Abstract: An improved position determination system that is resistant to interference caused by glint, such as from the Sun. The position determination system for determining positional parameters of an object has a target device comprising a base configured for attaching to the object, first and second target surfaces connected to the base; wherein the planes on which the first target surface and the second target surface are located are non-parallel to each other. The position determination system further comprises an image sensing device configured for forming a viewing path intersecting the target device and generating image information indicative of the geometric characteristics of the target device, and a data processing device configured to couple to the image sensing device for determining the orientation of the object based on the image information. If one of the target surfaces becomes obscured as a result of glint, the image of the other target surface alone is sufficient to determine object orientation.

Abstract: An electrically insulating hand tool is comprised of a two-piece shaft formed by a tube and a rod received by the tube, a handle connected to the rod, an insert received in an end of the tube opposite the rod, and a work engaging head detachably coupled to the insert. The tube and the rod are formed of an electrically insulating non-metallic composite material.

Abstract: A computerized automotive service equipment system is adapted to access remotely located computer systems to retrieve or exchange data and/or software applications, or to undergo live or real-time and two-way interaction. The system and its components are dynamic with respect to both function and data, and can be easily updated or otherwise altered. The system of the present invention utilizes World Wide Web technology, which enables the use of universal and widely compatible programming tools and techniques for efficient and fast system development.

Abstract: A storage riser for mounting atop a work surface has an open-front wall structure including rear, side and top walls and a bifold door assembly for closing the front opening. The door assembly has an upper panel hingedly connected to the front of the top wall and a lower panel hingedly connected to the bottom of the upper panel for pivotal movement between a vertical, unfolded, closed position and a non-vertical, folded, open position disposed in the storage compartment adjacent to the top wall. Coupling brackets respectively project inwardly of the compartment from the opposite sides of the lower panel adjacent to its upper end, the brackets respectively carrying guide rollers which respectively roll in channel tracks on the side walls. Opening of the door assembly is assisted by gas springs, respectively disposed adjacent to the side walls and having cylinders pivotally coupled to the coupling brackets and rods pivotally coupled to the side walls adjacent to the lower end of the front opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring ignition charge signals produced by coils of coil-on-plug devices of an internal combustion engine. A signal detector comprises an insulating substrate having a first conductive planar layer on a first side and a second conductive planar layer on a second side. The first layer is coupled to a signal wire and the second layer is coupled to a ground wire. When the signal detector is held in close proximity to the coil of the coil-on-plug, ignition signals generated by the coil and passing to the plug are detected. The detected signals may be coupled to a signal analyzer for display and analysis. The amplitude of the signal that is output by the signal detector may be adjusted to different coils having different output signal strengths by modifying the ratio of the surface areas of the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver handle has a ratchet body press-fitted axially in one end thereof, the body defining a socket which receives a gear for rotation coaxially with the handle. The socket also receives two pawls respectively disposed above and at opposite sides of the axis and spring-biased into engagement with the gear. A selector cap rotates on the housing and carries a first pin for driving the pawls respectively out of engagement with the gear, depending upon the direction of rotation, to control the ratchet direction. A second pin on the cap engages an over-center leaf spring mounted in the socket below the gear for resiliently retaining the mechanism in either of the forward or reverse conditions. A driver bit has a flattened end which is received through an axial bore in the cap and into a complementarily shaped bore through the gear for rotation therewith, being frictionally retained in place by a retaining ring.

Abstract: A driving tool, such as a screwdriver, has a handle with an injection-molded, relatively hard and rigid inner body, molded around a tool shank, the inner body having an elongated central portion with two end flanges extending laterally outwardly of the central portion around the entire periphery thereof, with the central portion having a peripheral groove formed therein adjacent to an end flange. An outer gripping body of a relatively soft and resilient material is injection molded around the inner body, by supporting the inner body by its ends in a mold cavity and injecting the mold charge adjacent to the groove so that it first fills the groove and then flows in a circumferential front longitudinally to the other end flange, surrounding said central portion of said inner body.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an improved camber adjustment technique. The method comprises the steps of: turning the steerable wheel to a first position in which the steerable wheel is either toe-in or toe-out, then turning the steerable wheel to a second position in which the steerable wheel is toe-out if the steerable wheel is toe-in in the first position, and in which the steerable wheel is toe-in if the steerable wheel is toe-out in the first position. Toe angles and camber angles during the turning of the steerable wheel from the first position to the second position are measured. An adjustment amount of camber at any toe angle is determined by the difference between the camber angle at zero toe and a specification camber angle.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a lead-acid battery and a charger port and an electronic switch connected between the two, the switch being controlled by a microcontroller which is connected to each of the battery and the charger port for separately monitoring the voltages thereat.

