BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows light beams emitted about a vehicle and the invented gauge assembly placed between the vehicle and a light beam, whereby a coordinate representative of a point on the vehicle is transferred from the vehicle to a spatial location within the path of the light beam.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the portable articulated mounting assembly and light source.
FIG. 2A shows the fully assembled portable articulated mounting assembly and light source of FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 shows the present invented portable gauge assembly having an electronic measuring device attached at a pointer and an electronic measuring device attached at a positioning means, which both may be slidably attached to a length of bar, and an articulated arm with a magnetic base remove ably attached to a base plate for supporting the bar.
FIG. 3A shows a receiver and a computer for processing signals communicated between the computer and the gauge assembly seen in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 shows a light source and articulated mounting assembly attached to the lower body of the vehicle.
FIG. 4A shows a clamp plate which bolts to the vehicle's pinch weld for attaching the light source and articulated mounting assembly seen in FIG. 4.
FIG. 5 shows two gauge assemblies placed beneath the vehicle at predetermined points and a light beam locating a predetermined datum height or datum plane set according to at least one gauge assembly.
FIG. 5A shows a closer view of a gauge assembly and light beam seen in FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 shows the light beam locating a positioning means attached to each gauge assembly, whereby a baseline of light is established parallel to the vehicle's centerline.
FIG. 6A shows the gauge assembly seen in FIG. 6 having a pointer positioned to a point representative of a point on a vehicle and the light beam aligned respectively to the positioning means located on the gauge assembly.
FIG. 7 shows the gauge assemblies removed and two pivotal targets placed horizontally to the side of the vehicle and in the path of the light beam.
FIG. 7A shows a pivotal target seen FIG. 7 having a marker, which is adjusted to intersect the light beam for maintaining the established baseline of light.
FIG. 8 shows positioning the pivotal targets against the vehicle's body, whereby completely eliminating measuring devices which may otherwise be in the way of a technician or hookups used during body and/or frame realignment.
FIG. 8A shows a pivotal target seen in FIG. 8 moved from a horizontal position.
FIG. 9 shows light beams emitted about a vehicle and the gauge assembly handheld between the vehicle and the light beam, whereby coordinates representative of points on the vehicle are determined.
FIG. 9A shows a close up view of the handheld gauge assembly seen in FIG. 9 with the pointer locating a point on a vehicle and the gauge assembly aligned respectively to the light beams.
FIG. 10 shows using a portable measuring unit for measuring a length between two points on the vehicle.
FIG. 10A shows a close up view of the portable measuring unit seen in FIG. 10 aligned to a baseline of light and projecting a light beam perpendicular to the baseline.
FIG. 11 shows the gauge assembly having an L shaped pointer and an elongated pointer mount for reaching and measuring or locating points inside a vehicle's body.
FIG. 11A shows a close up view of the gauge assembly seen in FIG. 11 being aligned respectively to the point on the vehicle and a light beam.
FIG. 12 shows the gauge assembly coupled with electronic digital devices and shows the gauge positioned level beneath a vehicle's body and aligned respectively to light beams emitted from a modulated light source.
FIG. 13 shows the gauge assembly coupled with a radiation emitter other radiation device attached to the positioning means for communicating a location of the positioning means to a CCD or other modulated light source.
FIG. 13A shows a computer for communicating with the CCD or other modulated light source seen in FIG. 13 and for arranging measurements, illustrating graphics, and printing reports.
FIG. 14 shows an adaptor used for mounting the positioning means relative to a vehicle's wheel.
FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of the adaptor and positioning means.
