US4481716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel alignment measuring apparatus
Assignee: A Rohe GmbH
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Filing: 1983-02-22
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Granted: 1984-11-13
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Expires: 2003-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A wheel alignment measuring apparatus including four angle measuring instruments for mounting on front wheels and rear wheels of a vehicle, and including a calculation circuit for the determination of track measuring values. A measuring bridge is operatively provided essentially transversely to the driving direction and is positioned approximately between the front wheels and the rear wheels. Four additional angle measuring instruments are provided, two being operatively arranged on one side and two being operatively arranged on the other side of the measuring bridge. An elastic tension member is operatively connected between the four angle measuring instruments and the four additional angle measuring instruments for measuring the angle positions of the wheels. The calculation circuit determines the track measuring values from comparing angular positions of all angle measuring instruments. The angle measuring instruments are arranged and connected so that influences resulting from the track of the vehicle wheels and the width of the measuring bridge as well as differences in the distance between the measuring bridge and the front wheels or the rear wheels are not reflected by the result of the measurement.
Inventors
- 👤 Osmond Beissbarth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B21/00; G01B21/22; G01B21/26; G01B7/00; G01B7/30; G01B7/315
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus including four angle measuring instruments for mounting on front wheels and rear wheels of a vehicle, and including a calculation circuit for the determination of track measuring values comprising: a measuring bridge being operatively provided essentially transversely to the driving direction and being positioned approximately between the front wheels and the rear wheels; four additional angle measuring instruments, two being operatively arranged on one side and two being operatively arranged on the other side of the measuring bridge; elastic tension means being operatively connected between said four angle measuring instruments and said four additional angle measuring instruments for measuring the angle positions of the wheels; said calculation circuit determining the track measuring values from comparing angular positions of all angle measuring instruments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A wheel alignment measuring apparatus including four angle measuring instruments for mounting on front wheels and rear wheels of a vehicle, and including a calculation circuit for the determination of track measuring values comprising: a measuring bridge being operatively provided essentially transversely to the driving direction and being positioned approximately between the front wheels and the rear wheels; four additional angle measuring instruments, two being operatively arranged on one side and two being operatively arranged on the other side of the measuring bridge; elastic tension means being operatively connected between said four angle measuring instruments and said four additional angle measuring instruments for measuring the angle positions of the wheels; said calculation circuit determining the track measuring values from comparing angular positions of all angle measuring instruments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the four additional angle measuring instruments of the measuring bridge are built into two measuring heads being removable mounted and adjustable with respect to the measuring bridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the measuring bridge comprises a transverse support being mounted at a low position so that the measuring bridge can be moved under a vehicle to be measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the transverse support is provided with receiving plates for measuring heads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the angle measuring instruments are arranged and connected wherein influences resulting from the track of the vehicle wheels and the width of the measuring bridge as well as differences in the distance between the measuring bridge and the front wheels or the rear wheels are not reflected by the result of the measurement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the angle measuring instruments is provided with an electric angle pick-up being directly connectable to the calculation circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the calculation circuit is connected with the four additional angle measuring instruments of the measuring bridge and controls four indicating arrows and a lamp in one or in both measuring heads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measuring bridge is provided on both sides with a blocking device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein one of the blocking devices is rotatably mounted opposite the measuring bridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the blocking devices are coated with a layer of a high adhesion at their sides facing the ground.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the blocking devices can be actuated by means of a hand lever.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the blocking devices are actuated by means of magnets which are controlled by the calculation circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the circuit arrangement connected with the individual angle measuring instruments, includes an inverter and a logic element operatively connected thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the measuring bridge comprises a transverse support being mounted at a low position so that the measuring bridge can be moved under a vehicle to be measured.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, and further including measuring heads and receiving plates operatively mounted on said transverse support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the receiving plates and the measuring heads are each provided with engaging centering and tensioning devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein the transverse support is on both sides provided with wheels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein an adjusting device is provided between the blocking device and the measuring bridge, said adjusting device allowing fine adjustment of the longitudinal axis of the measuring bridge at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 18, wherein the adjusting device is provided with an adjusting screw in the connection between the measuring bridge and the blocking device, said adjusting device acting in a direction which is parallel to the vehicle axis so that the measuring bridge can be moved relative to the blocking device.
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) | 1987-11-13 | 1988-05-14 | 1988-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-13 | 1992-05-14 | 1992-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-13 | 1996-05-14 | 1996-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |