Device for aligning a vehicle with at least one axle, in particular a caravan

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for aligning a vehicle with at least one axle (134), comprising - a rod (4) with a first end (6) and a second end (8), - a scratching device (10) which is arranged in a region of the first end (6) of the rod (4) and extends from the rod (4) in a first direction different from the extension direction of the rod (4), - a first support (12) which is arranged on the rod (4) in an area remote from the scratching device (10) and projects in the first direction, - a measuring device (16) for determining a height difference between the first end (4) and the second end (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for aligning a vehicle with at least one axle. Optionally, the invention relates to a device for aligning a caravan.

[0002] For various applications, it is necessary to level vehicles with one axle so that they are perfectly level. One such application is leveling a caravan or motorhome on a campsite or other pitch. Such campsites typically have pitches with an earthen, gravel, or grass surface. This type of surface typically has local unevenness.

[0003] Various solutions for aligning vehicles are known according to the prior art. For example, DE 20 2013 103 296 U1 discloses leveling wedges for a vehicle with a base body having a bottom and an inwardly curved top, wherein a ramp element with an inwardly curved tire contact surface is detachably arranged on the inwardly curved top. Such a wedge prevents unintentional rolling and can change a height difference by a predetermined value. However, exact height compensation is not possible with this method.

[0004] EP3 335 948 A1 discloses a leveling jack arrangement for a motorized road vehicle with a chassis, in particular for motorhomes, sales vehicles or special-purpose vehicles, wherein the leveling jack arrangement comprises several, in particular four, leveling jacks with a control unit. The leveling jack arrangement includes a safety device for the safe operation of the leveling jacks, which has at least one interface designed and configured for signal communication with a sensor for a start signal of the road vehicle, with a warning device, with an operating unit and optionally with a vehicle control system, wherein the safety device is controlled such that, upon receiving a start signal from the sensor and in a critical leveling jack position, in particular upon ground contact, it emits a warning signal via a warning device and maintains the current leveling jack position.Such a system requires that the vehicle in question is equipped with such a system, which is not the case, especially in the area of ​​low-priced vehicles.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an alternative solution that is inexpensive and easy to use. Furthermore, there is a need for a space-saving and flexible solution.

[0006] A distance and inclination measuring device is known from US patent 2012 / 0102659 A1. The disclosed measuring device is formed by a rod with a scraping device at one end and has a support point and a measuring device. The measuring device may include a spirit level.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a device for aligning a vehicle that is inexpensive and easy to use. A further object of the invention is to provide a space-saving and flexible device.

[0008] The object of the invention is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0009] The device according to the invention for aligning a vehicle with at least one axle comprises - a rod with a first and a second end, - a scratching device which is arranged in a region of the first end of the rod and extends from the rod in a first direction different from the extension direction of the rod, - a first layer, which is arranged in an area of ​​the device remote from the scratching device and is connected to the rod, - a measuring device for determining a height difference between the first and second ends.

[0010] The scratching device forms a second layer.

[0011] The scratching device can therefore be located at the first end or adjacent to the first end.

[0012] In the context of this invention, a "first contact" is understood to be an area that comes into contact with a surface when the device is functionally placed on it. In particular, the first contact can be formed on a support element.

[0013] In this embodiment, the rod has a telescopic design, allowing the distance between the first and second ends to be varied. For this purpose, the rod is advantageously made of multiple sections, particularly two sections, comprising a first section and a second section that are inserted into one another in a telescopic mechanism. In such an embodiment, the first support is advantageously located on one of the two sections, and a second support and / or the scraping device is located on the other of the two sections.

[0014] In an alternative or additional design, the pole can be foldable and equipped with a locking function, so that at least an unfolded state can be secured against unintentional folding.

[0015] In this embodiment, the measuring device includes a spirit level. In particular, the measuring device is equipped with a bubble level. Such a bubble level expediently has a direction of extension parallel to the direction of extension of the rod.

[0016] In one embodiment, the device includes a handle located at the second end. Alternatively or additionally, a handle can also be arranged in a central section of the rod. However, it is advantageous for the handle to be positioned further away from the scraping mechanism than from the second end.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the first support is formed in an end section of the handle, or the first support is arranged on the rod adjacent to the handle. The first support can be formed by a support element rigidly connected to the rod. Alternatively, the first support can be designed as a support element hinged to the rod and incorporating a locking function.

[0018] In its embodiment, the scraping device comprises a scraping edge, which extends, in particular, perpendicular to the rod. The scraping edge is advantageously perpendicular to the first direction. The scraping edge advantageously has a length in the range of 5 to 20 cm. Advantageously, the length of the scraping edge is within the range of one dimension of a vehicle's tire contact patch. The scraping device can be equipped with a swivel or folding mechanism to allow it to be swiveled or folded into a space-saving storage position.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the scratching device is designed in a plate-like shape.

[0020] According to the invention, the scratching device, in particular the scratching edge, further forms a second surface.

[0021] In a further embodiment (not according to the invention), the device comprises a second support, which is arranged in the area of ​​the scraping device. The second support can be formed by a support element rigidly connected to the rod. Alternatively, the second support can be designed as a support element hinged to the rod and incorporating a locking function.

[0022] In particular, the first and second supports are designed such that a height difference between the first and second ends of the rod is equal to a height difference between the first and second supports.

