Title of Invention	HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED
Abstract	(54) Title: HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED (57) Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for parts to be subjected to a surface treatment, for a vehicle comprising a chassis (57). Said holder comprises means (49, 65) for fixing parts in translation to the holder, at least one means (49, 65) for electrically connecting at least one part to the holder, a means (16a, 60a) for electrically connecting the holder to an electrode, the two electrically connecting means being electrically interconnected, and at least one means (16, 12) for mechanically fixing the holder to the chassis (57) of the vehicle.

Title of Invention

HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED

Abstract

(54) Title: HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED (57) Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for parts to be subjected to a surface treatment, for a vehicle comprising a chassis (57). Said holder comprises means (49, 65) for fixing parts in translation to the holder, at least one means (49, 65) for electrically connecting at least one part to the holder, a means (16a, 60a) for electrically connecting the holder to an electrode, the two electrically connecting means being electrically interconnected, and at least one means (16, 12) for mechanically fixing the holder to the chassis (57) of the vehicle.

Full Text	Holder for parts to be painted The invention relates to the field of tools for supporting components to be surface-treated, and more particularly components to be painted, for a vehicle equipped with a chassis. In this field, patent US 5 879 021 has proposed a carriage of adjustable size for transporting a plurality of components to be painted by a painting facility. Such a carriage juxtaposes, side by side, the components to be painted and allows them to move translationally over the entire length of the painting facility. The treatment cost with such a tool is in particular proportional to the length of the carriage divided by the speed of. translation through the painting installation. A reduction in the treatment cost is achieved in that document by the density of juxtaposition of the components.; However, the cost remains proportional to the size of the components to be treated. Patent application EP-A-013 966 discloses a device for holding vehicle components, making it easier to carry out a painting operation. That document proposes a positionally adjustable holder that can be adapted to various types of components. Moreover, patents US 5 . 127 359, US 6 109, 600 and US 6 173 947 disclose holders for large vehicle components that are individually treated, such as fenders. The above documents all describe tools for painting vehicle components that have the drawback of imposing a specific painting operation on the components in question. This may result in color variations or variations in the thickness of the treatment compared to the treatment of other types of components, especially compared to the treatment of the vehicle chassis. Finally, patent US 4 872 963 describes a holder for suspended components. The holder is conducting and is used for attaching a plurality of components intended to be dipped into a protective electrolytic bath. The holder described is connected to an electrode so that each component is in electrical contact with the holder. However, nothing in that document allows the treatment of suspended components to be harmonized with the treatment of other types of component. In addition, such a tool is suitable for components of very small dimensions, but is not suitable for components of intermediate size. This is because a specific problem arises in the case of the treatment of components having an overall size smaller than an external door, but nevertheless larger than nuts and bolts or handles. This type of component of intermediate size comprises, for example, glove box doors, or floor hatches. These components are often visible and exposed to the ambient environment so that it is generally necessary for the treatment of these components to have the same characteristics, both esthetic and technical, as the treatment of the chassis or body of the vehicle. The corrosion resistance of these components must in particular' be harmonized with that of the chassis. Such corrosion resistance is often achieved by a cataphoretic treatment. The invention proposes a tool for holding components that have to be surface-treated that solves these drawbacks and provides a treatment whose characteristics are identical to that of other types of component, especially identical to the treatment of the vehicle chassis. The object of the invention is also to very greatly reduce the cost of treating vehicle components, particularly components of intermediate size. The invention proposes a tool that is particularly well suited for a treatment using, a liquid bath, for example a painting treatment or an electrolytic treatment, and in particular a cataphoretic painting treatment. In one embodiment, the subject of the invention is a holder for components that have to be surface-treated, for a vehicle equipped with a chassis, which holder comprises means for fastening the components so that they move translationally with the holder, at least one means for electrically connecting at least one component to the holder, a means for electrically connecting the holder to an electrode, the two electrical connection