초록 ▼

A portable apparatus for aligning the axles of a tractor, a trailer, or other vehicle and for detecting bends, bows, twists and other irregularities in vehicle frames, has a light source used to provide a reference plane from which measurements can be taken. Dual targets are attached to the undersid

A portable apparatus for aligning the axles of a tractor, a trailer, or other vehicle and for detecting bends, bows, twists and other irregularities in vehicle frames, has a light source used to provide a reference plane from which measurements can be taken. Dual targets are attached to the underside of the vehicle frame and are used in conjunction with the light source to establish the reference plane. In certain embodiments, the light source is slidably arranged on a U-shaped frame and is positionable to project a light beam at the targets. Once a reference plane is established, a gauge can be used to measure irregularities in the vehicle frame by measuring the distance from the reference plane to the underside of the vehicle frame. The U-shaped frame is directly attached along the center axis of the wheel axle so that the horizontal bar on which a light support is arranged will be exactly parallel to the wheel axle and thus provide a more accurate measurement of misalignment. Certain preferred embodiments include a perpendicularity checking device which assures that the beam of light is perpendicular to the horizontal bar, so that accurate and reliable measurements can be obtained.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for detecting defects in the alignment of an axle with a frame of a vehicle, and for detecting deformities in said frame, said apparatus comprising: a first target assembly attachable to an underside of said vehicle, said first target assembly comprising a first generally vertical membe

An apparatus for detecting defects in the alignment of an axle with a frame of a vehicle, and for detecting deformities in said frame, said apparatus comprising: a first target assembly attachable to an underside of said vehicle, said first target assembly comprising a first generally vertical member having first and second ends, means for attaching the first end of the vertical member to the underside of the vehicle, a first generally horizontal member attached to the second end of the first vertical member, and at least two targets mounted on said first horizontal member and spaced apart on a first line substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and spaced an equal vertical distance from said underside; a second target assembly attached to said underside, said second target comprising a second generally vertical member having first and second ends, means for attaching the first end of the vertical member to the underside of the vehicle, a second generally horizontal member attached to the second end of the second vertical member, and at least two targets spaced apart on a second line substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and each spaced said vertical distance from said underside, said second target assembly targets each having an opening; a light source means for generating a beam of light and for projecting said beam through the opening in one of the second target assembly targets when the light source means is in a first position, and wherein said light source means is movably positionable along a third line substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of the vehicle to a second position such that said generated beam of light in its two positions defines a reference plane as said light source means is moved from said first to said second position to project the light beam through the openings in the second target assembly targets; and gauge means, positionable between the underside of the vehicle and the reference plane, for indicating the existence of and degree of vertical deformation of the underside of the vehicle.