Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a handle 32 for manipulating the device and an extending rule portion 18 having a series of markings or measurements 26 embossed along its edge serving as a base of spacing measurement for a pivotally mounted swing arm 22 and a slide arm 24 perpendicularly attached thereto that may be adjusted to a desired distance. After a desired distance is set the swing arm 22 serves to maintain spacing and parallelism by having a bubble level 36 fabricated into each of its ends to test if the materials held flush are level. After correct measurements are made the apparatus 10 may then be used as a gauging tool for the quick and ready spacing and setting of materials afterwards.

Abstract: Wetness indicating compositions having improved colorant retention and durability and to wearable articles comprising this wetness indicating composition are provided.

Abstract: A picture hanging tool is provided for facilitated marking of a selected point on a wall or the like for subsequent installation of a fastener used for hanging a picture or other object from the wall. The tool includes an upper handle section adapted for manual grasping, and a lower support or base section having a hook or the like for temporarily supporting the object for movement over the wall surface to a selected precision mounting location. When the desired mounting location is obtained, an actuator mechanism including an actuator pin exposed on the upper handle section is operable to displace a spring-loaded marking element into engagement with the wall surface at the desired point for subsequent fastener installation. The tool is then removed from the wall, the fastener installed at the marked point, and the object hung from the installed fastener.

Abstract: A tape measure comprises a main case having first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending between the sidewalls; a flexible tape blade selectively deployable from the case; the tape blade having a generally curved cross-sectional profile when deployed from the main case and having a generally flat profile when retracted into the main case; a hook attached to a first end of the tape blade so as to be movable a distance along a longitudinal axis of the tape blade; the hook having a first section disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second section connected thereto and disposed generally normal to the longitudinal axis, the hook having a weight factor of not more than about 0.60. The tape blade may advantageously be not more than about 1.10 inch in width and have a standout of at least 9½ feet.

Abstract: A dial 21a is positioned in front of an LCD 21c, and has an inner periphery surrounding the LCD 21c. A pointer 21b is rotatable by a drive 21d positioned at a backside of the LCD 21c. The pointer 21b is extended from a rotation center in a direction Y1 against the rotation center along a back surface of the LCD 21c, then bent and extended along an outer periphery of the LCD 21c, and bent and extended in the direction Y2 toward the rotation center via a gap formed between a front surface of the display 21c and a back surface of the dial 21a. Then, the pointer 21b is extended along an inner periphery of the dial 21a, and bent and extended in the direction Y1 along a front surface of the dial 21a.

Abstract: A water or spirit level is composed of an elongated body, preferably of metal, at least one bubble mounted in the elongated body, and end caps, preferably of plastics material, at the end faces of the elongated body, wherein at least one outer surface of the elongated body constitutes a preferred measuring surface. At least one of the end caps is releasably connected to the level body such that the end cap can optionally be removed and once again replaced.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to cervical calibration guides. One such guide includes a gripable structure, and multiple reference structures. Individual reference structures have a deflectable region and a hinge region. The hinge regions of individual reference structures are joined with the gripable structure.

Abstract: A length measuring instrument capable of measuring, displaying and recording the length around a part being measured by applying a measuring belt tightly to that part and operating the instrument by single hand. A rotary shaft disposed in a housing is provided with a spiral spring, the measuring belt, and an optical modulating section having a part for regulating the quantity of transmitted light. The belt is drawn out and applied tightly to the circumference of the part being measured. The rotary shaft is rotated forward when the belt is drawn out and rotated reversely by the recovering force of the spring to pull in the belt automatically thus, stretching and tensioning the belt. The light is converted into an optical modulation signal L depending on the rotation of optical modulating section and that signal is converted temporarily into a photoelectric conversion signal before being converted into an electric signal.

Abstract: Rotational motions between a displacement-measuring probe and an optical test surface define a spherical or near spherical datum surface against which measurements of the probe are taken. The probe has a measurement axis that is maintained substantially normal to the optical test surface during the course of measurement.

Abstract: A level and protractor tool (100) includes a body (102) with three sections. The first section (106) includes a spring clip (108) mounted on the body. The spring clip is adapted to be attached to an item that is to be bent or otherwise measured with the level and protractor tool (FIG. 6). The second section (128) is contiguous with the first section. The second section includes a mounting pin (132) defining a rotational axis for both a pointer (134) and a degree wheel (136) having a pendulum weight (306). The degree wheel and the pointer are positioned with respect to the mounting pin for rotational movement about the mounting pin independent of one another. The third section (142) includes a bubble level or spirit vial (144) and is attached perpendicularly to the second section and parallel to the mounting pin.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a plurality of image carriers each carrying a developer image; a primary transfer belt opposed to the plurality of image carriers and configured to carry a multicolor developer image; a secondary transfer unit opposed to the primary transfer belt and configured to transfer the multicolor developer image carried on the primary transfer belt onto a transfer medium; and a fixing unit configured to fix the multicolor developer image transferred by the secondary transfer unit on the transfer medium. The primary transfer belt is provided along a substantial vertical direction. The secondary transfer unit is provided on the opposite side of the image carrier on the primary transfer belt. The fixing unit is provided above the secondary transfer unit.

