, US

International Classification:

B23K005/22

US Classification:

228/212000

Abstract:

A flexible framing system including a framing station disposed along a vehicle body assembly line to receive and hold vehicle bodies for welding. A pair of framing gates is interchangeably supportable at the framing station. A pair of underbody tool support beams is also interchangeably supportable at the framing station. The gates and beams carry tools that positively locate and hold sub-elements of a vehicle body in predetermined positions relative to one another when the gates and beams are supported in respective framing positions engaging a vehicle body received at the framing station. A transport positioner disposed at the framing station moves the gates from respective supported positions at the framing station, interconnects the gates with the beams into a single gate-beam set, and moves the gate-beam set to a transport position for removal from the framing station.

US Patent:

52169308, Jun 8, 1993

Filed:

Jul 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/923084

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. McNamara - Grosse Ile MI

Assignee:

Litton Industrial Automation Systems, Inc. - Florence KY

International Classification:

B25J 1800

US Classification:

74469

Abstract:

A device with a pivoting work arm for carrying and positioning a tool which is moved by a modified Watts linkage powered by a linear actuator having a true straight line motion. The modified Watts linkage has relatively short links resulting in the center of the middle link following an arcuate path. The center of the middle link is drivingly connected to the linear actuator by a pivoting link or a cam. To provide shock absorption for the work arm as it reaches its fully extended position, the modified Watts linkage is coupled to a follower arm yieldably biased by a spring.

US Patent:

51433613, Sep 1, 1992

Filed:

Jul 12, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/729354

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. McNamara - Rochester Hills MI
Kosta Dimefski - Warren MI

Assignee:

Peninsular, Inc. - Roseville MI

International Classification:

B23Q 308

US Classification:

269 32

Abstract:

A power clamp is provided that clamps the workpiece when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder housing thereby preventing damage to the rod and clamp components that could occur from weld flash and other debris created while operations are performed on the workpiece. Other features are disclosed which increase reliability and enable a variety of different arms to be used with the basic clamp construction.

US Patent:

62989790, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

Aug 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/384612

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. McNamara - Grosse Ile MI

Assignee:

Unova IP Corp. - Woodland Hills CA

International Classification:

B65G 2500

US Classification:

1987741

Abstract:

A workpiece transfer apparatus with a shuttle underlying workpieces received on workstations which is raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism disposed above the workpieces. The shuttle has a support rail and an indexing rail operably connected to a drive for advancing and retracting the indexing rail relative to the workstations. To transfer one or more workpieces from their current workstations to respective subsequent workstations, the shuttle is raised by the overhead lifting mechanism to engage the workpieces from underneath and raise the workpieces from their current workstations. The indexing rail is advanced to position the workpieces above respective subsequent workstations and the shuttle is lowered to place the workpieces on these subsequent workstations. Subsequently, the indexing rail is retracted to its starting position so that the apparatus is ready for the next transfer cycle.

US Patent:

58756787, Mar 2, 1999

Filed:

Jul 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/890068

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. McNamara - Grosse Ile MI

Assignee:

UNOVA IP Corp. - Beverly Hills CA

International Classification:

B25J 1800
F16H 2116

US Classification:

74105

Abstract:

A device with a pivoting work arm for carrying and positioning a tool which is moved by a modified Watts linkage powered by a linear actuator is provided with shock absorption adjacent both the fully extended and fully retracted work arm positions. The modified Watts linkage engages a pawl which rotates a lever arm in the same direction to actuate the same shock absorber(s) when the work arm is moved to both its fully extended and fully retracted positions.

US Patent:

54579813, Oct 17, 1995

Filed:

Feb 1, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/190256

Inventors:

Gerald A. Brown - Trenton MI
William R. Hartley - Macomb MI
Mark P. Jehmlich - Detroit MI
Jeffrey S. McNamara - Grosse Ile MI
John C. Verzura - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Western Atlas, Inc. - Warren MI

International Classification:

B21D 3902

US Classification:

72451

Abstract:

A press with both prehemming and final hemming tools or steels each driven by the same prime mover. Each steel is mounted on a separate carrier driven through separate toggle joints to advance and retract the steels for prehemming and final hemming of an upturned flange along an edge of a steel panel. To facilitate synchronizing the operation of at least two presses, the prime mover may be a screw and servo motor drive assembly.