U.S. patent number RE33,179 [Application Number 07/174,492] was granted by the patent office on 1990-03-13 for toe adjustment apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Specialty Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Craig R. Pettibone.
United States Patent |
RE33,179 |
Pettibone |
March 13, 1990 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Toe adjustment apparatus
Abstract
A toe adjustment assembly for adjusting the toe in the rear
wheels of a vehicle having an independent rear suspension
including: a cam device operatively associated with a lateral
control arm, a slot provided in fixed relationship with the vehicle
frame, and, cam engaging surfaces associated with the slot. When
the cam device is rotated, it coacts with the cam engaging surfaces
to cause relative lateral shifting of a shaft portion of the cam
device. This lateral shifting of the cam device shaft portion
causes lateral shifting of the associated control arm and thus toe
adjustment of an associated wheel.
Inventors: |
Pettibone; Craig R. (Lafayette,
CO) |
Assignee: |
Specialty Products, Inc.
(Longmont, CO)
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Family
ID: |
26870281 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/174,492 |
Filed: |
March 28, 1988 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
692825 |
Jan 18, 1985 |
04616845 |
Oct 14, 1986 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/86.753;
280/86.75; 72/704 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60G
3/205 (20130101); B60G 7/02 (20130101); B62D
17/00 (20130101); B60G 2200/1442 (20130101); B60G
2200/182 (20130101); B60G 2200/462 (20130101); B60G
2204/14 (20130101); B60G 2204/143 (20130101); B60G
2204/42 (20130101); B60G 2204/61 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60G
3/18 (20060101); B60G 7/02 (20060101); B60G
3/20 (20060101); B62D 17/00 (20060101); B63D
017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/661,660,690,675,698,699,700,701,725,726 ;72/704 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Specialty Products Company Catalogue No. 8500 (Feb. 15, 1985) p. 18
see Product No. 85500. .
Specialty Products Company 85500 Rear Toe adjustment kit
instructions. .
"Front End Service Manual" of Moog Automotive, Inc., St. Louis,
Missouri, issued Mar. 1982; pp. 1-90, 93-100, 103-160. .
Motor Auto Repair Manual, 42nd Edition (1979) by Motor, 1790
Broadway-8th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10019, pp. 1-232, 1-233-see
"1974-79 Corvette Rear Wheel Alignment" and FIG. 3. .
Shim-A-Line, Inc. 1986 Wheel Alignment Catalogue (address 3520 Belt
Line Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55716)..
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Primary Examiner: Bertsch; Richard A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Klaas; Bruce G. O'Meara; William
P.
Claims
What is claimed is: .[.
1. A toe adjustment assembly for use in a rear wheel mounting and
control assembly, provided on a rear portion of an automotive
vehicle frame and body assembly, of the type having at least one
rear wheel mounting assembly including a shock strut for supporting
a spindle means operatively attached to the vehicle frame and body
assembly; a spindle fixedly mounted at a lower end portion of the
shock strut for rotatably supporting a wheel; and a wheel rotatably
mounted on the spindle about a laterally extending wheel axis
whereby the toe of said wheel is dependent upon the relative
lateral position of a portion of said spindle; and having a control
assembly for controlling the toe of the wheel including at least
one control arm for holding the lower end of the wheel strut at a
predetermined lateral position relative the frame and body
assembly, the control arm having a first end operatively associated
with a centrally located control arm connection portion of the
vehicle frame and body assembly and having a second end operatively
associated with a portion of the spindle, the control arm extending
generally transversely of a vehicle frame and body assembly central
longitudinal axis; said toe adjustment assembly comprising:
control arm adjustable lateral displacement means for adjustably
displacing the control arm laterally inwardly and outwardly whereby
a laterally movable portion of the spindle is adjustably displaced
inwardly and outwardly with respect to a relatively nonmoveable
portion thereof whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted inwardly
and outwardly..].
2. .Iadd.A toe adjustment assembly for use in a rear wheel mounting
and control assembly, provided on a rear portion of an automotive
vehicle frame and body assembly, of the type having at least one
rear wheel mounting assembly including a shock strut for supporting
a spindle means operatively attached to the vehicle frame and body
assembly; a spindle fixedly mounted at a lower end portion of the
shock strut for rotatably supporting a wheel; and a wheel rotatably
mounted on the spindle about a laterally extending wheel axis
whereby the toe of said wheel is dependent upon the relative
lateral position of a portion of said spindle and having a control
assembly for controlling the toe of the wheel including at least
one control arm for holding the lower end of the wheel strut at a
predetermined lateral position relative the frame and body
assembly, the control arm having a first end operatively associated
with a centrally located control arm connection portion of the
vehicle frame and body assembly and having a second end operatively
associated with a portion of the spindle, the control arm extending
generally transversely of a vehicle frame and body assembly central
longitudinal axis;
said toe adjustment assembly comprising:
control arm adjustable lateral displacement means for adjustably
displacing the control arm laterally inwardly and outwardly whereby
a laterally moveable portion of the spindle is adjustably displaced
inwardly and outwardly with respect to a relatively nonmoveable
portion thereof whereby the toe of the wheel is adjusted inwardly
and outwardly; .[.The invention of claim 1.]. wherein said control
arm adjustable lateral displacement mans comprises:
adjustable cam means associated with said control arm;
cam engagement means fixedly associated with said vehicle frame and
body assembly and coacting with said cam means; and
laterally extending slot means fixedly associated with said vehicle
frame and body assembly and adapted to laterally, shiftably accept
a portion of said cam means therewithin in substantially
nondisplaceable vertical relationship therewithin.
3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said cam means comprises:
an elongate shaft portion having a first end and a second end and a
central longitudinal axis; a circular disc portion having a central
longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical periphery adapted to
engage said cam engagement means, said circular disc being fixedly
mounted on said elongate shaft proximate said first end thereof,
said longitudinal axes of said shaft and disc being positioned in
parallel, offset relationship.
4. The invention of claim 3 said shaft having a tool receiving
portion at said first end thereof adapted to matingly accept a tool
adapted to supply rotating torque to said shaft.
5. The invention of claim 4 said control arm comprising a shaft
receiving portion at said first end thereof adapted to
longitudinally, slidingly accept said shaft portion of said cam
means in transversely nondisplaceable relationship therewithin;
said slot means in said frame and body assembly being adapted to
receive said shaft portion of said cam means in laterally shiftable
vertically nondisplaceable relationship therewithin.
6. The invention of claim 5 said cam means further comprising
securing means for securing said first end of said control arm to
said shaft portion of said slot means in substantially
longitudinally nondisplaceable relationship.
7. The invention of claim 6 said securing means comprising a
threaded portion on said second end of said cam shaft portion and a
nut adapted to be threadingly mounted on said shaft threaded
portion.
8. The invention of claim 2 said slot means comprising at least one
laterally extending slot provided in a cross member portion of the
vehicle frame and body assembly.
9. The invention of claim 2 wherein said slot means comprises a
bracket member fixedly attached to a frame cross member portion of
the vehicle frame and body assembly said bracket member having at
least one laterally extending slot therein.
10. The invention of claim 3 wherein said cam engagement means
comprises a pair of parallel, opposed, vertically extending
surfaces separated by a distance approximately equal to the
diameter of said cam circular disc said vertically extending
surfaces being positioned on lateral sides of said circular disc
whereby rotation of said cam means about said shaft central
longitudinal axis causes relative vertical displacement of said cam
means disc portion and lateral displacement of said cam means shaft
portion.
11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said cam engagement means is
provided on a separate plate member abuttingly engageable in
nonmoving relationship with said vehicle frame and body assembly
control arm connection portion by lateral stop portions fixedly
associated with said frame and body assembly and by said cam means
securing means, said plate member having at least one slot therein
positionable opposite said slot means associated with the vehicle
frame and body assembly and being substantially coextensive with
said slot means.
