Wheel Alignment Toe Stand-off

Abstract

This invention improves the process of using automotive wheel alignment toe plates to perform wheel alignment by measuring from the wheel of the vehicle instead of the tire as is standard with toe plates measurement. The result of this new invention is the elimination of the tire as a source of error.

Claims

1. An apparatus that combines with an automotive wheel alignment toe plate to increase the accuracy of vehicle wheel alignment by contacting the wheel of a vehicle at two or more points, thus using the wheel as the point of measurement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 demonstrates the standard toe plates process, as conducted without the invention. One toe plate is against each tire. One tape measure is used on each side, each extending from one toe plate to the other. The most notable attribute of this drawing is the demonstration of the toe plates against the tire, as is standard process without the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 demonstrates the toe plates process, as conducted with the invention. As depicted, the invention allows the toe plates to reference the wheel, instead of the tire. As shown. tape measures are used in the same fashion as without the invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 Alternate view of process with invention, again demonstrating invention contacting wheel.

[0013] FIG. 4 is to demonstrate the side view of the toe plate process. What is notable in this figure is the toe plate contacting the working surface at 2 or more points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention combines with what is in the automotive alignments industry referred to as toe plates. It creates a more accurate measurement than existing methods of this style of measurement, because instead of using a tire as the point of measurement, the invention contacts the wheel directly.

[0015] To add the invention to toe plates, the invention can either be adjustable or fixed, and must be able to contact the wheel of the vehicle being measured at 2 or more points. The invention should be ridged as to not flex or bend during use. The invention must be raised off the surface of the toe plates so then when placed against a wheel/tire assembly the invention touches the wheel, rather than the toe plate touching the tire. The invention should be constructed such that when placed on said wheel tire assembly, the toe plate will be parallel with the wheel in the toe direction (toe is a common industry term, and is the angle of the wheel when viewed from the top). The invention could be constructed using items including but not limited to stand-offs, pins, or bolts, on the toe plate.

[0016] Once the invention is fitted, the toe plates and invention can then be used in the same process as standard toe plates, but with the invention contacting the wheel, instead of the toe plate contacting the tire.