Steering linkage testing apparatus

• US 3,889,527 A
• Filed: 04/04/1974
• Issued: 06/17/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Virgil T. Wallace
• Original Assignee: Virgil T. Wallace
• Inventors: Wallace, Virgil T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Myracle, Jerry W.
• Application Number:
  US05/458,057
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 73/118 33/1N,18AT,203,335,336
• US Class Current: 73/117.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/06 Steering behaviour; Rolling behaviour

Abstract

Apparatus for testing the play in the linkage between the steerable dirigible wheels and the steering wheel of a vehicle comprises sensing means for engaging one of the dirigible wheels, an electric circuit including signal means, a source of electrical energy and switch means actuated by the sensing means to close the circuit and provide a detectable signal upon movement of the sensing means by displacement of the engaged wheel, and means for association with the steering wheel for indicating the amount of steering wheel travel which occurs before the detectable signal is established, thereby establishing the steering wheel play.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in testing play in the mechanism connecting the steering wheel and the steerable road wheels of a vehicle, comprising a support to be disposed on the road wheel supporting surface adjacent one of the road wheels, sensing means movably supported by said support and engagable with the respective road wheel for sensing movement by the wheel, circuit means in said support responsive to said sensing means for producing a signal, steering wheel movement indicating means mountable at least on the steering wheel for indicating steering wheel travel, and indicator means on said steering wheel movement indicating means connected to said circuit means for generating an alarm in response to said signal upon initial movement of said sensing means by the road wheel.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said steering wheel movement indicating means includes a housing securable to the steering wheel and movable therewith, said housing carrying a gravity responsive pendulum element pivotably mounted therein and displaceable with respect to said housing, said pendulum cooperating with said housing to provide an indication of said steering wheel travel.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pendulum element is disposed interiorly of said housing, and wherein said housing defines an opening through which the position of said pendulum may be observed.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further including damping means on said steering wheel movement indicating means for damping the oscillations of said pendulum element about an equilibrium position.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said damping means comprises a magnet disposed in fixed position adjacent said pendulum, and wherein said pendulum comprises a metallic material.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said magnet comprises an electromagnet disposed in close proximity with said pendulum, and said pendulum includes ferromagnetic material whereby activation of said electromagnet causes slight deformation of said pendulum into contact with said electromagnet to brake said pendulum.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pendulum carries indicia in the form of a plurality of arcuate bands arranged in radially displaced groups circumferentially offset from each other.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said steering wheel movement indicating means includes a hanger frame for enabling attachment of said movement indicating means to the steering wheel.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said hanger frame is adjustable for accommodating steering wheels of different diameters.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said hanger frame includes scale means for coaction with the steering wheel to which said frame is mounted to indicate steering wheel diameter.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes an optical switch comprising a light source and a photo sensor;

and wherein said sensing means is linked to a shutter blade intercepting the optical path between said photo sensor and light source and movable out of said optical path by said dirigible wheel.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said sensing means comprises a pivotally movable element having a serrated, tire-engaging portion and carrying an interconnecting linkage arm, said shutter blade being engaged by said linkage arm for movement thereby.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said shutter blade is spring biased to a position interrupting said optical path.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said shutter blade has a tapered end disposed in said optical path whereby slight movement of said blade allows light from said lamp to impinge upon said photo sensor.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises input means adapted to be connected to a source of operating potential, and switch means connected to said input means and responsive to initial road wheel movement sensed by said sensing means;

and wherein said indicator means comprises an alarm device connected to receive operating potential from said input means through said switch means.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said indicator means comprises a horn and a lamp connected by a selector switch to said switch means.

17. Apparatus for use in testing play in the mechanism connecting the steering wheel and the steerable dirigible wheels of a vehicle, comprising a housing to be disposed on the road wheel supporting surface adjacent one of the dirigible wheels, sensing means movably supported by said housing and engagable with said one dirigible wheel, signal means operated by movement of said sensing means to signal initial movement of said one dirigible wheel engaged by said sensing means, steering wheel movement indicating means mountable at least on the steering wheel for indicating steering wheel travel upon activation of said signal means, and said signal means including indicator means on said steering wheel movement indicating means for generating a perceptible warning alarm upon activation of said signal means.