DRAWING
Reference Numerals
20 articulated mounting assembly and light source
22 magnetic base
24 bearing
26 rotatable base cover
28 graduation mark
30 swivel joint
32 indicator mark
34 arm
36 set knob
38 grip
40 set collar
42 set knob
44 mounting bracket for modulated light
46 bolt
48 rotatable dial
50 primary modulated light source
52 portable gauge assembly
54 base plate
56 magnet
58 articulated arm
60 arm mount
62 length of bar
64 graduations
66 positioning means
66
a datum notch in positioning means
66
b sight
68 viewing window
68
a datum notch in pointer mount
70 leveling means
72 electronic device
74 antenna
76 pointer mount
78 pointer
80 computer
82 antenna
84 receiver
86 vehicle pinch weld
88 clamp plate
90 light beam parallel to a vehicle's centerline
92 light beam horizontal to earth's gravity
92
a radiated light beams from a CCD, CMOS, or equivalent light source
94 perpendicular light beams
96 point on vehicle
98 pivotal target
100 magnetic base and hinge joint
102 graduation
104 marker
106 portable linear measuring unit
108 modulated light source
110 measuring means
112 sight
114 distance between two points
116 magnetic tip
118 radiation source or emitter
120 on/off switch
122 adaptor
124 slidable brace
126 plate
128 strap with hook
130 vehicle wheel
131 strap connector
- (a) height dimension
- (b) width dimension
- (c) length dimension
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1-14
FIG. 1 shows a modulated light source attached to a portable articulated mounting assembly 20 placed on a vehicle and light beams 90 and 92 emitted about the vehicle. Portable gauge assembly 52 is moved by hand from one point to another about the vehicle for locating specific points to be measured and gauge assembly 52 communicates with light beams 90 and 92, for viewing a coordinate of each located point.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the present invented portable articulated mounting assembly, which includes a lower magnetic base 22 and a rotatable base cover 26. Bearing 24 is positioned inside base cover 26 and connects both magnetic base 22 and swivel joint 30 through a hole in base cover 26. Base cover 26 may include graduation mark 28, which may be detected by indicator mark 32 seen on swivel joint 30. An arm 34 is attached to swivel joint 30 and is secured by set knob 36 which is used for holding tension between swivel joint 30 and arm 34. Arm 34 may be fixed or telescoping. A handgrip 38 may be used for handling or carrying articulated mounting assembly 20. A set collar 40 slides over one end of arm 34 and is secured by set knob 42. Set collar 40 supports mounting bracket 44 and is secured by bolt 46. Mounting bracket 44 supports rotatable dial 48. Dial 48 may include graduation mark 28, which may be detected by indicator mark 32 located on bracket 44 and used for rotatable positioning of modulated light source 50 attached to mounting bracket 44.
FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the light source attached to the articulated mounting assembly 20.
FIG. 3 shows the present portable gauge assembly 52. A removable base plate 54 supports magnet 56 connected to an articulated arm 58, which further connects arm mount 60. Arm mount 60 connects slidably and remove ably to a length of bar 62. Bar 62 may contain graduation marks 64 or other indicating or measuring means and further supports a slidable or adjustable positioning means 66. Positioning means 66 includes a viewing window 68, datum notch 66a, leveling means 70, and sight 66b. Positioning means 66 on bar 62 instructs a technician to align bar 62 horizontal to earth's gravity and perpendicular to a vehicle's centerline or baseline of light 90, 92, or 92a (see FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 13), using leveling means 70 or sights 66b. Leveling means 70 may be selected from the group of leveling vial, electronic leveling, sights, mark, graduation, or equivalent means which will allow leveling and adjusting bar 62 or gauge assembly 52. Positioning means 66 may further include an electronic device 72 and antenna 74 for communicating measurements or positions via wireless transmission to a computer 80, antenna 82, and receiver 84 (see FIG. 3A). Bar 62 further supports a slidable or adjustable pointer mount 76 having a viewing window 68 and datum notch 68a. Pointer mount 76 supports an adjustable pointer 78, which may include graduation marks 64. Pointer 78 and/or pointer mount 76 or positioning means 66 may alternatively be fixed on bar 62, however, any fixture as mentioned limits the function ability during setup, measurement, and transferring of coordinates. It is the intention of this invention to have the pointer mount 76, pointer 78, and positioning means 66 fully adjustable which enables various simultaneous coordinates to be viewed at pointer mount 76 and pointer 78 and/or transferred to positioning means 66. Positioning means 66 may have a longitudinal body with opposite perpendicular sighting ends 66b and is slidably attached to bar 62 for aligning an orientation of bar 62 to a baseline of light 90, 92, 92a (see FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 13), and means 70 or sights 66b for leveling bar 62 and squaring bar 62 to the baseline.
