초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for aligning the wheels of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The apparatus includes a wheel alignment fixture and a wheel position indicator adapted for releasable attachment to an all-terrain vehicle. The wheel alignment fixture and the wheel position indicator cooperate to indi

An apparatus and method for aligning the wheels of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The apparatus includes a wheel alignment fixture and a wheel position indicator adapted for releasable attachment to an all-terrain vehicle. The wheel alignment fixture and the wheel position indicator cooperate to indicate the alignment of a wheel of the ATV. The wheel position indicator may project a light beam at an indicating element portion of the wheel alignment fixture for this purpose. Preferably, a steering centering fixture is also provided to ensure that the steering of the all-terrain vehicle remains centered during the wheel alignment process.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for aligning all-terrain vehicle wheels, comprising: a wheel alignment fixture adapted for releasable attachment to said all-terrain vehicle, said wheel alignment fixture having an indicating element adapted to cooperate with a wheel position indicator so as to i

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for aligning all-terrain vehicle wheels, comprising: a wheel alignment fixture adapted for releasable attachment to said all-terrain vehicle, said wheel alignment fixture having an indicating element adapted to cooperate with a wheel position indicator so as to indicate the alignment of an all-terrain vehicle wheel of interest; a wheel position indicator adapted for releasable attachment to said wheel of interest, said wheel position indicator including a light beam emitter for projecting a light beam at said indicating element of said wheel alignment fixture when said wheel alignment fixture and said wheel position indicator is attached to said all-terrain vehicle; and a steering centering fixture for ensuring that the steering of said all-terrain vehicle is properly centered during wheel alignment; wherein the correspondence of said light beam with a position register of said indicating element of said wheel alignment fixture indicates proper alignment of said wheel of interest. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wheel alignment fixture is a substantially open frame that hangs from a forward frame portion of said all-terrain vehicle. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position of said indicating element on said wheel alignment fixture is adjustable. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said position register of said wheel alignment fixture indicating element is a mark. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said mark is a line. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wheel position indicator is magnetically attached to a hub portion of said wheel of interest. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light beam emitter is a laser. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said steering centering fixture is a bracket that prevents rotation of a steering column after installation to said all-terrain vehicle. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said position register of said wheel alignment fixture indicating element represents a proper toe angle setting position for said wheel of interest. 10. An apparatus for aligning the front wheels of an all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a wheel alignment fixture adapted for releasable attachment to a frame of said all-terrain vehicle, said wheel alignment fixture having indicating elements that are substantially aligned with and reside forward of said front wheels of said all-terrain vehicle when said wheel alignment fixture is properly attached thereto; at least one wheel position indicator adapted for releasable attachment to a hub portion of said front wheels, said at least one wheel position indicator including a light beam emitter for projecting a light beam at a corresponding one of said indicating elements of said wheel alignment fixture when said wheel alignment fixture and said at least one wheel position indicator are attached to said all-terrain vehicle; and a steering centering fixture adapted to engage a portion of a steering assembly of said all-terrain vehicle, said steering centering fixture for ensuring that the steering of said all-terrain vehicle is properly centered during wheel alignment; wherein the correspondence of said light beam with a position register of a corresponding indicating element of said wheel alignment fixture indicates proper alignment of an associated wheel of said all-terrain vehicle. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wheel alignment fixture is a substantially open frame that hangs from a forward frame portion of said all-terrain vehicle. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the position of said indicating elements on said wheel alignment fixture is adjustable. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said position register of said wheel alignment fixture indicating element is a mark. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said mark is a line. 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said wheel position indicator is magnetically attached to a hub portion of an associated all-terrain vehicle wheel. 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said light beam emitter is a laser. 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said steering centering fixture is a bracket that prevents rotation of a steering column after installation to said all-terrain vehicle. 18. A method for setting the toe angle of an all-terrain vehicle wheel, comprising: (a) providing a wheel aligning apparatus, said apparatus further comprising: a wheel alignment fixture adapted for releasable attachment to said all-terrain vehicle, said wheel alignment fixture having an indicating element adapted to cooperate with a wheel position indicator, a wheel position indicator adapted for releasable attachment to said wheel, said wheel position indicator including a light beam emitter for projecting a light beam at said indicating element of said wheel alignment fixture when said wheel alignment fixture and said wheel position indicator are attached to said all-terrain vehicle, and a steering centering fixture for ensuring that at least a steering column of said all-terrain vehicle is properly centered during setting of the toe angle, (b) removably attaching said wheel alignment fixture to said all-terrain vehicle; (c) if not already connected, connecting and partially threading a tie rod associated with said wheel; (d) removably attaching said steering centering fixture to said all-terrain vehicle; (e) removably attaching said wheel position indicator to said all-terrain vehicle; (f) if not already energized, energizing said light beam emitter of said wheel position indicator to project a light beam onto said indicating element of said wheel alignment fixture; (g) adjusting said tie rod to move said wheel until said light beam contacts a position register of said indicating element of said wheel alignment fixture; and (h) tightening said tie rod. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the setting of toe angle occurs during the manufacturing of said all-terrain vehicle. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein said wheel position indicator is magnetically attached to a hub portion of said wheel.