means being electrically connected together. The holder includes at least one means for mechanically fastening the holder to the vehicle chassis. It should be understood that such a holder, since it is fastened to the chassis of the vehicle, allows the components that it supports to undergo a surface treatment identical to that undergone by the vehicle chassis. It should also be understood that such a holder very greatly reduces the treatment costs that are partly masked by the vehicle chassis treatment costs. Advantageously, the holder includes means for mechanically fastening each component to the holder, which, for example, offer a contact area, for contact between each component and the holder, of less than 10% and preferably less than 1% of the area of said component distributed over at most ten and preferably at most four separate regions. The mechanical fastening means may also include means for electrically connecting the component to the holder. It should be understood that such a holder, which electrically connects and mechanically fastens the components to be painted, is particularly suitable for cataphoretic painting treatments in which the liquid of the cataphoresis bath is in perpetual movement. When the chassis includes a part forming the cabin of the vehicle, the holder, equipped with the components to be treated, advantageously has an overall external volume that can be introduced into the inside of said cabin. Advantageously, the area of the contact between the holder and the vehicle chassis is located on the transmission tunnel in the cabin of the vehicle. This is because the transmission tunnel of a vehicle generally lies in the length direction of the vehicle and passes, in the cabin, between the seat positions. When the chassis is in the painting phase, the seats are not installed so that the transmission tunnel forming an integral part of the chassis is in a raised position inside the cabin of the vehicle. It should be understood that, since the holder for the components to be painted is fixed onto this transmission tunnel, it will also be in a raised position inside the cabin, so that the presence of the holder equipped with these components to be painted does not impede the work of the. operators inside the cabin. This position is particularly well suited for cataphoretic painting treatments for treating both the outside surfaces and the inside surfaces in the same way. Advantageously, the holder of the invention has a contact area, for contact with the cabin, that is divided into at least two contact regions that are spaced apart by at least 10% and preferably by at least 50% of the large dimension of the components to be painted. It should be understood that such a holder therefore benefits from a bed on the transmission tunnel that is sufficiently large to withstand the forces exerted by the liquid on the components to be painted. This feature is particularly important in the case of components with a generally flat appearance that are treated cataphoretically. This is because when such components enter the cataphoresis bath, there is a "spoon effect" which means that when the components are not completely immersed in the bath, they have a tendency to float on top of this bath. If the seating provided by the means for fastening the holder to the vehicle chassis is insufficient, the holder and the components that it contains . are detached when the components come into contact with the surface of the bath. Also advantageously, the entire holder is made of a material that withstands a temperature between 2 0°C and 200°C. In addition, the means for fastening the components to the holder may be provided with parts of low thermal inertia that are intended to be handled. This allows the holder to be used for the baking phase that follows the cataphoretic treatment. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description of a few. embodiments given by- way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings in which: - figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a holder according to the invention; - figure 2 is a section on II-II of figure 1, showing the components to be painted and the transmission tunnel; and - figure 3 is a schematic representation of the chassis of the vehicle on which the holder is intended to be installed. As illustrated in figure 1, the holder, in this embodiment, comprises a longitudinal member 1, a front cross-member 2 and a rear cross-member 3 that are vertical and fastened to the longitudinal member 1. A horizontal front arm 4 and a horizontal rear arm 5 extend transversely to the axis of the longitudinal member 1. A frame 6 extends vertically from the left-hand edge of the arms and comprises a front post 7 and a rear post 8 rising up from the left-hand edges of the respective front and rear arms. A transverse bar 9 joins the top edge 10a of the front post 7 to the top edge of the rear post 8. Transverse reinforcements 11a and l1b ensure that the posts are held rigidly on the respective front and rear arms. The longitudinal member 1 is equipped with a front fastening means 12 comprising a horizontal lateral plate 13 that is approximately rectangular and fastened to the longitudinal member 1. The fastening means 12 also includes a handle 14, in the unlocked position in figure 1. The longitudinal member 1 also comprises a cylindrical cross-member 15 transverse to the axis of the longitudinal member 1 and fastened to the bottom surface la of the longitudinal member 