FIG. 4 shows the light source and articulated mounting assembly 20 attached to a vehicle and FIG. 4A shows a clamp plate 88 bolted to the vehicle's pinch weld 86, which allows magnetic base 22 on mounting assembly 20 to be magnetically attached to clamp plate 88.
FIG. 5 shows two gauge assemblies 52 placed beneath a vehicle at predetermined points and a light beam 92 locating a predetermined datum height or datum plane set according to at least one gauge assembly 52.
FIG. 5A shows a closer look at gauge assembly 52 which uses base plate 54 and arm 58 for placing gauge assembly 52 under the vehicle at a predetermined point 96 located on the vehicle. Pointer mount 76 is adjusted according a correct width dimension of point 96 located under the vehicle. The width dimension is read at viewing window 68 of pointer mount 76. Pointer 78 is further adjusted to a correct datum height dimension of point 96, which is set according to datum notch 68a seen in mount 76. Positioning means 66 allows leveling gauge assembly 52 via leveling means 70 and includes a datum notch 66a. Once gauge assembly 52 is level, notch 68a and notch 66a are on the same datum plane. This allows gauge assembly 52 to transfer the height dimension of point 96 from datum notch 68a (located under the vehicle) to datum notch 66a (located out side of the vehicle) where it is seen by light beams 90, 92, or 92a (see FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 13). By this method the light beam or beams only have to see notch 66a of positioning means 66 to establish a datum height of point 96, since point 96 may be under the vehicle and possibly unseen by the light beams.
FIG. 6 shows light beam 90 emitted from light source 50 across positioning means 66 seen to each gauge assembly, whereby a baseline of light 90 is established parallel to the vehicle's centerline.
FIG. 6A shows gauge assembly 52 and light beam 90 aligned respectively to one another via sights 66b of positioning means 66 and a width dimension of point 96 may be read in viewing window 68 of positioning means 66.
FIG. 7 shows the gauge assemblies removed and two pivotal targets 98 placed horizontally to the side of the vehicle and in the path of light beam 90.
FIG. 7A shows a pivotal target 98 having a magnet base and hinge joint 100, graduation 102, and slidable marker 104. Marker 104 is moved along graduation 102 to intersect light beam 90 for maintaining the established baseline of light 90.
FIG. 8 shows positioning pivotal targets 98 against the vehicle's body, whereby completely eliminating measuring devices which may otherwise be in the way of a technician or hookups used during body and/or frame realignment. The baseline of light 90 remains unchanged. However, if at any time the baseline of light is redirected for any reason, pivotal targets 98 may be repositioned horizontally to the vehicle (see FIG. 8A) and light beam 90 redirected across markers 104, whereby baseline 90 is re-established.
FIG. 9 shows light beams 90, and 92 emitted about the vehicle and gauge assembly 52 handheld perpendicularly between the vehicle and light beams. Light beams 90 or 92 may include a laser fan type beam, whereby gauge 52 may be aligned to light beam 90 and/or leveled to light beam 92 using positioning means 66 located on gauge 52. Positioning means 66 may further include a radiation source for communicating with a light source 50 such as a camera using time of flight principles in order to measure, indicate or view a height dimension (a), width dimension (b), and length dimension (c) of a point or points on the vehicle.
FIG. 9A shows handheld gauge assembly 52 positioned respectively according to light beam 90 via positioning means 66 and leveling means 70. One or more measurements or coordinates representative of point 96 on the vehicle may be read in viewing window 68 of positioning means 66 and/or sent wireless to a computer where the coordinate or measurement is put into a standard coordinate system and may be compared to vehicle dimensional data of an undamaged vehicle of the same make and model.
FIG. 10 shows a portable linear measuring unit 106 aligned respectively to a baseline of light 90. A light beam from measuring unit 106 is emitted perpendicular between the baseline of light 90 and a first starting point on a vehicle. Portable measuring unit 106 is then moved along baseline of light 90, whereby the light beam from measuring unit 106 is emitted to an ending point on the vehicle. A length measurement 114 is determined by the distance that portable measuring unit 106 traveled along the baseline between the two points.
