Patent Application
20090000431
In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a tool used to enable adjustment of caster and camber wheel alignment settings for a vehicle.
Certain motor vehicles and, in particular, various trucks which have a wheel mounting assembly attached to the frame of the vehicle achieve desired caster and camber settings by adjusting the position of the lower control arm of the wheel mounting assembly relative to the frame and then tightening bolts which fix the adjusted position of the control arm relative to the vehicle frame.
That is, the control arm of a motor vehicle is attached to the frame of the vehicle by means of a slide bracket that may be adjusted by loosening bolts which hold the slide bracket tightly to the frame of the vehicle. Loosening of those bolts enables repositioning of the slide bracket and thereby repositioning of the control arm to effect desired correction to caster and camber. After the slide bracket is appropriately positioned, the bolts attaching the slide bracket to the frame can be retightened and the desired caster and camber of the vehicle is then achieved and maintained.
The particular methodology for mechanics to effect the loosening of the bolts which attach the mounting slide bracket for the lower control arm, effect adjustment of the slide bracket with respect to the frame and retightening of the fasteners or bolts is described at www.motoralldata.com. The noted reference is incorporated herewith by reference.
Mechanics and technicians engaged in effecting such adjustment typically have no special tool for adjusting the slide bracket of the control arm, particularly the lower control arm, relative to the frame. Rather, they may loosen the bolts holding the slide bracket to the frame and then adjust the slide bracket using a pry bar or similar tool. This procedure is difficult to effect and does not assure that the slide bracket will be maintained in the desired position relative to the frame of the vehicle prior to retightening the bolts that hold the lower control arm slide bracket in position relative to the vehicle frame. Moreover, such an adjustment is typically effected when the vehicle is on a lift. Consequently, when the vehicle is removed from the lift and the weight of the vehicle placed on the wheels, the settings made may not be correct. Thus, there has developed a need to provide a means and a tool which will enable desired adjustment of the position of a control arm relative to the frame of a vehicle in a way which insures that the adjustment will be maintained as the bolts attaching the slide bracket of the wheel control arm to the frame are tightened.
Briefly, the present invention comprises a tool for effecting and maintaining adjustment of the position of the slide bracket of a wheel mounting assembly control arm for a vehicle to thereby set the caster and camber for a wheel mounted by the assembly. The tool includes a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis. The body has an outer diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of circular openings in the frame which are each generally aligned with an elongate opening in the bracket. The body further includes a pin extending from one end thereof which projects axially and generally parallel to the axis of the body but offset from the longitudinal axis. The pin is configured to fit into the elongate or non-circular opening in the slide bracket. The body further may include, on the side opposite the projecting pin, a planar face transverse to the axis with an axial socket opening in the surface. The socket opening is generally co-axial with the axis of the body. Alternatively, other means may be utilized to rotate the body about its axis such as a radial arm.
In use, the tool is positioned so that the pin will fit into the non-circular opening in the control arm. The circular body of the tool will simultaneously be positioned within the circular opening of the frame since the circular opening is generally aligned with the opening in the control arm. The opening in the slide bracket is typically non-circular and within the profile of the frame opening. The slide bracket opening may, for example, be elongate with dimensions chosen to receive the projecting pin of the tool. Typically, a tool is utilized in one of the two openings in the frame and the slide bracket depending on the type of adjustment that is needed. Thus, the frame will typically include two associated circular openings each aligned generally with an associated bracket opening. A socket driver may then be positioned within the socket opening in the tool to adjust the position of the slide bracket of the control arm relative to the frame. In this manner, the control arm may be precisely positioned and the bolts which attach the slide bracket to the frame may then be tightened. Subsequently, the tool may be removed from the assembly.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved tool for adjusting the position of a control arm and thereby the caster and camber of an associated wheel assembly for a motor vehicle.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for adjustment of a control arm relative to a frame of a motor vehicle by means of a tool which is rugged, easy to use and inexpensive.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for adjustment of a wheel mounting bracket on a frame when the weight of the vehicle is resting on the vehicle wheels.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
Referring to the figures,
Heretofore, in order to effect the adjustment of the slide bracket 18 of the control arm 12 with respect to the frame 16, a pry bar, for example, would be inserted through circular openings 22 in the frame and engage the elliptical or oblong openings 24 in the slide bracket 18. The pry bar could then be manipulated to effect the adjustment. The bolts 14 which have been loosened would then be retightened. Maintaining the setting of the slide bracket 18 relative to the frame 16 is not assured with such methodology.
Therefore, a tool as depicted in the remaining
The diameter 34 of the body 30 is generally slightly less than the diameter of the circular opening 22 in the frame 16. Thus, the body 30 may be fitted into the circular opening 22 of the frame 16 as the projecting pin 36 is fitted into the elongate slot 24 of the slide bracket 18.
The tool further includes a coaxial socket opening 40 coaxial with the axis 32 and extending inwardly into the body 30 from a generally flat planar surface 42 to enable effective receipt of a socket drive. The surface 42 is generally transverse to the axis 32. The body 30 includes an additional inside or lower surface 44 generally parallel to and spaced from the surface 42. The particular configuration of the surfaces 44 may be adjusted though a flat planar configuration is generally preferred.
An annular slot or channel 46 may be formed in the outer periphery of the body 30 to facilitate maintaining the tool within the opening 22 in the frame 16 during use of the tool. That is, the channel 46 is defined by flanges 48 and 50 which facilitate maintaining the tool appropriately aligned longitudinally within the opening 22 of a frame 16.
In use, the tool is positioned with the body 30 in the circular opening 22 of a frame 16 and the projecting pin 36 positioned in an elongate channel 24 of a slide bracket 18 associated with a control arm 12. The positioning may be effected prior to or subsequent to loosening of bolts 14. One or two tools may be utilized in order to effect the desired movement of the slide bracket 18 associated with the control arm 12. In any event, upon positioning of the tool in combination with the frame 16 and the slide bracket 18, the bolts 14 may be loosened. A socket drive 51
While there has been set forth an embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. For example, the configuration and shape of the projecting pin 36 may be altered. Similarly, the cylindrical body 30 may be replaced by forms which are generally equivalent thereto so as to permit rotation of the tool in the frame of a motor vehicle. For example, a handle (not shown) may be affixed to the body 30 extending radially therefrom and attached to the top surface 42. The socket opening may be square or another non-circular shape. The outer face of the tool could be extended and non-circular thereby being compatible with a socket device or the like. Various other alternatives may be adopted including, for example, an over extending flange along the top face of the tool associated with the surface 42 to limit the insertion of the tool into the opening in the frame. Thus, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
