Abstract: A dual scale gauge, such as a speedometer, for a motor vehicle. The gauge includes a mechanical indicator, an overlay, a first light source, and a second light source. The mechanical indicator moves in response to a sensed condition of the motor vehicle. The overlay is positioned behind the indicator. The overlay includes first and second scales that are only visible when illuminated. The first light source illuminates the first scale when the gauge is operated in a first mode. The second light source illuminates the second scale when the gauge is operated in a second mode.

Abstract: A locating device for locating a body such as an electrical box behind a wall or ceiling. The device includes a first member positionable in the body and a second member that can be positioned on the outer surface of the wall or ceiling. A magnet positioned in the first member cooperates with a magnet positioned in the second member to maintain the second member in an aligned position with respect to the electrical box. Two magnets can be used to enhance the alignment of the second member with the electrical box. A circular first member can be used for locating circular boxes or lights. A second member having an arm can be used with a circular first member. The second member can include a plurality of apertures, each aperture sized to correspond to a specific size light or electrical box.

Abstract: A multiple axis laser emitter (1) comprising an optical beam splitter (4) having at least two reflectively coated mirror surfaces (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) oriented perpendicular to each other and each oriented at an angle of 45° to a collimated main beam (H) of a laser light source (6) and at an angle of 90° to each other, wherein, in the beam path, an optical wedge (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) is arranged downstream to at least one of the component beams (Ta, Tb, Tc, Td) deflected by the mirror surfaces (7) at an angle of 90° to the main beam (H).

Abstract: An angular position adjusting device including a first member which holds an object having an axis of rotation, a second member which holds the first member rotatably about the axis of the object, and a rotating mechanism interposed between the first and second members and operable to rotate the first member relative to the second member about the axis of the object, and wherein one of the first and second members has an guiding surface formed to extend along an arc of a circle having a center at the axis of the object, the arc having a center angle smaller than 180°, and the other of the first and second members has a guided surface for sliding contact with the arcuate guiding surface, when the first member is rotated by the rotating mechanism relative to the second member, to adjust the angular position of the object about its axis.

Abstract: A special tape (22) for measuring blocks used in the construction of wood structures includes two special scales. A first scale has marks (32) spaced at 14½ inch intervals for making blocks for studs, and a second scale has marks (34) spaced at 22½ inch intervals for making blocks for rafters. The tape (22) is longitudinally placed along a two-by board (500) and marks (36) made on the two-by board (500) at the desired intervals of 14½ or 22½ inches. The two-by board (500) is then cut at the marks (36) to create the blocks, which are then placed between the studs or rafters.

Abstract: It is a miter saw table that has adjustable measuring tapes. The tape sections can be calibrated so that the zero point on the tape is always set at the outer surface of the blade. This is done by using slidable wings that can be secured to a base. The wings a readjusted until the built-in tapes match a control tape. Once the wings are set, cuts can be made quickly by either setting a stop at the precise distance needed, or by sliding the board under the blade until the end of the board aligns with the desired measurement. The board can then be accurately cut without having to measure and mark the board first. Moreover, if the blade is changed during the course of work. The measuring system can be quickly re-calibrated to the thickness of the new blade and cuts can immediately be resumed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible traffic barricade and safety marker device. In particular, the present invention provides an improved marker device formed by two pivotally attached members locked into operable position by one or more pivotally attached support beams at the base of the marker device.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation device, comprising a light source for emitting a laser beam, a cylindrical lens, an optical system for entering the laser beam to the cylindrical lens perpendicularly with respect to a center line of the cylindrical lens, and a luminous flux rotating means for rotating the incident laser beam around an optical axis of the laser beam.

Abstract: A coupling for the torsion-proof, but radially resilient connection of a stator of an angle encoder with a stator of an object to be measured, the coupling includes a spring element that is either normally in a first position but when the spring element is bent out by a bending force the spring element moves from the first position through a click point to a second position where the spring element engages a portion of the angle encoder or the spring element normally is biased in a first position but when the bias of the spring element at said first position is canceled the spring element is moved to a second position where the spring element engages a portion of the angle encoder.

Abstract: The transverse cross section of a tape is cambered into V shape. The tape is 27 mm wide, 0.11 mm thick, and cambered at a height of 6.75 mm at its both ends so as to ensure sufficient stiffness when being pulled up to 10.5 feet from the tape rule housing.

Abstract: Moisture indicators comprising, as active principle, copper chloride or another salt capable of releasing Cu++ and Cl− ions, and synergistic salts containing chloride ions, which may be hygroscopic on a suitable support. Depending on the application, the support may be amorphous silica or silica gel; a solid paper support for making a moisture-indicating label; or a bentonite or calcium sulphate for making pellets by mechanical pressing.