Abstract: Described is a device for machine tools or measuring apparatus for detecting the spatial position of a carriage movable in a coordinate axis along a guide with respect to a reference standard which is designed as a rectangular plate extending parallel to the guide of the carriage. Two opposed, parallel surfaces of the reference standard carry each a two-dimensional line grating. A position measuring system serves the function of determining continuously the spatial position of a support member fixedly connectible with the carriage. The position measuring system includes three optical incremental reading heads and one distance sensor. The support member is arranged on the movable carriage such as to prevent the support member from contacting the reference standard over the entire length of the travel while at the same time detection is being performed.

Abstract: A laser indicator has a laser mechanism having three laser generators generating laser beams perpendicular to each other. Each of the three laser generators is electrically coupled to a separate laser control motor for independent control of the beam of the corresponding laser generator. The laser indicator further includes an adjusting mechanism including a control circuit module, a frame having an adjustment support associated therewith, and a plurality of level control motors disposed in the frame. The laser indicator also includes a laser generator adjuster and tightener.

Abstract: A bow sight having a support member with a sight unit disposed at one end and adjustable sight markers secured to the other end, a pointer associated with the rear end of the support member for alignment with one of the sight markers upon determination of the proper sight unit elevation setting.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for direct detection of the spatial position of a probe element in a multi-coordinate measuring apparatus, with a reference system comprised of at least one first standard and one second standard that are associated with coordinate axes of the measuring apparatus. The first standard is a planar standard with a line grating array. The second standard is non-contacting relative to the first standard and movable in two dimensions by means of a cross slide. Provision is made for a first position measuring system for determining the spatial position of the second standard with respect to the first standard, and for a second position measuring system for determining the spatial position of a carriage carrying a three-dimensional probe assembly, with respect to the second standard. The device forms in an associated multi-coordinate measuring apparatus a continuous measuring chain from the first standard to the tip of the probe element.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for detecting the presence of a chemical contaminant. The device comprising a resilient indicator element which is biased into a first position and is anchored in the first position by means of a failure element. The failure element is made of a material which fails in the presence of a chemical to be detected, thereby releasing the indicator element from its first position and allowing it to move under its own resilience into a second position in order to provide an indication of the presence of the contaminant.

Abstract: A freestanding micrometer and method for determining the diameter of a cylindrical body, including measuring variations in diameter along a longitudinal length thereof, such as a roll used in the production of metal and paper sheet products. The micrometer comprises a housing supported on a circumferential surface of the cylindrical body. A first sensing element is movably supported by the housing and adapted for sensing a first surface point of the cylindrical body laterally spaced apart from the housing and disposed in a cross-sectional plane of the cylindrical body. A second sensing element is mounted to the housing for contact with a second surface point of the cylindrical body disposed in the cross-sectional plane of the cylindrical body. The first and second surface points locate, respectively, a terminal and midpoint of a chord lying in the cross-section plane of the cylindrical body, from which the diameter of the cylindrical body is determined.

Abstract: A hand-operated feeler includes a rod on a crossed movement table mounted on a support fitted with an immobilization device at a fixed reference as compared to the part to be measured and a processing unit configured to store and process the results. Such a device results in rapidly measuring the contours of parts including deep and sunken honeycomb cells.

Abstract: A method for forming a topographical image of the heterogeneous variations in a surface of a material has a first machining step and a second scanning step. The preferred machining step uses a preselected scribing tool to scribe a plurality of adjacent grooves in a selected material surface at a preselected constant force. This machining step produces a machined surface whose local elevations relative to a datum plane are dependent on the local hardness or wear resistance of the surface. Then the scanning step shifts the scribing tool across the surface in contact with the surface, and measures the elevation of the tool at a plurality of selected surface coordinates. The measured elevations allow formation of a topological map depicting sub-micron structural features of the surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of printing units each having an image bearing member for rotation about an axis and a process member which cooperates with the image bearing member in an image forming process; a transfer member for moving in contact with the image bearing member of each of the plurality of printing units, an image on each of the image bearing members being transferred onto the transfer member or a recording medium that is transported on the transfer member; a switch unit for switching between a contact state where the image bearing members in the plurality of printing units are in contact with the transfer member and a separate state where the image bearing member(s) in the printing unit(s) other than one of the plurality of printing units are separated from the transfer member; a memory for storing life expectancies of the image bearing member and the process member with regard to the printing unit(s) other than the one of the plurality of printing units; and a control sectio