# US 7,607,668 B2 · Caster-camber plate assemblies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,668 B2 - Document ID: US7607668B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/811,317 - Filed: 2007-06-08 - Published: 2008-12-11 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-08 - Assignees: Maximum Motorsports - Inventors: Luka Dugandzic; Charles Glenn Schwynoch; John David Fabry; Michael Alan Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607668B2 ## CPC - B62D 17/00: Means on vehicles for adjusting camber, castor, or toe-in - B60G 13/003: {characterised by the mounting on the vehicle body or chassis of the damper unit} - B60G 15/068: {specially adapted for MacPherson strut-type suspension} - B60G 2200/142: with a single lateral arm, e.g. MacPherson type - B60G 2200/46: camber angle - B60G 2200/464: Caster angle - B60G 2202/12: Wound spring - B60G 2204/124: Mounting of coil springs - B60G 2204/1242: on a damper, e.g. MacPerson strut - B60G 2204/128: Damper mount on vehicle body or chassis - B60G 2204/416: Ball or spherical joints - B60G 2204/43: Fittings, brackets or knuckles - B60G 2204/44: Centering or positioning means - B60G 2204/61: Adjustable during maintenance - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract A caster-camber plate assembly has a fastener plate including fastening members. A lower adjustment plate has a first side face positioned adjacent a first side face of the fastener plate such that fastening members of the fastening plate extend therethrough. The lower adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the fastener plate along first and second translation axes. An upper adjustment plate has a first side face thereof positioned adjacent a second side face of the lower adjustment plate with the fastening members extending therethrough. The upper adjustment plate and the lower adjustment plate are jointly configured for allowing the upper adjustment plate to be moveable with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis. A plate interlocking structure accommodates relative movement between the adjustment plates along the first translation axis and effectively inhibits relative movement between the adjustment plates along the second translation axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A caster-camber plate assembly, comprising: a plurality of chassis fastening members each engaged with and extending from a first side face of at least one fastener plate; a lower adjustment plate having a first side face thereof positioned adjacent the first side face of said at least one fastener plate such that said chassis fastening members extend therethrough, wherein the lower adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the fastener plate along a first translation axis and a second translation axis, and wherein the second translation axis extends in a substantially non-parallel manner with respect to the first translation axis; a first plate interlocking structure integral with the lower adjustment plate, wherein the first plate interlocking structure includes a central bore configured for having a portion of a bearing assembly exposed therein; an upper adjustment plate having a first side face thereof positioned adjacent a second side face of the lower adjustment plate such that said chassis fastening members extend therethrough, wherein the upper adjustment plate and the lower adjustment plate are jointly configured for allowing the upper adjustment plate to be moveable with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis; a second plate interlocking structure integral with the upper adjustment plate, wherein the second plate interlocking structure engages the first plate interlocking structure for allowing relative movement between said adjustment plates along the first translation axis and for effectively inhibiting relative movement between said adjustment plates along the second translation axis and a spring perch component group mounted directly on the first plate interlocking structure, wherein the spring perch component group includes a strut top mounting bearing, a thrust bearing and a spring perch, wherein the strut top mounting bearing is mounted within a bore of a portion of the first plate interlocking structure extending below a second side face of the fastener plate, wherein the spring perch is coupled to the first plate interlocking structure, wherein the thrust bearing is coupled between only the spring perch and the first plate interlocking structure, wherein the spring perch is mounted entirely on the first plate interlocking structure such that all forces exerted on the spring perch by a coil spring engaged therewith are transmitted through the thrust bearing to the first plate interlocking structure and wherein a central axis of said first plate interlocking structure central bore, a central axis of the strut top mounting bearing and a central axis of the spring perch are effectively aligned. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper adjustment plate includes an upper adjustment plate fastening member integral therewith and extending from a second side face thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper adjustment plate is effectively constrained to movement with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 3 wherein: the lower adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; the upper adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the first translation axis; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the upper adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the second translation axis; said slots of said plates are aligned such that each one of said chassis fastening members extends through respective aligned ones of said slots; and a width of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate is configured for accommodating translation of the upper adjustment plate with respect to said chassis fastening members. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 1 wherein: the first plate interlocking structure protrudes above the second side face of the lower adjustment plate; and the protruding portion of the first plate interlocking structure is constrained between opposing edge portions of the second plate interlocking structure for allowing relative movement between said adjustment plates along the first translation axis and for effectively inhibiting relative movement between said adjustment plates along the second translation axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 5 wherein: the first plate interlocking structure includes a shoulder protruding above the second side face of the lower adjustment plate; and the second plate interlocking structure includes an elongated slot having opposing edge portions; and the protruding portion of the first plate interlocking structure is constrained between said opposing edge portions of the second plate interlocking structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 6 wherein the upper adjustment plate includes an upper adjustment plate fastening member integral therewith and extending from a second side face thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a bearing cup body fixedly engaged with the lower adjustment plate; and the first interlocking structure is an integral portion of the bearing cup body, wherein a central bore of the bearing cup body defines the central bore of the first interlocking structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 8 wherein: the lower adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; the upper adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the first translation axis; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the upper adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the second translation axis; said slots of said plates are aligned such that each one of said chassis fastening members extends through respective aligned ones of said slots; and a width of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate is configured for accommodating translation of the upper adjustment plate with respect to said chassis fastening members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 9 wherein the width of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate is approximately equal to an effective travel length of said slots of the upper adjustment plate. ### Claim 11 A caster-camber plate assembly, comprising: a fastener plate including a plurality of chassis fastening members fixedly engaged therewith and extending from a first side face thereof; a lower adjustment plate having a first side face thereof