SELF-ALIGNING LASER GUIDE FOR A WHEEL BALANCER

• US 20110126620A1
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Perfect Results, LLC
• Original Assignee: Perfect Results, LLC
• Inventors: Fishel, Ryan William
• Granted Patent: US 8,553,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/462
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 1/02 Details of balancing machines or devices

Abstract

A self-aligning laser guide device capable of indicating a top dead-center of a wheel on a wheel balancer and a process for locating the top dead-center of the wheel. The self-aligning laser guide can include a body having a laser beam generating device and a wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor configured to be rotatably connected to the body at one end and configured to be removably connected to a wheel balancer shaft at the other end.

Claims

1. A self-aligning laser guide for a wheel balancer, comprising:

a body including a laser beam generating device; and

a wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor configured to be rotatably connected to said body at one end and configured to be removably connected at another end to a wheel balancer shaft of said wheel balancer.

2. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, wherein said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor is configured to be rotatably connected to said body via an axle and at least one bearing disposed around said axle.

3. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, wherein said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor includes a threaded opening such that the wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor screws onto said wheel balancer shaft.

4. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, wherein said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor includes an opening sized to receive said wheel balancer shaft.

5. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 4, wherein said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor is configured to be friction fitted onto said wheel balancer shaft.

6. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 4, wherein said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor includes a magnet disposed in said opening such that when said wheel balancer shaft is received in said opening, said magnet magnetically connects to said wheel balancer shaft.

7. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, wherein said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor includes an electromagnet to removably connect said wheel balancer shaft mounting adaptor to said wheel balancer shaft.

8. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, further comprising a securing device in communication with said laser beam generating device for calibrating and fastening said laser beam generating device at a predetermined location.

9. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, wherein said laser beam generating device is mounted on a pivot.

10. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, further comprising a timer connected to a power source and configured to disconnect power provided from said power source to said laser beam generating device after a predetermined time.

11. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, wherein said body includes a top half and a bottom half and wherein said laser beam generating device is positioned on said top half of said body.

12. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 11, further comprising a counterweight disposed on said bottom half of said body.

13. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 12, wherein said counterweight includes a selected weight, wherein when said self-aligning laser guide is connected to said wheel balancer shaft, said self-aligning laser guide longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface.

14. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 12, wherein said counterweight comprises a power source.

15. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a signal generated by said wheel balancer that indicates to an operator to place and secure a balancing weight at a top dead-center of a wheel.

16. The self-aligning laser guide of claim 15, wherein said sensor is configured to turn on said self-aligning laser guide after receiving said signal generated from said wheel balancer.

17. A method for placing balancing weight on a wheel using the self-aligning laser guide of claim 1 comprising:

mounting a wheel on said wheel balancer shaft of a wheel balancer;

starting said wheel balancer;

removably connecting said self-aligning laser guide to said wheel balancer shaft;

powering said self-aligning laser guide to indicate a top dead-center of said wheel;

positioning a desired balancing weight on said indicated top dead-center of said wheel; and

securing said balancing weight on said wheel.

18. The method for placing balancing weight on a wheel using the self-aligning laser guide of claim 17, further comprising calibrating said self-aligning laser guide.

19. A method for determining a top dead-center of a wheel comprising the steps of:

removably connecting a self-aligning laser guide to a wheel balancer shaft;

allowing gravity to position said self-aligning laser guide such that its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface; and

powering said self-aligning laser guide to indicate said top dead-center of said wheel.

20. A self-aligning laser guide comprising:

a body including a laser beam generating device; and

a mounting adaptor configured to be rotatably connected to said body at one end and configured to be removably connected at another end to a device, such that when said self-aligning laser guide is removably connected to said device, said self-aligning laser guide longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface.