Abstract:
An alignment device for measuring wheel base on a vehicle having a first axle and determining squareness thereof, the device includes at least one clamp removably clampable to the first axle and an alignment bar operably associated with said clamp in manner such that said alignment bar extends substantially in parallel alignment with a central axis of the first axle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates to an alignment device for measuring wheelbase on vehicles. More particularly, the invention is directed to a simple and easy mechanical device for measuring wheelbase on a vehicle. 
   2. Prior Art 
   There exist a variety of automobile frame, wheel base and axle alignment devices. Examples of devices include mechanical means as well as computer based means to determine whether there was proper alignment of the vehicle. Prior mechanical means do not provide a quick and easy way of measuring wheelbase. For example, one prior device utilizes a relatively expensive carriage system which must be disposed beneath the vehicle. Another system requires suspending multiple tubes via chains from a frame in a transverse manner to check frame alignment. Other systems employ expensive computerized equipment and lasers or LED&#39;s to gain wheel base measurement and/or electromechanical means with sensors attached to predetermined frame positions relative to the wheel base wherein a computer calculates the wheel base so that an adjustment can be made. 
   While there exist such systems, there remains a need to provide a tool, which can be used on a variety of vehicles, which can accurately, inexpensively and quickly be employed by a mechanic in order to measure wheelbase. Such a tool enables small body shops and individuals who build and repair race and street vehicles and with budget concerns to effectively work on wheel base adjustment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object to improve wheel base measurement on a vehicle by providing a method and device for determining whether the wheelbase is in square. 
   It is another object to simplify wheel base measurement on a vehicle. 
   A further object is to ease the process of measuring wheelbase on a vehicle and determining squareness of the of the same. 
   Still another object is to provide for an inexpensive tool for measuring wheelbase on a vehicle and device for determining whether the wheelbase is in square. 
   Accordingly the present invention is directed to an alignment device for measuring wheelbase on vehicles. The device includes at least one clamp, and in a preferred embodiment, two clamps, which can removably clamp to a first axle housing, such as a rear axle housing, of a vehicle. A bar is connected to the clamp in a manner such that it extends normal to the axle housing. To this bar is connected at least one bracket having a second bar connected thereto which extends substantially in parallel alignment with a central axis of the first axle housing. The second bar is preferably long enough to extend outside a body of the vehicle. With this device in place, the user can then mark a common distance on each exposed end of the second bar taken from each end of the first axle housing, such as a flange thereof. Now, employing a simple measuring tool, such as a measuring tape or measuring laser, one can measure from each mark to a respective point, such a flange, of the front wheel base components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the device of the present invention disposed about an axle housing. 
       FIG. 2  is another side view of the device of the present invention relative to axle housings. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the device of the invention employed about an axle of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, the alignment device for measuring wheelbase on vehicles of the present invention is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The device  10  is shown to include clamp  12  which can removably clamp to a first axle housing  14 , such as a rear axle housing, of a vehicle V. While there are two clamps  12  depicted, it is contemplated that one or more may be employed as required to carry out the invention. Each clamp  12  can preferably includes a pair of opposing members  16   a  and  16   b  wherein each member includes a pair of opposing generally flat faces  18   a  and  18   b , respectively, which provide and ability to clamp various diameter axle housings and are angled with respect to one another generally forming a V-shape to provide for various sized axle housing radius and a self centering capability as they are drawn into contact with the axle housing  14 . The clamp  12  is thus able to be set at a normal position with respect to the axle housing  14 . When the members  16   a  and  16   b  are disposed adjacent one another such that the faces  18   a  and  18   b  oppose one another, openings  20   a  and  20   b  of members  16   a  and  16   b , respectively, are coaxially aligned and receive a threaded bar  22  therethrough to enable the opening and closing of the clamp  12 . The threaded bar  22  can be connected with nuts  24  to aid in securing each threaded bar  22  with respect to the members  16   a  and  16   b . It is recognized that there are a variety of ways to interconnect the clamp members  16   a  and  16   b , such as a slide bar with a spring stop. 
   Connected to the member  16   b  via a threaded opening  25  and nut  27  is a spacer bar  26  is connected to the clamp  12 . Likewise, the spacer bar  26  extends normal to the axle housing  14 . To this spacer bar  26  is connected a bracket  28 . The spacer bar  26  can preferably be slidably adjustably fixably connected to the bracket  28  via passing the bar  26  through opening  29  and fixing the bracket  28  in place using threaded nuts  31 . In this regard, the bracket  28  can be moved to achieve clearance needed from surrounding parts, such as a differential housing D as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
   An alignment bar  30  is connected to the bracket  28  such that it extends substantially in parallel alignment with a central axis C of the axle housing  14 . The alignment bar  30  is preferably long enough to extend outside tires T and body of the vehicle V. Similarly, the alignment bar  30  can preferably be slidably adjustably fixably connected to a bar receiving portion  33  of the bracket  28 . When seated in the bar receiving portion  33 , the alignment bar  30  extends slightly above the surface of the bracket  28  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The bracket  28  includes a threaded open surface  35  and a locking plate  37  having a bore  39  therethrough receive a threaded threaded bolt  41 , which tightens to lock the alignment bar  30  to the receiving surface portion  33 . 
   With the device  10  in place such that the alignment bar  30  extends substantially in parallel alignment with a central axis of the axle housing  14  (non-steering axle), a midpoint M 3  of the bar  30  is disposed approximate a midpoint M 4  of the central axis of the axle housing  14 , one can then mark a common distance on each exposed end  32  and  34  of the alignment bar  30  taken from each end of the axle housing  14 , such as flanges F 1  and F 2  thereof thus identifying two geometrical equally displaced and symmetrical surface points about the midpoint M 3  of the bar  30  to which alignment tool can be attached to each surface point. Now, employing a simple measuring tool, such as a measuring tape or measuring laser, one can measure from each mark M 1  and M 2  to a respective point, such A-frame mounting brackets  37 , of front wheel base component  36 . 
   Each end  32  and  34  can be formed with a hole  38  and  40 , respectively, through which a string S can be passed and attached to itself. A plumb bob B can be attached to an end of the string S as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The bob B can be used to mark spots M 1  and M 2  on the ground G. These spots can be used to measure to corresponding opposing diagonal points AF 1  and AF 2  of A-frame mounting brackets  37  of the front wheel base component  36  in order to measure whether the wheelbase of the vehicle V is substantially square.