Abstract: A reflector lamp including a light source, a lens or a reflector arranged coaxially with the light source in a spaced-apart fashion, and a push-push adjustment assembly for varying a beam angle of the light beam in a push manner. The push-push adjustment assembly includes a frame coupled fixedly to the lamp, an actuator in operative connection with the lens or the reflector, wherein the actuator movably rests in the frame so that the movement of the actuator enables the lens or the reflector to slide relative to the light source thereby to provide variable axial spacing between the lens or the reflector and the light source, and a push-push latch mechanism coupled to the actuator and/or the frame to move the actuator in the frame in a push manner, and to latch the actuator in different latching positions of the frame.

Abstract: A device which is attachable to the mast of a forklift for indicating to the forklift operator the tilt angle of the mast in a vertical plane centered on the forklift includes a pivotably supported weighted pendulum, and an elongated activating arm secured to the upper extremity of the pendulum. The activating arm operates a component that is slideably mounted to a base plate, and carries an indicating pointer. A cover member fits over the base plate, and contains a window which accommodates the pointer. Indicia on the cover member interact with the pointer to show the tilt angle of the mast.

Abstract: The angle of inclination of a bend encountered by a vehicle is calculated from the rotation rate, lateral acceleration and speed of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the necessity of sensors not already existing in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of sensing the axle geometry, in particular the toe-in, camber and caster, on motor vehicles with independent wheel suspensions. The inclination of certain links of the wheel suspensions is measured in at least one arbitrary motor-vehicle position, or the inclination measurements are carried out in the case of certain links of the wheel suspensions and one specific location of the vehicle body in at least one arbitrary motor-vehicle position. The measured values sensed are sent via a data line or wirelessly to a computer and either compared with vehicle-type-specific setpoint values or setpoint value ranges adapted in the computer to the currently applicable motor-vehicle position or are converted in the computer to a neutral motor-vehicle position and compared with the vehicle-type-specific setpoint values or setpoint value ranges based on a neutral motor-vehicle position.

Abstract: An eccentric firearm sighter which has a stand that supports a cylinder with a V-shaped groove in its outer surface to support a firearm. The cylinder has a plurality of eccentric apertures at different distances from the center of the cylinder. The sights on the firearm can be adjusted by clamping the cylinder and rotating it in the stand on a bolt that is inserted in one of the eccentric apertures.

Abstract: A non-handed headlamp position indicator device is used to denote the proper aiming or "zero position" of a movable reflector component mounted in a stationary component of a headlamp arrangement so that a vehicle mechanic can easily return the headlamp in the moveable reflector component to the zero position. The non-handed indicator device of the present invention utilizes one component that can be used for right-hand and left-hand applications. The indicator device includes a bracket mounted on the reflector beneath an opening in the stationary housing which includes a U-shaped track portion. An arrow member is mounted on the U-shaped track portion and is slidable around the track portion. A scale, which includes a zero indicia, is provided on the stationary housing proximate to the opening.

Abstract: A headlamp position indicator device is used to visually indicate the "zero position" of a headlamp in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp arrangement generally includes a movable reflector mounted in a stationary component. The device includes a metal spring clip having a bubble level assembly mounted thereon. The clip is attached to a pocket formed on the reflector at an attachment point. An adjusting screw is provided on the device, and when engaged against a surface of the reflector, causes flexure of the clip proximate to the attachment point to adjust the position of the device relative thereto. Specifically, flexure of the clip occurs between the attachment point and the point where the bubble level assembly is affixed to the clip.

Abstract: A headlamp position indicator device is used to denote the proper aiming position of a headlamp in an adjustable headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly includes a housing, a movable component adjustably retained in the housing, and adjustor mechanisms for aiming the movable component. The headlamp position indicator device of the present invention includes a magnet mounted on the movable component and an assembly mounted on the housing. The assembly includes a holder having a cover member mounted thereon and a position indicator mounted therebetween. The cover member has a plurality of indicia thereon. The position indicator may be a ferrous ball bearing or a pointer member. The position indicator is magnetically attracted to the magnet and moveable relative to the housing according to the position of the magnet. Once the headlamp is zeroed, a zero indicia on the cover member is moved so as to be proximate to the position indicator.