[0023] The invention is further explained below with regard to its features and advantages by means of a description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show a schematic diagram of the principle: Fig. 1 first embodiment of the device, Fig. 2. Second embodiment of the device in a first view, Fig. 3. Second embodiment of the device in a second view, Fig. 4 third embodiment of the device, and Fig. 5. Description of the use of the device.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the device 2. The device 2 has a rod 4 with a first end 6 and a second end 8. A scraping device 10 is provided in the region of the first end 6. The scraping device 10 extends from the rod 4 in a direction R s The rod has different first directions R1. The scratching device 10 also forms a second support 14 here. The device 2 can have a fixed length here.

[0025] At the second end 8 of the rod 4, a handle 18 is provided, allowing the user to hold the device 2. Furthermore, a first support 12 is provided in the area of ​​the second end 8. The support 12 is formed on a support element 13, which is connected to the rod 4. The first support 12 and the second support 14 are aligned such that the measuring device 16 can determine that the supports 12 and 14 are at the same level.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 2. This device differs in that the rod 4 is provided with a telescopic insert 26. Furthermore, this device differs in the design of the handle 18, which additionally serves as a first support 12. In particular, the handle 18 can have a support section serving as the first support 12. The scraping device 10 can be configured, in particular as shown in the front view, in Fig. Figure 3 shows a plate-shaped element 11, which has a scratch edge 20 on a side of the plate-shaped element 11 pointing away from the rod 4. The scratch edge 20 forms the second support 14.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows a further alternative embodiment of the device 2. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in particular in that the first support 12 is formed on a support element 13, which is provided with a first hinge 22, so that the support element 13 can be folded back and forth between a functional state and a stowed state, wherein the support element 13 extends away from the rod 4 in the functional state and the support 12 is thus spaced apart from the rod. Similarly, a second support 14 is also provided here on a further support element 13, which can be folded back and forth between a functional state and a stowed state via a second hinge 24, wherein the further support element 13 extends away from the rod 4 in the functional state and the second support 14 is spaced apart from the rod 4.The first version 12 and the second version 14 advantageously have the same distance to a central axis of the rod 4 when in their functional state. Such an embodiment is particularly space-saving when stowed.

[0028] The various features shown here with individual embodiments can also be combined in other ways by a person skilled in the art.

[0029] Fig.Figure 5 shows the application of the device 2. A trailer 130 is to be parked on a ground surface 100, which is, for example, a meadow or soil-covered ground. For this purpose, a first wheel 132 is placed on a first support surface 110, and a second wheel 136 (not shown), which is connected to the first wheel 132 via the axle 134, is placed on a second support surface 120. The first support surface 110 and the second support surface 120 are spaced apart from each other such that this distance corresponds to the wheel spacing in the axial direction. The user can then place the device 2 on the first support surface 110 and the second support surface 120 such that the device 2 rests with its first support 12 on the first support surface 110 and with its second support 14 on the second support surface 120.Using the measuring device 16, it can now be determined whether the level of the two support surfaces 110, 120 is the same in the bearing areas. If not, the measuring device 16 first indicates which of the support surfaces has the higher and which has the lower level. Using the scraping device 10, the user can now superficially remove the soil on the support surface with the higher level. After superficially removing the soil, the user can again determine whether the first and second support surfaces 110, 120 now have the same level. This procedure can be repeated until the same level difference or a user-defined threshold value is reached. The trailer 130 or the desired vehicle can then be moved onto the first and second support surfaces 110, 120 so that the first wheel 132 and the second wheel 136 are positioned on the first and second support surfaces 110, 120, respectively.

[0030] Similarly, the device can also be used to position other objects, for example a table or a bench in a garden. Reference symbol list 2 Device 4 bars 6 first end 8 second end 10 scratching device 11 plate-shaped element 12 first edition 13 Support element 14 second edition 16 Measuring device 18 handle 20 scratching edge 22 first hinge 24 second hinge 26 telescopic inserts 100 floor area 110 first parking space 120 second parking space 130 trailers 132 first wheel 134 axle 136 second wheel

Claims

[1] Device (2) for aligning a vehicle with at least one axle (134), comprising - a rod (4) with a first end (6) and a second end (8), - a scratching device (10) which is arranged in a region of the first end (6) of the rod (4) and extends from the rod (4) in a first direction different from the extension direction of the rod (4), - a first layer (12) which is arranged in an area of ​​the device remote from the scratching device (10) and is connected to the rod (4), - a measuring device (16) for determining a height difference between the first end (4) and the second end (6), wherein the scraping device (10) further forms a second support (14). [2] Device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the rod (4) has a telescopic rod so that a distance between the first end (6) and the second end (8) can be changed. [3] Device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring device (16) comprises a spirit level. [4] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle (18) arranged at the second end (8). [5] Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first support (12) is formed in an end section of the handle (18), or wherein the first support (12) is arranged on the rod (4) adjacent to the handle (18), and / or wherein the first support (12) is formed on a support element (13) which is connected to the rod (4), in particular wherein the support element (13) is designed to be foldable with a locking function. [6] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the scratching device (10) comprises a scratching edge (20) which extends in particular perpendicular to the rod (4). [7] Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the scratching device (10) is designed in a plate-like form.

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