12. A toe adjustment assembly for adjusting the toe of a rear wheel
of an automotive vehicle comprising:
(a) an elongated plate having a recessed portion therein defining
two transversely extending parallel cam engaging surfaces and
having a longitudinally extending slot provided in said recessed
portion of substantially identical size and shape as a frame slot
provided in a cross member portion of a vehicle frame, said frame
slot extending laterally of the vehicle central longitudinal
axis;
(b) at least one cam assembly adapted to coact with said elongate
plate, said frame slot and a vehicle control arm, said cam assembly
comprising:
(i) a shaft portion having a central longitudinal axis and being
adapted to be received in laterally shiftable relationship in said
cam plate slot and said frame slot and adapted to be received in
laterally nonshiftable relationship in a bore portion of said
vehicle control arm; said shaft portion having a torque tool
engaging portion at a first end thereof and a threaded portion
adapted to accept a nut at a second end thereof;
(ii) a disc portion having a central longitudinal axis and a
cylindrical periphery adapted to engage said cam engaging surfaces
of said elongate plate and having a diameter slightly less than the
distance between said cam engaging surfaces, said disc portion
being affixed to said shaft portion proximate a first end thereof,
said shaft portion passing through said disc portion; said shaft
central longitudinal axis being positioned in parallel offset
relationship with said disc central longitudinal axis; and
(iii) a nut means mountable on said threaded portion for axially
urging said elongate plate, an end portion of said control arm and
a portion of said vehicle frame into longitudinally fixed
relationship;
(c) said elongate plate being adapted to be secured to and remain
in laterally fixed relationship with said vehicle frame by said
.[.means.]. .Iadd.assembly; said cam .[.means.]. .Iadd.assembly
.Iaddend.being constructed and arranged whereby said cam disc
portion is displaceable in a direction parallel said cam engagement
surfaces and whereby said cam shaft portion is displaceable
laterally along said frame slot and said plate slot by rotation of
said cam assembly about said cam shaft central longitudinal axis;
said lateral displacement of said cam shaft causing lateral
displacement of said control arm relative the vehicle central
longitudinal axis whereby the toe of an associated rear wheel
assembly is selectively adjustable.
13. A method of controlling the toe of a rear wheel in an
automotive vehicle of the type having a central longitudinal axis
and a vertical axis, a forward steering assembly and a pair of
independently mounted, non-steerable rear wheels comprising:
providing a laterally extending slot in a cross member portion of
the vehicle frame at an intermediate portion thereof;
providing a cam assembly having a shaft portion adaptable to be
longitudinally received through said slot and being laterally
slideable within said slot; said cam assembly having a disc portion
mounted eccentrically near one end of said shaft;
providing parallel cam engagement surfaces in fixed relationship
with said laterally extending slot on said frame at either end of
said laterally extending slot spaced at a distance approximately
equal to the diameter of said cam assembly disc portion;
mounting said cam assembly on said vehicle by passing the shaft
portion thereof through said laterally extending slot and through a
bushing portion of a laterally extending control arm;
urging said control arm and said frame into abutting contact by
tightening of a nut on a threaded end portion of said cam assembly
shaft;
adjusting the toe of a wheel assembly pivotally connected to a
second end of the control arm by rotating the cam assembly about
the central longitudinal axis of the cam assembly shaft whereby the
cam assembly shaft and the control arm are shifted laterally
relative the vehicle central longitudinal axis. .[.14. A rear wheel
mounting and control assembly mountable on a rear portion of an
automotive vehicle frame and body assembly having a central
longitudinal axis and a vertical axis comprising:
(a) at least one rear wheel mounting assembly including:
(i) a shock strut means for supporting a spindle means operatively
attached to the vehicle frame and body assembly at an upper end
thereof and laterally displaceable relative the central
longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and body assembly at the
lower end thereof;
(ii) a spindle means fixedly mounted at a lower end portion of said
shock strut means for rotatably supporting a wheel; and
(iii) a wheel rotatably mounted on said spindle means about a
laterally extending wheel axis whereby the camber of said wheel is
dependent upon the relative lateral position of the lower end of
said shock strut means;
(b) a control assembly for controlling the camber of said wheel
comprising:
at leasts one control arm means for holding the lower end of said
wheel strut means at a predetermined lateral position relative said
frame and body assembly, said control arm means having a first end
operatively associated with a centrally located control arm
connection portion of said vehicle frame and body assembly and
having a second end operatively associated with said spindle means,
said control arm means extending generally transversely of said
vehicle frame and body assembly central longitudinal axis; and
(c) control arm adjustable lateral displacement means for
adjustably displacing said control arm means laterally inwardly and
outwardly whereby said lower end of said shock strut means and said
spindle means are adjustably displaced inwardly and outwardly
whereby the camber of said wheel is adjusted inwardly and
outwardly..]. .[.15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said control
arm adjustable lateral displacement means comprises:
adjustable cam means associated with said control arm means;
cam engagement means fixedly associated with said vehicle frame and
body assembly and coacting with said cam means; and
laterally extending slot means fixedly associated with said vehicle
frame and body assembly and adapted to laterally, shiftably accept
a portion of said cam means therewithin in substantially
nondisplaceable vertical relationship therewithin,.]. .[.16. The
invention of claim 15 wherein said cam means comprises:
an elongate shaft portion having a first end and a second end and a
central longitudinal axis;
a circular disc portion having a central longitudinal axis and
having a cylindrical periphery adapted to engage said cam
engagement means, said circular disc being fixedly mounted on said
elongate shaft proximate said first end thereof, said longitudinal
axes of said shaft and disc being positioned in parallel, offset
relationship..]. .[.17. The invention of claim 16 said shaft having
a tool receiving portion at said first end thereof adapted to
matingly accept as tool adapted to apply rotating torque to said
shaft..]. .[.18. The invention of claim 17 said control arm means
comprising a shaft receiving portion at said first end thereof
adapted to longitudinally, slidingly accept said shaft portion of
said cam means in transversely nondisplaceable relationahip
therewithin;
said slot means in said frame and body assembly being adapted to
receive said shaft portion of said cam means in laterally shiftable
vertically nondisplaceable relationship therewithin..]. .[.19. The
invention of claim 18 said cam means further comprising securing
means for securing said first end of said control arm means said
shaft portion of said cam means and a peripheral surface portion of
said slot means in..]. .[.20. The invention of claim 19 said
securing means comprising as threaded portion on said second end of
said cam shaft portion and a nut adapted to be threadingly mounted
on said shaft threaded portion..]. .[.21. The invention of claim 15
said slot means comprising at least one laterally extending slot
provided in a cross member portion of the vehicle frame and body
assembly..]. .[.22. The invention of claim 15 wherein said slot
means comprises a bracket member fixedly attached to a frame cross
member portion of the vehicle frame and body assembly said bracket
member having at least one laterally extending slot therein..].
.[.23. The invention of claim 16 wherein said cam engagement means
comprises a pair of parallel, opposed, vertically extending
surfaces separated by a distance approximately equal to the
diameter of said cam circular disc said vertically extending
surfaces being positioned on lateral sides of said circular disc
whereby rotation of said cam means about said shaft central
longitudinal axis causes relative vertical displacement of said cam
means disc portion and lateral displacement of said cam means shaft
portion..]. .[.24. The invention of claim 23 wherein said cam
engagement means is provided on a separate plate member abuttingly
engageable in nonmoving relationship with said vehicle frame and
body assembly control arm connection portion by by lateral stop
portions fixedly associated with said frame and body assembly and
said cam means securing means, said plate member having at least
one slot therein positionable opposite said slot means associated
with the vehicle frame and body assembly substantially coextensive
with said slot means..]. .[.25. A camber adjustment assembly for
use in a rear wheel mounting and control assembly, provided on a
rear portion of an automotive vehicle frame and body assembly, of
the type having at least one rear wheel mounting assembly including
a shock strut for supporting a spindle means operatively attached
to the vehicle frame and body assembly; a spindle fixedly mounted
at a lower end portion of the shock strut for rotatably supporting
a wheel; and a wheel rotatably mounted on the spindle about a
laterally extending wheel axis whereby the camer of said wheel is
dependent upon the relative lateral position of the lower end of
the shock strut means; and having a control assembly for
controlling the camber of the wheel including at least one control
arm for holding the lower end of the wheel strut at a predetermined
lateral position relative the frame and body assembly, the control
arm having a first end operatively associated with a centrally
located control arm connection portion of the vehicle frame and
body assembly and having a second end operatively associated with
the spindle, the control arm extending generally transversely of a
vehicle frame and body assembly central longitudinal axis;
said camber adjustment assembly comprising: control arm adjustably
displacing the control arm laterally inwardly and outwardly whereby
the lower end of the shock strut and the spindle are adjustably
displaced inwardly and outwardly whereby the camber of the wheel is
adjusted inwardly and outwardly..]. .[.26. The invention of claim
25 wherein said control arm adjustable lateral displacement means
comprises:
adjustable cam means associated with said control arm;
cam engagement means fixedly associated with said vehicle frame and
body assembly and coacting with said cam means; and
laterally extending slot means fixedly associated with said vehicle
frame and body assembly and adapted to laterally, shiftably accept
a portion of said cam means therewithin in substantially
nondisplaceable vertical relationship therewithin..]. .[.27. The
invention of claim 26 wherein said cam means comprises:
an elongate shaft portion having a first end and a second end and a
central longitudinal axis;
a circular disc portion having a central longitudinal axis and
having a cylindrical periphery adapted to engage said cam
engagement means, said circular disc being fixedly mounted on said
elongate shaft proximate said first end thereof, said longitudinal
axes of said shaft and disc being positioned in parallel, offset
relationship..]. .[.28. The invention of claim 27 said shaft having
a tool receiving portion at said first end thereof adapted to
matingly accept a tool adapted to apply rotating torque to said
shaft..]. .[.29. The invention of claim 28 said control arm
comprising a shaft receiving portion at said first end thereof
adapted to longitudinally, slidingly accept said shaft portion of
said cam means in transversely nondisplaceable relationship
therewithin;
said slot means in said frame and body assembly being adapted to
receive said shaft portion of said cam means in laterally shiftable
vertically nondisplaceable relationship therewithin..]. .[.30. The
invention of claim 29 said cam means further comprising securing
means for securing said first end of said control arm said shaft
portion of said cam means and a peripheral surface portion of said
slot means in substantially longitudinally nondisplaceable
relationship..]. .[.31. The invention of claim 30 said securing
means comprising a threaded portion on said second end of said cam
shaft portion and a nut adapted to be threadingly mounted on said
shaft threaded portion..]. .[.32. The invention of claim 26 said
slot means comprising at least one laterally extending slot
provided in a cross member portion of the vehicle frame and body
assembly..]. .[.33. The invention of claim 26 wherein said slot
means comprises a bracket member fixedly attached to a frame cross
member portion of the vehicle frame and body assembly said bracket
member having at least one laterally extending slot therein..].
