Device for removing dents

Abstract

The invention is directed to a repair device for repairing a dent in a surface of a sheet metal structure. The repair device comprises a stand to be placed on the surface of the sheet metal structure, a pulling mechanism, which is connected to the stand, a welding head comprising at least one electrically conductive grounding connection and at least one electrically conductive pulling electrode, suitable to be welded to the surface of the sheet metal structure by a welding current. The welding current is generated by a welding machine. The pulling electrode is mechanically connected to the pulling mechanism such that the pulling electrode is movable by the pulling mechanism away from said surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A Repair device for repairing a dent in a surface of a sheet metal structure comprising a stand to be placed on the surface to be repaired, a pulling mechanism which is connected to the stand, a welding head comprising at least one electrically conductive grounding connection and at least one electrically conductive pulling electrode, suitable to be welded to the surface of the sheet metal structure by a welding current generated by a welding machine, said pulling electrode being mechanically connected to the pulling mechanism such that the pulling electrode is with respect to the stand movable by the pulling mechanism away from said surface.  
     
     
         2 . The repair device according to  claim 1 , having a hand held welding device integrated.  
     
     
         3 . The repair device according to  claim 1 , having a connection for an external welding device.  
     
     
         4 . The repair device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pulling mechanism is driven by one of a manual, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic source of motive power.  
     
     
         5 . The repair device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stand is a rigid construction comprising a holding bar with at least one standleg and the welding head comprises at least one pulling electrode and at least one grounding connection arranged movable with respect to the stand whereby they can be brought in electrically conductive contact with the surface of the sheet metal structure.  
     
     
         6 . The repair device according to  claim 5 , wherein the stand has at least two standlegs.  
     
     
         7 . The repair device according to  claim 6 , wherein the standlegs are adjustable in distance and orientation with respect to the welding head.  
     
     
         8 . The repair device according to  claim 5 , wherein the welding head has a pin-like pulling electrode arranged substantially parallel between two pin-like grounding connections.  
     
     
         9 . The repair device according to  claim 5 , wherein the grounding connection has a annular connecting surface.  
     
     
         10 . The repair device according to  claim 5  with a pulling device incorporating multiple grounding connections.  
     
     
         11 . The repair device according to  claim 10 , wherein the grounding connections are arranged in one line.  
     
     
         12 . The repair device according to  claim 1 , wherein the grounding connection is incorporated in the stand.  
     
     
         13 . The repair device according to  claim 12 , wherein the stand has a annular connecting surface.