1. A rear tab 16 projects from the main part of the longitudinal member 1 and has a horizontal part 16a downwardly offset and parallel to the longitudinal member 1, the upper surface of the horizontal portion 16a being lower than the lower part 15a of the cylindrical cross-member 15. A front bracket 17 and a rear bracket 18 each comprise a respective vertical part 19, - 20 fastened to the left-hand end of the front arm and rear arm respectively, and also include a respective horizontal portion 21, 22, these portions being parallel to the longitudinal member. A front inclined bracket 23 and a rear inclined bracket 24 each include a respective fixed part 25, 26, these parts being fastened to the front and rear arms respectively both inclined toward the top of the front and rear posts, respectively. They also include a respective part 27, 28, which are perpendicular to the inclined parts and parallel to the axis of the longitudinal member 1. The inclined brackets 23 and 24 are each equipped with a respective lateral stop 31 and 32. The same applies to the brackets 21 and 22, each of the lateral stops rising perpendicular to the brackets and parallel to the parts fixed to the arms. Likewise, each of the brackets 17, 18, 23, 24 is equipped with a respective contact stop 33, 34, 35, 36. The contact stops 33, 35, 3 6 each have a respective bearing surface 37, 39, 40. The same applies to the contact stop 34. A front sole plate 41 and a rear sole plate 42 are fastened to the top of the front post and rear post respectively. The front sole plate 41 has a vertical part 43 extending downward and parallel to. the front post 7. It also has an inclined part 44 extending to the right of the post toward the fixed part 25 of the inclined bracket 23. Likewise, the rear sole plate 42 has a vertical part 45 extending downward parallel to the post 8 and an inclined part 46 extending to the right toward the fixed part 26 of the inclined bracket 24. The vertical part 43 and the inclined parts 44 and 46 possess a respective contact stop 47, 49 and 50, each contact stop being, equipped with a bearing surface 51, 53, 54 respectively. The same applies to the vertical part 42. Figure 2 shows the holder according to the invention equipped with a vertical component 55 to be treated and with an inclined component 56 to be treated. The holder is fastened to a vehicle transmission tunnel 57, indicated by the dotted lines in the figure. The front fastening means 12 includes a 'cross-member 59 and an oblong piece 60, both these being fastened so as to rotate as one with the handle 14 and able to rotate relative to the plate 13. An opening 61 made in the transmission tunnel allows the oblong piece 60 to be introduced into the transmission tunnel 57. When the handle 14 is pivoted through one quarter of a turn,, the oblong piece 60 slides beneath the lower wall 58 of the transmission tunnel. It should be noted that the plate 12 is not in direct contact with the upper surface 62 of the transmission tunnel. The same applies to the bottom surface la of the longitudinal member 1. This is because the rear tab 16 is introduced into a slot 70 (visible in figure 3) of the transmission tunnel so that the horizontal portion 16a is in contact with the lower wall 58 of the transmission tunnel. The entire holder is therefore fastened by three contact regions to the transmission tunnel. The portion 16a of the rear tab 16 and the portion 60a of the oblong piece 60 are in contact with the lower surface 58 of the transmission tunnel while the lower part 15a of the cylindrical cross-member 15 is in contact with the upper part 62 of. the transmission tunnel 57. Thus, the upper part 62 of the transmission tunnel is almost entirely disengaged and capable of being treated cataphoretically without being impeded by the presence of the holder. The contact between the portion 16a of the rear tab and the surface 58 of the transmission tunnel and the. contact between the oblong piece 60 and the inner surface 58 of the transmission tunnel make it possible to ensure electrical contact between the entire holder and the chassis. In an electrolytic treatment or a cataphoretic treatment, the entire chassis is in turn connected to an electrode, such as an anode. Thus, all the components to be treated are connected via the transmission tunnel and via the contact stops to the electrode. Handles 63, 64, 65, 66 are screwed into the stops 47, 33, 49 and 35 respectively, passing through the components 55 and 56 to be treated. The areas of contact 63a, 64a, 65a and 66a of the handles in contact with the components to be treated have been reduced to a minimum and correspond to areas that will, not be treated and will have to be touched up subsequently or masked, for example by a plastic cover. The contact areas 51, 37, 53 and 39 have also been reduced to a minimum for the same reason. They also fulfill the function of electrical contact between the holder and the components 55 and 56 to be treated. The handles 63, 64, 65, 6 6 are made of a material having a low thermal inertia, such as plastic. This allows the operator to be able to easily dismantle the components as soon as the vehicle equipped with the holder and with the components to be treated leaves the baking step that is usually about 180°C. Similar handles.are used to fasten the components 55 and 56 to be painted onto the brackets 18 and 24, onto the right-hand part 45 and onto the inclined part 46. The positions of the points of contact and of the bearing surfaces