Abstract: A system for measuring caster trail of a wheel. The system comprises position sensing devices for sensing positional signals of the wheel and a data processing system configured to couple to the position sensing devices. The data processing system receives signals from the position sensing devices and determines spatial characteristics of a steering axis of the wheel, a reference plane and the center of a wheel. The system then determines the caster trail based on the spatial characteristics.

Abstract: A target system for determining the location of a position on a vehicle comprises a target body, one or more target elements, a trigger, and a point definer. The target elements are disposed on the target body and are detectable by a position determination system. The trigger is positioned on the target body and is remote from the position determination system. The trigger operates the position determination system by selectively changing the detection of one or more of the target elements by the position determination system. The point definer extends from the target body, and the point definer includes a point its a distal end. The point is capable of being located adjacent the position on the vehicle and is at a known location from the target body. The position determination system determines a location of the target body after detecting the target elements disposed on the target body. Methods of using the target system are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.

Abstract: The tool assembly includes a main metal body with three sockets respectively receiving the short legs of three differently-sized L-shaped wrenches. In stowed positions, the long legs of the wrenches lie against one side of the body in a nested configuration, the uppermost wrench being engageable with a retaining tab on the body to prevent movement of the wrenches axially of the sockets. The wrenches are pivotally movable about the axes of the sockets to unstowed positions, wherein they are movable axially of the sockets to either a removed condition, separated from the body, or a locked condition seated deeper in the sockets and retained against rotation. Dovetail-shaped tongues on opposite sides of the main body are respectively receivable in dovetail-shaped grooves on tire levers to mount the levers on the body, one of the levers holding the wrenches in their stowed positions. An O-ring encircles the parts of the assembly to provide additional retention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for determining symmetry and Ackermann geometry status of the steering system of a vehicle. A system according to the disclosure determines symmetry of the steering system based on toe angle differences of the steerable wheels. Thus, no specification is required for determining symmetry of the steering system. A system according to the disclosure determines symmetry of the steering system based on normalized toe angles. Consequently, the steerable wheel does not have to be positioned at a specific angle. Additionally, the present disclosure determines symmetry in the steering system of a vehicle without requiring turning steering wheels through a large angular range. Hence, technician efforts in steering the wheel are reduced. The disclosure also provides an improved alignment procedure that implements determination of symmetry of the steering system into the alignment procedure.

Abstract: The pneumatic tool includes a housing which encloses a majority of the pneumatic tool. The housing is comprised of a body and a handle depending from the body and defining an input air passageway. A reversing valve lies partially disposed within the housing, intermediate the body and the handle. The body defines a preferably cylindrical motor cavity communicationg at its bottom with the input air passageway and at its top with an exhaust passageway located above the motor cavity. A pneumatic motor is disposed within the motor cavity. The pneumatic motor can include front and rear plates, a rotor rotatively suspended between the plates, and a cylinder disposed between the plates and in sealed engagement thereto. The cylinder has an upper portion with an exhaust port communicating with the exhaust vent and a lower portion with an air inlet communicating with the input air passageway to provide a substantially diametral airflow path through the motor.

Abstract: A multi-drawer device includes a first drawer and a second drawer, each carried by a housing, and movable between a closed position disposed within a housing and an open position extending from the housing. A first slide assembly couples the first drawer to the housing and a second slide assembly couples the second drawer to the housing. A ramp and follower are each associated with the first drawer and the follower is adapted to contact and slide along the ramp. A first blocking device is associated with the second slide assembly and coupled to one of the ramp and the follower. The ramp, the follower and the first blocking device all cooperate such that as the first drawer moves from the closed position toward the open position, the follower contacts and slides along the ramp, for moving the first blocking device into a locked position that interferes with the second slide assembly to prevent the second drawer from moving to the open position.

