| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 033203000 | Wheel | 21 |
| 20100212168 | DEVICE TO ASSIST IN FITTING A CUSTOM WHEEL TO AN AUTOMOBILE & METHODS OF USE THEREOF - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device to assist in fitting a custom wheel to an automobile and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the device includes a plurality of measuring apparatuses for obtaining relevant measurements to assist in fitting a custom wheel to an automobile. In one method, a series of measurements pertaining to certain distances between a hub and a corresponding caliper of a vehicle wheel can be obtained using embodiments of the device of the invention. The measurements may be used to assist in the fitting of a custom wheel to an automobile. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20110113637 | JIG AND METHOD FOR MEASURING RUNOUT OF FLANGE SURFACE OF HUB UNIT - There is provided a jig for measuring a runout of a flange surface of a hub unit adapted to be fitted between a plurality of plate-shaped projecting portions of a road wheel mounting flange of a deformed type including the plurality of plate-shaped projecting portions. The projecting portions are formed on an outer circumferential surface of a hub wheel serving as a rotating side member of a road wheel hub unit so as to project radially. Each of the projecting portions has a bolt insertion hole in a distal end portion thereof. The jig is positioned adjacent to a flange surface of the projecting portions so as to form an annular continuous surface. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20130133212 | PIVOTAL MEASURING WHEEL - A pivotal measuring wheel includes a handle set, a handle rod, a pivotal rod, a wheel seat, a wheel and a cable. The handle rod has a hollow handle seat and an arc-contoured first pivotal body. The first pivotal body has a first space and a first semicircular hole communicating with the first space. The pivotal rod has a hollow joint seat and an arc-contoured second pivotal body for connecting to the first pivotal body. The second pivotal body has a second space and a second semicircular hole communicating with the second space. The second space selectively communicates with the first space. The second semicircular hole selectively aligns and communicates with the first semicircular hole. The handle seat is freely pivotable relative to the joint seat without disturbing the cable. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20140245623 | WHEEL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - An apparatus is mounted to a vehicle for obtaining a camber angle measurement. The apparatus includes a lower elongated member, a vertical elongated member, and an upper elongated member. The apparatus further includes a lower coupling that connects the lower elongated member to the vertical elongated member. The lower coupling allows the vertical elongated member to rotate about an axis, and prevents the lower elongated member from rotating about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes an upper coupling that connects the vertical elongated member to the upper elongated member. A lower connector is connected to the lower elongated member, and is configured to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle. An upper connector is connected to the upper elongated member, and is configured to be connected to the vehicle. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20160377407 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING THE PARAMETERS OF THE SUSPENSION GEOMETRY OF THE WHEELS OF A VEHICLE - The present invention relates to a method and a device for adjusting the wheel alignment parameters of the wheels of a vehicle, wherein at least one vehicle axle is gripped by one gripping device per wheel axle, near the wheel flanges of the corresponding axle. According to the present invention, the gripping devices are moved by means of controllable drive means in such a way that the wheel alignment parameters of the wheels are adjusted via the orientation of the gripping devices. | 12-29-2016 |
| 033203120 | With wheel supporting means | 3 |
| 20090126208 | Apparatus And Method For Positioning A Vehicle - The invention provides a vehicle confronting apparatus and a vehicle confronting method for a vehicle, which enables to confront a vehicle surely for a short while. A vehicle confronting apparatus | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090288305 | Method and Device for Adjusting the Steering Wheel of a Motor Vehicle - The invention relates to a method and a device for adjusting the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The aim of the invention is to enable an automatic adjustment of the steering wheel in the steering clearance center by ‘stabilizing’ or carrying out a steering hysteresis measurement, and the subsequent adjustment of the steering wheel, in a simple, rapid and cost-effective manner. To this end, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the steering wheel of a motor vehicle in the steering wheel clearance center, the method being characterized by the following steps: the floating plates of the vehicle geometry test bed, on which the front wheels of the motor vehicle are arranged, are rotated when the wheels are stopped in order to cause the rotation of steering wheel; the steering wheel angle is determined according to the triggered steering wheel movement; and the steering wheel clearance center is adjusted. The invention shows that reproducible rotations of the steering wheel can be triggered by the floating plates of the vehicle geometry test bed, enabling an automatic adjustment of the steering wheel in the steering wheel clearance center to be carried out rapidly and easily. | 11-26-2009 |
| 033203130 | Roller or drum | 1 |
| 20160252338 | AUTOMATICALLY ALIGNING CHASSIS GUIDES | 09-01-2016 |
| 033203150 | Floor supported, wheel contacting | 2 |
| 20090000133 | Toe Angle Measuring Instrument and Toe Angle Measuring Method - A toe angle measuring instrument comprising a measurement unit having a seating table seating a hub of a vehicle on a seating stand and movable in the lateral direction of the vehicle and in a rotating direction in plan view relative to a second base member. The toe angle measuring instrument further comprising a measured member having a vertical measurement surface extending from the seating table to the outside and non-contact distance sensors installed oppositely to the measurement surface with reference to the second base member and measuring distances (x | 01-01-2009 |
| 033203160 | Plane and radius | 1 |
| 20080244919 | Method and Apparatus Determination of Wheel Assembly Configuration - A vehicle wheel assembly service system configured to acquire measurements of the physical characteristics of a vehicle wheel assembly such as during a vehicle wheel balancing procedure, with the functionality to obtain and utilize a measurement of a vehicle wheel assembly offset or rear spacing. The vehicle wheel assembly service system is configured to display the wheel assembly offset or rear spacing measurement to an operator, and optionally, to display guidance and/or installation instructions to the operator associated with the installation of the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle. The displayed guidance and/or installation instructions may optionally include fitment information, vehicle performance data, or vehicle braking data. | 10-09-2008 |
