US4942666A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring camber, caster and steering axis inclination of a vehicle
Assignee: CHARTLINER Co
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Filing: 1989-11-28
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Granted: 1990-07-24
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Expires: 2009-11-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus that enables simultaneous readings of the camber, caster and steering axis inclination of the steering components of a front wheel suspension of a vehicle; the apparatus comprises a C-shaped upright, the upper and lower extremities of which engage the upper and lower steering pivots of the component. A carriage, slidably mounted on the upright, supports a yoke member which is adapted to bear against the hub assembly of the vehicle wheel. A first gauge is mounted to the yoke member to give a camber reading of the strut while second and third gauges are mounted on the carriage to give a caster reading and a steering axis inclination reading.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Wickmann
- 👤 Phillip Carlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/24; G01B5/255; B; B60; B60G; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/30; B60G2202/31; B60G2202/312; B60G2206/00; B60G2206/01; B60G2206/90; B60G2206/93; B60G2206/931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for enabling simultaneous readings of the camber, caster and steering axis inclination of steering components that form part of a front wheel suspension of a vehicle equipped with a hub assembly, the steering components including upper and lower steering pivots defined along a steering axis; said apparatus comprising: an upright having an upper part and a lower part; first engaging means at said upper part adapted to engage said upper steering pivot; second engaging means at said lower part adapted to engage said lower steering pivot; third engaging means having a first part adjustably mounted on said upright and a second part adapted to bear against said hub assembly; first gauge means mounted on said second part for giving a camber reading of the hub assembly; second gauge means mounted on said upright for giving a caster reading of the steering axis; and third gauge means mounted on said upright for giving a steering axis inclination reading.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for enabling simultaneous readings of the camber, caster and steering axis inclination of steering components that form part of a front wheel suspension of a vehicle equipped with a hub assembly, the steering components including upper and lower steering pivots defined along a steering axis; said apparatus comprising: an upright having an upper part and a lower part; first engaging means at said upper part adapted to engage said upper steering pivot; second engaging means at said lower part adapted to engage said lower steering pivot; third engaging means having a first part adjustably mounted on said upright and a second part adapted to bear against said hub assembly; first gauge means mounted on said second part for giving a camber reading of the hub assembly; second gauge means mounted on said upright for giving a caster reading of the steering axis; and third gauge means mounted on said upright for giving a steering axis inclination reading.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first part of said third engaging means consists of a carriage slidably mounted on said upright.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said second part of said third engaging means is pivotally and adjustably mounted to said carriage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said second part of said third engaging means consists of a yoke member having its free extremities adapted to contact said hub assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said second gauge means consist of a graduated scale displayed on a first side wall of said carriage and of an indicator pointer freely suspended in front of said scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said third gauge means consist of a graduated scale displayed on a second side wall of said carriage and of an indicator pointer freely suspended in front of said scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said upright is C-shaped, the extremities of the upper and lower parts thereof each carrying said means for engaging the upper and lower steering pivots.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising spring-loaded means mounted on said lower part of said upright for tightly securing said upper and lower parts to said steering components when engaged thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first gauge means consist of a graduated scale displayed on said second part of said third engaging means and of an indicator pointer freely suspended in front of said scale.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said steering components are McPherson-type struts.
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) | 1993-07-23 | 1994-01-22 | 1994-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-23 | 1998-01-22 | 1998-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-23 | 2002-01-22 | 2002-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |