Patent Application
20240167494
N/A
The present invention relates to vehicle alignment tools but more particularly to an alignment cam pin system.
A misaligned vehicle can cause a number of problems including uneven tire wear, off center steering, and other potential issues. During an alignment procedure, the vehicle's suspension is aligned, which adjusts the angles of the tires and how the tires make contact with the road. Alignment pins, guide pins, cam (camber) pins are tools to make the alignment procedure easier. However, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) alignment pins often fall out of the vehicle due to vibrations, or become damaged. After market alignment pins have been developed to attempt to solve this problem. Yet, these seem to only offer a slight increase in longevity and suffer the same issues. Consequently, a solution is needed.
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In one aspect of the invention an alignment cam pin system is provided, comprising an alignment pin having a distal end and a proximal end, the alignment pin having a first flange at the proximal end, a cylindrical press fit surface abutting the first flange, and a threaded extension extending from the cylindrical press fit surface; an alignment pin sleeve comprising a sleeve body and a second flange, wherein the sleeve body includes internal threads configured to mate with the threaded extension; wherein the cylindrical press fit surface of the alignment pin is configured to be press fit into an alignment hole of a vehicle's suspension component such that the first flange abuts one side of the vehicle's suspension component; and, wherein the sleeve body of the alignment pin sleeve is configured to be threaded on the threaded extension of the alignment pin until the second flange abuts the other side of the vehicle's suspension component such that the alignment pin does not fall out of the alignment hole during use.
In another aspect of the invention, an alignment cam pin system is provided, comprising an alignment pin having a threaded extension having male threads; an alignment pin sleeve having female threads, wherein the alignment pin sleeve is configured to be threaded on the threaded extension; and, wherein the alignment cam pin system is configured to be used as a wheel alignment aid for a vehicle via the vehicle's suspension.
In one embodiment, the alignment pin includes a first flange and a cylindrical press fit surface, wherein the cylindrical press fit surface is positioned between the flange and the threaded extension. In another embodiment, the cylindrical press fit surface is larger in diameter than the threaded extension. In yet another embodiment, the cylindrical press fit surface includes a knurled surface finished. In one embodiment, the alignment pin sleeve comprises a second flange and a sleeve body. In another embodiment, the first flange and the second flange are configured to touch opposite sides of a portion of the vehicle's suspension. In yet another embodiment, the sleeve body includes a pair of wrench flats at the distal end of the alignment pin sleeve.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an alignment cam pin system.
It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as to mean “at least one.” The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, not necessarily mechanically, and not permanent. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. As used herein, the terms “about,” “generally,” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein. In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the cylindrical press fit surface 104, includes a straight knurled surface finished. This surface is configured to be pressed fit within the alignment openings of the suspension components (as illustrated in the example of
In one embodiment, the alignment pin sleeve 102 comprises flange 106, sleeve body 107, a pair of wrench flats 108, and through-hole 109. Advantageously, the alignment pin sleeve 102, and more specifically, the sleeve body 107 is configured to be threaded onto the threaded extension 105 of the alignment pin 101. As previously mentioned, the interior (female) threads are configured to match the exterior (male) threads of the threaded extension 105. In some embodiments, the entire inner surface of the sleeve body 107 is threaded. Further, the through hole 109 allows for a portion of the threaded extension 105 to protrude though the through-hole 109.
Best seen in
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