Abstract: The indicating device is adapted to be installed on a platform on a headlamp frame with a slip fit and, once installed, is automatically locked into place. The indicating device includes a bubble level having a vial which is molded integrally with a base adapted to be assembled with a spring metal retaining bracket with a slip fit. The retaining bracket includes cantilevered legs with free end portions which resiliently engage the upper side of the base to enable an adjusting screw to tilt the vial upwardly and downwardly to various positions relative to horizontal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a headlamp beam alignment indicating and calibrating device includes a roller element arranged for rolling movement relative to a guide structure, and an indicator for indicating displacement of the roller member resulting from the rolling movement thereof relative to the guide structure. The guide structure is secured to the adjustable beam alignment portion of the headlamp for movement therewith so that any motion of the beam alignment structure results in movement of the guide structure indicated by a relative displacement of the roller element. In a preferred embodiment, the guide structure is an elongate track which is mounted on an adjustable beam alignment reflector wall of the headlamp. The movement of the reflector wall causes the coupled track to move and induce gravitational rolling of a ball in apparent relative displacement along the guide track.

Abstract: A device for confirming the optical-axis adjustment of an automotive headlamp in which the initial-setting mechanism for the level is composed of a reduced number of parts, the level can be simply attached and the initial setting of the revel can be simply adjusted. The casing of the level and the resilient member are formed integrally with each other, so that the initial setting mechanism for the level can be composed of a reduced number of parts. The level has an engagement projection formed thereon and the to-be-adjusted body has provided thereon a receptacle having an engagement hole. The level can be installed in the receptacle simply and securely by driving the initial-setting adjusting screw into the engagement projection. A seat portion is provided around the head of the initial-setting adjusting screw. The seat portion has provided thereon a mount surface formed nearly perpendicular to the axis of the initial-setting adjusting screw and on which a tool is mounted.

Abstract: A leveling apparatus is provided for use on the reflector of an automotive headlamp assembly for permitting the assembly to be leveled on an automobile so that the beam of the headlamp is aimed in a predetermined direction. The apparatus includes a level and a holder for supporting the level on the reflector. A pair of arms are connected to opposite sides of the front end of the holder, and include a pair of pawls for securing the holder to the headlamp assembly. An adjustment member is connected to the rear of the holder for adjusting the angular orientation of the level relative to the reflector so that a horizontal indication is provided by the level when the reflector is properly oriented for use. Each arm includes an inner arm segment that is connected to the front end of the holder and extends rearward to a rear free end and an outer arm segment that is connected to the rear free end of the inner arm segment and extends forward to a forward free end.

Abstract: A mechanical vehicle leveling device having a circular leveling bubble and four semicircular, mechanical measurement indicators revealed in a top cover unit of the device. The measurement indicators indicate the number of inches each wheel must be raised or lowered to level a vehicle. Four feet rotate the semi-circular indicators when the cover unit is manually adjusted relative to the base unit. The cover unit is adjusted to center the leveling bubble, whereby the movement actuates the four indicator scales to indicate whether to raise or lower each wheel by the indicated inches. A cam adjustment lever can be adjusted to compensate the indicators for wheelbase distance.

Abstract: The indicating device is adapted to be inserted into a housing on a headlamp frame with a slip fit and, once inserted, is automatically locked into place. The indicating device includes a bubble level having a vial which is molded integrally with a base adapted to be assembled with a spring metal retaining bracket with a slip fit. The retaining bracket coacts with the base to hold the indicating device in the housing and coacts with an adjusting screw to enable the vial to be tilted upwardly and downwardly to various positions relative to horizontal.

