Including Tool Means Patents (Class 280/86.755)
  • Patent number: 11077529
    Abstract: A control device acquires a first two-dimensional position of a cam bolt and a locknut in a first direction based on a first actual image captured by a first camera, and based on the acquired first two-dimensional position, the control device moves an adjustment socket to a position where the adjustment socket is fittable to a head of the cam bolt and moves a tightening socket to a position where the tightening socket is fittable to the locknut. Then, the control device acquires a second two-dimensional position of the cam bolt and the locknut in a second direction based on a second actual image captured by a second camera, and corrects, based on the acquired second two-dimensional position, a position of the adjustment socket relative to the head of the cam bolt and a position of the tightening socket relative to the locknut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHINMEI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Shimizu, Yohei Tanaka, Chiaki Yoshiwara
  • Patent number: 9975389
    Abstract: A wheel carrier of a vehicle has a clamping-fit connection to a further component, preferably a suspension strut, including a threaded connection having a screw for clamping the clamping-fit connection; a hole, in which the screw sits; and a lever, which has a fastening segment and an impact segment. The fastening segment is fastened by the threaded connection. The impact segment protrudes from the fastening segment in such a way that, in the event of a vehicle crash and the accompanying deformation, a part of the vehicle applies a force to the impact segment in order to at least partially loosen the threaded connection. At least one material taper or material recess is formed in the material of the wheel carrier surrounding the hole in order to enable an at least partial break-out of the screw from the hole in the event of the application of force to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Georg Koetzinger
  • Patent number: 8480099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the toe angle in the wheels of a solid non-steering axle and especially to a method and apparatus for bending a vehicle's solid or non-steering axle housing, such as the solid rear axle of a vehicle or an axle of a semi-trailer, to align the toe angle of the wheels mounted on the solid axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Scott S. Porta, Michael C. Loescher
  • Patent number: 7083176
    Abstract: Control arms used to support a swivel member retaining a wheel of a vehicle are attached to the body or frame rail of the vehicle by U-shaped attachment brackets having walls with lateral slots therein, each of which receives a mounting bolt therethrough. The mounting bolts pass through bushings in the ends of the control arms to pivot the control arms on the vehicle body or frame rail. Adjacent to the heads of the bolts are pairs of reaction surfaces that in one embodiment of the invention are pairs of opposed projecting surfaces on the attachment brackets. Separate tools are provided which have cams thereon each having a first peripheral cam surface for engaging one of the reaction surfaces and a second peripheral cam surface for engaging the other reaction surface. Upon loosening nuts threaded on the mounting bolts and rotating the cams with levers, socket wrench handles or other drives, the bolts shift laterally in the lateral slots enabling adjustment of the camber and caster of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Soles, Scott A. Kolp
  • Publication number: 20040108672
    Abstract: A cam reaction tool includes a cam disc, and an extension coupled to the cam disc, the extension having a first coupling arrangement for coupling the cam tool to an arrangement for aligning a suspension system, and a second coupling arrangement for cooperating with a torque-applying tool. A method for aligning a front suspension system of a vehicle is provided in which a cam tool is fitted to an arrangement for adjusting the control arm of a vehicle suspension system and a torque is applied to the cam tool so as to adjust the control arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Brian A. Enck
  • Patent number: 6367826
    Abstract: An alignment adjuster for wheel alignment of a motor vehicle is provided. The alignment adjuster includes a shaft that is moveable within an elongated slot. The adjustable member in the preferred embodiment is a lower control arm and is attached via bushing to the shaft. The shaft includes a pinion gear that operatively contacts a rack element that is disposed near the elongated slot. Rotation of the shaft will initiate lateral movement of the shaft in the elongated slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew E. Klais
  • Patent number: 6302416
    Abstract: A screw bolt has shank portions of different thicknesses which are arranged along two mutually displaced axes and cooperate with securing walls of a spring strut and with a steering knuckle respectively in the manner of cams or eccentrics in order to adjust the camber between the spring strut and the wheel suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Bernhard Schmack