depend on the shapes of the components to be painted, which may be flat or curved. As may be seen in figure 3, the holder equipped with the components to be treated, which is shown by the dotted lines, is housed inside the cabin 67 of the vehicle. The transmission tunnel 57 occupies a region located between the seats (which are not shown), passing through a portion of the chassis forming the cabin 67 of the vehicle. The chassis also includes a front floor 68a and 68b and a rear floor 69a and 69b. The rear floor is higher than the front floor. The cross-members 2 and 3 allow the arms 4 and 5 of the holder to be raised so that they can lie above the rear floor 69a or 69b. The entire holder is fastened to two slots made in the transmission tunnel 57, the slot 70 receiving the rear tab 16 and the slot 61 receiving the front fastening means 12. The slot 61 is for example a slot serving for passage of the gear lever. The slot 70 may also serve to expel the air so that the cataphoresis liquid penetrates more easily into the transmission tunnel. Other ways of fastening the holder onto the transmission tunnel are also suitable, such as clasps, magnets or other devices for fastening onto the tunnel with a small area. Two contact regions separated in the length direction of the chassis, a significant distance apart relative to the dimensions of the metal sheets to be treated, help to improve the seating of the holder on the chassis and to resist the "spoon effect" when the chassis of the vehicle penetrates the cataphoresis bath. In one particular embodiment, the longitudinal member 1 uses a hollow beam of square cross section with sides of 40 mm, and likewise the cross-members 2 and 3 and the arms 4 and 5. The posts 7 and 8 and the transverse bar 9 use a hollow beam of square cross section with sides of 2 0 mm. The sole plates and the brackets are made from 4 mm thick metal sheet and the contact stops use an M6 nut. The cylindrical cross-member 19 has for example a diameter of 12 mm. Other embodiments of the invention are produced with a different architecture, adapted to the type of components to be treated. CLAIMS 1. A holder for components that have to be surface-treated, for a 'vehicle equipped with a chassis (57), the holder comprising means £49, 65) for fastening the components so that they move translationally with the holder, at least one means (49, 65) for electrically connecting the components to the holder, a means (16a, 60a) for electrically connecting the holder to an electrode,' the two electrical connection means being electrically connected together, characterized in that it includes at least one means (16, 12) for mechanically fastening the holder to the vehicle chassis (57). 2. The holder as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that it includes-, means (47, 63) for mechanically fastening each component (55) to the holder. 3. The holder as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the mechanical fastening means (47, 63) offer a contact area (51) , for contact between each component . and the holder, of less than 10% and preferably less than 1% of the area of said component distributed over at most ten and preferably at most four separate regions. 4. The holder as claimed in either of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that at least one means (47, 63) for mechanically fastening at least one component includes a means (51) for electrically connecting the component to the holder. 5. The holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder, equipped with the components to be treated, has an overall external volume that can be introduced into a part (67) of the chassis forming the cabin of the vehicle. 6. The holder as claimed in one of the, preceding claims, characterized in that the means for fastening the holder to the chassis have a contact area for contact with a transmission tunnel (57) provided on the vehicle chassis. 7. The holder as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact area for contact between the holder and the chassis is divided into at least two contact regions (12, 16) that are spaced apart, in the length direction of the chassis, by at least 10% and preferably by at least 50% of the large dimension of the components to be treated. 8. The holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims,' characterized in that the holder is made of a material capable of withstanding temperatures between 20°C and 200°C. 9. The holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (63, 65) for fastening the components to the holder are provided with parts of low thermal inertia that are intended to be handled. 10. The use of a holder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for a treatment using a liquid bath, for example a painting treatment • or an electrolytic treatment, and in particular a cataphoretic painting treatment. (54) Title: HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED (57) Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for parts to be subjected to a surface treatment, for a vehicle comprising a chassis (57). Said holder comprises means (49, 65) for fixing parts in translation to the holder, at least one means (49, 65) for electrically connecting at least one part to the holder, a means (16a, 60a) for electrically connecting the holder to an electrode, the two electrically connecting means being electrically interconnected, and at least one means (16, 12) for mechanically fixing the holder to the chassis (57) of the vehicle.

