VEHICLE FRAME GAUGE

• US 3,810,313 A
• Filed: 07/17/1972
• Issued: 05/14/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hein Werner Corp. (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: John R. Hicks
• Inventors: Hicks, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, Jr., William D.
• Application Number:
  US05/272,351
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 33/288,264,181AT,18AT,193,158
• US Class Current: 33/288
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/0025 Measuring of vehicle parts G01B5/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/24 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes

Abstract

A vehicle frame gauge for indicating the degree of misalignment and distress of the alignment of a vehicle frame including a self-centering indicator which is mounted on a horizontal bar. The bar is hung beneath the vehicle frame by means of a pair of hanger rods which interengage with the frame at various selected locations thereof. The rods are coupled to the horizontal bar by an improved spring and collar mechanism which simplify the gauging procedure. In practice, a plurality of gauges are attached to the vehicle when checking alignment of a frame.

Claims

1. A vehicle frame gauge comprising a pair of hanger elements adapted to be attached in hanging relationship on opposite sides of a vehicle frame being gauged, a pair of bar means coupled together for adjustable movement in opposite directions, attachment means attached to each of the bar means for releasably coupling each of the bar means to a respective Hanger element, said attachment means permitting coupling intergagement of the bar means to the hanger elements in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hanger elements, a slidable abutment element vertically adjustable on each of the hanger elements independent of the adjustment means to establish a predetermined position of the bar means on the hanger elements and to aid in the support of bar means thereon, and said abutment element including retaining means to retain the abutment element against movement relative to the hanger elements at said predetermined position and adapted to contact the attachment means at said position.

2. The vehicle frame gauge of claim 1 wherein the abutment means includes a collar slidably mounted on each of the hanger elements.

3. A vehicle frame gauge comprising a pair of hanger elements adapted to be attached in hanging relationship on opposite sides of a vehicle frame being gauged, a pair of bar means coupled together for adjustable movement in opposite directions, attachment means attached to each of the bar means for releasably coupling each of the bar means to a respective hanger element, said attachment means permitting coupling intergagement of the bar means to the hanger elements in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hanger elements, the attachment means includes a clasp having an open portion through which the hanger passes to be coupled or uncoupled to the bar.

4. The vehicle frame gauge of claim 3 wherein the attachment means further includes a clip element pivotally mounted on each of the bar means and a spring means for resiliently biasing the clip element into contact with the hanger element through the open portion for coupling the bar means thereto.

5. The vehicle frame gauge of claim 3 wherein the hanger element possess a circular cross-sectional area.

6. The vehicle frame gauge of claim 5 wherein the clip element is pivotally mounted along a substantially vertical axis.