Abstract: An optical axis of a headlight is measured by disposing a lattice member in front of the headlight. The lattice member has a plurality of longitudinally elongated lattice holes which are arranged in a form of a matrix. An illuminated area and an illuminance of light beams to be transmitted through the lattice member are measured at each of illuminating regions which are divided into a form of a matrix by the lattice holes. The position of a light source of the headlight is located from an illuminating region of maximum illuminated area and a position of an optical axis of the headlight is located from an illuminating region of maximum illuminance. The optical axis is adjusted depending on the located position of the light source and the position of the optical axis such that the inclination angle of the optical axis coincides with a set inclination angle. An illuminance distribution pattern is used to judge the type of headlight during adjustment of the optical axis of the headlight.

Abstract: In an optical-axis adjustment confirming device for use with an automotive headlamp, a level is mounted on a to-be-adjusted member which is covered with a transparent cap to protect the level against external shock or the like. An initial setting device has a resilient retainer which can be provided integrally on a mount member or casing, so as to reduce the number of parts required. The resilient retainer provided for the level can absorb the distortion caused due to a difference in thermal expansion ratio between the casing and bubble tube and may include pawls and cuts formed at both sides of the pawls to permit the pawls to resiliently open and close. Couplings may be provided to prevent an edge of the casing from being deformed, and thus the bubble tube can be rigidly fixed in the casing. Since the body and cover are formed integrally, the level can be made of a reduced number of parts. A level reference provided on the casing permits an accurate confirmation of the optical-axis adjustment.

Abstract: The reflector of the headlamp is pivotally supported within a housing for vertical tilting about a horizontal axis and for horizontal pivoting about a vertical axis. A bubble level is carried by the reflector and may be adjusted relative thereto to a level position after the reflector has been tilted about the horizontal axis to establish proper vertical aiming of the headlamp beam. A horizontal indicator is located at the same inspection position as the bubble level and may be adjusted to a zero setting after the reflector has been pivoted about the vertical axis to establish proper horizontal aiming of the beam. Part of a mounting platform for the bubble level also serves as part of an indicating scale for the horizontal indicator.

Abstract: A method of aiming a headlight for a vehicle includes removing a bulb from a headlight, installing an aiming device in the headlight in place of the bulb, and connecting the aiming device to a source of power to produce a laser beam. The method also includes locating the laser beam on an aiming screen placed in front of the vehicle and adjusting the position of the headlight, if necessary, to locate the laser beam at a predetermined position on the aiming screen.

Abstract: A leveling arrangement for a vehicle headlamp that includes a support portion formed in the upper portion of the reflector member that has a spirit level member mounted thereon which is characterized in that it includes a living hinge serving as a pivotal connection for a depending member fastened to a substantially vertically oriented surface of the support portion so that rotation of screw means carried by the spirit level results in pivotal movement and calibration of the spirit level relative to the optical axis of the reflector member.

Abstract: A leveling arrangement for a vehicle headlamp that includes a slot formed in the upper portion of the reflector member in which a spirit level member is located and combined with a spring clip which is fastened to the reflector member and to one end of the spirit level member and includes a leaf spring which continuously biases the other end of the spirit level member in one direction so that an adjustment screw threadably received by the spirit level member permits the aforementioned other end of the spirit level member to be raised or lowered for providing calibration of the spirit level member relative to the optical axis of the reflector member.

Abstract: The device for testing angular inclination of a headlight (11) has a inclination-detecting device (14) structured as a bubble level connected with the reflector (13) of each headlight and an additional inclination-detecting device (20), which is mounted on the chassis of the motor vehicle. The inclination-detecting device (14) of the headlight indicates the deviation of the reflector (13) from horizontal. The additional inclination-detecting device (20) indicates the inclination of the motor vehicle in a vertical plane (22). To test the inclination or orientation of the reflector from a set value, the reading of the inclinaiton-detecting device (14) is compared with the reading of the additional inclination-detecting device (20). The inclination of the reflector (13) is correct, when, preferably, the inclination-detecting device (14) on the reflector indicates the same deviation from horizontal as the additional inclination-detecting device (20).

Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle incorporation devices for measuring the amount of deviation of the beam of light produced thereby from the desired axis. The first deviation measuring device, which is used for measuring the amount of deviation of the beam in the horizontal direction, includes a calibrated rod extending between either the reflector and the headlight body, in the case of a movable reflector type headlight, or between the vehicle body and the headlight body, in the case of a movable unit type headlight. The second deviation measuring device, which is used for measuring the amount of deviation in the vertical direction, includes a level secured to the reflector or headlight body.

Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle incorporation devices for measuring the amount of deviation of the beam of light produced thereby from the desired axis. The first deviation measuring device, which is used for measuring the amount of deviation of the beam in the horizontal direction, includes calibrated rod extending between either the reflector and the headlight body, in the case of a movable reflector type headlight, or between the vehicle body and the headlight body, in the case of a movable unit type headlight. The second deviation measuring device, which is used for measuring the amount of deviation in the vertical direction, includes a level secured to the reflector or headlight body.

Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle having a level for adjusting the direction of light emission from the headlight in the vertical direction in which the quantities of heat transmitted to the respective regions of the casing of the level which face the bubble vial of the level are made substantially equal to each other, even if the temperature around the level changes due to the lighting or extinction of the bulb of the headlight or the like, so that the accuracy of the measurement performed with the level is maintained despite changes in the temperature around the level.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight comprising a light source, a reflector, a housing, and a front glass, and also comprising an indicator device for indicating the elevation direction of the reflector, the indicator device being of the type comprising a spirit level mounted on the reflector in a plane which is essentially vertical and parallel to the optical axis defined by the reflector, and the spirit level occupying a predetermined angular relationship with the optical axis. The spirit level is mounted on a support suitable for being removably and temporarily installed in a lamp hole provided in the reflector, with the support then replacing the lamp.

Abstract: An adapter for facilitating the use of a device, such as an inclinometer, for measuring the angular inclination of components in a vehicular drive train system is disclosed. The adapter includes an L-shaped bracket having a generally cylindrical head portion secured thereto. The bracket includes long and short legs, each of which are defined by parallel surfaces. The parallel surfaces of the long leg are perpendicular to the parallel surfaces of the short leg. The inclinometer may be mounted in any one of several different orientations on either of the surfaces of the long leg. The head portion has a closed end, which is secured to the bracket, and an opened, which is adapted to engage an end surface of a universal joint bearing cap. The opened end has a plurality of slots formed therein which define axial extensions. The extensions permit the adaptor to be used when the universal joint is mounted in a half round end yoke having integral end lugs.

Abstract: A vehicular headlight which does not require a large amount of equipment to properly adjust the angle of the azimuthal direction of emission of light from the headlight. A reflector within the body of the headlight is adjustable relative to a vertical axis and horizontal axis to control the direction in which light is emitted from the headlight. The headlight further includes aiming devices for measuring the aiming angle relative to the vertical axis and horizontal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining or adjusting a projecting direction of a light beam emitted from an automobile headlight is provided. In a first aspect of the present invention, the peripheral region of a light beam is used in determining its projecting direction. In particular, a region definable in a light pattern of the projected beam having a proportionality relation between log S and I, where S indicates the value of an area having light intensity I or above, is determined and its outer contour or any predetermined point in the contour is used in determining the projecting direction. In a second aspect, apparatus for determining a projecting direction of a light beam emitted from an automobile headlight includes an indicator which automatically indicates a predetermined position of a light pattern of the light beam projected.

Abstract: A system for aircraft landing light alignment which includes a target of photocells distributed in a cross-like manner with a single photo detector centered about the common point of the cross-like distribution. A signal processing circuit coupled to the output of the target includes electronic readout devices distributed in a cross-like manner for indicating which way the beams should be directed to provide correct light adjustment. The aircraft landing light alignment system includes signal processing of photo detector derived signals which measures only the outer fringes of the Gaussian beam distribution.