Full Text

Holder for parts to be painted
The invention relates to the field of tools for
supporting components to be surface-treated, and more
particularly components to be painted, for a vehicle
equipped with a chassis.
In this field, patent US 5 879 021 has proposed a
carriage of adjustable size for transporting a
plurality of components to be painted by a painting
facility. Such a carriage juxtaposes, side by side, the
components to be painted and allows them to move
translationally over the entire length of the painting
facility. The treatment cost with such a tool is in
particular proportional to the length of the carriage
divided by the speed of. translation through the
painting installation. A reduction in the treatment
cost is achieved in that document by the density of
juxtaposition of the components.; However, the cost
remains proportional to the size of the components to
be treated.
Patent application EP-A-013 966 discloses a device for
holding vehicle components, making it easier to carry
out a painting operation. That document proposes a
positionally adjustable holder that can be adapted to
various types of components.
Moreover, patents US 5 . 127 359, US 6 109, 600 and
US 6 173 947 disclose holders for large vehicle
components that are individually treated, such as
fenders.
The above documents all describe tools for painting
vehicle components that have the drawback of imposing a
specific painting operation on the components in
question. This may result in color variations or
variations in the thickness of the treatment compared

to the treatment of other types of components,
especially compared to the treatment of the vehicle
chassis.
Finally, patent US 4 872 963 describes a holder for suspended components. The holder is conducting and is
used for attaching a plurality of components intended
to be dipped into a protective electrolytic bath. The
holder described is connected to an electrode so that
each component is in electrical contact with the
holder. However, nothing in that document allows the
treatment of suspended components to be harmonized with
the treatment of other types of component.
In addition, such a tool is suitable for components of
very small dimensions, but is not suitable for components of intermediate size. This is because a
specific problem arises in the case of the treatment of
components having an overall size smaller than an
external door, but nevertheless larger than nuts and
bolts or handles. This type of component of
intermediate size comprises, for example, glove box
doors, or floor hatches. These components are often
visible and exposed to the ambient environment so that
it is generally necessary for the treatment of these
components to have the same characteristics, both
esthetic and technical, as the treatment of the chassis
or body of the vehicle. The corrosion resistance of
these components must in particular' be harmonized with
that of the chassis. Such corrosion resistance is often
achieved by a cataphoretic treatment.
The invention proposes a tool for holding components
that have to be surface-treated that solves these
drawbacks and provides a treatment whose
characteristics are identical to that of other types of
component, especially identical to the treatment of the
vehicle chassis.

The object of the invention is also to very greatly
reduce the cost of treating vehicle components,
particularly components of intermediate size.
The invention proposes a tool that is particularly well
suited for a treatment using, a liquid bath, for example
a painting treatment or an electrolytic treatment, and
in particular a cataphoretic painting treatment.
In one embodiment, the subject of the invention is a
holder for components that have to be surface-treated,
for a vehicle equipped with a chassis, which holder
comprises means for fastening the components so that
they move translationally with the holder, at least one
means for electrically connecting at least one
component to the holder, a means for electrically
connecting the holder to an electrode, the two
electrical connection means being electrically
connected together. The holder includes at least one
means for mechanically fastening the holder to the
vehicle chassis.
It should be understood that such a holder, since it is
fastened to the chassis of the vehicle, allows the
components that it supports to undergo a surface
treatment identical to that undergone by the vehicle
chassis. It should also be understood that such a
holder very greatly reduces the treatment costs that
are partly masked by the vehicle chassis treatment
costs.
Advantageously, the holder includes means for
mechanically fastening each component to the holder,
which, for example, offer a contact area, for contact
between each component and the holder, of less than 10%
and preferably less than 1% of the area of said
component distributed over at most ten and preferably

at most four separate regions. The mechanical fastening
means may also include means for electrically
connecting the component to the holder.
It should be understood that such a holder, which
electrically connects and mechanically fastens the
components to be painted, is particularly suitable for
cataphoretic painting treatments in which the liquid of
the cataphoresis bath is in perpetual movement.
When the chassis includes a part forming the cabin of
the vehicle, the holder, equipped with the components
to be treated, advantageously has an overall external
volume that can be introduced into the inside of said
cabin.
Advantageously, the area of the contact between the
holder and the vehicle chassis is located on the
transmission tunnel in the cabin of the vehicle. This
is because the transmission tunnel of a vehicle
generally lies in the length direction of the vehicle
and passes, in the cabin, between the seat positions.
When the chassis is in the painting phase, the seats
are not installed so that the transmission tunnel
forming an integral part of the chassis is in a raised
position inside the cabin of the vehicle. It should be
understood that, since the holder for the components to
be painted is fixed onto this transmission tunnel, it
will also be in a raised position inside the cabin, so
that the presence of the holder equipped with these
components to be painted does not impede the work of
the. operators inside the cabin. This position is
particularly well suited for cataphoretic painting
treatments for treating both the outside surfaces and
the inside surfaces in the same way.
Advantageously, the holder of the invention has a
contact area, for contact with the cabin, that is