.[.34. The invention of claim 27 wherein said cam engagement means
comprises a pair of parallel, opposed, vertically extending
surfaces separated by a distance approximately equal to the
diameter of said cam circular disc said vertically extending
surfaces being positioned on lateral sides of said circular disc
whereby rotation of said cam means about said shaft central
longitudinal axis causes relative vertical displacement of said cam
means disc portion and lateral displacement of said cam means shaft
portion..]. .[.35. The invention of claim 34 wherein said cam
engagement means is provided on a separate plate member abuttingly
engageable in nonmoving relationship with said vehicle frame and
body assembly control arm connection portion by lateral stop
portions fixedly associated with said frame and body assembly and
by said cam means securing means, said plate member having at least
one slot therein positionable opposite said slot means associated
with the vehicle frame and body assembly and being substantially
coextensive with said slot
means..]. 36. A camber adjustment assembly for adjusting the camber
of a rear wheel of an automotive vehicle comprising:
an elongate plate having a recessed portion therein defining two
transversely extending parallel cam engaging surfaces and having a
longitudinally extending slot provided in said recessed portion of
substantially identical size and shape as a frame slot provided in
a cross member portion of a vehicle frame, said frame slot
extending laterally of the vehicle central longitudinal axis;
(b) at least one cam assembly adapted to coact with said elongate
plate, said frame slot and a vehicle control arm, said cam assembly
comprising:
(i) a shaft portion having a central longitudinal axis and being
adapted to be received in laterally shiftable relationship in said
cam plate slot and said frame slot and adapted to be received in
laterally nonshiftable relationship in a bore portion of said
vehicle control arm; said shaft portion having a torque tool
engaging portion at a first end thereof and a threaded portion
adapted to accept a nut at a second end thereof;
(ii) a disc portion having a central longitudinal axis and a
cylindrical periphery adapted to engage said cam engaging surfaces
of said elongate plate and having a diameter slightly less than the
distance between said cam engaging surfaces, said disc portion
being affixed to said shaft portion proximate a first end thereof,
said shaft portion passing through said disc portion; said shaft
central longitudinal axis being positioned in parallel offset
relationship with said disc central longitudinal axis; and
(iii) a nut means mountable on said threaded portion for axially
urging said elongate plate, an end portion of said control arm and
a portion of said vehicle frame into longitudinally fixed
relationship;
(c) said elongate plate being adapted to be secured to and remain
in laterally fixed relationship with said vehicle frame by said cam
means; said cam means being constructed and arranged whereby said
cam disc portion is displaceable in a direction parallel said cam
engagement surfaces and whereby said cam shaft portion is
displaceable laterally along said frame slot and said plate slot by
rotation of said cam assembly about said cam shaft central
longitudinal axis; said lateral displacement of said cam shaft
causing lateral displacement of said control arm relative the
vehicle central longitudinal axis whereby the camber of an
associated rear wheel assembly is selectively adjustable. .[.37. A
method of controlling the camber of a rear wheel in an automotive
vehicle of the type having a central longitudinal axis and a
vertical axis, a forward steering assembly and a pair of
independently mounted, nonsteerable rear wheels comprising:
providing a laterally extending slot in a cross member portion of
the vehicle frame at an intermediate portion thereof;
providing a cam assembly having a shaft portion adaptable to be
longitudinally received through said slot and being laterally
slideable within said slot; said cam assembly having a disc portion
mounted eccentrically near one end of said shaft;
providing parallel cam engagement surfaces in fixed relationship
with said laterally extending slot on said frame at either end of
said laterally extending slot spaced at a distance approximately
equal to the diameter of said cam assembly disc portion;
mounting said cam assembly on said vehicle by passing the shaft
portion thereof through said laterally extending slot and through a
bushing portion of a laterally extending control arm;
urging said control arm and said frame into abutting contact by
tightening of a nut on a threaded end portion of said cam assembly
shaft;
adjusting the camber of a wheel assembly pivotally connected to a
second end of the control arm by rotating the cam assembly shaft
whereby the cam assembly shaft and the control arm are shifted
laterally relative the
vehicle control longitudinal axis..]. .Iadd.38. A rear wheel
mounting and control assembly mountable on a rear portion of an
automotive vehicle frame and body assembly having a central
longitudinal axis and vertical axis comprising:
(a) at least one rear wheel mounting assembly including:
(i) a shock strut for supporting a spindle means operatively
attached to the vehicle frame and body assembly at an upper end
thereof and laterally displaceable relative the central
longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and body assembly at the
lower end thereof;
(ii) a spindle means fixedly mounted at a lower end portion of said
shock strut means for rotatably supporting a wheel; and
(iii) a wheel rotatably mounted on said spindle means about a
laterally extending wheel axis whereby the camber of said wheel is
dependent upon the relative lateral position of the lower end of
said shock strut means;
(b) a control assembly for controlling the camber of said wheel
comprising:
at least one control arm means for holding the lower end of said
wheel strut means at a predetermined lateral position relative said
frame and body assembly, said control arm means having a first end
operatively associated with a centrally located control arm
connection portion of said vehicle frame and body assembly and
having a second end operatively associated with said spindle means,
said control arm means extending generally transversely of said
vehicle frame body assembly central longitudinal axis; and
(c) control arm adjustable lateral displacement means for
adjustably displacing said control arm means laterally inwardly and
outwardly whereby said lower end of said shock strut means and said
spindle means are adjustable displaced inwardly and outwardly
whereby the camber of said wheel is adjusted inwardly and
outwardly;
(d) wherein said control arm adjustable lateral displacement means
comprises:
adjustable cam means associated with said control arm means;
cam engagement means fixedly associated with said vehicle frame and
body assembly and coacting with said cam means; and
laterally extending slot means fixedly associated with said vehicle
frame and body assembly and adapted to laterally, shiftably accept
a portion of said cam means therewithin in substantially
nondisplaceable vertical relationship therewithin;
(e) wherein said cam means comprises:
an elongate shaft portion having a first end and a second end and a
central longitudinal axis;
a circular disc portion having a central longitudinal axis and
having a cylindrical periphery adapted to engage said cam
engagement means, said circular disc being fixedly mounted on said
elongate shaft proximate said first end thereof, said longitudinal
axes of said shaft and disc being positioned in parallel, offset
relationship;
(f) wherein said cam engagement means comprises a pair of parallel,
opposed, vertically extending surfaces separated by a distance
approximately equal to the diameter of said cam circular disc said
vertically extending surfaces being positioned on lateral sides of
said cam circular disc whereby rotation of said cam means about
said shaft central longitudinal axis causes relative vertical
displacement of said cam means disc portion and lateral
displacement of said cam means shaft portion;
(g) wherein said cam engagement means is provided on a separate
plate member abuttingly engageable in nonmoving relationship with
said vehicle frame and body assembly control arm connection portion
by lateral stop portions fixedly associated with said frame and
body assembly and by said cam means securing means, said plate
member having at least one slot therein positionable opposite said
slot means associated with the vehicle frame and body assembly
substantially coextensive with said slot means.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A camber adjustment assembly for use in a rear
wheel mounting and control assembly, provided on a rear portion of
an automotive vehicle frame and body assembly, of the type having
at least one rear wheel mounting assembly including a shock strut
for supporting a spindle means operatively attached to the vehicle
frame and body assembly; a spindle fixedly mounted on a lower end
portion of the shock strut for rotatably supporting a wheel; and a
wheel rotatably mounted on the spindle about a laterally extending
wheel axis whereby the camber of said wheel is dependent upon the
relative lateral position of the lower end of the shock strut
means; and having a control assembly for controlling the camber of
the wheel including at least one control arm for holding the lower
end of the vehicle strut at a predetermined lateral position
relative the frame and body assembly, the control arm having a
first end operatively associated with a centrally located control
arm connection portion of the vehicle frame and body assembly and
having a second end operatively associated with the spindle, the
control arm extending generally transversely of a vehicle frame and
body assembly central longitudinal axis;
said camber adjustment assembly comprising: control arm adjustable
lateral displacement means for adjustably displacing the control
arm laterally inwardly and outwardly whereby the lower end of the
shock strut and the spindle are adjustable displaced inwardly and
outwardly whereby the camber of the wheel is adjusted inwardly and
outwardly;
wherein said control arm adjustable lateral displacement means
comprises:
adjustable cam means associated with said control arm means;
cam engagement means fixedly associated with said vehicle frame and
body assembly and coacting with said cam means; and
laterally extending slot means fixedly associated with said vehicle
frame and body assembly and adapted to laterally, shiftably accept
a portion of said cam means therewithin in substantially
nondisplaceable vertical relationship therewithin;
wherein said cam means comprises:
an elongate shaft portion having a first end and a second end and a
central longitudinal axis;
a circular disc portion having a central longitudinal axis and
having a cylindrical periphery adapted to engage said cam
engagement means, said circular disc being fixedly mounted on said
elongate shaft proximate said first end thereof, said longitudinal
axis of said shaft and disc being positioned in parallel, offset
relationship;
wherein said cam engagement means comprises a pair of parallel,
opposed, vertically extending surfaces separated by a distance
approximately equal to the diameter of said cam circular disc said
vertically extending surfaces being positioned on lateral sides of
said cam circular disc whereby rotation of said cam means about
said shaft central longitudinal axis causes relative vertical
displacement of said cam means disc portion and lateral
displacement of said cam means shaft portion;
wherein said cam engagement means is provided on a separate plate
member abuttingly engageable in nonmoving relationship with said
vehicle frame and body assembly control arm connection portion by
lateral stop portions fixedly associated with said frame and body
assembly and by said cam means securing means, said plate member
having at least one slot therein positionable opposite said slot
means associated with the vehicle frame and body assembly
substantially coextensive with said slot means.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A wheel alignment parameter adjustment assembly
for adjusting a wheel alignment parameter of a wheel for retrofit
installation in an existing vehicle suspension system of the type
which includes a pair of spaced apart laterally extending members
which extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the
wheel; and a wheel supporting and stabilizing assembly which
rotatably supports and stabilizes the wheel and which has a wheel
assembly attachment portion which is received between said pair of
laterally extending members and which is ordinarily attached
therebetween by means of at least one bolt which extends
transversely of the wheel rotation axis and which is received in a
bolt hole in said wheel assembly attachment portion and which is
also received in a first bolt hole in a first one of said laterally
extending members and a second bolt hole in a second one of said
laterally extending members, comprising:
(a) a pair of laterally expanded openings provided in said pair of
laterally extending members by lateral extension of said first and
second bolt holes therein;
(b) cam bolt means having a central longitudinal axis for holding
said wheel assembly attachment portion in a plurality of different
wheel alignment parameter adjustment positions, said cam bolt means
being received in said laterally expanded openings in said
laterally extending members and in said bolt hole in said wheel
assembly attachment portion and being adjustably laterally moveable
in said expanded openings in a first relatively loosened state of
said cam bolt means and being relatively fixed with respect to said
expanded openings in a second, relatively tightened state of said
cam bolt means;
(c) cam plate means removably secured to at least one of said
laterally extending members by said cam bolt means, said cam plate
means being adapted to coact with said laterally extending member
and said cam bolt means for holding said cam bolt means in a
plurality of different laterally displaced positions in said
laterally expanded openings for providing said plurality of
different wheel alignment parameter adjustment positions;
(d) the wheel alignment parameter of the wheel mounted on said
wheel supporting and stabilizing assembly being adjustable through
positioning of said cam bolt means in said plurality of different
wheel alignment parameter adjustment positions; and
(e) adjustable tightening means for placing said cam bolt means in
said first relatively loosened state and said second relatively
tightened state. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. The invention of claim 40 said
adjustable tightening means comprising a threaded nut and lock
washer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The invention of said 40 wherein said
cam bolt means comprises:
an elongate shaft portion having a central shaft longitudinal axis,
a first end and a threaded second end and being adapted to be
closely received in said bolt hole of said wheel assembly
attachment portion and adapted to be laterally displaceably
received in said laterally expanded openings in said laterally
extending members;
a cam member extending transversely of said shaft portion and
having a cam member peripheral surface, different portions of said
cam member peripheral surface being positioned at different
distances from said central longitudinal axis of said cam bolt
means;
a bolt torquing portion positioned at a terminal portion of said
first end of said shaft portion; and
a nut threadingly mounted on said threaded second end of said
shaft
portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The invention of claim 42 wherein said
cam plate means comprises:
at least one cam engagement surface extending generally
perpendicular to the direction of lateral extension of said
laterally expanded openings and adapted to engage said cam member
of said cam bolt means; and
laterally extending cam plate slot means adapted to receive said
shaft portion of said cam bolt means therethrough in axially
rotatable, laterally displaceable, vertically nondisplaceable
relationship therein in said loosened state and in totally
nondisplaceable relationship therein in said tightened state.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.44. The invention of claim 43 wherein said cam
plate means comprises stabilizing means for preventing lateral
movement thereof relative said at least one laterally extending
member on which it is mounted. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. The invention of
any one of claims 40-44 wherein said laterally expanded openings
comprises laterally extending slots having a vertical dimension
equal to that of said holes in said laterally extending members
prior to lateral expansion thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The
invention of claim 45 wherein said wheel
alignment parameter comprises camber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The
invention of any one of claims 40-44 wherein said wheel alignment
parameter comprises camber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. A method of
adjusting a wheel alignment parameter of a wheel in an existing
vehicle suspension system of the type which includes a pair of
parallel laterally extending members which extend parallel to the
axis of rotation of the wheel; and a wheel supporting and
stabilizing assembly which supports and stabilizes the wheel and
which has a wheel assembly attachment portion which is received
between said pair of laterally extending members and which is
ordinarily attached thereto by means of at least one bolt which is
received in a bolt hole extending through said wheel assembly
attachment portion and which is received in a first bolt hole in a
first one of said laterally extending members and a second bolt
hole in a second one of said laterally extending members,
comprising the steps of:
(a) removing said bolt from said hole in the wheel assembly
attachment portion and the first and second bolt holes in the
laterally extending members;
(b) producing oppositely positioned laterally expanded openings in
said pair of laterally extending members by lateral extension of
said first and second bolt holes;
(c) providing a cam bolt assembly comprising:
an elongate shaft portion having a central shaft longitudinal axis,
a first end and a threaded second end;
a cam portion extending transversely of said shaft portion and
having a peripheral, axially extending surface, with a plurality of
different portions which are positioned at different radial
distances from said central longitudinal axis of said shaft
portion;
a bolt torquing portion positioned at said first end of said shaft
portion; and
a nut threadingly mountable on said second end of said shaft
portion;
(d) providing a cam plate comprising:
a cam engagement surface extending generally perpendicular to the
direction of lateral extension of said laterally expanded
openings;
a laterally extending cam plate slot; and
stabilizing means for interferingly engaging at least one of said
laterally extending members and maintaining the cam plate in
laterally nonmoveable relationship with said engaged laterally
extending member;
(e) placing the cam plate in abutting engagement with a laterally
extending surface of one of said laterally extending members with
the cam plate slot in overlying relationship with the laterally
expanded opening in the laterally extending member;
(f) inserting the shaft portion of the cam bolt assembly through
the laterally expanded openings in both laterally extending members
and the slot in the cam plate and through the first hole in the
wheel assembly attachment portion;
(g) adjustably laterally moving the cam bolt assembly shaft portion
within the laterally expanded openings in the laterally extending
members and the slot in the cam plate so as to move the wheel
