Portable brake pad measuring tool

• US 6,931,744 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nels Johnson, Terry L. Ikerd Jr
• Original Assignee: Nels Johnson, Terry L. Ikerd Jr
• Inventors: Johnson, Nels, Ikerd, Terry L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/794,851
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 335/014.5, 335/010.9, 335/010.8, 335/011, 335/013, 335/015, 335/010.5, 332/01, 332/03, 336/00, 336/02, 336/09, 336/10, 814/36, 811/211, D10/64
• US Class Current: 33/501.45
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/0043 Brake maintenance and assembly, tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/30 Bars, blocks, or strips in which the distance between a pair of faces is fixed, although it may be preadjustable, e.g. end measure, feeler strip
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/0028 Brakes, brakeshoes, clutches

Abstract

A brake pad measuring tool is disclosed and functions to provide a quick visual indicator for determining brake pad wear condition in motor vehicles. The brake pad measuring tool includes a plurality of rigid bars which are attached in a reciprocal and rotatable manner via a coupling ring. Each of the rigid bars has a free end provided with a color-coded bar segment. The rigid bars also have descending incremental widths which correspond to a specific color cast by each color-coded bar segment, thus serving as a quick visual indicator for pad wear condition. The brake pad measuring tool allows for a brake pad'"'"'s condition to be determined while the vehicle wheel is still attached to the hub.

Claims

1. A brake pad measuring tool comprising:

a plurality of rigid bars, said plurality of rigid bars each defining an elongated, rectangular configuration, and being attached in a reciprocal and rotatable manner via a coupling ring, said plurality of rigid bars are each further defined as generally straight and having a free end opposing a bound end, and wherein said plurality of rigid bars allows for a brake pad condition to be determined while a vehicle wheel is attached to vehicle wheel hub;

a ring-receiving hole, said ring-receiving hole extends horizontally through said bound end of each of said plurality of rigid bars, said ring-receiving hole having said coupling ring threaded therethrough, thereby holding said plurality of rigid bars in an efficient and organized manner; and

a right-angled foot segment, said right-angled foot segment is provided along said free end, wherein said right-angled foot segment includes a flattened heel portion adapted to provide a visual brake pad wear indicator.

2. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 1, wherein said plurality of rigid bars are each provided with a color-coded bar segment extending downward a linear length from said bound end.

3. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 2, wherein said plurality of rigid bars define descending incremental widths being sized in such a manner so as to provide brake pad measurements within 1/64 inch, and wherein said descending incremental widths correspond to a specific color cast by each said color-coded bar segment, thereby also providing a quick visual indicator for pad wear condition.

4. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 3, wherein said plurality of rigid bars are provided with identification indicia inscribed along a lateral sidewall of each of said plurality of rigid bars below said color-coded bar segment.

5. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 4, wherein said identification indicia is defined as engraved numerals.

6. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 2, wherein said plurality of rigid bars comprise six in number.

7. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 2, wherein said color-coded bar segment of a first three rigid bars of said plurality of rigid bars are provided with a safe color segment to indicate pad wear is small or minimal.

8. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 7, wherein said safe color segment is powder-coated in a green color.

9. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 2, wherein said color-coded bar segment of a fourth rigid bar of said plurality of rigid bars are provided with a warning color segment to indicate the brake pad is still safe and effective but requires soon replacement.

10. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 9, wherein said warning color segment is powder-coated in a yellow color.

11. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 2, wherein said color-coded bar segment of a fifth and sixth rigid bar of said plurality of rigid bars are provided with a danger color segment to indicate the brake pad is unsafe and must be replaced.

12. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 11, wherein said danger color segment is powder-coated in a red color.

13. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 1, wherein said right-angled foot segment is powder-coated with a light colored boot in order to provide a sharp contrast in color with respect to said light colored boot and a brake pad.

14. The brake pad measuring tool of claim 13, wherein said light colored boot is generally white in color.