Abstract: A position measuring apparatus for an alignment of an array of devices such as a thin film magnetic heads on a semiconductor wafer with a high degree of accuracy and satisfactory reproducibility, comprising, on a base, an object holding unit on which an object to be measured, an X-stage, a portal sub-base arranged across over the X-stage, a Y-stage arranged on the portal sub-base, a TV microscope (detector) capable of movement in a Z-axial direction, a ball circulation type linear guide and a motor for driving and guiding the X-stage and the Y-stage, an X-axial straight bar and a Y-axial straight bar attached to side surfaces of the object holding unit, and triangulation type laser displacement meters arranged in the vicinity of and in opposite to the X-axial bar and Y-axial bar, for detecting lateral motion errors during straight movement of the holding unit in the X- and Y-axial direction with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A measurement block 10 which moves longitudinally on a road surface includes disk-shaped first, second, and third rollers 11, 12, and 13 having the same outer diameter with a predetermined spacing set therebetween, a first coupling rod 14 which is mounted on rotary shafts of the first and second rollers in a revolving manner, a second coupling rod 15 which has the same length as the first coupling rod and which is mounted on rotary shafts of the second and third rollers in a revolving manner, a distance measurement device 16 which is mounted on the rotary shaft of the first or second roller, and a rotary encoder 18 which is mounted on the second coupling rod to detect an angle between the first and second coupling rods. Each time the measurement block moves by a length between the first and second coupling rods, the angle between the first and second coupling rods is detected by the angle detection means to thereby create a longitudinal profile based on the detected value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leveling at least one output light beam in a construction tool. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a laser optical assembly for producing output light beams that define plumb, level, and right angle beams for use in construction applications. The optical assembly is mounted on an optical platform which permits tilting about “slip-stick” joints that define two perpendicular axes of rotation. Such joints allow the optical platform to change its angle of tilt in response to an applied torque and to maintain the changed angle of tilt until further torque is applied. Also, the “slip-stick” mechanism prevents substantial movement or oscillation of the optical platform in the absence of the applied torque. The embodiment further includes a sensor element for determining whether the output beams are level.

Abstract: A method for determining the axis of rotation (AR) of an object (12) mounted to a rotary stage or platform (10) in a gauge measurement system by estimating a transformation (&dgr;) between multiple views or measurements of the object (12) obtained at different poses.

Abstract: A length measuring device for determining a relative position of two objects, which can be moved relative to each other. The measurement device, includes a carrier body which supports the measurement device and is connected with a contact area with a mounting area of one of the two objects and with a scanning arrangement connected with another one of the two objects and scanning the measurement device along a measurement direction. Wherein a torque on an end face of the carrier body in the measurement direction acts on the carrier body in such a way that the contact area of the carrier body is pressed against the mounting area.

Abstract: A device for measuring the length of a linear movement using a rotary potentiometer improves measuring accuracy, measurement deterioration for a long-period usage and miniaturization. The device in includes a regular winding mechanism, forming a single layer of wire, constructed of a screw feeding mechanism stored in a housing to axially move the drum when rotating, and the d m converts a linear displacement into a rotational displacement with the wire. Moreover, the wire on the drum is located so as to have a constant radius from the center of rotation. The screw feeding mechanism is constructed in such a manner that the drum is axially moved by the distance corresponding to one pitch of the regularly wound wire in every revolution of the drum, so that winding and unwinding of the wire can be performed at the same position of the housing all the time, thereby avoiding disarrangement of wound the drum causing a deterioration in an accuracy.

Abstract: A simple light weight bow sight mounting apparatus which has a rigid frame slidably mountable on a bow frame for movement along a first linear path corresponding in direction generally to the archers line of sight. A threaded rod is mounted on the frame for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the rod and carries thereon a slide bock that is moved along a second linear path by rotating the threaded rod. A sight mounting block is mounted on the slide block for rotation about an axis parallel to the first linear path. A sight element is mountable on the slide block and adjustably movable along a third linear path. The first, second and third linear paths are mutually perpendicular.

Abstract: An anchor system for flexible marker posts comprises an anchor that receives a post before the anchor is driven into the ground. In a first embodiment, a flat, rectangular plate of mild steel is folded into a U-shape with parallel upper and lower plates. The lower end of a post is placed within the anchor, and the anchor is driven into the earth with a bladed driver, the anchor bending into a V-shape along an axis defined by the blade of the driver. The anchor retains the post with friction, and the anchor is retained in the earth by mechanical interference and friction. Additional embodiments include plates that are pre-bent into a V-shape, tabs for maintaining separation of the plates, and a one-piece anchor having a V-shaped lower portion and coplanar, horizontal, upper surfaces connected to the upper edges of the lower portion.

Abstract: An ambient light collecting bow sight having a light collecting filament, wherein the light collecting filament is preferably a scintillating fiber optic filament of sufficient length to enable extensive wrapping or winding of the fiber optic filament around a preferably translucent bow sight. The multiple wrapping or winding of an extensive strand of fiber optic filament provides the filament with more surface area in which to harness ambient light passing through the translucent bow-sight. A portion of the fiber optic filament is attached to a pin or crosshair of the bow sight, thus functioning as a lit targeting pin.