mounting and stabilizing assembly to adjust the wheel alignment
parameter of the associated wheel;
(h) maintaining the cam bolt assembly in a selected lateral
position through engagement of a selected one of said peripheral
surface portions of the cam member with the cam engagement surface
of the cam plate; and
(i) tighteningly threading the cam assembly nut onto the cam shaft
portion so as to prevent axial movement of the cam bolt assembly.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd. 9. A wheel alignment parameter adjustment assembly for
adjusting a wheel alignment parameter of a wheel for retrofit
installation in an existing vehicle suspension system of the type
which includes a pair of spaced apart laterally extending members
which extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the
wheel; and a wheel supporting and stabilizing assembly which
rotatably supports and stabilizes the wheel and which has a wheel
assembly attachment portion which is received between said pair of
laterally extending members and which is ordinarily attached
therebetween by means of at least one bolt which extends
transversely of the wheel rotation axis and which is received in a
bolt hole in said wheel assembly attachment portion and which is
also received in a first bolt hole in a first one of said laterally
extending members and a second bolt hole in a second one of said
laterally extending members, comprising:
(a) at least one laterally expanded opening provided in each of
said laterally extending members by lateral extension of said first
and second bolt holes therein;
(b) cam bolt means for holding said wheel assembly attachment
portion in a plurality of different wheel alignment parameter
adjustment positions, said cam bolt means being received in said
laterally expanded openings in said laterally extending members and
in said bolt hole in said wheel assembly attachment portion and
being adjustably laterally moveable in said expanded openings in a
first relatively loosened state of said cam bolt means and being
relatively fixed with respect to said expanded openings in a
second, relatively tightened state of said cam bolt means; said cam
bolt means comprising:
(i) an elongate shaft portion having a first end and a threaded
second end and a central longitudinal axis;
(ii) a bolt head portion fixedly attached to said first end of said
shaft portion;
(iii) a nut portion threadably mountable on said threaded second
end of said shaft portion for providing said relatively loosened
state and said relatively tightened state of said cam bolt means;
and
(iv) a cam portion having a generally cylindrical periphery and a
central longitudinal axis, said cam portion being mounted on said
shaft portion in rotatably fixed relationship therewith, with said
cam portion central longitudinal being positioned in parallel,
radially offset relationship with respect to said shaft portion
central longitudinal axis;
(c) cam plate means removably secured to at least one of said
laterally extending members by said cam bolt means, said cam plate
means being adapted to coact with said laterally extending member
and said cam bolt means for holding said cam bolt means in a
plurality of different laterally displaced positions in said
laterally expanded openings for providing said plurality of
different wheel alignment parameter adjustment positions; said cam
plate means comprising:
(i) a body portion adapted to be positioned in abutting parallel
relationship with an exterior surface of one of said laterally
extending members;
(ii) a cam plate laterally extending slot having a vertical
dimension approximately equal to the diameter of said cam bolt
means shaft portion, said laterally extending slot being adapted to
be positioned in overlying relationship with said laterally
expanded opening in said laterally extending member and being
adapted to receive said cam bolt means shaft portion therethrough;
and
(iii) cam engaging means projecting outwardly from said cam plate
body portion and extending transversely of said laterally extending
slot for engaging said cylindrical periphery of said cam bolt means
cam portion for limiting the lateral displacement of said cam
portion;
(d) the wheel alignment parameter of the wheel mounted on said
wheel supporting and stabilizing assembly being adjustable to
position said cam bolt means in said plurality of different wheel
alignment parameter adjustment positions through lateral movement
of said cam bolt means shaft portion within said laterally expanded
openings in said laterally extending members and said cam plate
laterally extending slot by rotation of said cam bolt means about
said cam portion central longitudinal axis.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The invention of claim 49 wherein said cam
engaging means comprises a first projection provided proximate a
first end of said cam plate laterally extending slot and a second
projection provided proximate a second end of said cam plate
laterally extending slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. The invention of
claim 49 comprising lateral stabilizing means for preventing
lateral movement of said cam plate means when said cam plate means
is positioned in abutting engagement with said laterally extending
member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. The invention of claim 51, said lateral
stabilizing means comprising a generally vertically and
longitudinally extending edge surface portion of said cam plate
means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. The invention of claim 52, said lateral
stabilizing means further comprising a generally longitudinally and
vertically projecting portion of said laterally extending member
which is abuttingly engageable with said edge surface portion of
said cam plate means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. The invention of claim 49
wherein said laterally expanded openings comprise laterally
extending slots having a vertical dimension approximately equal to
that of said cam bolt means shaft portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. The
invention of any one of claims 49-54 wherein said wheel alignment
parameter comprises camber. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. . The invention of any one of claims 49-54 wherein said
wheel alignment parameter comprises toe. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. A
method of adjusting a wheel alignment parameter of a wheel in an
existing vehicle suspension system of the type which includes a
pair of parallel laterally extending members which extend parallel
to the axis of rotation of the wheel; and a wheel supporting and
stabilizing assembly which supports and stabilizes the wheel and
which has a wheel assembly attachment portion which is received
between said pair of laterally extending members and which is
ordinarily attached thereto by means of at least one bolt which is
received in a bolt hole extending through said wheel assembly
attachment portion and which is received in a first bolt hole in a
first one of said laterally extending members and a second bolt
hole in a second one of said laterally extending members,
comprising the steps of:
(a) removing said bolt from said hole in the wheel assembly
attachment portion and the first and second bolt holes in the
laterally extending members;
(b) producing oppositely positioned laterally expanded openings in
said pair of laterally extending members by lateral extension of
said first and second bolt holes;
(c) providing a cam bolt assembly comprising:
an elongate shaft portion having a central shaft longitudinal axis,
a first end and a threaded second end;
a generally cylindrical cam portion having a central longitudinal
axis parallel and offset from said shaft central longitudinal
axis;
a bolt torquing portion positioned at said first end of said shaft
portion; and
a nut threadingly mountable on said second end of said shaft
portion;
(d) providing a cam plate comprising:
a relatively flat cam plate body portion;
a laterally extending cam plate slot;
a pair of cam engagement surfaces extending generally perpendicular
said laterally extending cam plate slot and projecting outwardly
from said cam plate body portion; and
stabilizing means for interferingly engaging a portion of an
associated laterally extending member and maintaining the cam plate
in laterally nonmoveable relationship with said engaged laterally
extending member;
(e) placing the cam plate in abutting engagement with a laterally
extending surface of one of said laterally extending members with
the cam plate slot in overlying relationship with the laterally
expanded opening in the laterally extending member;
(f) inserting the shaft portion of the cam bolt assembly through
the laterally expanded openings in both laterally extending members
and the slot in the cam plate and through the first hole in the
wheel assembly attachment portion;
(g) adjustably rotating the cam bolt assembly about the cam portion
central longitudinal axis so as to laterally move the cam bolt
assembly shaft portion within the laterally expanded openings in
the laterally extending members and the laterally extending slot in
the cam plate so as to move the wheel mounting and stabilizing
assembly to adjust the wheel alignment parameter of the associated
wheel; and
(h) maintaining the cam bolt assembly in a selected lateral
position by securely tightening the nut on the threaded shaft
portion of the came bolt
assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58. The invention of claim 57 wherein
said step of producing oppositely positioned laterally expanded
openings comprises providing laterally extending slots having a
vertical dimension approximately equal to said cam bolt shaft
diameter. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prevent invention relates generally to automotive products and,
more particularly, to an apparatus for adjusting the toe in the
nonsteerable rear wheels of a vehicle having an independent rear
wheel suspension system.
In a conventional independent rear suspension system for an
automotive vehicle, each rear wheel is mounted independently of the
other, i.e. there is no common rear axle. Each rear wheel is
rotatably mounted on a wheel spindle which is, in turn, fixedly
bolted to the lower end of an elongate, generally vertically
extending shock strut. The upper end of the shock strut is attached
to a body side panel, typically by a rubber insulated top mount
assembly with attachment bolts. Due to the length and resiliency of
the shock strut, the spindle and attached tire are, to a small
degree, displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the shock strut and are also torsionally
(twistably) displaceable about this axis if otherwise unrestrained.
In order to restrain this movement and hold the wheel in a fixed
orientation with respect to the vehicle frame, a longitudinally
extending restraining member, generally referred to as a tie rod,
and a pair of laterally extending restraining members, generally
referred to as control arms, are affixed at one end to the spindle
and at an opposite end to the vehicle frame and body assembly. Due
to manufacturing tolerances, etc. in the rear wheel assembly, the
"toe" of a rear wheel in some cases needs adjustment. The "toe" a
of wheel refers to the angle which the axis of rotation of the
wheel makes with a horizontal axis extending perpendicular to the
central longitudinal axis of the vehicle, i.e. the amount of
angular displacement of the rotation axis from a lateral vehicle
axis. When the vehicle toe is properly adjusted, the rotation axis
of the wheel should generally be parallel to a lateral vehicle
axis. If the front of the wheel is tilted inwardly, the wheel is
"toes in". If the front of the wheel tilts outwardly, the wheel is
"toed out".
Control arms, which determine the lateral position of the forward
and rear portions of the spindle and thus the toe of the associated
wheel, are provided with bushings at either end thereof for
accepting a bolt to attach each control arm at one end to the
spindle and at the other end to a central portion of the vehicle
frame. The attachment hole portions in the spindle and the vehicle
frame are of approximately the same diameter as the attachment
bolts. The only method of adjusting the toe of a tire in such an
arrangement is provided by the "slop" between the bolt receiving
holes in the control arm frame and spindle and the diameter of the
corresponding attachment bolts. To make toe adjustments in such an
assembly, the attachment bolts at the ends of a control arm are
loosened while the vehicle is supported on toe adjustment plates.
Thereafter, one mechanic moves the wheel laterally to a desired toe
position to the extent possible and another mechanic retightens the
bolts. A problem with this solution is that due to vibration, etc.
of the vehicle during ordinary use, the toe of the vehicle may
shift because of lack of positive lateral restraint between the
bolts, control arm and the attachment portions of the frame and
spindle. Another problem with such an adjustment procedure is that
only a relatively small amount of toe adjustment is possible since
the amount of "slop" between the bolts and associated holes is
usually relatively small. Yet another problem with such an
adjustment procedure, is that it requires the service of two
mechanics. Still another problem is that it is difficult to measure
the toe change until after the operation is completed.
It would be generally desirable to provide a rear toe adjustment
assembly enabling a single mechanic to perform an adjustment over a
relatively wide range of potential toe changes in a manner which
would allow the mechanic to view and measure the toe change as the
adjustment is being made, and in a manner which is not subject to
shifting due to ordinary vibration, etc. of the vehicle during
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for
adjusting the toe in a vehicle having an independent rear
suspension. The toe adjustment assembly includes a cam assembly
which coacts with the inwardly positioned end of a control arm, and
a cam engaging surface provided at either side of an elongate
laterally extending slot associated with the vehicle frame. The cam
means may be adjusted by a single individual using a conventional
torque applying tool, such as a conventional wrench, allen wrench
or the like. The toe adjustment may be provided over a relatively
large range and, due to the construction of the cam assembly, the
lateral position of the control arm and thus the toe of the
associated wheel, is not subject to displacement during ordinary
use of the vehicle.
Thus in one embodiment, the invention comprises a rear wheel
mounting and control assembly mountable on a rear portion of an
automotive vehicle frame and body assembly having a central
longitudinal axis and a vertical axis comprising:
(a) at least one rear wheel mounting assembly including:
(i) a shock strut means for supporting a spindle means operatively
attached to the vehicle frame and body assembly and having a
torsionally deflectable lower end;
(ii) a spindle means fixedly mounted at a lower end portion of said
shock strut means for rotatably supporting a wheel; and
(iii) a wheel rotatably mounted on said spindle means about a
generally laterally extending wheel axis whereby the toe of said
wheel is dependent upon the relative angular alignment of the lower
end of said shock strut means and said spindle means with the
vehicle central longitudinal axis;
(b) a control assembly for controlling the toe of said wheel
comprising:
at least one control arm means for holding the lower end of said
wheel strut means at a predetermined lateral position relative said
frame and body assembly, said control arm means having a first end
operatively associated with a centrally located control arm
connection portion of said vehicle frame and body assembly and
having a second end operatively associated with said spindle means,
said control arm means extending generally transversely of said
vehicle frame and body assembly central longitudinal axis; and
(c) control arm adjustable lateral displacement means for
adjustably displacing said control arm means laterally inwardly and
outwardly whereby a portion of said spindle means is adjustably
laterally displaced inwardly and outwardly whereby the toe of said
wheel is adjusted inwardly and outwardly; wherein said control arm
adjustable lateral displacement means comprises:
adjustable cam means associated with said control arm means;
cam engagement means fixedly associated with said vehicle frame and
body assembly and coacting with said cam means; and
laterally extending slot mean fixedly associated with said vehicle
frame and body assembly and adapted to laterally, shiftably accept
a portion of said cam means therewithin in vertically
nondisplaceable relationship therewithin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rear wheel mounting and
control assembly mounted on a rear portion of an automotive frame
and body assembly.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cam assembly and cam
engaging plate used in the control assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a detail, side elevation view illustrating the adjustable
attachment of a control arm to a vehicle frame and body assembly
using a cam assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a frontal, detailed, schematic illustration showing the
operation of a toe adjustment assembly to a position causing a
wheel to toe outwardly.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing the outwardly toed
position of a wheel associated with the toe adjustment position of
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a frontal, detailed, schematic illustration showing the
operation of a toe adjustment assembly to a position causing a
wheel to be positioned in proper alignment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing the properly aligned
position of a wheel associated with the toe adjustment position of
FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a frontal, detailed, schematic illustration showing the
operation of a toe adjustment assembly to a position causing a
wheel to toe inwardly.
FIG. 9 is as schematic illustration showing the inwardly toed
position of a wheel associated with the toe adjustment position of
FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration showing an outwardly cambered
position of a wheel associated with a cam adjustment position shown
partially in FIG. 4.
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration showing a neutral camber
position of a wheel associated with a camber adjustment position
shown partially in FIG. 6.
FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration showing an inwardly cambered
position of a wheel associated with a camber adjustment position
shown partially in FIG. 8.
FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a cam assembly and cam engaging
surfaces which may be used in a rear wheel mounting and control
assembly of the general type illustrated in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The structure and operation of the invention will now be described
in general with reference to FIG. 1. The toe adjustment assembly 10
of the present invention is provided on the rear end portion of a
vehicle frame 12 and body 13 assembly, having a central
longitudinal vehicle axis AA and a vertical axis VV perpendicular
thereto and a horizontal, lateral axis HH perpendicular to both
axes AA and VV. The frame may include a laterally extending cross
member 14, having a centrally positioned connection portion 15
whereat a first bracket assembly 16 and a second bracket assembly
18 are fixedly mounted in longitudinally opposite relationship.
Control arm means are provided, such as control arms 20, 22, 24, 26
for controlling the toe of rear wheels 25, 27, FIGS. 1, 5, 7, 9. In
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, two control arms, e.g. 20,22,
are associated with each wheel 25, 27. Wheel mounting means are
provided for rotatably supporting each wheel 25, 27. In the
illustrated embodiment, the wheel mounting means comprise spindle
assemblies 28, 30 having generally laterally extending wheel
rotation axes BB, CC. Each spindle assembly is fixedly mounted to
the lower end of an associated shock strut 32, 34 as by bolts 33,
35 or other attachment means. The upper portion of each shock strut
32, 34 is fixedly attached to a body 13 side panel as by attachment
bolts 36. The shock strut and attached spindle are angularly
displaceable about the associated shock strut central longitudinal
axis DD, EE. The shock struts are of sufficient length that the
lower end of each shock strut and thus, the associated spindle
assembly is displaceable to a small degree, e.g. 1 or 2 inches, in
a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis DD, EE of an
associated shock strut. A longitudinal stabilizing means may be
provided to prevent movement of each shock strut and spindle in a
direction parallel to the longitudinal axis AA of the vehicle. The
longitudinal stabilizing means may comprise a conventional tie rod
assembly 38, 40 associated with each shock strut and spindle
assembly. Similarly, a control arm means 20, 22 and 24, 26 is
associated with each rear shock strut and spindle to prevent
movement thereof in a lateral direction and to control toe. A toe
adjustment means is operatively associated with each rear wheel
mounting means and control arm means and may include cam plate 60,
cam bolts 64, 66 and bracket slots 108, 110, 112, 114. A toe and
camber adjustment means may be provided by cam plates 60, 62, can
bolts 64, 66, 68, 70 and bracket slots 108, 110, 112, 114, etc.
provided in bracket assemblies 16, 18.
In operation, a cam bolt 66 is received within a slotted portion
146 of an associated cam plate 60 and is also received within
slotted portions 110, 114 of an associated bracket 116. An
associated cross member 20 having an inner end portion 202
positioned between wing portions of an associated bracket 116 also
receives cam bolt 66 through a connection portion, such as bushing
204, thereof. A cam disc portion 178 of the cam bolt 66 cooperates
with shoulder portions of the cam plate 60 such that a shaft
portion of the cam bolt is laterally translatable along the length
of the slots 146, 110, 114 by rotation of the cam bolt about the
axis MM of its shaft 162. The attached control arm 20 is also
shifted laterally by lateral movement of the associated cam bolt 66
and causes corresponding lateral shifting in the attached portion
212 of spindle assembly 28 to provide toe adjustment to the wheel
mounted thereon. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIG. 1, two control arms, e.g. 20, 22 are associated with each
wheel mounting means. One cam arm 22 is held stationary and
provides a toe pivot axis PP at its point of attachment 213 to the
spindle, while the other control arm 20 is shifted laterally to
cause relative rotation of the spindle 28 about axis PP to provide
toe adjustment. However, the second control arm may also be
connected to the vehicle frame in laterally shiftable relationship,
as shown in FIG. 1, whereby both control arms 20, 22 may be shifted
laterally a similar amount to control camber as discussed in
further detail below with reference to FIGS. 10-12.
Having thus described the structure and operation of the invention
in general, the invention will now be described in further
detail.
It may be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 that each bracket
assembly 16, 18 may be identical and may comprises a generally
U-shaped configuration having a horizontally disposed cross
connection portion 102 and a pair of vertically disposed wing
portions 104, 106. Each U-shaped bracket assembly 16, 18 extends
laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis AA of the vehicle
and may be fixedly attached as by welding or the like to a cross
member portion 14 of the vehicle frame 12 at a laterally
intermediate connection portion 15 thereof. A pair of laterally
aligned, elongate, laterally extending slots 108, 110 and 112, 114
are positioned on each wing portion of a bracket assembly 16 with
the slots 108, 110 on one wing portion being longitudinally
aligned, respectively, with the slots 112, 114 on the other wing
portion. The slots on each wing portion are positioned in a
recessed portion, e.g. 116 of the associated wing 104. The recessed
portion is positioned inside an outer raised peripheral ring
portion 122. The interface of the recessed portion 116 and raised
portion 122 define opposite, vertically extending shoulder portions
118, 120 adapted to abuttingly engage end portions 150, 152 of an
associated cam plate 60 to prevent lateral movement thereof as
described in further detail hereinafter.
Each bracket assembly 16, 18 may have associated therewith a cam
plate 60, 62. (Alternately a single cam plate may be provided if
the assembly is to be used exclusively for toe adjustment as
opposed to toe and camber adjustment.) The cam plates may be of
identical construction. Each cam plate comprises an outwardly
facing planar surface 130, FIG. 3. Recessed from surface 130 are a
pair of recessed areas 132, 138, each defining a pair of shoulder
portions 134, 136, 140, 142, repectively, at the interface with
surface 130. An elongate slot 144, 146 extending in the same
direction a the elongate axis of the plate member, is centrally
located within each recessed area 132, 138. Each plate also has a
planar inwardly facing surface 148, FIG. 1, adapted to abuttingly
engage the recessed portion of an associated bracket assembly. Each
bracket also has a pair of terminal end surfaces 150, 152 adapted
to abuttingly engage an associated bracket vertical shoulder
portion 118, 120 to prevent lateral displacement of the plate 60.
The slots 144, 146 provided in a plate 60, are adapted to be
aligned with opposite slots 108, 112 and 110, 114 in an associated
bracket 16 and may be of identical size, shape and spacing as the
slots 108, 112 and 110, 114. In one presently preferred embodiment
of the invention, the plate 60 may have the following dimensions.
The overall length of the plate may be 5.520 inches, the vertical
height of the plate (with respect to the orientation shown in FIG.
1) may be 1 inch. The length of each recessed area 132, 138 may be
1.0150 inches and each recessed area may be positioned inwardly
from the outer most portion of the associated terminal end surface
150, 152 a distance of 0.4062 inches. Each terminal end surface 150
may have a generally vertically extending surface and an inwardly
and downwardly bevelled surface being bevelled inwardly from a
central portion of the terminal end a diameter of approximately
one-eighth inch. Each of the plate slots 144 146 may be centered
within the associated recessed area 132, 138 and may have a total
length of 0.800 inches and a vertical dimension of 0.400 inches.
Each cam plate 60, 62 may be three-sixteenths inches thick and the
depth of each recessed area may be three-thirtyseconds inches. Each
plate is preferably constructed from a high strength material such
as 1018 cooled rolled steel, and the tolerances of the slots and
milled areas may be on the order of plus or minus 0.010 inches,
while the tolerance of all outside areas may be on the order of
plus or minus 0.015 inches.
As best illustrated in FIG. 2, each cam bolt 64, 66, etc. may
comprise a shaft portion 160, 162 having a central longitudinal
axis LL, MM. Each shaft portion is threaded at one end and is
adapted to accept a washer 164, 166 and a threaded nut 168, 170.
Each shaft portion also comprises a tool receiving portion 172, 174
at the end thereof opposite the threaded end. The tool receiving
portion 172, 174 is adapted to accept a torque applying tool such
as, for example, an allen wrench in the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 2, or a conventional wrench or socket and ratchet assembly or
other torque applying tool. An eccentrically positioned cam disc
176, 178 is associated with each shaft portion and is fixedly
mounted about the shaft portion as by welding or the like, such
that the central axis PP, QQ of the disc is positioned in parallel
offset alignment with the axis LL, MM of the associated shaft. Each
cam disc comprises an outer cylindrical edge surface 180, 182
adapted to rotatingly abuttingly engage shoulder surface portions
134, 136 or 142, 140 of an associated recessed area 132, 138. The
shaft portion 160, 162 of each cam bolt 64, 66 is only slightly
smaller than the vertical dimension of an associated slot 144, 146.
The diameter of each disc 176, 178 is only slightly smaller than
the lateral dimension of an associated recessed area 132, 138.
Thus, if a cam bolt 64 is positioned within an associated slot 144
with its associated cam disc 176 positioned in abutting
relationship with the associated plate recess surface 132, then
rotation of the cam bolt 64 about the longitudinal axis LL of its
shaft, as with a torque tool, causes relative lateral displacement
of the shaft 160 within the associated slot 144 and causes relative
vertical movement of the disc 176 between associated plate shoulder
surfaces 134, 136. In one preferred embodiment of the invention in
which the cam bolt is adapted to cooperate with a plate having the
dimensions described above, each cam bolt may comprise an overall
length of approximately 2.75 inches, not including the tool
attachment portion which may comprise an additional length of
approximately one-quarter inch. The cam bolt shaft may be a
three-eighths inch diameter threaded bolt. The cam disc 176 may
have a diameter of one inch and a thickness of three-thirtyseconds
inches. The disc 180 may be provided with an assymetric bore (not
shown) enabling welding attachment to the shaft 160 and may have a
central axis LL offset 0.16 inches from the central longitudinal
axis of the threaded shaft 160. The bolt may be constructed from
grade 8 alloy steel. The cam may be machined from hot rolled steel
and may have an outer diameter tolerance of plus or minus 0.010
inches.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pair of control arms 20, 22 may be
associated with each spindle 28. The two control arms 20, 22 may be
of identical construction each having an inboard end portion 201,
202 having a bolt receiving portion such as a bushing 203, 204
provided therein and may also have an outboard end portion 205, 206
having a second bolt receiving portion such as bushing 207, 208
provided therein. A spindle connecting bolt 210 is adapted to be
closely slidingly received within bushings 207, 208 and a spindle
bolt receiving portion 209 having a first end 212 and a second end
213 abuttingly engaging control arm bushings 207, 208,
respectively. Each inboard positioned bushing 203, 204 is adapted
to closely accept a cam bolt 64, 68 therethrough whereby each
inboard bushing 203, 204 may be positioned between opposite wing
portions of an associated bracket 18, 16. The mounting of control
arm 20 within bracket 16 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. In a
conventional vehicle assembly similar to that illustrated in FIGS.
1, 2 and 3, the cam plate 60 and cam bolt 64, 66 assembly may be
used to adapt the conventional vehicle suspension system for toe
adjustment. A conventional vehicle suspension and control system
may have a bracket similar to bracket 16 provided to support the
inboard end of control arm 20, except that rather than elongate
slots, circular holes are provided for connection of the control
arm. Such a suspension and control assembly may be modified to
provide the adjustable toe feature of the present invention by
placing cam plate 60 into alignment with the bolt holes provided in
the conventional bracket plate and using the cam plate 60 as a
template to trace out the pattern of slots to be provided therein.
Thereafter a rasp or other tool is used to laterally elongate the
holes provided in the conventional bracket to provide elongate
slots such as 108, 110, 112, 114 in bracket 16. By thus elongating
the bracket holes, the conventional bracket has been converted into
the specially adapted bracket 16 illustrated in FIG. 1, and may be
used for toe adjustment in the same manner as the assembly
described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. A single plate 60 and
pair of cam bolts 64, 66 may thus be used with an adapted bracket
to provide toe adjustment to both rear wheels.
In another embodiment of the invention, a specially adapted
U-shaped bracket 230 provided with cam engaging surfaces 232, 234,
236, 238 may be used in place of the bracket 16 and cam plate 60
assembly described above. In this embodiment, the cam disc engaging
surfaces are provided at either end of elongate slots 240, 242. The
cam engaging surfaces 232, 234, 236, 238 may comprise small plates
or other vertical shoulder forming surfaces weldingly attached to
the forward surface of the bracket 230. Cam bolts 244, 246 which
may be identical to cam bolts 64, 66, are inserted through the
elongate slots 240, 242, etc. of the bracket in the same manner as
described above with respect to bracket 16. The cam bolts 244, 246
are also received within bushing portions (not shown) of control
arms 248, 250. Cam adjustment in this embodiment is provided in the
same manner as in the embodiment described above by rotation of the
tool receiving portion of the cam bolt 244, 246 to cause lateral
displacement of the cam bolt shaft and the associated control arm
248, 250.
Operation of the cam adjustment feature of the present invention
for changing toe will now be described with reference to FIGS.
4-9.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, cam bolt 66 may be positioned in
associated slot 146 of ca plate 60 and the aligned slots 110, 114
(not shown) of the associated bracket 16. At the position
illustrated in FIG. 4, the cam bolt shaft 162 is positioned at the
inward most portion of the associated slots 146, etc. and thus the
associated bushing 204 of control arm 20 is also positioned at a
laterally inwardly orientation. (The other control arm 22 is
maintained in a fixed laterally centered position similar to that
shown in FIG. 6) When the cam bolt 66 is in this position, the
associated wheel 27, as shown in FIG. 5, has its rotation axis BB
tilted forwardly from a vehicle lateral axis HH due to the
relatively inwardly positioned orientation of the control arm 20
with respect to control arm 22, i.e. wheel 27 is "toe out". As
illustrated in FIG. 6, when control arm 22 remains stationary and
when cam bolt 66 is rotated by an appropriate torque applying tool
in a counterclockwise direction, the shoulder portions 140, 142 of
the cam plate and the laterally extending walls of slot 146 coact
with cam disc 178 and the shaft portion 162 of cam bolt 166,
respectively, causing cam disc 178 to move upwardly and the shank
portion of cam bolt 66 to move laterally outwardly such that the
associated wheel 27 is rotated to a "zero toe" position, i.e. a
position wherein the axis of rotation BB of the wheel is coincident
with a vehicle lateral axis HH, FIG. 7. In the adjustment position
illustrated in FIG. 8, while control arm 22 remains fixed the cam
bolt shaft portion 162 associated with control arm 20 has moved
further laterally inwardly from the position illustrated in FIG. 6
by further rotation of cam bolt 66 about its longitudinal axis MM
and the associated cam disc 178 has moved vertically downwardly
between the associated cam engaging shoulder surfaces 140, 142. As
shown by FIG. 9, with cam bolt 66 is positioned as illustrated in
FIG. 8, the control arm 20 is displaced laterally outwardly
relative control arm 22 thus causing the wheel rotation axis BB to
be displaced rearwardly, i.e. "toed in" with respect to vehicle
lateral axis HH.
It will be appreciated from viewing FIGS. 4-6, that no matter what
lateral position the shaft portion 162 of cam bolt 66 may occupy,
the cam disc outer peripheral edge surface 182, FIG. 2, will
positively engage a shoulder surface 140 or 142 to counteract any
lateral force which may be applied to the cam bolt shaft by the
control arm 20. Thus the cam assembly described above will not be
displaced by lateral forces which might effect the toe adjustment
of a conventional control assembly. It will also be appreciated
that through incremental rotation of the cam bolt with an
appropriate torque applying tool, a very precise toe adjustment may
be accomplished. It may be further noted that since the structure
holding the control arm at a predetermined lateral position is the
lateral edge surface of the cam bolt disc and associated shoulder
portions of the cam plate, it is not necessary to apply excessive
axial force to the abutting portions of the bracket and control arm
in order to prevent slipping as is the case in some conventional
toe adjustment assemblies.
Operation of the cam adjustment feature of the present invention
for changing camber will now be described with reference to FIGS.
4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12.
During camber adjustment, as opposed to toe adjustment, each pair
of control arms 20, 22 which are associated with a vehicle are both
moved laterally by approximately the same amount during adjustment.
Thus, the associated wheel axis pivots in a vertical plane, as
opposed to a horizontal plane. In describing camber adjustment
below, it will be understood that the lateral shifting described
for control arm 20 is also being provided in control arm 22 by
similar shifting of its associated cam bolt 68.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, cam bolt 66 may be positioned in
associated slot 146 of cam plate 60 and the aligned slots 110, 114
(not shown) of the associated bracket 16. At the position
illustrated in FIG. 4, the cam bolt shaft 162 is positioned at the
inward most portion of the associated slots 146, etc. and thus the
associated bushing 204 of control arm 20 is also positioned at a
laterally inwardly orientation. When the cam bolt 66 is in this
position, the associated wheel 27, as shown in FIG. 10, has its
central plane YY tilted outwardly from a true vertical plane XX due
to the relatively inwardly positioned orientation of the control
arm 20, i.e. wheel 27 is cambered outwardly. The rotation axis of
the wheel BB thus extends outwardly and downwardly relative vehicle
lateral axis HH. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when cam bolt 66 is
rotated by an appropriate torque applying tool in a
counterclockwise direction, the shoulder portions 140, 142 of the
cam plate and the laterally extending walls of slot 146 coact with
cam disc 178 and the shaft portion 162 of cam bolt 166,
respectively, causing cam disc 178 to move upwardly and the shank
portion of cam bolt 66 to move laterally outwardly such that the
associated wheel 27 is rotated to a neutral camber position, i.e. a
position wherein the central vertical plane YY of the wheel 27
coincides with a true vertical plane XX and the axis of rotation BB
of the wheel is coincident with a lateral vehicle axis, FIG. 11. In
the adjustment position illustrated in FIG. 8, the cam bolt shaft
portion 162 has moved further laterally outwardly from the position
illustrated in FIG. 6 by further rotation of cam bolt 66 about its
longitudinal axis MM and the associated cam disc 178 has moved
vertically downwardly between the associated cam engaging shoulder
surfaces 140, 142. As shown by FIG. 12, with cam bolt 66 is
positioned as illustrated in FIG. 8, the control arm 20 is
displaced laterally outwardly thus causing the central vertical
plane YY of the wheel to be displaced inwardly, i.e. cambered
inwardly with respect to a true vertical plane XX and rotated axis
BB is caused to extend outwardly and upwardly relative lateral
vehicle axis HH. Thus by moving both control arms 20, 22 laterally
through the use of a pair of cam bolts 64, 68, the camber of a
wheel 27 may be quickly and accurately adjusted.
It is contemplated that the inventive concepts herein described may
be variously otherwise embodied and it is intended that the
appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments of
the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.
* * * * *