divided into at least two contact regions that are
spaced apart by at least 10% and preferably by at least
50% of the large dimension of the components to be
painted. It should be understood that such a holder
therefore benefits from a bed on the transmission
tunnel that is sufficiently large to withstand the
forces exerted by the liquid on the components to be
painted. This feature is particularly important in the
case of components with a generally flat appearance
that are treated cataphoretically. This is because when
such components enter the cataphoresis bath, there is a
"spoon effect" which means that when the components are
not completely immersed in the bath, they have a
tendency to float on top of this bath. If the seating
provided by the means for fastening the holder to the
vehicle chassis is insufficient, the holder and the
components that it contains . are detached when the
components come into contact with the surface of the
bath.
Also advantageously, the entire holder is made of a
material that withstands a temperature between 2 0°C and
200°C. In addition, the means for fastening the
components to the holder may be provided with parts of
low thermal inertia that are intended to be handled.
This allows the holder to be used for the baking phase
that follows the cataphoretic treatment.
Other features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent on reading the detailed description of
a few. embodiments given by- way of nonlimiting example
and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:
- figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment
of a holder according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a section on II-II of figure 1,
showing the components to be painted and the
transmission tunnel; and
- figure 3 is a schematic representation of the
chassis of the vehicle on which the holder is intended
to be installed.
As illustrated in figure 1, the holder, in this
embodiment, comprises a longitudinal member 1, a front
cross-member 2 and a rear cross-member 3 that are
vertical and fastened to the longitudinal member 1. A
horizontal front arm 4 and a horizontal rear arm 5
extend transversely to the axis of the longitudinal
member 1. A frame 6 extends vertically from the
left-hand edge of the arms and comprises a front post 7
and a rear post 8 rising up from the left-hand edges of
the respective front and rear arms. A transverse bar 9
joins the top edge 10a of the front post 7 to the top
edge of the rear post 8. Transverse reinforcements 11a
and l1b ensure that the posts are held rigidly on the
respective front and rear arms.
The longitudinal member 1 is equipped with a front
fastening means 12 comprising a horizontal lateral
plate 13 that is approximately rectangular and fastened
to the longitudinal member 1. The fastening means 12
also includes a handle 14, in the unlocked position in
figure 1. The longitudinal member 1 also comprises a
cylindrical cross-member 15 transverse to the axis of
the longitudinal member 1 and fastened to the bottom
surface la of the longitudinal member 1.
A rear tab 16 projects from the main part of the
longitudinal member 1 and has a horizontal part 16a
downwardly offset and parallel to the longitudinal
member 1, the upper surface of the horizontal portion

16a being lower than the lower part 15a of the
cylindrical cross-member 15.
A front bracket 17 and a rear bracket 18 each comprise
a respective vertical part 19, - 20 fastened to the
left-hand end of the front arm and rear arm
respectively, and also include a respective horizontal
portion 21, 22, these portions being parallel to the
longitudinal member. A front inclined bracket 23 and a
rear inclined bracket 24 each include a respective fixed part 25, 26, these parts being fastened to the
front and rear arms respectively both inclined toward
the top of the front and rear posts, respectively. They
also include a respective part 27, 28, which are
perpendicular to the inclined parts and parallel to the
axis of the longitudinal member 1. The inclined
brackets 23 and 24 are each equipped with a respective
lateral stop 31 and 32. The same applies to the
brackets 21 and 22, each of the lateral stops rising
perpendicular to the brackets and parallel to the parts
fixed to the arms. Likewise, each of the brackets 17,
18, 23, 24 is equipped with a respective contact stop
33, 34, 35, 36. The contact stops 33, 35, 3 6 each have
a respective bearing surface 37, 39, 40. The same
applies to the contact stop 34.
A front sole plate 41 and a rear sole plate 42 are
fastened to the top of the front post and rear post
respectively. The front sole plate 41 has a vertical
part 43 extending downward and parallel to. the front
post 7. It also has an inclined part 44 extending to
the right of the post toward the fixed part 25 of the
inclined bracket 23. Likewise, the rear sole plate 42
has a vertical part 45 extending downward parallel to
the post 8 and an inclined part 46 extending to the
right toward the fixed part 26 of the inclined bracket
24. The vertical part 43 and the inclined parts 44 and
46 possess a respective contact stop 47, 49 and 50,

