Alignment device

• US 6,880,256 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PACCAR Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PACCAR Incorporated
• Inventors: Helms, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Assistant Examiner(s): Guadalupe, Yaritza
• Application Number:
  US10/371,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20040163265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 332/86, 332/27, 332/64, 336/45, 33D/IG.21, 332/88, 116/28.R
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/00 Indexing codes relating to the type of sensors based on the principle of their operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/032 Constructional details for solid-state radar subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4026 Antenna boresight
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/403 in azimuth, i.e. in the horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4034 in elevation, i.e. in the vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4086 in a calibrating environment, e.g. anechoic chamber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

An alignment device is provided for aligning an object mounted to a fixture in a desired orientation. The alignment device includes a level, a laser, a plurality of positioning members, and a suction device in fluid communication with a vacuum generator, and preferably an angular rotation indicator. The suction device removably engages the alignment device with the object to be aligned. Utilizing the alignment device, a technician can simultaneously adjusted a horizontal and vertical (pitch) orientation of an object and a rotation of the object until the object is aligned according to the desired orientation. The alignment device can further include a separate but cooperative adjustable stabilizing frame having a plurality of stabilizers. The stabilizing frame is expandable and retractable to be secured about the object, and the stabilizers can be adjusted to maintain the desired orientation of the object relative to the fixture.

Claims

1. An alignment apparatus for aligning an antenna mounted on a fixture, the alignment apparatus comprising:

a mounting plate having a first and second side and having a plurality of positioning members on the second side for properly positioning the antenna with respect to the alignment apparatus,

a laser secured to the first side of the mounting plate;

a level secured to the first side of the mounting plate; and

an attachment mechanism for detachably securing the mounting plate to the antenna.

2. An alignment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an angular rotational indicating device secured to the mounting plate.

3. An alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:

a suction cup mounted on the second side of the mounting plate; and

a vacuum generator mounted on the first side of the mounting plate in fluid communication with the suction cup.

4. An alignment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises a plurality of fluid ports fluidly connecting the vacuum generator and the suction cup.

5. An alignment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the vacuum generator is a venturi type vacuum generator.

6. An alignment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises a toggle switch for switching the vacuum generator on and off.

7. An alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting plate further comprises at least one handle.

8. An alignment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one handle extends outwardly from the first side of the mounting plate.

9. An alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the level indicates a vertical orientation of the antenna and the laser indicates a horizontal orientation of the antenna.

10. An alignment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the level is digital.

11. An alignment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustable frame, said adjustable frame comprising:

a plurality of sides defining a space therebetween, wherein at least one of said plurality of sides is moveable relative to the others such that the space has an adjustable size; and

a plurality of adjustable stabilizers each coupled to one of the plurality of sides.

12. An alignment apparatus according to claim 11, each of the plurality of adjustable stabilizers having a first end and a second end and having a gripping member disposed on the first end and a knob disposed on the second end.

13. An alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixture is a bumper of a vehicle, and wherein the antenna is mounted to the bumper using at least one mounting bracket.

14. An alignment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one mounting bracket defines a plurality of slots through which the antenna is adjustably secured by a corresponding plurality of fastener devices.

15. An alignment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a thrust line of the vehicle defines a desired horizontal component of a desired orientation of the antenna.

16. An alignment method comprising the steps of:

installing an alignment device onto a vehicle-mounted antenna loosely secured to a vehicle, the alignment device comprising a mounting plate, a laser attached to the mounting plate, and a level attached to the mounting plate;

using the level to substantially align the antenna in a desired vertical orientation;

using the laser to substantially align the antenna in a desired horizontal orientation; and

tightening the vehicle-mounted antenna to the vehicle while substantially maintaining the antenna in both the desired vertical orientation and the desired horizontal orientation.

17. An alignment method according to claim 16, wherein the alignment device further comprises a suction mechanism attached to the mounting plate for detachably installing the alignment device onto the vehicle-mounted antenna.

18. An alignment method according to claim 16, wherein a thrust line of the vehicle defines the desired horizontal component of the desired orientation of the vehicle-mounted antenna.

19. An alignment device for aligning an object relative to a fixture, said alignment device comprising:

an orientation-indicating assembly attachable to the object, the orientation-indicating assembly comprising;

a mounting plate;

a plurality of positioners for positioning the object therebetween within the orientation-indicating assembly;

an alignment laser secured to the mounting plate; and

a level secured to the mounting plate;

wherein the level indicates a vertical orientation of the object, and

wherein the alignment laser indicates a horizontal orientation of the object.

20. An alignment device according to claim 19, wherein the orientation-indicating assembly further comprises a suction device in fluid communication with a vacuum generator mounted to the mounting plate for detachably securing the orientation-indicating assembly to the object.

21. An alignment device according to claim 20, wherein the suction device is a bellows style suction cup, and wherein the vacuum generator is a venturi vacuum generator.

22. An alignment device according to claim 19, said alignment device further comprising:

an adjustable frame operative in combination with the orientation-indicating assembly, said adjustable frame having at least one movable side for detachably securing the adjustable frame about a peripheral edge of the object, and having a plurality of adjustable stabilizers for contacting the fixture and maintaining an orientation of the object relative to the fixture.

23. An alignment device according to claim 19, wherein the object is an antenna and the fixture is a bumper of a vehicle.

24. An alignment device according to claim 19, wherein the fixture is a bumper of a vehicle and a desired orientation of the object is defined by a thrust line of the vehicle.

25. An alignment device for aligning an antenna mounted to a vehicle according to a predetermined horizontal orientation and a predetermined vertical orientation, the alignment device comprising:

an orientation-indicating assembly comprising;

a mounting plate having a first and second side;

a laser secured to the first side of the mounting plate;

a digital level secured to the first side of the mounting plate;

a plurality of positioners on the second side of the mounting plate for positioning the antenna within the orientation-indicating assembly;

a suction mechanism for detachably securing the antenna to the orientation-indicating assembly, said suction mechanism having a suction cup mounted on the second side of the mounting plate, a venturi vacuum generator mounted on the first side of the mounting plate in fluid communication with the suction cup, and a toggle switch for switching the vacuum generator on and off; and

at least one handle on the mounting plate;

an adjustable frame operative in combination with said orientation-indicating assembly, said adjustable frame comprising;

a plurality of sides defining a space therebetween, wherein at least one of said plurality of sides is moveable relative to the others such that the space has an adjustable size; and

a plurality of adjustable stabilizers for at least temporarily stabilizing the antenna relative to the vehicle subsequent to alignment of the antenna in the predetermined horizontal and vertical orientations,

wherein the predetermined horizontal orientation and the predetermined vertical orientation are defined by a thrust line of the vehicle.

26. An alignment device according to claim 25, said alignment device further comprising:

at least one mounting bracket defining a plurality of slots through which the antenna is adjustably secured to the vehicle,

wherein the mounting bracket can tightly secure the antenna to the vehicle subsequent to alignment of the antenna in the predetermined desired orientation.