FIG. 10A shows linear measuring unit 106 having a modulated light source 108, measuring means 110, sight 112, means for determining a distance between two points 114, magnetic tip 116, and antenna 74. Portable measuring unit 106 is aligned to baseline of light 90 using sight 112. Light source 108 projects a perpendicular light beam 94 between baseline 90 and a point 96 located on the vehicle. Portable measuring unit 106 may further include electronic transmitting devices, such as encoders, electronic measuring tape, or equivalent device for communicating with a receiver and computer for determining a distance that measuring unit 106 traveled along the baseline between the two points.
Linear measuring unit may further include a radiation emitter, radiation detector, sensors, position sensor detectors, or equivalent radiation device for communicating measurements, locations or positions of measuring unit 106 relative to a light source 50 using time of flight principles, whereby a starting position of measuring means 106 and an ending position of measuring means 106 is detected by the light source and a length between the two points are conveyed to a computer for arranging measurements, illustrating graphics, and printing reports.
FIG. 11 shows pointer 78 located on handheld gauge assembly 52 placed against a reference point 96 located inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Gauge assembly 52 is aligned respectively to light beam 90 using positioning means 66. Light source 50 using time of flight principles may be used for communicating with a radiation emitter or other radiation source attached to positioning means 66, whereby a height (a), width (b), and length (c) dimension of reference point 96 may be determined. Gauge assembly 52 may be placed most anywhere along the inside of the vehicle's passenger compartment for checking measurements or viewing coordinates of upper and lower inner structure.
FIG. 11A shows handheld gauge assembly 52 placed against point 96 representing the point on the vehicle. Gauge assembly 52 is aligned respectively to light beam 90 using positioning means 66 and leveling means 70. One or more coordinates or measurements may be read in viewing window 68 of positioning means 66 and/or sent to a computer for processing. Pointer 78 is shown having an L type shape for reaching inside a vehicle. Pointer mount 76 shows an elongated mount having a window aligned relative to the tip of pointer 78, whereby a location of pointer 78 may be indicated in viewing window 68 of pointer mount 76.
FIG. 12 shows an example of using electronic digital devices with the present invention. Light source 50 and articulated mounting assembly 20 may be attached to a frame machine using magnetic base 22. Light source 50 projects a baseline of light 90 parallel to the vehicle's centerline. Pointer 78 on gauge assembly 52 is adjusted perpendicular to bar 62 until a correct height dimension of point 96 located on the bottom of the vehicle is read at pointer 78 on electronic digital device 72. Pointer 78 is placed at point 96 of the vehicle. Gauge assembly 52 is leveled and aligned according to positioning means 66. Positioning means 66 is adjusted to intersect baseline of light 90. An on/off or automatic switch 120 may be use to activate electronic digital device 72 seen at pointer 78 and seen on positioning means 66. Signals may be transmitted representing a height dimension through electronic device 72 and antenna 74 at pointer 78 and width dimension may be sent through electronic device 72 and antenna 74 on positioning means 66. A computer as described in FIG. 3A may be used for arrangement of coordinates or measurements, illustrating graphics, and printing reports.
FIG. 13 shows gauge assembly 52 being used for transferring a coordinate representative of point 96 from under the vehicle to a spatial location within the path of light beam 92a and/or 90_emitted from a CCD camera and/or laser combination. Gauge assembly 52 is coupled with a radiation emitter or other radiation device 118 attached to positioning means 66 for communicating a location of positioning means 66 to a CCD or other modulated light source 50 using time of flight principles. Gauge assembly 52 is handheld and pointer 78 is placed to a point 96 located on the vehicle. Gauge assembly is aligned horizontal to earth's gravity and perpendicular to light beam 90 or 92a according to positioning means 66. An on/off switch 120 is used for activating emitter 118. Light source 50 and radiation emitter 118 on positioning means 66 then communicates, a height, length, and width dimension of point 96 relative to positioning means 66 and emitter 118.
FIG. 13A shows a computer 80 using an antenna 82 and receiver 84 for communicating with a CCD or other modulated light source 50 seen in FIG. 13 and for arranging coordinates or measurements, illustrating graphics, and printing reports.
FIG. 14 shows an adaptor 122 attached to vehicle's wheel having a slidable brace 124, plate 126, and straps 128. Adaptor 122 with slidable braces 124 is placed against the outer edge of wheel 130 and connected to the wheel using straps 128.
FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of adaptor 122, slidable braces 124, straps 128, and a strap connector 131 for holding the strap to the adaptor. Positioning means 66 is shown with leveling means 70 and sights 66b and is slidably connected to a length of bar 62. Bar 62 contains graduations 64 and is attached to a magnet 56. Magnet 56 may be remove ably attached to plate 126. Adaptor 122 and positioning means 66 is for determining a wheel's vertical and parallel position relative to the vehicle's centerline.
Setup and Operation
Light source and articulated mounting assembly 20 (seen in FIG. 2A) may be either attached to the vehicle using clamp plate 88 (seen in FIG. 4A), attached to the frame machine using magnetic base 22 which is attached to mount assembly 20 (seen in FIG. 2), or placed on base plate 54 (seen in FIG. 3) and set on the frame machine, floor, or other surface on or in proximity to the vehicle.
Two gauge assemblies 52 (seen in FIG. 5) are used for setting up a baseline parallel to the vehicle's centerline. This may be done by locating two undamaged control points on one side of the vehicle. Each pointer mount 76 on each gauge 52 is adjusted laterally along graduations 64 on bar 62 according to a correct width dimension of its appointed control point and viewed in viewing window 68 of pointer mount 76 (see FIG. 3). Pointer 78 on the first gauge 52 is adjusted perpendicular to bar 62 according to a correct datum height dimension of its appointed control point using graduations 64 on pointer 78, which is viewed at datum notch 68a of pointer mount 76. A second gauge 52 is used to set its pointer 78 to a lower height setting. This is done in order to set one gauge higher than the other to ensue that both gauges 52 will be seen by at least one selected from the group of light beam 90 which is parallel to a vehicle's centerline, light bean 92 which is horizontal to earth's gravity, or light beam 92a which radiated from a CCD or equivalent light source. Each positioning means 66 on each gauge 52 is adjusted on bar 62 to a desired coordinate representative of a baseline, for example 1000 millimeters. This setting can vary and is mainly adjusted at a width that will allow a baseline of light to clear the vehicle's side view mirrors. Positioning means 66 on each gauge assembly 52 must be set to equal graduations 64 on each bar 62 to ensure that they will be at an equal distance from the vehicle's centerline, such as the example of 1000 millimeters. The base plate 54, magnet 56, and arm 58 on each gauge 52 are used for placing each gauge beneath the vehicle at their appointed control points (see FIG. 5) with gauge 52 positioned perpendicular to the vehicle with graduations 64 on bar 62 directed away from the vehicle's centerline and leveled according to positioning means 66.
The light source and portable articulated mounting assembly 20 may be adjusted up or down in order to position light 92 to the correct datum height of first gauge assembly 52. This is accomplished when light 92 strikes datum notch 66a located on positioning means 66, whereby a datum plane of light 92 is established (see FIGS. 5 and 5A). The light source 50 and/or articulated mounting assembly 20 may then be maneuvered and rotated 360 degrees, in opposite directions if necessary, for directing a light beam 90 across each viewing window 68 of positioning means 66, whereby a baseline of light 90 is established parallel to the vehicle's centerline at a perpendicular distance of 1000 millimeters (see FIGS. 6 and 6A).
Once baseline of light 90 is established, portable gauge assemblies 52 may be removed from under the vehicle. However, in the event that the baseline of light is redirected for any reason, it is found beneficial to maintain the baseline by placing two pivotal targets 98 horizontally at two undamaged points along the outer side of the vehicle (see FIG. 7). Each target 98 includes a magnetic base joint 100, graduations 102, and a slidable marker 104. Each marker 104 is slid to intersect the baseline of light 90. Targets 98 may now be pivoted against the vehicle's body or completely removed from the vehicle (see FIGS. 8 and 8A). However, in the event that baseline of light 90 is redirected, targets 98 may quickly be repositioned to the exact point on the vehicle as previously set and the light beam readjusted to again locate each marker 104, whereby returning light beam 90 to the example baseline of 1000 millimeters.
It is found further beneficial to include two additional pivotal targets 98 with markers 104. Each marker 104 on each target 98 is set according to the previously set targets and each target 98 is mirrored on the opposite side of the vehicle to the exact location as the previous side. This allows a baseline of 1000 millimeters to be quickly established on the opposite side of the vehicle. The light source and portable articulated mounting assembly 20 may quickly be moved from one side of the vehicle to the other and adjusted to locate each target's marker 104. Alternatively, a second light source and mounting assembly 20 may be used, which will then allow simultaneous baselines along each side of the vehicle.
With the baseline of light established relative to the vehicle, a portable gauge assembly 52 may now be used for viewing coordinates representative of a height, length, or width dimension relative to points on the vehicle's upper, lower, inner, or outer body and/or frame combination, coordinately from bumper to bumper (see FIG. 9). This is done in two ways, first by leaving gauge assembly 52 as previously set with graduations directed away from the vehicle's centerline and positioning means 66 set at 1000 millimeters, placing gauge 52 relative to the point on the vehicle and perpendicular to the baseline with pointer 78 at the point on the vehicle and adjusting bar 62 relative to pointer 78 until positioning means 66 representing the 1000 millimeter baseline intersects the baseline, and adjusting the orientation of gauge 52 according to positioning means 66, whereby coordinates representative of points on the vehicle are viewed at pointer mount 76, or second, readjusting pointer mount 76 along bar 62 to the previously established baseline of 1000 millimeters, which will now be seen in viewing window 68 of pointer mount 76. Placing pointer 78 to any point on the vehicle with graduations 64 on bar 62 directed towards the vehicle's centerline and positioning means 66 adjusted on bar 62 to intersect the baseline and adjusting the orientation of bar 62 horizontal to earth's gravity and perpendicular to the baseline according to positioning means 66, and viewing the coordinates at viewing window 68 of positioning means 66.
To clarify, the baseline was previously set with graduations directed away from the vehicle's centerline and now the graduations may be reversed and directed towards the vehicle's centerline. By reversing the direction of graduation 64 on bar 62 it is possible to transfer coordinates from the point on the vehicle to viewing window 68 of positioning means 66 located within the path of the baseline of light. Note that this is not a reading of a distance between two points, but merely exchanging of coordinates of pointer mount 76 and positioning means 66.
A coordinate representative of a width dimension of point 96 on the vehicle is now seen at baseline 90 in viewing window 68 of positing means 66 and a coordinate representative of a height dimension of point 96 is viewed at datum notch 68a of pointer mount 76 and/or transferred from datum notch 68a to datum notch 66a of positioning means 66 as gauge 52 is leveled. Gauge assembly 52 can quickly be moved along baseline of light 90 from one point on the vehicle to another, aligning gauge assembly 52 and positioning means 66 accordingly each time, whereby coordinates may be repeatedly viewed within the path of light 90 at viewing window 68 of positioning means 66 and datum notch 66a of positioning means 66.
The invented measuring system further includes a portable linear measuring unit 106 from my first provisional application, No. 60/846,686 filed Sep. 22, 2006 for determining a length measurement between a first starting point on the vehicle and a second and ending point on the vehicle (see FIG. 10). Portable measuring unit 106 is placed along baseline of light 90 and squared to light beam 90 using alignment sights 112 located on portable measuring unit 106 (see FIG. 10A). A light source 108 on portable measuring unit 106 is emitted perpendicular to baseline of light 90 in order to locate a first starting point on the vehicle and portable measuring unit 106 is moved along baseline of light 90 to a second and ending point 96 on the vehicle. A length measurement between the two points is determined by the distance that portable measuring unit 106 traveled along baseline 90 and between the two points. Length measurements may be determined using devices selected from the group of standard non-electronic measuring tapes, electronic measuring tapes, encoders or equivalent measuring devices may be used as measuring means 110. It is the object of electronics used with the present invention to convey signals to a computer for arranging measurements, illustrating graphics, and printing reports.
Advantages
From the previous description, the following advantages become evident when using the present invention:
(a) a measuring system that allows measurements of points on a vehicle to be obtained even when the actual point is hidden from the view of a modulated light source.
