Alignment device for double eccentric CAM arrangement

Claim 1

In a camber adjustment assembly for adjustably and securely positioning a wheel within a vehicular suspension system of the type utilizing a generally vertically arranged support strut assembly with upper and lower ends and with a generally "U"-shaped bracket secured fast upon the lower end of said support strut with the leg flanges thereof extending laterally outwardly of said support strut and with the leg flanges of said "U"-shaped bracket having vertically spaced bores to receive two vertically spaced-apart bolts for securing and positioning a knuckle assembly including a vehicle wheel spindle shaft, a knuckle bore, and a support therefor to said support strut, said camber adjustment assembly comprising: (a) an eccentric bolt having a head portion, a threaded distal end portion concentric with said head portion, and a shank portion disposed therebetween, said shank portion including a proximal head segment concentric with said head portion and a center segment, with said center segment having an axis eccentrically disposed relative to said head segment, and said head and distal threaded end portions; (b) an eccentric sleeve having an eccentrically disposed cylindrical bore extending therethrough and with the inner diameter of said sleeve being substantially equal to the outer diameter of said eccentric center shank segment and with the axial length of said sleeve being substantially equal to the axial length of said eccentric center segment and that of said knuckle bore, said sleeve being arranged to be received over said eccentric center segment, and with said sleeve having an eccentric profile substantially matching the eccentric profile of said eccentric center segment relative to the remaining coaxially disposed segments; (c) said eccentric bolt and sleeve combination being arranged to be received within at least one of said vertically spaced apart series of flange bores, with said eccentric sleeve and eccentric shank segment being received within said knuckle bore at that certain arcuate disposition for achieving at least a portion of the camber adjustment required relative to said leg flanges, and with said eccentric bolt being rotatably positionable within the said flange bores for contact between said concentric head and distal threaded portions and the inner periphery of said flange bores for achieving the balance of the camber adjustment required and for securing such adjustment upon tightening of a bolt onto said threaded end portion; (d) the arrangement being such that the appropriate camber angle is achieved through the combined eccentricities of said eccentric sleeve and the eccentric shank segment of said eccentric bolt, and wherein said concentrically arranged head and distal threaded portions are adapted for retainably securing said knuckle assembly and wheel spindle shaft at said appropriate camber angle.