Abstract: A device for geometric measurement and inspection of wheeled vehicles includes structure for determining physical parameters usable for computation of the angles and distances characteristic of the vehicles to be inspected. Each device for determining a physical parameter includes at least one substantially horizontal light beam emitted by a light source, at least one image forming device of this source on an optical linear detector, and at least one optical linear detector, preferably of the CCD or PSD type, adapted to receive at least two substantially horizontal light beams from at least two separate sources.

Abstract: A process and a device (1-8, 10-13) for balancing a rotating body (9) by the addition of balancing weights, start the body (9) rotating and measure the unbalance. The inertia of the body and the balancing weights to be emplaced in each weight plane at a corresponding predetermined diameter is evaluated. The rotating body (9) is stopped and blocked in a position corresponding to the emplacement of a weight in a first weight plane and in a first predetermined radial direction. Used in the balancing of vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A device for inspecting the geometry of a vehicle, in which the appearance of an element fixed to a wheel rim of the vehicle is caused to vary as a function of the angle of view at which it is seen, without thereby producing a perspective image of this element. The variation of appearance is caused by moire gratings. The device is useful for the geometric inspection of wheeled vehicles.

Abstract: A device for the detection and measurement of the position of a turning body (3) such as a wheel of an automotive vehicle, adapted to be driven in rotation, comprises a source of illumination (8) adapted to illuminate selectively the vicinity of the position to be detected and at least one detector (9) of the luminous intensity receiving the radiation of the illuminated position so as to determine the geometric parameter representative of the position (15) to be detected. Use in balancing turning bodies, particularly automotive vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel balancer, comprising a support frame (1), a rotatable drive head (3) adapted removably to receive a wheel to be balanced, and a protective member enclosing the mounted wheel so as to prevent undesirable projection of particles outwardly and to protect the operator during rotation of the wheel. The protective member is in two parts comprising a first cover (6) fixed relative to the support frame (1) and a second cover (7) swingably retractable about a substantially horizontal axis (8) of rotation, so as to reduce the mass that must be displaced and to permit manual opening and closing of the protective member without mechanical assistance and without a counterweight and to reduce the floor space of the balancer.

Abstract: A rotatable drive spindle for quick mounting comprises a hollow shaft (10) mounted rotatably in two bearings (3a, 3b) and a control rod (9) passing through the hollow shaft (10) and displaceable between a locking position and an unlocking position. A prestressed resilient spring is provided continuously to urge the control rod (9) toward the first locking position and a pneumatic jack (6) is provided to act against the spring (19) and press the control rod (9) toward the unlocking position. This jack (6) is mounted relative to the hollow drive shaft (10) and to the control rod (9) with an arrangement analogous to that of a hub puller, which is to say in a manner such that pulling on a configuration (11) secured to the hollow drive shaft (10) presses on the control rod (9) but does not exert any force on the bearings (3a, 3b).

Abstract: A device for rapid securement on a screw-threaded drive shaft, such as a wheel balancer, includes a body 1 with at least one gripping handle 2. The body 1 is closed by a cover 3 and contains a resilient return spring 7 of a rotatable actuating member 8 adapted to radially displace two blocks 13 with screw-threaded combs for engaging the drive shaft. The actuating member and the two blocks are interconnected by a mounting with the aid of a groove 14 and a pin 15. Use for the rapid securement of bodies to be balanced on a balancer, e.g. a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: The geometric inspection of wheeled vehicles is carried out by at least two casings facing each other and each comprising at least one light source and at least one optical receiver located behind a device for defining an image. The image-defining device is sensitive to radiation from the light source of the other opposite casing. The light source (12) of a first casing defines with the optical receiver (13) of a second opposite casing a first active spatial zone (A). The light source (8) of that second casing defines with the optical receiver (14) of the first casing a second active spatial zone (B). The two active spatial zones (A, B) are separated by a space (C) of predetermined width (d) to permit simultaneous operation of the two casings without mutual interference.

Abstract: The geometric measurement of a vehicle is effected by apparatus comprising a casing (1) with an axle (2) protruding from the casing. The axle (2) is mounted for rotation in the casing (1) and engages with its protruding end and is fixed to a support element (3) secured to a wheel of the vehicle to be inspected. The casing (1) contains a camera block (13) for measuring the orientation of the wheel in the vertical plane, a potentiometer (12) for following the angle of the wheel, a device (11) for measuring inclinations in a vertical plane perpendicular to and in a vertical plane parallel to the wheel, connected to an electronic card (10). The camera block (13), the potentiometer (12) and the device (11) connected to an electronic card (10) emit electrical signals representative of indications correlated with the physical parameters to be detected for the geometrical inspection of a vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for geometric measurement, particularly for a vehicle with steered wheels or wheels that are only slightly steered or are not steered, of the type comprising two first measuring casings and two second measuring casings from each of which second casings extends a longitudinal arm carrying at its end an angular measuring device. The two first casings (6, 7) are fixed on the steered wheels (2, 3) and the two second casings (8, 10, 12; 9, 11, 13) are secured on the unsteered or only slightly steered wheels (4, 5), so as to avoid any substantial deviation of the arms (10, 11) during geometric measurement of the vehicle. The first casings (6, 7) are each substantially internal to an imaginary geometrical cylinder (C.sub.6 or C.sub.7) with an axis (A.sub.6 or A.sub.7) corresponding to the axis of rotation of the steered wheel (2 or 3) and of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the rim of the wheel (2, 3).

Abstract: Process and device for controlling the braking of a brake bench of a wheeled vehicle having plural interconnected drive shafts, each shaft having a differential. One wheel on a shaft is driven in the forward direction and the other wheel on the same shaft is driven in the rearward direction. The speed (V.sub.A) of the drive motor (7a) of the one wheel (3a) and the speed (V.sub.B) of the drive motor (7b) of the other wheel (3b) differ from each other such that the difference of the two speeds (V.sub.A, V.sub.B) is maintained less than a value such as will move another shaft of the vehicle which is external to the brake bench. The difference in the two speeds (V.sub.A, V.sub.B) is maintained less than 5% of the speed (V.sub.A) of the drive motor (7a) in the forward direction (A).