Patent US4542592A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4542592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wheeled vehicle leveling device and method
Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corp
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Filing: 1983-11-22
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Granted: 1985-09-24
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Expires: 2003-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A wheeled vehicle level has adjustable longitudinal and lateral level indicators, with the lateral level indicator further pivotable in response to a cam ring of a rotatable cap. The cap has numbers to indicate the amount by which a wheel should be raised to level the vehicle. Nestable wheel lifts accompany the level for raising the wheel. A method is shown for using the level in conjunction with the wheel lifts.
Inventors
- 👤 Ross E. Hopkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/24; G01C9/26; G01C9/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A wheeled vehicle leveling device, including a housing, a longitudinal level indicating means pivotally mounted in said housing, first means for adjusting said longitudinal level indicating means, a lateral level indicating means pivotally mounted in said housing, second means for adjusting said lateral level indicating means independently of said longitudinal level indicating means, said lateral level indicating means including a cam follower means, a cam ring means roatably mounted on said housing, including a spiral cam surface, said cam follower means cooperating with said spiral cam surface to pivot said lateral level indicating means independently of said longitudinal level indicating means in response to rotation of said cam ring means, said cam ring means bearing circumferentially spaced indicating means, and pointer means fixed on said housing to cooperate with said indicating means to indicate the relative amount said lateral level indicating means has pivoted said leteral level indicating means including means for holding a level indicating means, said holding means comprising a forwardly projecting cam follower means for cooperating with said cam ring spiral cam surface, a rearwardly projecting adjustment arm, an adjustable fulcrum means engaging said rearwardly projecting adjustment means, and biasing means located between said holding means and said housing for biasing said adjustment arm against said fulcrum and biasing said cam follower means against said spiral cam surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A wheeled vehicle leveling device, including a housing, a longitudinal level indicating means pivotally mounted in said housing, first means for adjusting said longitudinal level indicating means, a lateral level indicating means pivotally mounted in said housing, second means for adjusting said lateral level indicating means independently of said longitudinal level indicating means, said lateral level indicating means including a cam follower means, a cam ring means roatably mounted on said housing, including a spiral cam surface, said cam follower means cooperating with said spiral cam surface to pivot said lateral level indicating means independently of said longitudinal level indicating means in response to rotation of said cam ring means, said cam ring means bearing circumferentially spaced indicating means, and pointer means fixed on said housing to cooperate with said indicating means to indicate the relative amount said lateral level indicating means has pivoted said leteral level indicating means including means for holding a level indicating means, said holding means comprising a forwardly projecting cam follower means for cooperating with said cam ring spiral cam surface, a rearwardly projecting adjustment arm, an adjustable fulcrum means engaging said rearwardly projecting adjustment means, and biasing means located between said holding means and said housing for biasing said adjustment arm against said fulcrum and biasing said cam follower means against said spiral cam surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
A wheeled vehicle leveling kit, including a level indicating device comprising a longitudinal level indicating means mounted in said device, a lateral level indicating means pivotally mounted in said device, said lateral level indicating means including a cam follower means, a cam ring means rotatably mounted in said device and including a spiral cam surface, said cam follower means cooperating with said spiral cam surface to pivot said lateral level indicating means in response to rotation of said cam ring means, said cam ring means bearing circumferentially spaced indicating means, and pointer means fixed on said device to cooperate with said indicating means to indicate the relative amount said lateral level indicating means has pivoted, and a plurality of wheel lift means corresponding to said indicating means for insertion under a wheel of said wheeled vehicle to level the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
A wheeled vehicle leveling kit, including a level indicating device comprising a longitudinal level indicating means mounted in said device, a lateral level indicating means pivotally mounted in said device, said lateral level indicating means including a cam follower means, a cam ring means rotatably mounted in said device and including a spiral cam surface, said cam follower means cooperating with said spiral cam surface to pivot said lateral level indicating means in response to rotation of said cam ring means, said cam ring means bearing circumferentially spaced indicating means, and pointer means fixed on said device to cooperate with said indicating means to indicate the relative amount said lateral level indicating means has pivoted, and a plurality of wheel lift means corresponding to said indicating means for insertion under a wheel of said wheeled vehicle to level the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The kit of claim 2 wherein said wheel lift means are nestable.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for leveling a wheeled vehicle comprising mounting on said wheeled vehicle a level indicating device having a longitudinal level indicating means, a lateral level indicating means pivotally mounted in said device and having a cam follower means, a cam ring means rotatably mounted in said device and including a spiral cam surface, said cam follower means cooperating with said spiral cam surface to pivot said lateral level indicating means in response to rotation of said cam ring means, said cam ring means bearing circumferentially spaced indicating means, and pointer means fixed on said device to cooperate with said indicating means to indicate the relative amount said lateral level indicating means has pivoted, and providing a plurality of wheel lift means corresponding to said indicating means for insertion under a wheel of said wheeled vehicle to level the vehicle.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for leveling a wheeled vehicle comprising mounting on said wheeled vehicle a level indicating device having a longitudinal level indicating means, a lateral level indicating means pivotally mounted in said device and having a cam follower means, a cam ring means rotatably mounted in said device and including a spiral cam surface, said cam follower means cooperating with said spiral cam surface to pivot said lateral level indicating means in response to rotation of said cam ring means, said cam ring means bearing circumferentially spaced indicating means, and pointer means fixed on said device to cooperate with said indicating means to indicate the relative amount said lateral level indicating means has pivoted, and providing a plurality of wheel lift means corresponding to said indicating means for insertion under a wheel of said wheeled vehicle to level the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 including nesting said wheel lift means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-23 | 1989-03-25 | 1989-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-23 | 1993-03-25 | 1993-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-23 | 1997-03-25 | 1997-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |