The invention relates generally to an alignment system and to a tool/device and/or a method for datum- based alignment.

Some aspects and embodiments relate to an alignment tool and a method for easily and accurately aligning conveyor drive system component, for example motorcycle drivetrain components.

Power transfer from an engine to the wheel/s of a conveyor, such as a motorcycle, moped or karts, is accomplished by different methods, including belt drive and chain drive (which generally use sprockets and a roller chain). It is important that the drive chain/belt is correctly aligned with the driven wheel/s (for example the rear wheel of a motorcycle). The alignment may need to be checked, for example, following installation, replacement or adjustment of a chain/belt. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an alignment tool for a conveyor drive system, the tool comprising a body which is positionable on the drive system and datum means which provides a centre datum in use.

A further aspect provides an alignment tool comprising a body which is positionable generally centrally on a datum and datum means which provides a centre datum in use. In some embodiments the item to which the device is secured in use could be thought of as the datum and the tool provides a centre datum reference means (e.g. a laser line) based on the datum once in position. In other embodiments the tool forms the basis of the datum and a generally centrally positioned datum reference emanates therefrom.

A further aspect provides a datum reference device comprising a body which is positionable on a datum, and datum means which provides a datum reference emanating generally centrally with respect to the datum. The body may comprise a pair of clamp arms which can be moved together and apart to secure the body on a drive system or other component.

In some embodiments the body comprises two arms that can only move simultaneously to clamp onto, for example, a motorcycle sprocket and can send a laser learn down the centre of an associated chain/belt to determine whether it is correctly aligned (for example with a rear wheel).

Some aspects and embodiments are intended to be used for motorcycles or for aligning chain/ belts, Other aspects and embodiments may be adapted for use in other industries such as industrial machines driven by pullets, belts etc, or building and maintenance industries where a datum is used to align structures. The general principle is that the laser or other datum is providing a centre datum.

The body may comprise a datum unit for producing a datum with, for example a light beam, laser line, dot, cross or the like. In other embodiments a physical datum reference means is provided, such as an extending tape or line. In some embodiments the physical means is constrained to extend in a particular way, angle from the body.

The datum unit may be pivotable, for example with respect to the rest of the body. In other embodiments the datum unit may be fixed and/or be formed as part of a central unit, and the datum reference means may be movable within the unit.

A further aspect provides a motorcycle wheel alignment tool comprising a central portion and a pair of clamp arms pivotably attached to the central portion, the clamp arms can be moved in unison to clamp the tool to a sprocket or pulley, in which a datum means is provided on or by the central portion such that when the tool is clamped in position the datum means produces a generally centre datum on a drive belt, chain, sprocket or other drive system component.

A further aspect provides a motorcycle wheel alignment tool comprising a central portion and a pair of clamp arms pivotably attached to the central portion, the clamp arms can be moved in unison to clamp the tool to a sprocket or pulley, in which a datum means is provided on or by the central portion such that when the tool is clamped in position the datum means produces a centre datum on a drive belt or chain.

Some aspects and embodiments relate to a motorcycle wheel alignment tool for aligning a rear wheel quickly, efficiently and precisely.

Some embodiments provide a laser alignment tool which enhances the way in which wheel alignment and chain adjustment is conducted.

In some embodiments the tool can be used to align a wheel and a sprocket.

The tool can be used to provide precise wheel alignment for both chain- and belt-driven motorcycles, of any make and model, regardless of sprocket material; it may be suitable for on-road and off-road motorcycles.

Particular and preferred aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention is more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings may have been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible appl ations and variations of the present invention based on the following examples of possible embodiments of the present invention.

Referring first to Figures I and 2 (front and rear views) there is shown an alignment tool generally indicated 10.

The tool 5 comprises a truncated T-shape central portion 10 and a pair of clamp arms 15, 20 which are pivotably attached on either side of the central portion. The clamp arms 15, 20 are generally L-shape, with each shorter leg 16, 21 being attached to the central portion and each longer leg 17, 22 extending to meet each other. Together the central portion and arms form a generally rhomboid shape, with the ends of the legs 17, 22 meeting at a lower vertex.

The free ends of the legs 17, 22 include a rounded nose 18, 23 and a flat portion 19, 24. The tool 5 further comprises an adjuster pin 25 which passes through both arms and the central portion and is used to cause the arms 15, 20 to move in unison (in this embodiment both arms move and by the same amount). Pivotally attached to the central portion 10 is a datum unit 30, which can pivot along an axis orthogonal to that of the arms, as illustrated in Figure 3. The unit 30 can produce a laser line 35.

The tool 10 can be fitted onto either the outside of a sprocket/pulley 40 (Figure 4) by using the noses 18, 23 to clamp against the outside, or the inside (Figure 5) by using the flat portions 19, 24 to clamp against the inside. Because the tool is positioned symmetrically on the sprocket/pulley 40 and because the laser unit 30 is located centrally, the laser line 35 extends generally centrally along the chain/belt 45 (or further and onto, for example a front/rear sprocket), providing a centre datum for use as a reference during alignment. Operation of a tool of the type shown in Figures I to 5 is described in more detail with reference to Figures 6 to 10 below.

Assembly - Figure 6 Step I : Remove screws 150 from the top cover 13 1 of the head/datum unit 130 of the tool 105 using an Allen key.

Step 2: Ensure laser is pointing at the floor. Place two batteries provided in the space behind the laser. Negative terminal of batteries to connect with laser spring.

Step 3: Position head 130 back onto body ensuring switch terminal fits behind both batteries. Screw the three screws back into head to secure in place.

Of course in other embodiments the unit may be supplied fully assembled.

Alternative power sources, including rechargeable batteries, solar or clockwork mechanisms may be provided.

Operation

I . Adjust arms of the tool - Figure 7

Widen the arms 1 15, 120 on the tool outwards by twisting the adjuster 125 to allow enough space to fit over a chain or belt. 2. Grip co sprocket/pulley (i.e. the datum) - Figure 8

Pass the tool 105 over the chain/belt 145 and adjust the arms 1 15, 120 inwards until they grip a flat part of the rear sprocket/pulley 140. Ensure the tool is gripping to clean, dirt free, flat parallel surfaces. The tool can be used to clamp outwards onto an opening or gap.

3. Switch on the laser - Figure 9

Point the laser unit 130 down to the closest part of the chain/belt and turn on. The laser should appear in the centre of the chain link or belt 1 5. If not centralised initially, adjust positioning to centralise the laser.

4. Point laser & align wheel - Figure 10

Lift the laser head unit 1 30 to point at the furthest visible point of the chain/belt 145 towards the engine.

Adjust the wheel alignment until the laser 135 is showing at the centre point of the chain/belt 145. The wheel will then be accurately aligned.

5. Final steps

Lock the rear axle nuts and adjustment nuts, turn off the laser and remove the tool from the sprocket or pulley.

Figures I I to 19 show a tool 205 formed according to a further embodiment.

Figure 12 is a section of the tool and shows the adjuster pin 225 to comprise a head 226 and a shaft 227.

The central portion (carrying the laser unit) is positioned centrally and the arms 215, 220 move simultaneously to ensure the laser is aligned with the centre of the datum. There is a central stop/disk 228 which engages in a slot 21 1 in the portion 201 to prevent side to side movement, ensuring the arms can only move at the same rate when adjusted. The arms are therefore always at generally the same angular orientation with respect to the central portion. The arms can be used to clamp inwards onto a datum or outwards onto an outer datums to provide a laser centre point.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.