Portable calibration assembly and method

A portable calibration assembly, comprising:

• a calibration fixture configured to hold one or more calibration targets for a vehicle;
• the calibration fixture comprising:
• a main frame comprising:
• a base member configured to rest on a supporting surface;
• and
• a pillar member having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is pivotally coupled to the base member via a first pivotal coupling;
• a first arm having a first free end, and a first connected end opposite the first free end that is pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the pillar member via a second pivotal coupling;
• and
• a second arm having a second free end, and a second connected end opposite the second free end that is pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the pillar member via a third pivotal coupling;
• wherein the pillar member is configured to pivot in relation to the base member about a first horizontal axis via the first pivotal coupling between an upright position where the pillar member is substantially vertical and a folded position where the pillar member is substantially horizontal;
• wherein the first arm is configured to pivot in relation to the pillar member about a second horizontal axis via the second pivotal coupling between an expanded position where the first arm is substantially perpendicular to the pillar member and a collapsed position where the first arm is substantially parallel to the pillar member;
• wherein the second arm is configured to pivot in relation to the pillar member about a third horizontal axis via the third pivotal coupling between an expanded position where the second arm is substantially perpendicular to the pillar member and a collapsed position where the second arm is substantially parallel to the pillar member;
• wherein the second horizontal axis and the third horizontal axis are substantially parallel;
• and
• wherein the second horizontal axis and the third horizontal axis are substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.

A method comprising:

• placing a calibration fixture of a portable calibration assembly in front of a vehicle, wherein the calibration fixture comprises a base member, a pillar member having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the base member via a first pivotal coupling to pivot in relation to the base member about a first horizontal axis, and a plurality of arms;
• wherein each of the arms has a free end, and a connected end opposite the free end that is pivotally coupled to a second end portion of the pillar member;
• wherein a first arm of the arms is pivotally coupled to the pillar member via a second pivotal coupling to pivot in relation to the pillar member about a second horizontal axis;
• wherein a second arm of the arms is pivotally coupled to the pillar member via a third pivotal coupling to pivot in relation to the pillar member about a third horizontal axis substantially parallel to the second horizontal axis;
• wherein the second horizontal axis and the third horizontal axis are substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal axis;
• wherein the placing comprises placing the calibration fixture with the base member resting on a supporting surface and the pillar member disposed substantially horizontal to the supporting surface;
• unfolding the calibration fixture by:
• pivoting the pillar member upward in relation to the base member to an upright position;
• extending a length of the pillar member to a predetermined length based on a type of the vehicle;
• and
• pivoting the arms in relation to the pillar member to an expanded position where the arms extend substantially horizontal from the pillar member;
• positioning the calibration fixture a predetermined distance from the vehicle;
• installing one or more calibration targets on the arms;
• placing a bumper alignment fixture of the portable calibration assembly against a front bumper of the vehicle;
• aligning the bumper alignment fixture with a centerline of the vehicle via a laser line projecting in a first direction from the bumper alignment fixture;
• and
• aligning the calibration fixture with the vehicle by aligning one or more laser indicators on the calibration fixture with the laser line projecting in a second direction from the bumper alignment fixture opposite the first direction.