Abstract: A headlamp aiming and leveling device is provided for attachment to an automotive headlamp to facilitate leveling and aiming of the headlamp beam relative to an automotive vehicle upon which the headlamp is installed. The device comprises: a level-indicating device including a housing. At least one, first part of the housing is affixed to a given surface of a headlamp, such that a remaining portion of the housing is movable relative to said affixed part for varying the inclination of the housing in such a fashion as to permit adjustment of the level-indicating device to indicate a level condition. An adjusting arrangement is operatively coupled with the housing at a second part thereof spaced from the part thereof affixed to the headlamp for moving the housing for achieving the level indication while the headlamp is held in a condition wherein the headlamp beam is level. A locking arrangement is provided for locking the adjusting arrangement in the position at which the level condition is indicated.

Abstract: An inventive headlight optical axis aiming measuring apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a head measuring horizontal and vertical inclinations of a front lens surface (34) of a headlight (12) installed in a vehicle (2) and including a plurality of contact-type displacement sensors (48, 49, 50, 51), each of which is associated with a device (28, 29, 30) in contact with the front lens surface (34) and moving in accordance with the inclinations of the front lens surface (34), a support (15) for the displacement sensors (48, 49, 50, 51), and device for checking the headlight optical axis aiming in accordance with a fixed relationship between inclinations of a headlight optical axis and the front lens surface (34) by means of outputs of the measuring head (9). In accordance with this invention, the headlight need ot come on and a large space is not required for projecting the headlight beam onto a screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining or adjusting a projecting direction of a light beam emitted from an automobile headlight is provided. In a first aspect of the present invention, the peripheral region of a light beam is used in determining its projecting direction. In particular, a region definable in a light pattern of the projected beam having a proportionality relation between log S and I, where S indicates the value of an area having light intensity I or above, is determined and its outer contour or any predetermined point in the contour is used in determining the projecting direction. In a second aspect, apparatus for determining a projecting direction of a light beam emitted from an automobile headlight includes an indicator which automatically indicates a predetermined position of a light pattern of the light beam projected.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp adjuster has an expandable plate with pads for contacting a roadway surface and then a vehicle headlamp. A level indicator has perpendicular, communicating spirit levels and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the plate, to set one spirit level when the pads contact the surface on which the vehicle rests, so that the other spirit level will indicate horizontal when the plate and pads are rotated 90.degree. and brought to bear on the vehicle headlamps.

Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible, easily transported apparatus for checking the geometry of a vehicle's frame and axles. The apparatus comprises a pointer bar assembly for use as a trammel and for checking toe measurements of steering axle tires, and an adjustable square bar assembly for providing a reference line perpendicular to a vehicle's frame. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus is especially well suited for checking the frame and axle alignment of tractors with two or more drive axles, and trailers having two or more axles.

Abstract: A wheel alignment measuring apparatus of the invention has angle measuring instruments joined up with the input of an electronic signal processing unit. A first and a second angle measuring instrument (1, 2) are placed on a nearside and on an offside front wheel support turntable respectively for sending in each case a signal representative of the steering angle of the front wheels to the signal processing unit. The processing unit calculates therefrom the steering difference angle. A third and a fourth and furthermore a fifth and a sixth angle measuring instrument are so placed in the one case on the nearside and in the other case on the offside front wheel that by way of the signal processing unit on the footing of changes in the output signals of the first and the third and on the other hand of the second and fourth angle measuring instruments the caster of the nearside and of the offside front wheels may be calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting orientation with respect to predetermined frames of reference particularly for use in aligning vehicle headlamps relative to frames of reference such as the true horizontal and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Orientation relative to the true horizontal is detected by comparing the electrical responses of two photocells which have a peak spectral response at a predetermined wavelength and which bracket a gas bubble provided in an upwardly curved transparent housing containing both the bubble and a fluid. The photocells are illuminated through the housing by associated light emitting diodes which have peak emissivities at wavelengths matched to the peak spectral response of the corresponding photocells.