GB612699A - Improved apparatus for measuring the camber, castor angle and king-pin inclination of a vehicle wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

612,699. Gauging alignment of vehicle wheels. DUNLOP RUBBER CO., Ltd., and HARDMAN, J. H. Mav 31, 1946, No. 16522. [Class 106 (ii)] In a gauge for measuring camber, caster, and king-pin angles of a vehicle wheel, of the type comprising a bar 1, three distance pieces 8, 8, 9, extending therefrom terminating in contact surfaces, means for indicating when the longitudinal axis of the bar lies in a vertical plane at right angles to the plane containing the contact surfaces, and an arm 2 pivoted to the bar at 2a provided with index marks 4, 4a moving over scales 5, 6 fixed to the bar, means are provided for locating the pivoted arm 2, together with its indicating and associated scale means, with its pivot 2a either normal or parallel to the plane containing the contact surfaces. This locating means, which facilitates gauging king-pin inclination, comprises a bar 1 of square section fitting square holes in the sockets of the distance pieces 8, 9, and a pin 1a (not shown) on the bar adapted to engage either of two notches 10a in the socket 10 of distance pieces 8. The bar is lifted out of the socket 10 and re-inserted after being turned through a right angle, whereupon the scales and arm 2 will face outwardly away from the wheel. To measure the camber angle the gauge is arranged as shown, the legs 8, 9 contacting the rim 7 of the wheel and a level 12 on the bracket carrying the legs 8 is used to' ensure that the bar 1 is in a vertical plane at right angles to the wheel. The arm 2 is adjusted to a vertical position by observing a level 3 on that arm, and the camber angle is given by the index mark 4 on the lower scale 5. For caster angles the wheel is deflected through a specified angle and the gauge used as before, but the reading is taken on the upper scale 6. This process is repeated for a similar deflection in the opposite direction. The scale 6 is so devised that the difference between the two readings can be used to give the caster angle. As mentioned above, for measuring king-piii inclination the pivoted arm and scales are arranged to face outwardly, the top leg 9 also being suitably adjusted. In one method the nearside wheel is deflected to right lock through a specified angle, the gauge applied to the wheel with the bar 1 in a vertical plane at right angles to the plane of the wheel. The level 3 on the arm 2 is next centred, the reading on the scale 6 noted, and the gauge removed. This process is repeated on the left lock with the legs 8, 9 in exactly the same position on the wheel, and the difference in the readings on the scale 6 gives the king-pin inclination. In a second method, the index mark 4a is pre-set on the scale 6 and the level 3 centred by bodily rotation of the gauge. A skeleton template of rectangular form and provided with diagonal members can be used to ensure that the wheel is deflected accurately to the specified angle for gauging purposes.