(b) a measuring system that measures a vehicle's upper, lower, inner, and outer body/frame combination coordinately from bumper to bumper.
(c) a measuring system that allows a technician to obtain one, two, or three dimensional measurements of points on a vehicle's upper, lower, inner, and outer body/frame combination, without structural assemblies placed or built around the vehicle, which may be in the way of a technician during body or frame realignment.
Ramifications and Scope
The present invention is not limited to just currently known camera, laser, and sensor technology, but may be updated to include any new or improved light sources or sensors using time of flight or any other new, useful, or improved measuring technique. Accordingly, the reader will see that the present invention can be made and designed in different ways in order to achieve the same results. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the present preferred embodiments of my measuring system.
For example, the structure of the present invention may have other shapes, such as circular, oval, triangular, etc. The parts may be made of any material such as aluminum, metal, plastic, fiberglass, etc. Also various sizes may be used for any of the parts of the gauge assembly, measuring unit, light source and portable articulated mounting assembly, or any other component used with this system.
The portable articulated mounting assembly of FIGS. 2 and 2A may be placed on a support chosen from the group of, magnet, clamp, nut, bolt, dowel, weld or equivalent means. The mounting assembly may then be adjusted so that the light source mounted to the assembly is positioned to a spatial location about the vehicle chosen from parameters located, below the vehicle, above the vehicle, under the vehicle, inside the vehicle, to the front of the vehicle, to the rear of the vehicle, or to the outer side of the vehicle. The mounting assembly may have at least one adjustment chosen from the group of, pivot able, rotate able, telescoping, raise able, or lower able in order to position the mounting assembly to the desired spatial location.
A light source of FIG. 2, which is used on the articulated mounting assembly may project a first beam vertically along side the vehicle, illuminating a desired point on a portable gauge assembly placed against the vehicle for establishing a baseline, benchmark, or remote reference point which will allow for aligning the light source parallel to the vehicle's centerline and a second light beam may be emitted horizontally beneath the vehicle for establishing a datum plane for determining a height measurement between the horizontal light beam and a particular point on the vehicle.
The light source and mounting assembly may further be positioned outside the established baseline for determining a measurement, reference line, or locating a target or reference point on or near the vehicle which may be oblique or diagonal to the vehicle's centerline.
The articulated mounting assembly of FIG. 2 may support at least one device chosen from the group of manually leveling or self leveling laser, laser rangefinder and camera based rangefinder devices such as, optical depth sensors, CCD sensors, CCD camera, or CMOS camera, LED, various optical rangefinder devices, or a combination, which may have at least one emitted light source chosen from the group of, dot, eclipse, line, oval, vertical, horizontal, split light beam, depth perception light sources, radiated light in 2D or 3D, radiation emitter, radiation detector, position sensitive detector, or equivalent radiation source which may be used for communication between the light source and an object used for establishing a baseline, reference point, or bench mark, whereby vehicle measurements may be determined.
Various electronic devices and/or sensors may be included on the positioning means and or pointer attached to the gauge assembly of FIG. 3 for determining measurements between a point on a vehicle and a light beam. These sensors include photo or optical sensor, position sensitive detector, electronic sensor, digital measuring device, electronic transmitter, radiation emitter, radiation source, electromagnetic detector, coded sensor, or reflective sensor. For example, the positioning means may include an electronic sensor which will transmit a signal to a computer when a laser beam or camera detects the sensor. The computer in FIG. 3A may read the signal as that of the established baseline or other value, instructing the technician that the particular reference point is aligned or realigned with the established baseline.
Non-electronic devices which may also be used on the positioning means and/or pointer for determining measurements between a point on the vehicle and a light beam, which may include at least one selected from the group of alignment sight, graduation mark, or viewing window and is described in FIG. 3.
The sensor may alternatively measure a distance traveled by the positioning means, such as seen in FIG. 3 shown as an electronic digital device. For example, the positioning means can be zeroed at one end or a point on the portable bar, pointer, graduation marks, etc. The positioning means can be slid along the gauge assembly and a distance measured from the starting point to an ending point. Signals may be transmitted electronically to a computer for processing the measurement, storing and retrieving data, displaying, printing, etc. Alternatively, the electronic digital device may be used without a transmitter, only displaying measured results on the gauge assemble.