Abstract: A device includes a body having a plurality of alternating drive regions and corner regions arranged about a central axis for cooperation to define a socket recess having an open outer end and an inner end. Each drive region has a drive surface disposed thereon and confined thereto. At least one drive surface slopes toward the central axis in a first direction generally parallel to the central axis and in a second direction generally traverse to the central axis. The device may be a rotatably driveable device for driving fasteners and the like, wherein the axis is the axis of rotation. The device can be used for retaining and driving a drive member. In one form, a drive member, comprising alternating flats and corners is inserted into the device. The flats of the drive member frictionally engage with at least two of the drive regions, thereby releaseably retaining the drive member in the body. The drive member can be rotated by rotating the body in one of the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

Abstract: A detachable cartridge unit and an auxiliary unit combined forms a functional component for a data processing system. The cartridge unit is configured to receive a variety of auxiliary units in order to form different functional components and perform different functions. The circuit board of the cartridge unit contains circuits and components common to each functional component. The auxiliary unit contains components and circuits unique to the function that the auxiliary unit represents. The cartridge unit comprises a circuit board, a housing containing the circuit board, a first connector coupled to the circuit board for connecting to a data processing system, a second connector coupled to the circuit board, and a grip movably connected to the housing with a hinge.

Abstract: A diagnostic platform includes a processor, storage media and user interfaces, including a display screen, the processor being coupled to engine analyzer hardware and adapted to be coupled to a scanner for downloading data from vehicle on-board computers. The system stores libraries of information regarding vehicle identifications, drivability symptoms exhibited by vehicles, vehicle system and component tests and service codes which can be registered by the vehicle on-board computer. System software permits the user to input an identification of the vehicle under test and, in one mode of operation, displays a library of faults, such as symptoms or service codes, from which the user can select those exhibited by the vehicle, whereupon the system selects from the test library those tests pertinent to diagnosis of the causes of the selected faults and displays them in a hierarchically ranked order based on likelihood of successful diagnosis of the faults. The user can then select and initiate any displayed test.

Abstract: To determine a ride height dimension of a vehicle involves determining a set of spherical co-ordinates in three-dimensional space, for two points related to the vehicle, with respect to a datum point. The vehicle manufacturer designates a reference point and a point related to the vehicle body as the two points that correspond to the ride height specified for the measured ride height dimension. Determining the actual ride height dimension of the vehicle entails computing the dimension from the measured spherical co-ordinates of the two points, for example, as a distance between the points or as a difference in vertical height of the points. Examples of equipment include sensor modules for taking measurements of the co-ordinates of the points and processors for determining the desired ride height dimension from measurements taken by a sensor module.

Abstract: A description is provided of a lift which is defined as “low-level”, owing to the fact that in the articulation position in which the scissors are closed, the oleodynamic cylinder which generates the thrust force does not project above the height of the folded arms of the scissors-type articulation. The lift according to the invention comprises: a scissors-type articulation with a plurality of arms, and means for generating a thrust force, in order to bring the said scissors-type articulation from a closed position to a position which is at least partially open, and corresponds to partial or total lifting, the said means for generating a thrust force acting along a direction of thrust, characterized in that it additionally comprises a mobile lever which is pivoted at a fulcrum point which is spaced from the said direction of thrust, and against which the said means for generating a thrust force act in a pivoting manner.

Abstract: A system for measuring caster trail of a wheel. The system comprises position sensing devices for sensing positional signals of the wheel and a data processing system configured to couple to the position sensing devices. The data processing system receives signals from the position sensing devices and determines spatial characteristics of a steering axis of the wheel, a reference plane and the center of a wheel. The system then determines the caster trail based on the spatial characteristics.

Abstract: A dead blow hammer has a skeleton including a cylindrical head tube and a cylindrical neck tube fixed to the head tube and projecting laterally therefrom and receiving therein a disk-like plastic spacer and the working end of an elongated plastic handle core, which is adhesively secured in the neck tube. The head tube contains shot and the ends thereof are closed by end caps having cylindrical, longitudinally-slotted flanges press-fitted in the ends of the head tube. The entire skeleton is encapsulated in an overmolded plastic sheath which includes an inner covering and a flexible and resilient grip further overmolded on the inner covering adjacent to the distal end of the handle member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for calibration of 3-dimensional mapping systems applicable to automotive crash repair and diagnostics in which a calibration assembly provides accurate 3-dimensional optical inputs to a camera unit for calibration of the internal dimensional constants of the unit. The 3-dimensional calibration apparatus employs twin spaced mounting planes for patterns of optical emitters at known spacings and dispositions from the fixed camera unit position whereby tight tolerances in manufacture and assembly enable the apparatus to be more compact than a typical work piece to be mapped.

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.