Abstract
E-Z TRAM is a tool used in the collision repair business to help restore a vehicle's A, B, C and D Pillars back to its pre-accident condition. E-Z TRAM does this by making comparisons at any points from the undamaged side to the same points on the damaged side of vehicle, by using a special clamp and one non-stretch steel cable, that can be marked at multiple points with tape and a ink mark to check multiple points. Since one end of the cable is attached to the special E-Z TRAM clamp, there is no need for another technician to help hold that end. Also the clamp and cable can be left in place during live pulling until all points match up to the marks on the cable. E-Z TRAM can also be used in conjunction with a regular tape measure and a traditional auto body tram gauge by holding on end of each of these tools in position.
Claims
1. The E-Z TRAM is an apparatus used in the autobody passenger compartment repair process of any vehicle to make sure a vehicle is restored to its pre-accident symmetrical condition, it accomplishes this by comparing points on the undamaged side to the same exact points on the damaged side, this apparatus is comprised of a clamp (FIG. 1) that attaches firmly to the pinch weld at any undamaged point and a non-stretch steel cable (FIG. 2) the said steel cable attaches to the said clamp (FIG. 1,C) using a quick link (FIG. 2,B) also the said steel cable has a swivel (FIG. 2,C) on the end that the quick link attaches to, as to allow the said cable to swivel for ease of use, the said cable after being attached to the clamp is pulled tight to whatever point that a technician wants to check, then said cable is marked at that point, then that said point can be checked by setting up the apparatus on the exact corresponding point on the opposite side of vehicle, since almost all vehicles today are extremely symmetrical an auto body technician can use this apparatus by himself without any help from another technician to check whatever points necessary in the passenger compartment, to assure that everything is symmetrical, so the body parts in the damaged area fit correctly without having to put the parts on multiple times.
2. The E-Z TRAM clamp (FIG. 1) is an apparatus that attaches to the pinch welds on any vehicle, said apparatus has a hole (FIG. 1,B) in it that is used as a point to center over certain measuring points set forth by the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of any vehicle, said hole on said apparatus is threaded to accept a threaded fastener (FIG. 3) with a slot in said fastener (FIG. 3,A) for the purpose of hooking a tape measure into said slot, for the purpose of taking measurements from that point to other points set forth by the OEM, this eliminates the need to have a second technician to hold one end of the tape measure at said dimension guide point, said tape measure is not part of this claim or invention.
3. The E-Z TRAM clamp (FIG. 1) is an apparatus that attaches to the pinch welds on any vehicle, said apparatus has a hole (FIG. 1,B) in it that is used as a point to center over certain measuring points set forth by the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of any vehicle, this is the same hole as mentioned in (claim 2) said hole is used to center a traditional tram gauge pointer over said OEM measuring point as to hold said traditional tram gauge pointer in place while extending traditional tram gauge to other OEM measurement points, without the need for a second technician to hold that end of the traditional tram gauge in place, said traditional tram gauge is not part of this claim or invention.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following FIG. 1-5 in the drawings section are the parts that make up the E-Z TRAM.
[0007] FIG. 1 E-Z TRAM, clamp, 3 dimensional angle view. This is the main part of the E-Z TRAM that all the other parts in FIG. 2-5 attach to, as described in the detailed description.
[0008] FIG. 2 E-Z TRAM, cable, with swivel and quick link connector, cable coiled up view.
[0009] FIG. 3 E-Z TRAM, slotted set screw for tape measure, top and side view.
[0010] FIG. 4 E-Z TRAM, bolt with hole in it for inserting cable, with wing nut, top and side view.