Alternative sensors may be used on the gauge assembly such as a bar code, reflective sensors, or optical sensor may be used on the length of bar and/or pointer of the present portable gauge assembly seen in FIG. 9. A laser scanner may be directed along the outer side of a vehicle's body or frame. The gauge assembly may be placed between a point on the vehicle and the laser scanner for transferring the point from the vehicle to a path within the view of the laser scanner. The laser scanner may read a coded, reflective, optical, photo, or other equivalent sensor used on the gauge or positioning means which will allow communication between the sensor and a computer for processing measurements, arranging measurements, storing and retrieving data, displaying graphics, printing reports, etc.
Sensors used on the gauge assembly, positioning means, sight, viewing window, pointer, portable bar, graduation marks, etc, may transmit or receive a wireless signal, such as bluetooth, ultra sound, infrared, light or optical signal, radio frequencies, or equivalent signal, which may be used for conveying signals between the electronic positioning means and a receiver, indicator, or computer for arranging measurements for onscreen viewing of graphics illustrations, storing and retrieving data, and printing reports. The signal may further be sent manually or automatically triggered by a wireless remote control once the light beam and positioning means is aligned.
The portable gauge assembly may be used with or without a pointer, for example, one end of the gauge may be placed against a point on the side of the vehicle. The gauge may then be leveled using leveling means located on the gauge and squared to the light beam using positioning means located on the gauge and an intersection of the gauge and light beam may determines a measurement of the point on the side of the vehicle.
A computer seen in FIG. 3A may be included for displaying measured values and/or be combined with equipment for executing software which can handle the conversion of wireless signals which comply to any one of IEEE 802 or other IEEE Standards which may be used with the present invention when coupled with electronics, which include signals such as bluetooth, ultra sound, radar, infrared and/or light signal, radio frequencies (RF), or other equivalent signals, which may be transmitted from the light source to a processing means chosen from the group of, computer, receiver, indicator, pocket PC, PC, laptop, or other processing means which may allow for performing at least one function chosen from the group of, calculating, arranging measurement for onscreen viewing of graphics illustration, comparing measurement to original specification, storing data, emailing and/or printing reports. The signal may also be triggered by voice command, wire lead, switch, or wireless remote control once the rangefinder is aligned in reference to the vehicle.
The portable linear measuring unit of FIG. 10A may include at least one of a perpendicular alignment means chosen from the group of laser mounted perpendicular to a measuring tape, laser rangefinder or camera base rangefinder mounted perpendicular to a measuring tape, laser rangefinder or camera based rangefinder mounted perpendicular to a measuring tape placed on each side of the rangefinder, a laser mounted perpendicular to at least one other laser, a rangefinder used alone which may be rotated or pivoted to locate and/or measure distances to targets or other references located on the vehicle. Additional devices which may be used perpendicular to any of the afore mention devices may further include at least one of, optical sensor, encoder device, ultra sound device, measuring wheel or other rolling device radiation emitter or other radiator source. Alternatively, any of the mentioned devices may be used alone on or in any combination with any device described above.
The linear measuring unit of FIG. 10A may further be used with a device that will raise the measuring unit to an elevation above a pinch weld clamp mounted to a frame machine. The measuring unit can be raised by adding a block device or magnet device under the linear measuring unit. An additional raised magnet device may be used for raising and securing a tip 116 (seen in FIG. 10A) of a measuring tape which may be used on the linear measuring unit.
Pivotal target 98 seen in FIG. 7A may alternatively include an electronic marker 104, which will communicate with a light source or computer for determining a location of marker 104 relative to a light beam baseline and may include at least one selected from the group of optical or photo sensor, electronic transmitter, reflective sensor, coded sensor, radiation emitter or other radiation source, position sensitive detector, or an equivalent means which will allow communication of a location, position, or measurement of marker 104.
CONCLUSION
While I have described successful structures for constructing my measuring apparatus, it is possible in the art to make various modifications and still achieve the results desired without departure from the invention. Thus the scope of my vehicle dimensional measuring system should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
Patent Application
20080072444