each contact stop being, equipped with a bearing surface
51, 53, 54 respectively. The same applies to the
vertical part 42.
Figure 2 shows the holder according to the invention
equipped with a vertical component 55 to be treated and
with an inclined component 56 to be treated. The holder
is fastened to a vehicle transmission tunnel 57,
indicated by the dotted lines in the figure. The front
fastening means 12 includes a 'cross-member 59 and an
oblong piece 60, both these being fastened so as to
rotate as one with the handle 14 and able to rotate
relative to the plate 13. An opening 61 made in the
transmission tunnel allows the oblong piece 60 to be
introduced into the transmission tunnel 57. When the
handle 14 is pivoted through one quarter of a turn,, the
oblong piece 60 slides beneath the lower wall 58 of the
transmission tunnel.
It should be noted that the plate 12 is not in direct
contact with the upper surface 62 of the transmission
tunnel. The same applies to the bottom surface la of
the longitudinal member 1. This is because the rear tab
16 is introduced into a slot 70 (visible in figure 3)
of the transmission tunnel so that the horizontal
portion 16a is in contact with the lower wall 58 of the
transmission tunnel. The entire holder is therefore
fastened by three contact regions to the transmission
tunnel. The portion 16a of the rear tab 16 and the
portion 60a of the oblong piece 60 are in contact with
the lower surface 58 of the transmission tunnel while
the lower part 15a of the cylindrical cross-member 15 is in contact with the upper part 62 of. the
transmission tunnel 57. Thus, the upper part 62 of the
transmission tunnel is almost entirely disengaged and
capable of being treated cataphoretically without being
impeded by the presence of the holder.

The contact between the portion 16a of the rear tab and
the surface 58 of the transmission tunnel and the.
contact between the oblong piece 60 and the inner
surface 58 of the transmission tunnel make it possible
to ensure electrical contact between the entire holder
and the chassis. In an electrolytic treatment or a
cataphoretic treatment, the entire chassis is in turn
connected to an electrode, such as an anode. Thus, all
the components to be treated are connected via the
transmission tunnel and via the contact stops to the
electrode.
Handles 63, 64, 65, 66 are screwed into the stops 47,
33, 49 and 35 respectively, passing through the
components 55 and 56 to be treated. The areas of
contact 63a, 64a, 65a and 66a of the handles in contact
with the components to be treated have been reduced to
a minimum and correspond to areas that will, not be
treated and will have to be touched up subsequently or
masked, for example by a plastic cover. The contact
areas 51, 37, 53 and 39 have also been reduced to a
minimum for the same reason. They also fulfill the
function of electrical contact between the holder and
the components 55 and 56 to be treated. The handles 63,
64, 65, 6 6 are made of a material having a low thermal
inertia, such as plastic. This allows the operator to
be able to easily dismantle the components as soon as
the vehicle equipped with the holder and with the
components to be treated leaves the baking step that is
usually about 180°C. Similar handles.are used to fasten
the components 55 and 56 to be painted onto the
brackets 18 and 24, onto the right-hand part 45 and
onto the inclined part 46. The positions of the points
of contact and of the bearing surfaces depend on the
shapes of the components to be painted, which may be
flat or curved.