Abstract: A composite box end wrench has a non-metallic body including a handle portion and at least one head portion which defines a fastener-receiving opening therethrough. The wrench includes strengthening and/or retaining structure which strengthens the head portion and can change the failure mode to confine wrench parts in the event of failure. In one embodiment each head portion has a fastener-engaging member insert molded therein along with a reinforcing plate which encircles the member and preferably extends slightly into the handle portion. The reinforcing structure could alternatively be a band extending the length of the wrench and encircling the fastener-engaging member (or members in a double-ended wrench). In a ratcheting version of the wrench the non-metallic body may be split lengthwise into two parts, each of which has reinforcing structure embedded therein, the fastener-engaging member being a ratchet gear which, along with an associated pawl, is disposed between the body parts.

Abstract: An alternator testing method and system that provides high resolution signals and stable loads during alternator tests. The method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: coupling a load to the alternator, and evaluating the operation of the alternator based on parameters collected only after the load has been coupled to the alternator for a first predetermined period of time. The method may further include a step of detecting the speed of the alternator or motor driving it, and in one aspect, the load is applied to the alternator only after motor speed or alternator speed reaches a predetermined level. The load may be automatically decoupled from the alternator after the load has been coupled to the alternator for a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a scrub radius of a wheel including determining at least one of a steering axis, a centerline and a ground plane of the wheel using computer-aided alignment, and determining the other of the steering axis, the centerline and the ground plane of the wheel not determined using computer-aided alignment. The method also includes determining an intersection between the steering axis and the ground plane of the wheel, determining an intersection between the centerline and the ground plane of the wheel, and determining a distance between the intersections, the distance being equal to the scrub radius of the wheel.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the operation of an alternator based on a frequency component in the alternator output signal. The method comprises detecting a frequency component of the alternator output signal, comparing the frequency component of the alternator output signal with a threshold frequency, and evaluating the operation of the alternator based on a result of the comparison. If the frequency component of the alternator output signal is lower than the threshold frequency, the alternator is determined as defective. The frequency component can be obtained by comparing the alternator output signal with an adaptive threshold. The adaptive threshold is generated based on the peak signal level and the valley signal level of the alternator output signal, such as the average of the peak signal level and valley signal level.

Abstract: A four sensor wheel aligner has a single omnidirectional angle sensor mounted on each of four vehicle support wheels. Each sensor is in optical communication with the other sensors. Data is produced from which toe, camber, caster and steering axis inclination angles are computed. No reference is made to vertical. Redundant data sets are produced which provide system reliability and error tracking features and maximum accuracy from available data sets. Frame distortion measurements are made to facilitate collision repair in coordination with wheel alignment.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for adjusting alignment angles of a wheel attached to a wheel mounting structure of a vehicle. This method includes measuring a baseline wheel alignment angle with respect to a rim or hub of a wheel and using a computer for storing baseline wheel alignment angle data in a memory. A required change in the wheel alignment angle is determined from the baseline wheel alignment angle. Then, the wheel and rim are removed from the mounting structure and, using the computer, the baseline wheel alignment angle data is retrieved from the memory. Finally, a change in wheel alignment angle from the baseline wheel alignment angle is measured while adjusting the mounting structure. The change in wheel alignment angle data and the required change in the wheel alignment angle are compared.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically identifying faults in the operation of a machine vision measuring systems provides an improved self-diagnostic capability for machine vision based metrology and tracking systems. The method and apparatus validate performance of tracking operations, and detect deterioration that may be caused by electronic noise, environmental contamination, etc. A mathematical model of the target visualized by the system is created and stored. A target is imaged in the field and fiducials of the target are identified. Centroid positions of detected fiducials of the imaged target are compared to the centroid positions of fiducials in the mathematical model. When a fiducial is obscured or dirty, its geometric characteristics (such as centroid, brightness, edge smoothness, area, or shape) differ from the true or idealized values of the characteristics.