Patent Application
20080295346
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to motorcycle maintenance, and more specifically, to a method and gauge for alignment of a motorcycle rear axle.
2. Description of Related Art
In any wheeled vehicle it is important that the proper alignment of the wheels be maintained for safe and efficient operation of the vehicle. This is especially true for two wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles, due to the danger of harm to the operator in the event of an accident. For many motorcycles, including most chain and belt driven models, the axle of the rear wheel is adjustable in order to allow adjustment of the tension on the chain or belt to a specified parameter. The rear axle may be prone, however, to misalignment due to the adjustability of the axle. When the rear axle is misaligned, excessive wear may be caused to drive-train components and the tires, and the handling characteristics of the motorcycle may be impaired, potentially increasing the likelihood of an accident.
One method of aligning the rear axle involves counting the number of threads visible on the exposed shaft of one or more of the rear axle adjustment screws or bolts. This method is problematic because it is inaccurate, tedious, and time-consuming.
These problems are exacerbated by the frequency with which the rear axle may need to be adjusted or removed for repairs or proper maintenance of the motorcycle's components. Each time the rear axle is adjusted or removed, large amounts of time may be required to adjust the position of the rear axle to ensure that there is a proper amount of tension on the chain or belt, and that the rear axle is properly aligned.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a method of aligning the rear axle of a motorcycle that is more accurate and that can be accomplished in less time, thereby reducing or eliminating the disadvantages of known methods of aligning the rear axle during routine safety checks or after maintenance and/or repairs.
Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a method and device by providing a motorcycle rear axle alignment gauge comprising a housing, a probe movably engaged with the housing, and an indicator operably engaged with the probe.
According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the housing includes at least one portion adapted to abut a reference portion of the motorcycle.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the indicator comprises a rotating needle.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a scale is arranged around a peripheral portion of a face of the housing.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the indicator comprises an electronic display.
According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the gauge may be calibrated.
Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to quickly and accurately ascertain a distance between an end of a rear axle adjustment screw and a portion of a motorcycle frame.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to quickly and accurately compare the position of a first side of an axle with a position of the second side of the axle.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to quickly and accurately align an axle of a motorcycle.
According to another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of aligning a rear axle of a motorcycle comprising the steps of measuring a first position of a first rear axle adjustment device relative to a first portion of an axle-mounting structure of a motorcycle, and adjusting the first rear axle adjustment device to align the rear axle of the motorcycle.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.
Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to,
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.
In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in
In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,
A preferred one of such engagement forms includes teeth disposed along a length of the second end of probe 120 in engagement with a rotatable gear, wherein movement along the longitudinal axis of probe 120 in the direction of arrow 140 translates to rotation of the gear, and needle 113 in fixed connection with the gear, such that rotation of the gear in response to motion of probe 120 causes rotation of needle 113 in the direction of arrow 150. In such an embodiment, indicator 110 preferably includes scale 117 disposed on face 115 retained in casing 111. It should be understood, however, that indicator 110 may alternatively comprise a digital or analog electronic display, such as an LCD.
Regardless of the specific structure utilized to translate movement of probe 120 to an indication, indicator 110 preferably includes a calibration feature. In the preferred embodiment, indicator 110 preferably includes calibration portion 119 in the form of a button. Operation of calibration portion 119, such as by pushing the button, preferably disengages probe 120 from needle 113 such that a position of needle 113 relative to scale 117 may be adjusted independent of the movement of probe 120. Preferably, operation of calibration portion 119 takes the teeth of probe 120 out of engagement with the rotatable gear. Thus, for a given position of probe 120, the position of needle 113 relative to scale 117 may be adjusted to a predetermined position, such as a position associated with a zero mark of scale 117. Alternatively, however, other calibration portions may be implemented. One such alternative calibration portion comprises a rotatable face 115, whereby rotation of face 115 adjusts a position of needle 113 relative to scale 117. Another alternative calibration portion comprises threaded fastener 139 in threaded engagement with housing 130 such that loosening threaded fastener 139 allows adjustment of a position of sleeve 121, and, thus first end 120a of probe 120 for a give position relative to sleeve 120, relative to housing 130. Subsequent tightening of threaded fastener 139 preferably retains sleeve 121 in fixed engagement with housing 130.
Now referring to
Now referring to
In use, gauge 100 may preferably be used to determine whether rear axle 301 is in proper alignment by comparing measurements of a position of each side of a rear axle 301 within respective slots, such as slot 307. In order to make such a determination, a user may first adjust a drive-train side of axle 301 within a drive-train side adjustment slot using a drive-train side rear axle adjustment device so as to provide a proper or desired tension on a belt or chain of the drive-train. The user may then preferably measure a position of a first side of an axle within a slot by contacting forward surface 233 with a reference surface of a drive-train side rear axle mounting structure in which the drive-train side adjustment slot is disposed, thereby contacting first end 120a with a reference surface of the drive-train side rear axle adjustment device. The user may then read a first value indicated on indicator 110 representing a distance between the reference surface of the drive-train side rear axle adjustment device and the reference surface of the drive-train side rear axle mounting structure. The user may then measure a position of a second side of the axle by contacting forward surface 233 with reference surface 403 of the other rear axle mounting structure 303, thereby contacting first end 120a with reference surface 405 of the other rear axle adjustment device 305. The user may then read a second value indicated on indicator 110 representing a distance between reference surface 405 and reference surface 403 (equal to distance D of
Alternatively, the user may determine whether rear axle 301 is in proper alignment by measuring a position of a first side of rear axle within a first slot by contacting forward surface 233 with a reference surface of a drive-train side rear axle mounting structure in which the drive-train side adjustment slot is disposed, thereby contacting first end 120a with a reference surface of the drive-train side rear axle adjustment device. The user may then optionally calibrate gauge 100 such that the value indicated is a predetermined value, such as zero. Such calibration may be accomplished by rotating face 115 such that needle 113 points to, or otherwise indicates, a zero value of scale 117. Alternatively, an electronic zeroing may be performed by activating a calibration portion of an electronic circuit comprising indicator 110. Once gauge 100 has been calibrated, the user may then measure a position of a second side of rear axle 301 by contacting forward surface 233 with reference surface 403 of the other rear axle mounting structure 303, thereby contacting first end 120a with reference surface 405 of the other rear axle adjustment device 305. The user may then read a second value indicated on indicator 110 representing a distance between reference surface 405 and reference surface 403. If the second value is equal to zero, then the user may determine that the axle is properly aligned, and if the second value is not zero, the user may adjust rear axle adjustment device 305 until a value of zero is indicated when forward surface 233 is contacted with reference surface 403 and when first end 120a is contacted with reference surface 405.
Now referring to
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the gauge may include a bend, a flexible portion, or other modification which allows the probe to be contacted with the reference surface of the rear axle adjustment device and the forward surface of the housing to be contacted with the reference surface of the rear axle mounting structure more easily, and preferably without interference between other parts of the gauge, such as the indicator or casing, and other parts of the motorcycle. Such a modification may also preferably allow the user to more easily read the value indicated, or handle and maneuver the gauge.
Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