[0011] FIG. 5 E-Z TRAM, allen head set screw for tightening clamp to pinch welds, top and side view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0012] E-Z TRAM is a tool used in the collision repair industry. Unlike a traditional auto body tram gauge that uses a stiff rail with a pointer at each end that actually takes measurements. E-Z TRAM does it mostly by comparing points in a X format. E-Z TRAM uses a two clamp, FIG. 1, and flexible steel cable, FIG. 2, system that doesn't actually do any measurements. E-Z TRAM gets its precision from placing both E-Z TRAM clamps, FIG. 1, on the pinch welds at any undamaged points in the door openings at the exact same spot on both sides of the vehicle. Next, all the points wanting to be checked on the damaged side will be marked with masking tape with a line to mark the exact point and a number will be assigned to each mark. Next, the same corresponding points on the undamaged side will be marked with masking tape with a line to mark the same exact corresponding point on the undamaged side and assign the same number as the corresponding point on the damaged side. So now all the numbered points on the damaged side match all the numbered points on the undamaged side. Next, one E-Z TRAM clamp is mounted on each side of the vehicle in exactly the same spot on each side and both clamps need to be in a undamaged area. The E-Z TRAM clamps, FIG. 1, are mounted by inserting the pinch weld into the slot on the E-Z TRAM clamp, FIG. 1,D, and held in place by slightly tightening the allen head grub screws, FIG. 5, into, FIG. 1,A, Next the cable FIG. 2, A, is attached to the clamp FIG. 1,C, on the damaged side, but in a undamaged area of that side of vehicle using the quick link connector FIG. 2, B, the cable is then pulled over to the undamaged side, to points that correspond to the exact same points that you want to check on the damaged side. While pulling the Cable FIG. 2,A, slightly tight over the mark on the masking tape, take a small piece of masking tape and wrap it around the cable and then make a mark on the tape at the exact point the cable crosses over the mark on the tape on the body of the vehicle, then write the corresponding number on the tape on the cable, repeat this step on all points you marked with tape on the undamaged side. Next, you will remove the cable FIG. 2, from the clamp FIG. 1,C, on the damaged side, by undoing the quick link FIG. 2,B, and move the cable FIG. 2, that now has the pieces of tape with marks and numbers on it to the clamp FIG. 1,C, on the undamaged side, by connecting the quick link FIG. 2,B, to the clamp FIG. 1,C, then you slightly pull the cable, FIG. 2, tight over the pieces of corresponding tape with marks and numbers on the damaged side of vehicle, if the marks on the tape on the vehicle line up with the marks on the tape on the cable, FIG. 2, at the corresponding numbers, that part of the vehicle is ok, if they don't line up, you will have do whatever pulling or repairing necessary until all points on the cable, FIG. 2, match up with the corresponding points on the damaged side of vehicle.
[0013] The cable, FIG. 2, will swivel FIG. 2, C, as to make it easier to line up the marks on the cable with the marks on the vehicle itself. The above procedure will confirm that your A, B, C or D pillar is in the correct position as far as being in or out. The E-Z TRAM can also be used to determine if the pillars are in the correct front to back position by using dimensions provided by vehicle manufacturer dimension guides. There is a threaded sight hole on the E-Z TRAM clamp, FIG. 1, B, that allows you to line that hole up with points on the pinch welds in the door openings and slightly tighten the clamp in place (these points are in the dimension guides). Next you partially screw the slotted grub screw FIG. 3, into the threaded sight hole FIG. 1,B. The slot FIG. 3,A, allows a tape measure to be hooked to the slot so you can measure to any of the corresponding points listed in the dimension guides. Since the slotted grub screw, FIG. 3, is loosely threaded into the sight hole FIG. 1,B, it allows the slotted grub screw, FIG. 3, to swivel when the tape measure is moved to different points to be measured. If you do not have access to the dimension guides you can also set up the other E-Z TRAM clamp, FIG. 1, on the undamaged side of vehicle and make comparisons to the damaged side, for example; if the B-pillar is damaged on the right side, you would put one clamp, FIG. 1, on the left side perhaps midway up the A-pillar on the pinch weld and do the same on the right side, then put the cable, FIG. 2,B, on the clamp, FIG. 1,C, on the undamaged side and pull it slightly tight to any point you want to check on the B-pillar and mark it with tape and a mark, next move the cable, FIG. 2, to the clamp, FIG. 1, on the damaged side A pillar and slightly pull it tight to the same point on the damaged side to see if it lines up, if not makes necessary repairs till it lines up. There is one other attachment with the E-Z TRAM used to help in the repair of rocker panels on vehicles. This is done by placing one E-Z TRAM clamp, FIG. 1,D, on each end of the pinch weld on the damaged rocker panel, and slightly tighten into place using the grub screws, FIG. 5. Next, you attach the cable, FIG. 2, to one of the clamps, FIG. 1,C, using the quick link, FIG. 2,B. Then you attach the bolt with the hole in it and wing nut FIG. 4, to the other clamp in hole FIG. 1,C, After that, you put the other end of the cable, FIG. 2,A, through the hole in the bolt FIG. 4, A, and pull the cable slightly tight through the hole, then slightly tighten the wing nut FIG. 4,B, just enough to hold the cable straight. This will show if the rocker panel is straight along the pinch weld, if not, repair as necessary. E-Z TRAM clamps, FIG. 1, can also be used to help when using a traditional auto body tram gauge by clamping the E-Z TRAM clamp, FIG. 1, so the threaded sight hole FIG. 1,B, is centered over a point from the dimension guides, to hold one end of the traditional tram gauge pointer over that point to make measuring easier. All the above mentioned methods can be applied to repairing other areas of a vehicle, like windshield openings and back glass openings.