| 033203180 | Axle, vehicle, or wheel supported | 11 |
| 20080201967 | TRACKING ATTACHMENT - A tracking attachment ( | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080209744 | Vehicle Wheel Optical Target Mounting Assembly - A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system optical target assembly which incorporates an adaptor for attachment of an optical target to a vehicle wheel assembly. The adaptor includes a circular sinusoidal edge for seating in a non-determined position against surfaces of a vehicle wheel assembly, and a pair of pivoting arm assemblies capable of independent movement which are configured to position tire hooks for gripping the tread surfaces of a tire mounted to the wheel rim. Forces exerted between the pivoting arms are transferred to the tire hooks to hold the optical target assembly in contact with the wheel assembly surface. The optical target is integrated into the adaptor, and maintained in a stationary relationship to the wheel assembly thereby during a vehicle wheel alignment procedure. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080222903 | Apparatus and methods for determining alignment of vehicle-mounted wheel - An apparatus for determining alignment of a wheel mounted to a vehicle includes a plate, a housing and a light source. The plate has a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer perimeter. The bottom surface is substantially planar and the outer perimeter includes an engagement portion. The plate is configured such that it may be positioned at least partially within a wheel rim, with the engagement portion and the bottom surface contacting interior circumferential and interior annular surfaces of the wheel rim, respectively, and with the bottom surface substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotational axis. The housing is attached to the top surface of the plate and defines a chamber. The light source is supported at least partially within the chamber and is configured to project light away from the housing. Methods are also provided for manufacturing a vehicle and for inspecting a wheel mounted upon a vehicle. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080271328 | Method and Apparatus For Vehicle Service System Optical Target Assembly - A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system optical target assembly incorporating an adaptor for attachment of an optical target to a vehicle wheel assembly. The adaptor includes at least three contact points for abutment against surfaces of a vehicle wheel assembly, and an attachment mechanism configured to grip surfaces of a tire mounted to the wheel rim to hold the optical target assembly in contact with the wheel assembly surface. The optical target is secured to the adaptor, and maintained in a fixed relationship to the wheel assembly thereby during a vehicle wheel alignment measurement procedure. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090056152 | VEHICLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM AND METHODOLOGY - A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20110179656 | VEHICLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM AND METHODOLOGY - A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110203126 | Alignment tool and method of checking wheel alignment - An alignment tool and method is disclosed for use in aligning wheels of trucks and truck trailers. The tool includes at least one self-leveling laser for checking wheel alignment. The self-leveling laser includes a body, an attachment member and a laser. The attachment member secures the alignment tool to the vehicle or trailer and the alignment tool provides for self-leveling to enable a user to make various predetermined measurements from the laser marking “+” when aligning the wheels of the vehicle or trailer. The alignment tool also may include a fifth wheel adapter for attaching the alignment tool to a fifth wheel pin of a truck trailer when checking the alignment of a truck trailer. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20120117812 | LIGHTWEIGHT WHEEL CLAMP FOR VEHICLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM - A lightweight wheel clamp assembly is provided for attaching to a vehicle wheel for performing a wheel alignment on the vehicle. The assembly comprises a first bracket for engaging the vehicle wheel; a second bracket for engaging the vehicle wheel; a handle rotatably mounted to the second bracket; and a rod having a threaded portion and an attachment portion near a first end of the rod. The first bracket is attachable to the attachment portion of the rod, and the handle is threaded to engage the threaded portion of the rod, such that when a user grasps and rotates the handle, a distance between the first and second brackets can be adjusted to rigidly attach the wheel clamp assembly to the vehicle wheel. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20140115906 | POWER ACTUATED WHEEL CLAMP - A wheel clamp attaches to a vehicle wheel for performing a wheel alignment on the vehicle. The wheel clamp has a body for supporting a target or measuring head, and three elongated arms mounted to the body. Each arm has a gripping portion for gripping the tire's tread surface. A self-centering linkage has enmeshed gears that, when rotated, cause the elongated arms to simultaneously proportionally move relative to the clamp body. An attachment interface mechanically connected to the self-centering linkage is configured to engage with a rotational actuator. Alternatively, the wheel clamp includes an actuator mechanically coupled to the self-centering mechanism. Activation of the actuator causes the gripping portions of the arms to engage and grip the tire tread surface and tighten the clamp onto the tire. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20150121709 | AXLE ALIGNMENT SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR STEERING SYSTEM OF A MACHINE - An axle alignment sensor assembly, which includes an enclosure, an oscillator, a frequency detector, an output switch driver, a ferrite component, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component, is disclosed. The oscillator is positioned at the sensing end and is configured to generate a magnetic field. The frequency detector is positioned at the sensing end and is configured to detect the magnetic field. The output switch driver is in communication with the frequency detector and is configured to generate and deliver an output based on detection by the frequency detector. The ferrite component is positioned proximal to the connecting end and is configured to prevent electromagnetic interference. The ESD protection component is configured to protect the axle alignment sensor assembly in overvoltage conditions. The oscillator, the frequency detector, the output switch driver, the ferrite component, and the ESD protection component are encased within the enclosure. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20160109214 | ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE - An alignment adjustment device includes an actuator that is fixed to a vehicle body side support member and that is connected to an outer peripheral surface of a hub carrier so as to rotate the hub carrier. An intersection between a first axis and a second axis and an intersection of a universal joint are both positioned inside a wheel, and the intersection of the universal joint is inside the hub carrier. | 04-21-2016 |
