US3876310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-referencing alignment system for automobile wheels and the like
Assignee: BERNDT WOLF DIETER RUDOLPH
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Filing: 1973-11-13
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for aligning automobile wheels and the like. An optical assembly comprising two mirrors is mounted to the wheel to be aligned. A beam of collimated, coherent radiation is reflected from the centrally mounted mirror in the optical assembly, while the automobile is on the ground, and the point of interception with a display chart is noted. Next, the automobile is raised off of the ground and the chart and wheels are moved so that the beam which is reflected from the centrally mounted wheel mirror again intercepts the chart at the same position to complete a ground reference step. The wheel mountings are now adjusted to center the beam to desired specifications, the second mirror in the optical assembly being used only to check caster.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolf-Dieter Rudolph Berndt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G01B11/275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A method of aligning at least one wheel of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: projecting a beam of coherent, collimated radiation through an aperture in a display device to impinge upon a mirrored surface affixed to and parallel with said wheel, while the vehicle is resting upon the ground; reflecting said beam off said mirrored surface to impinge upon said display device; marking the point of impingement of said reflected beam on said display device; raising said vehicle so that said vehicle is no longer supported on the ground by said wheel; raising said display device through substantially the same displacement that said vehicle experiences during said vehicle raising step; projecting a second beam of coherent collimated radiation through said aperture in said display device to impinge upon said mirrored surface; reflecting said second beam off said mirrored surface to impinge upon said display device; adjusting the height of said display device above ground until the point of impingement of said second beam falls on a horizontal line passing through said marked point of impingement of said first beam; rotating the steering column of said vehicle until the point of impingement of said second beam coincides with the marked point of impingement of said first beam; and adjusting the mechanical suspension of said wheel for 0.degree. camber while simultaneously observing the point of impingement of said second beam move along a vertical line passing through said marked point of impingement, said adjustment being terminated when said point of impingement falls on the horizontal axis of said display device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
259 words
A method of aligning at least one wheel of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: projecting a beam of coherent, collimated radiation through an aperture in a display device to impinge upon a mirrored surface affixed to and parallel with said wheel, while the vehicle is resting upon the ground; reflecting said beam off said mirrored surface to impinge upon said display device; marking the point of impingement of said reflected beam on said display device; raising said vehicle so that said vehicle is no longer supported on the ground by said wheel; raising said display device through substantially the same displacement that said vehicle experiences during said vehicle raising step; projecting a second beam of coherent collimated radiation through said aperture in said display device to impinge upon said mirrored surface; reflecting said second beam off said mirrored surface to impinge upon said display device; adjusting the height of said display device above ground until the point of impingement of said second beam falls on a horizontal line passing through said marked point of impingement of said first beam; rotating the steering column of said vehicle until the point of impingement of said second beam coincides with the marked point of impingement of said first beam; and adjusting the mechanical suspension of said wheel for 0.degree. camber while simultaneously observing the point of impingement of said second beam move along a vertical line passing through said marked point of impingement, said adjustment being terminated when said point of impingement falls on the horizontal axis of said display device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of: adjusting the mechanical suspension of said wheel for 0.degree. toe-in while simultaneously observing the point of impingement of said second beam move along the horizontal axis of said display device to the center thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said mirrored surface includes a portion making an angle of .PHI..degree., where 15.degree. < .PHI. < 25.degree., to the major reflective surface thereof, said portion being orthogonally oriented to the ground, and the method includes the further step of: turning the steering column of said vehicle so that said second beam is reflected off said angled portion of the mirrored surface and the point of impingement of said beam on said display device falls on the vertical axis; and adjusting the mechanical suspension of said wheel for 0.degree. of caster while simultaneously observing the point of impingement of said second beam traverse said vertical axis, said adjustment being terminated when said point of impingement coincides with the center of said display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said automobile is raised by a lift, or the like, above the surface of the ground, the apparatus further comprising: means for moving said display device upwardly through substantially the same distance traversed by said vehicle; and second means for reflecting said beam so that it passes through said aperture while said display device is in its elevated position, said beam again being reflected off said mirrored surface to impinge upon said display device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 further including: a hollow, vertically disposed upright, said beam source being located in said upright and directing said beam vertically downwards; said first and second reflecting means comprise 45.degree. mirrors in said upright for reflecting said beam outwardly thereof through a longitudinal slot in said upright, said second reflecting means being pivotally mounted to said upright to move out of the path of said beam when said first reflecting means is in use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first and second 45.degree. mirrors are mounted to said upright for vertical travel therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said display device moving means is adapted for travel along said upright and includes: means for moving said display device horizontally with respect to said upright to compensate for vehicles of differing widths; and the apparatus further comprises: measuring means, mounted to said moving means, for ensuring a uniform distance between said display device and said mirrored surface regardless of the particular vehicle being aligned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said mirrored surface comprises two mirrors, the first parallel to the mounting surface and said wheel, and the second making an angle of .PHI..degree. thereto, where 15.degree. < .PHI. < 25.degree..
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the entire apparatus is replicated on the other side of the vehicle to align both front or rear wheels of said vehicle simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, including means, translucent to the radiation employed, for aligning the upper and lower pairs of 45.degree. mirrors, said means being inserted into the path of both beams prior to said vehicle being positioned over said lift.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2667805A
Cited
US3758213A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |