Self-aligning laser guide for a wheel balancer

Abstract

A method for determining a top dead-center of a wheel. The method includes (i) removably connecting a self-aligning laser guide to a wheel balancer shaft; (ii) allowing gravity to position said self-aligning laser guide such that its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface; and (iii) powering said self-aligning laser guide to indicate said top dead-center of said wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for determining a top dead-center of a wheel comprising the steps of:
 removably connecting a self-aligning laser guide to a wheel balancer shaft;   allowing gravity to position said self-aligning laser guide such that its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface; and   powering said self-aligning laser guide to indicate said top dead-center of said wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The method for determining a top dead-center of a wheel of  claim 1 , further comprising calibrating said self-aligning laser guide. 
     
     
         3 . A self-aligning laser guide comprising:
 a body including a laser beam generating device; and   a mounting adaptor configured to be rotatably connected to said body at one end and configured to be removably connected at another end to a surface.   
     
     
         4 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 3 , wherein said mounting adaptor is configured to be rotatably connected to said body via an axle and at least one bearing disposed around said axle. 
     
     
         5 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 3 , further comprising a securing device in communication with said laser beam generating device for calibrating and fastening said laser beam generating device at a predetermined location. 
     
     
         6 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 3 , wherein said laser beam generating device is mounted on a pivot. 
     
     
         7 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 3 , further comprising a timer connected to a power source and configured to disconnect power provided from said power source to said laser beam generating device after a predetermined time. 
     
     
         8 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 3 , wherein said body includes a top half and a bottom half and wherein said laser beam generating device is positioned on said bottom half of said body. 
     
     
         9 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 8 , wherein said laser beam generating device acts as a counterweight. 
     
     
         10 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 8 , further comprising a counterweight disposed on said bottom half of said body. 
     
     
         11 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 10 , wherein said counterweight includes a selected weight, wherein when said self-aligning laser guide is connected to said surface, said self-aligning laser guide longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface. 
     
     
         12 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 10 , wherein said counterweight comprises a power source. 
     
     
         13 . The self-aligning laser guide of  claim 10 , wherein said counterweight is positioned at one of (i) above said laser beam generating device, (ii) at the same level as said laser beam generating device, and (iii) below said laser beam generating device. 
     
     
         14 . A self-aligning laser guide comprising:
 a body including a laser beam generating device; and   a mounting adaptor configured to be rotatably connected to said body at one end and configured to be removably connected at another end to a surface, such that when said self-aligning laser guide is removably connected to said surface, said self-aligning laser guide longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to a floor surface.