GB2159475A - Device for checking vehicle steering and suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for testing a wheel attached to a vehicle has an upper plate 10 which is slidable over a lower plate 12 by means of a lever assembly (26-36;30',50-56;70-76). There may be rotation means, e.g. a convex ground-engaging projection 38 on the lower plate 12, or a turntable 62 on the upper plate 10. A vehicle's wheel can easily be manoeuvred on to the top plate 10 or turntable 62, since the whole assembly is very thin. Linear displacement, with relative sliding of the plates 10, 12, can be urged for testing for play. Rotation (about an upright axis) can be urged for testing for play in the vehicle's steering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for checking vehicle steering and suspension This invention relates to a device for use when checking the condition of the steering and/or suspension components of a vehicle.

At present, in order to check for wear in the king pins, track control joints, links, bearings and other components of a vehicle's steering and suspension, it is necessary to jack up the vehicle to take the weight off the wheel concerned. The wheel is then moved about in various directions to see if there is any play. If there is, it indicates that a com ponent is worn.

However, this method is not always easy and convenient, and we have therefore devised an alternative.

One aspect of the present invention provides a device for use when checking the condition of steering and/or suspension components of a vehicle, comprising a generally horizontal upper plate arranged for supporting a vehicle wheel and a lower plate beneath the upper plate and generally parallel thereto, there being a plurality of rolling elements between the plates, whereby the upper plate is movable in a plane parallel to the lower plate to allow movement of a vehicle wheel thereon.

Preferably the lower plate is supported by a convex portion arranged to engage the ground or other supporting surface, on which it can swivel in order to swivel the vehicle wheel. Preferably the rolling elements are rollers permitting movement of the upper plate in one direction relative to the lower plate. Preferably there are means for retaining the upper plate to the lower plate. Preferably there is a hand-operated lever arranged to cause movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate, and/or swivelling of the device on the convex portion.

A second aspect of the invention provides a device for use when checking the condition of steering and/or suspension components of a vehicle, comprising means (such as a generally horizontal plate) for supporting a vehicle wheel, said means having a convex portion arranged to engage the ground or other supporting surface, on which it can swivel in order to swivel the vehicle wheel.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method for checking the condition of steering and/ or suspension components of a vehicle, in which a vehicle wheel is supported (while still on the vehicle) on a checking device which has means by which it can be supported on the ground or other supporting surface and moved in a plane parallel thereto.

Some devices according to the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a device, Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line ll-ll in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail of a plan view of a second embodiment; Figure 4 is a sectional view like Figure 2 but showing a third embodiment; and Figure 5 is an underneath plan view of the turntable seen in Figure 4.

The device of Figure 1 and 2 comprises two horizontal, parallel plates 10, 12. They are made of steel and are a" (approximately 6 mm) thick so as to be able to support the weight of a vehicle without distorting. Between the plates are four parallel steel rollers 14, of -" (approximately 6 mm) diameter, so that the upper plate 10 can move over the lower plate 12, parallel to the plane of the plates, in the direction of the arrows A in the drawings.

The rollers 14 are separated and retained by four thin spacer plates 16 fixed to the underside of the upper plate 10. The front and rear edges of the spacer plates 16 have slightly downturned lips 18 which help to restrain the rollers. The rollers 14 are retained between the plates 10, 12 by lateral retaining guides 20 which are welded in a depending position to the side edges of the upper plate 10 and which also guide the relative sliding movements of the plates 10, 12.

The upper and lower plates 10, 12 are held permanently together at their corners by angle-section guides 22 which are welded to the lower plate 12 and which turn over the top of the upper plate 10.

This arrangement permits the top plate to slide through the guides 22 in the direction of the arrows A over a distance of about 22" (approximately 6 cm), limited by the collision of the guides 20 with the guides 22.

In a central region of the underside of the lower plate 12 there is welded a convex, projecting disc 38, in the shape of a cap of a sphere.

A slot 24 is cut out of the upper plate 10 in the centre of one end. Straddling this slot is a fulcrum pin 26 held in brackets 28. An operating lever 30 with a handle 32 is pivoted on the fulcrum pin 26.

The lower plate 12 is provided with two lugs 34 which project through the slot 24 in the upper plate 10, and define a notch between them. The lever 30 has an extension 36 below the fulcrum pin 26, which fits in this notch and cooperates with the lugs 34. Manually pivoting the lever 30 about the fulcrum pin 26 causes the extension 36 to bear against one or other of the lugs 34, and slide the upper plate 10 backwards or forwards over the lower plate 12.

In use, the device is positioned on a level surface such as a workshop floor or on a ramp runner. The vehicle to be tested is pushed or driven over it so that the wheel of which the suspension or steering components require checking is supported on the upper plate 10, above the convex projection 38, and with the handle 32 to one side of the vehicle.

Since the total thickness of the device is only about 7/8" (2.2 cm) this is quite easy. The handle 32 can now be moved up and down to try to slide the plate 10 over the plate 12 and rock the vehicle wheel. Any play will be immediately apparent and indicates that wear is present. Next the handle 32 is pushed from side to side so that the entire device pivots on the convex projection 38, turning with the vehicle steering. Again any play in the steering will be apparent and indicates wear. Of course, this latter test will only be required on the front wheels of the vehicle.

When testing is not taking place, and particularly when a vehicle is being positioned on the device or taken off it, it is desirable to prevent the plates 10, 12 moving. To achieve this, a stop pin 40 can be inserted through aligned holes in the plates 10, 12. The stop pin 40 is attached by a chain 42 to the fulcrum pin 26 to prevent loss.

