US3793736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel alignment measuring apparatus
Assignee: ALLITALIA IMPORT EXPORT
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Filing: 1972-07-21
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1992-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A wheel alignment measuring apparatus for determining vehicle wheel camber and toe characteristics. A pair of telescopic measuring heads in the form of tubes are adjustable to the lateral spacing of a pair of vehicle wheels. Each tubular head is provided with an axial rod projecting through the head and carrying an elongated member having spaced probes engagable with diametrically opposed points on the rim of the wheel hub. The elongated member swings to an inclined position corresponding to the inclination of the wheel relative to a true reference plane causing movement of the rod, the rear end of which serves as a pointer associated with a calibrated scale to indicate the degree of wheel inclination.
Inventors
- 👤 F Cufrini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/24; G01B5/255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus comprising: a frame; at least one wheel alignment measuring head; means supporting said head on said frame for movement relative to said frame towards and away from a vehicle wheel hub; an elongated member extending in a direction generally normal to the axis of said head; means mounting said elongated member on said head for pivotal movement relative thereto; means on said elongated member engagable with diametrically opposed portions of the rim of said hub for effecting swinging movement of said elongated member into an inclined position corresponding to the inclination of said wheel relative to a reference plane; said measuring head comprising a tubular body having a front end wall provided with an opening and a rear end cap having a slot therein; said end cap having a calibrated scale formed on the outer face thereof adjacent said slot; an elongated rod extending axially through said body; means biasing said rod centrally of said body along the longitudinal axis thereof; said rod having one end projecting axially through said opening and rigidly secured to said elongated member; the other end of said rod forming a pointer movable in said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus comprising: a frame; at least one wheel alignment measuring head; means supporting said head on said frame for movement relative to said frame towards and away from a vehicle wheel hub; an elongated member extending in a direction generally normal to the axis of said head; means mounting said elongated member on said head for pivotal movement relative thereto; means on said elongated member engagable with diametrically opposed portions of the rim of said hub for effecting swinging movement of said elongated member into an inclined position corresponding to the inclination of said wheel relative to a reference plane; said measuring head comprising a tubular body having a front end wall provided with an opening and a rear end cap having a slot therein; said end cap having a calibrated scale formed on the outer face thereof adjacent said slot; an elongated rod extending axially through said body; means biasing said rod centrally of said body along the longitudinal axis thereof; said rod having one end projecting axially through said opening and rigidly secured to said elongated member; the other end of said rod forming a pointer movable in said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes an elongated tubular member supported at its opposite ends on a pair of floor engaging crossbars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises an arm mounted at one end thereof on said tubular member for sliding movement relative thereto; the other end of said arm having a sleeve for slidably receiving said head therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rim engagable means comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced probes of equal effective lengths mounted on said elongated member and extending in a direction normal thereto; and means adjustably spacing said probes apart a distance corresponding to the diameter of the rim of the wheel to be measured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to claim 1 including means removably mounted on said one end of said rod for centering said head relative to the axis of said wheel hub.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said rim engagable means comprise a pair of longitudinally spaced probes mounted on said elongated member and extending in a direction normal thereto; and means adjustably spacing said probes apart a distance corresponding to the diameter of the rim of the wheel to be measured.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus comprising a pair of wheel alignment measuring heads according to claim 1 slidably mounted on said frame for adjustment toward and away from each other corresponding to the lateral spacing of a pair of vehicle wheels. A cup-shaped member 54 (FIGS. 7 and 9) having an opening 56 in the end wall thereof is mounted on portion 46 of rod 44 for receiving one end of a helical compression spring 58 disposed about the forward end of rod 44 and captively held in tubular head 36 between the end wall of cup-shaped member 54 and the inner face of front end wall 40. Member 54 is secured in place on the threaded portion 46 of rod 44 by a pair of lock nuts 59 bearing against the inner and outer faces of the cup member end wall. Spring 58 biases rod 44 centrally of head 36 to a position extending horizontally along the axis of head 36.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |