US 11,448,502 B2Granted

Positive-lock clamp / adapter

OwnerEmilio Banchs, Oscar Ferreyra +2inventors

InventorsEmilio Banchs, Oscar Ferreyra, Travis Gest, Donovan Mann

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A wheel clamp attaches to a vehicle wheel for performing a wheel alignment on the vehicle. The wheel clamp has a mechanism to mount on the studs of the wheel and to securely mount on the flat surface of the rim. The wheel clamp may have a retractable mechanism that while mounted on the wheel's stud, can slide along the length of the stud without the need to turn it using the threads of the stud. Different methods may be used to attach to the stud, such as by means of treading a device, using a contraction mechanism or magnetic attraction. The wheel clamp has a crossbar and mechanism for supporting a measuring sensor, head or target and can be accommodated to different sizes, shapes and patterns of wheels and studs in the automotive industry.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A clamp/adapter pair directly mountable on a vehicle rim for attaching heads, sensors or targets during wheel alignment of a vehicle, each member of the pair comprising:

a cylinder (20) having a back surface and a front surface (21), the cylinder (20) containing a sliding mechanism (2,3) and an interchangeable apparatus (1) constructed to allow the cylinder (20) to slide onto a vehicle lug nut's threads (5) and then grip the threads (5) when the sliding mechanism (2,3) is released;
an internal mechanical apparatus (9) mounted in the interchangeable apparatus (1) constructed to be threaded onto the vehicle lug nut's threads (5) after the sliding mechanism (2,3) is released;
the internal mechanical apparatus (9) constructed to be tightened with a gadget (7) attached to an internal shaft (8) that cooperates with the internal mechanical apparatus (9) causing the cylinder (20) to make a positive mechanical connection the vehicle rim (6);
the cylinder (20) having a protruding central circular end (22) extending outward from the back surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/207,165Filed 2 Dec 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 2 Dec 2017
Published: US 2020/0173775 A14 Jun 2020
Granted: 20 Sep 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01B 21/26
For measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes: for testing wheel alignment
F16B 1/00
Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or
F16B 2/02
Friction-grip releasable fastenings: clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to…
G01B 5/0004
Arrangements for supporting, fixing or guiding the measuring instrument or the object to be measured: supports