초록 ▼

An alignment system is comprised of a lower base plate coupled to an upper slide plate. The plates are coupled together by a sliding mechanism configured to allow the upper plate to slide in two dimensions parallel to the lower plate. A mounting surface is formed in the upper plate proximate a first

An alignment system is comprised of a lower base plate coupled to an upper slide plate. The plates are coupled together by a sliding mechanism configured to allow the upper plate to slide in two dimensions parallel to the lower plate. A mounting surface is formed in the upper plate proximate a first outer edge, the mounting surface being inclined at a angle below the horizontal relative to the outer edge of the upper plate. A vertical plane of light is generated and is visible when the light impinges upon an object. An alignment bar is coupled to the outer edge of the upper slide plate in an orientation parallel to the plane of light. When a support surface is level, the upper plate is inclined at an angle and gravity causes the upper plate to slide relative to the lower plate until the alignment bar rests against a component to be measured.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Alignment system apparatus for measuring alignment of a component of a vehicle comprising:a lower base plate;an upper slide plate oriented parallel to the lower plate; a sliding mechanism coupled between the lower and upper plates and configured to allow the upper plate t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Alignment system apparatus for measuring alignment of a component of a vehicle comprising:a lower base plate;an upper slide plate oriented parallel to the lower plate; a sliding mechanism coupled between the lower and upper plates and configured to allow the upper plate to slide in two dimensions parallel to the lower plate;a light source mounting surface formed in the upper plate proximate a first outer edge, the mounting surface being inclined at a angle below the horizontal relative to the outer edge;a light source removably coupled to the mounting surface on the upper slide plate and configured to generate a vertical plane of light when the light source mounting surface is level in a horizontal orientation;an alignment bar coupled to the outer edge of the upper slide plate in an orientation parallel to the plane of light generated by the light source;a level indicator coupled to the light source and providing an indication when the mounting surface is level in the horizontal orientation and the plane of light is in a vertical orientation;a level adjuster coupled to the lower plate and operable to selectively raise or lower the plates to align the mounting surface level in the horizontal orientation and the plane of light in a vertical orientation, and causing the upper plate to slide relative to the lower plate in a direction from its center towards the outer edge until the alignment bar rests against and assumes the relative alignment of the component to be measured, andwherein the light source generates the vertical plane of light parallel to the alignment of the component to be measured. [21.] A method of measuring alignment of a component of a vehicle comprising:mounting a visible plane light source outboard of a first edge of an upper slide plate so that a vertical plane of light is generated when the first edge is aligned at an elevation below its opposing end;mounting the first upper slide plate on a slide mechanism carried by a lower support plate;supporting the lower support plate on a plurality of legs;tilting the plates at an incline with a first edge of the lower plate positioned at an elevation below its opposing end so that a visible plane of light in a vertical orientation is generated by the visible plane light source;allowing gravity and the tilted angle of the plates to cause the upper plate to move forward along the incline until an alignment bar coupled to the upper plate contacts and assumes the orientation of the component to be measured;turning on the visible plane light source to generate the vertical plane of light;using the vertical plane of light as a reference line for making measurements of the alignment of the component relative to another reference.