positioned adjacent the side face of the fastener plate such that said chassis fastening members extend therethrough, wherein the lower adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the fastener plate along a first translation axis and a second translation axis, and wherein the second translation axis extends substantially perpendicular to the first translation axis; a bearing cup body fixedly engaged with the lower adjustment plate, wherein a shoulder of the bearing cup body protrudes above a second side face of the lower adjustment plate; an upper adjustment plate having a first side face thereof positioned adjacent the second side face of the lower adjustment plate such that said chassis fastening members extend therethrough, wherein the upper adjustment plate is effectively constrained to movement with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis, wherein the upper adjustment plate includes an elongated aperture extending therethrough, wherein the upper adjustment plate and the lower adjustment plate are jointly configured for allowing the upper adjustment plate to be moveable with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis, wherein the protruding portion of the bearing cup body is constrained between opposing edge portions of the elongated aperture for allowing relative movement between said adjustment plates along the first translation axis and for effectively inhibiting relative movement between said adjustment plates along the second translation axis; an upper adjustment plate fastening member integral with and extending from a second side face of the upper adjustment plate; a support member engaged between the upper adjustment plate fastening member and at least one of said chassis fastening members; and a spring perch component group mounted directly on the bearing cup body, wherein the spring perch component group includes a strut top mounting bearing, a thrust bearing and a spring perch, wherein the strut top mounting bearing is mounted within a bore of a portion of the bearing cup body extending below a second side face of the fastener plate, wherein the spring perch is coupled to the bearing cup body, wherein the thrust bearing is coupled between only the spring perch and the bearing cup body, wherein the spring perch is mounted entirely on the bearing cup body such that all forces exerted on the spring perch by a coil spring engaged therewith are transmitted through the thrust bearing to the bearing cup body and wherein a central axis of the bearing cup body, a central axis of the strut top mounting bearing and a central axis of the spring perch are effectively aligned. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 11 wherein: the lower adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; the upper adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the first translation axis; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the upper adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the second translation axis; said slots of said plates are aligned such that each one of said chassis fastening members extends through respective aligned ones of said slots; and a width of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate is configured for accommodating translation of the upper adjustment plate with respect to said chassis fastening members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 12 wherein the width of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate is approximately equal to an effective travel length of said slots of the upper adjustment plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 11 wherein: the support member includes a first aperture therein through which one of said chassis fastening members extends and a second aperture therein through which said upper adjustment plate fastening member extends; and at least one of said apertures is a slotted aperture. ### Claim 15 A caster-camber plate assembly kit, comprising: a backing plate; a plurality of chassis fastening members, wherein each one of said chassis fastening members is one of fixedly attached to the backing plate and engagable with the backing plate, wherein said chassis fastening members extend from a first side face of the backing plate when attached thereto or engaged therewith; a lower adjustment plate having a first side face thereof configured for being positioned adjacent the side face of the fastener plate such that said chassis fastening members extend therethrough when the first side face of the lower adjustment plate is positioned adjacent the side face of the fastener plate, wherein the lower adjustment plate is configured for being moveable with respect to the fastener plate along a first translation axis and a second translation axis when positioned adjacent the side face of the fastener plate with said chassis fastening members extending therethrough, and wherein the second translation axis extends in a non-parallel manner with respect to the first translation axis; a bearing cup body that is one of fixedly engagable with and fixedly engaged with the lower adjustment plate, wherein a shoulder of the bearing cup body protrudes above a second side face of the lower adjustment plate when the bearing cup body is fixedly engaged with the lower adjustment plate; an upper adjustment plate having a first side face thereof configured for being positioned adjacent the second side face of the lower adjustment plate and for having said chassis fastening members extending therethrough when the first side face of the upper adjustment plate is positioned adjacent the second side face of the lower adjustment plate, wherein the upper adjustment plate is effectively constrained to movement with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis when the first side face of the upper adjustment plate is positioned adjacent the second side face of the lower adjustment plate, wherein the upper adjustment plate and the lower adjustment plate are jointly configured for allowing the upper adjustment plate to be moveable with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis, wherein the upper adjustment plate includes an elongated aperture, and wherein the protruding portion of the bearing cup body and opposing edge portions of the elongated aperture are jointly configured for constraining the protruding portion of the bearing cup body between said opposing edge portions of the elongated aperture for allowing relative movement between said adjustment plates along the first translation axis and for effectively inhibiting relative movement between said adjustment plates along the second translation axis; and a spring perch component group mounted directly on the bearing cup body, wherein the spring perch component group includes a strut top mounting bearing, a thrust bearing and a spring perch, wherein the strut top mounting bearing is mounted within a bore of a portion of the bearing cup body extending below a second side face of the fastener plate, wherein the spring perch is coupled to the bearing cup body, wherein the thrust bearing is coupled between only the spring perch and the bearing cup body, wherein the thrust bearing is coupled between only the spring perch and the bearing cup body, wherein the spring perch is mounted entirely on the bearing cup body such that all forces exerted on the spring perch by a coil spring engaged therewith are transmitted through the thrust bearing to the bearing cup body and wherein a central axis of the bearing cup body, a central axis of the strut top mounting bearing and a central axis of the spring perch are effectively aligned. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 15 wherein the upper adjustment plate includes an upper adjustment plate fastening member integral therewith and extending from a second side face thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The caster-camber plate assembly of claim 15 wherein: the lower adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; the upper adjustment plate has a plurality of slot-shaped apertures extending therethrough; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the first translation axis; a longitudinal axis of each one of said slots of the upper adjustment plate extends generally parallel with the second translation axis; said slots of said plates are aligned such that each one of said chassis fastening members extends through respective aligned ones of said slots; and a width of each one of said slots of the lower adjustment plate is configured for accommodating translation of the upper adjustment plate with respect to said chassis fastening members.