As may be seen in figure 3, the holder equipped with
the components to be treated, which is shown by the
dotted lines, is housed inside the cabin 67 of the
vehicle. The transmission tunnel 57 occupies a region
located between the seats (which are not shown),
passing through a portion of the chassis forming the
cabin 67 of the vehicle. The chassis also includes a
front floor 68a and 68b and a rear floor 69a and 69b.
The rear floor is higher than the front floor. The
cross-members 2 and 3 allow the arms 4 and 5 of the
holder to be raised so that they can lie above the rear
floor 69a or 69b.
The entire holder is fastened to two slots made in the
transmission tunnel 57, the slot 70 receiving the rear
tab 16 and the slot 61 receiving the front fastening
means 12. The slot 61 is for example a slot serving for
passage of the gear lever. The slot 70 may also serve
to expel the air so that the cataphoresis liquid
penetrates more easily into the transmission tunnel.
Other ways of fastening the holder onto the
transmission tunnel are also suitable, such as clasps,
magnets or other devices for fastening onto the tunnel
with a small area. Two contact regions separated in the
length direction of the chassis, a significant distance
apart relative to the dimensions of the metal sheets to
be treated, help to improve the seating of the holder
on the chassis and to resist the "spoon effect" when
the chassis of the vehicle penetrates the cataphoresis
bath.
In one particular embodiment, the longitudinal member 1
uses a hollow beam of square cross section with sides
of 40 mm, and likewise the cross-members 2 and 3 and
the arms 4 and 5. The posts 7 and 8 and the transverse
bar 9 use a hollow beam of square cross section with
sides of 2 0 mm. The sole plates and the brackets are

made from 4 mm thick metal sheet and the contact stops
use an M6 nut. The cylindrical cross-member 19 has for
example a diameter of 12 mm. Other embodiments of the
invention are produced with a different architecture,
adapted to the type of components to be treated.

CLAIMS
1. A holder for components that have to be
surface-treated, for a 'vehicle equipped with a chassis
(57), the holder comprising means £49, 65) for
fastening the components so that they move
translationally with the holder, at least one means
(49, 65) for electrically connecting the components to
the holder, a means (16a, 60a) for electrically
connecting the holder to an electrode,' the two
electrical connection means being electrically
connected together, characterized in that it includes
at least one means (16, 12) for mechanically fastening
the holder to the vehicle chassis (57).
2. The holder as claimed in the preceding claim,
characterized in that it includes-, means (47, 63) for
mechanically fastening each component (55) to the
holder.
3. The holder as claimed in claim 2, characterized in
that the mechanical fastening means (47, 63) offer a
contact area (51) , for contact between each component .
and the holder, of less than 10% and preferably less
than 1% of the area of said component distributed over
at most ten and preferably at most four separate
regions.
4. The holder as claimed in either of claims 2 and 3,
characterized in that at least one means (47, 63) for
mechanically fastening at least one component includes
a means (51) for electrically connecting the component
to the holder.
5. The holder as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the holder, equipped with
the components to be treated, has an overall external

volume that can be introduced into a part (67) of the chassis forming the cabin of the vehicle.
6. The holder as claimed in one of the, preceding
claims, characterized in that the means for fastening
the holder to the chassis have a contact area for contact with a transmission tunnel (57) provided on the
vehicle chassis.
7. The holder as claimed in one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the contact area for
contact between the holder and the chassis is divided
into at least two contact regions (12, 16) that are
spaced apart, in the length direction of the chassis,
by at least 10% and preferably by at least 50% of the
large dimension of the components to be treated.
8. The holder as claimed in any of the preceding
claims,' characterized in that the holder is made of a
material capable of withstanding temperatures between
20°C and 200°C.
9. The holder as claimed in any of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the means (63, 65) for
fastening the components to the holder are provided
with parts of low thermal inertia that are intended to
be handled.
10. The use of a holder as claimed in any one of the
preceding claims for a treatment using a liquid bath,
for example a painting treatment • or an electrolytic
treatment, and in particular a cataphoretic painting
treatment.

(54) Title: HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED

(57) Abstract: The invention relates to a holder
for parts to be subjected to a surface treatment,
for a vehicle comprising a chassis (57). Said
holder comprises means (49, 65) for fixing parts
in translation to the holder, at least one means (49,
65) for electrically connecting at least one part
to the holder, a means (16a, 60a) for electrically
connecting the holder to an electrode, the two
electrically connecting means being electrically
interconnected, and at least one means (16, 12) for
mechanically fixing the holder to the chassis (57)
of the vehicle.

HOLDER FOR PARTS TO BE PAINTED

Documents:

Inventors:

PCT Conventions: