The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2005
Filed:
Jul. 08, 2002
Nicholas J. Colarelli, Iii, Creve Coeur, MO (US);
Michael D. Gerdes, St Peters, MO (US);
Paul Daniel Parker, Kirkwood, MO (US);
Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Creve Coeur, MO (US);
Michael D. Gerdes, St Peters, MO (US);
Paul Daniel Parker, Kirkwood, MO (US);
Hunter Engineering Company, Bridgeton, MO (US);
Abstract
A wheel balancer includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly. The balancer has a longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the axis so as to rotate the wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon. A sensor assembly is provided for measuring rotation of the shaft about the longitudinal axis. A vibration sensor assembly measures vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated. A motor operatively connected to the shaft rotates the shaft about the longitudinal axis, thereby to rotate the wheel/tire assembly. A load roller applies a generally radial force, which can exceed one hundred fifty pounds, to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of said wheel/tire assembly. A sensor detects lateral force, wheel/tire assembly radius, and/or wheel/tire assembly diameter, which can have a tendency to cause a vehicle on which the wheel/tire assembly is mounted during use to deviate from a straight line path. A control circuit responsive to the measured vibration of the wheel/tire assembly determines wheel imbalance, and is responsive to the measurement of lateral force, assembly radius, and/or assembly diameter to provide information relating thereto to a user.