The dimensions of the plates 10, 12 in the device described are suitably 18" (46 cm) by 122" (32 cm).

This device can be used for vehicles of up to around 3 tonnes, but a heavier duty device of the same design can be used for heavier vehicles.

Thus there is provided a device with which wear in suspension and steering components can be checked easily and quickly, particularly since it can be used with the vehicle raised on a ramp to facilitate inspection.

Figure 3 is a detail of a second embodiment, viewed as in Figure 1, the detail corresponding to the bottom right hand corner as seen in Figure 1.

This embodiment differs in having a different (or additional) operating lever arrangement, located at the side adjacent a corner. Consequently an angle section guide 22' has to be spaced from a corner.

In this region, the lower plate 12 bears a pivot pin 50 on which a lever plate 52 is journalled. This extends between the plates 10, 12 from an edge to adjacent the centre line, where it terminates with a head 54 which is rounded in plan. The upper plate 10 has a pair of steel blocks 56 welded to its underside so as to embrace the head 54. For use, a lever 30' is connected to the lever plate 52. (It is preferably removable, e.g. being insertable for use in a hole in the lever plate 52 and/or having an axial aperture for receiving a pin fast with the plate 52.) Lateral force applied to the lever 30' urges the head 54 against one of the blocks 56, and hence urges relative movement of the plates 10, 12.

Preferably there is a like arrangement of lever plate 52 and blocks 56 at the other side of the device, and the lever 30' can be coupled to either as required.

The blocks make the rear spacer plate 18 of Figure 2 unnecessary.

Preferably the device has lever assemblies of both types. The same lever 30 may be releasably engageable with each, possibly being adapted therefor at opposite ends.

Rotation means that may be provided as an alternative (or in addition) to the convex disc 38 are exemplified in the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5. This embodiment has upper and lower plates 10, 12 which may be as previously described, with similar roller assemblies. The top plate 10 has a spigot 60 on which a turntable 62 is rotatably retained. The turntable is a disc whose underside has an annular groove 64 close to the edge. The groove 64 houses ball bearings 66 that run on the top surface of the plate 10. There are stops 68 in the groove to inhibit bunching of the bearings 66. The upper face of the turntable has a friction surface, e.g. a 'track' pattern of criss-cross grooves.

An arm 70 is welded to the edge of the turntable 62 and projects radially for a short distance. A control lever 72 is pivoted to the outer end of the arm 70 for movement in an upright plane. The lower plate 12 has a welded-on bracket 74 which projects outwardly farther than the arm 70, and then upwardly, terminating in a U-shaped yoke 76. Thus the turntable can turn to a position in which the control lever 72 can pivot down to engage in the yoke 76. Downward force on the lever 72 then urges it to pivot about the yoke and thus to urge the turntable 62 and upper plate 10 to move over the lower plate.Lateral force may urge slight turning of the turntable if the pivot on the arm 70 permits that kind of movement; and rotation is more freely urgeable if the rod 72 is pivoted upwards until free of the yoke. (There may also be lever assemblies as for either or both of the other embodiments.) The turntable 62 may be located at a forward region of the top plate 10. There may be space behind it to allow a wheel to rest directly on the plate. The turntable may be removable, in which case it is convenient for the spigot 60 to be fast with it, and releasably engageable in an opening in the plate 10.

The devices may be used in pairs, so that right and left vehicle wheels can be acted on simultaneously (in synchronsim or independently). The devices may be handed - i.e. there being distinct right-hand and left-hand models. Thus devices as shown in Figure 3 could have lever plates 52 and blocks 56 at either the right or the left hand side only. That is, the operating side lever is either right or left handed.

The skilled reader will appreciate that much variation is possible in the practice of the invention, and that features described for one embodiment may be applicable to another.

Claims (10)

1. A device for use when checking the condition of steering and/or suspension components of a vehicle, comprising a generally horizontal upper plate arranged for supporting a vehicle wheel and a lower plate beneath the upper plate and generally parallel thereto, there being a plurality of rolling elements between the plates, whereby the upper plate is movable in a plane parallel to the lower plate to allow movement of a vehicle wheel thereon.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the rolling elements are rollers permitting movement of the upper plate in one direction relative to the lower plate.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 having means for retaining the upper plate to the lower plate.

4. A device according to any preceding claim having a hand-operated lever arranged to cause movement of the upper plate relative to the lower plate.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein there are means for rotating at least part of the device so as to swivel the vehicle wheel about an upwardly extending axis.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said rotation means comprise a convex portion which supports the lower plate and is arranged to engage the ground or other supporting surface, on which it can swivel in order to swivel the vehicle wheel.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein said rotation means comprise an upper turntable for supporting the vehicle wheel.

8. A device according to claim 7 having a handoperated lever hingedly connected to the turntable; there being yoke means fast with the lower plate with which the lever is engageable in one rotational configuration of the turntable, and which provides a fulcrum whereby the displacement of the turntable relative to the lower plate is urgeable by means of the lever.

9. A device for use when checking the condition of steering and/or suspension components of a vehicle, substantially as any described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

10. A method for checking the condition of steering and/or suspension components of a vehicle, in which a vehicle wheel is supported (while still on the vehicle) on a checking device which has means by which it can be supported on the ground or other supporting surface and moved in a plane parallel thereto.