Abstract: Provided is, among other things, an apparatus for facilitating the hanging of an object on a wall or other surface. This apparatus includes: a main body section having a first surface; an upper section connected to the main body section and having a protruding portion that protrudes away from the first surface; a lower section connected to the main body section and having an opening for accepting and holding a hanging/attachment element; and a securing mechanism. At least one of the upper section or the lower section is a slidable section that is slidably attached to the main body section and thereby capable of moving vertically up and down the main body section, but can be temporarily fixed at an arbitrary position along the main body section using the securing mechanism.

Abstract: There are provided a surface shape measuring method and a surface shape measuring device which can measure the diameter of a workpiece to be measured with high precision and high reproducibility and have excellent versatility. These method include: acquiring first shape data indicating a surface shape of the workpiece with a detector being disposed on one side across a workpiece while rotating the workpiece relatively to the detector around a rotational center; acquiring second shape data indicating the surface shape of the workpiece with the detector being disposed on the other side across the workpiece while rotating the workpiece relatively to the detector around the rotational center; and calculating a shape parameter defining the surface shape of the workpiece by collating the first shape data and second shape data. In calculating the shape parameter, a deviation of the detector from the reference line is calculated based on the collation result.

Abstract: A measuring device includes a housing and a caliper positioned inside the housing. The housing has a proximal end and a distal end and defines an axis from the proximal end to the distal end. The caliper includes a first measurement probe extending out of the housing in a first direction, a second measurement probe adjustably coupled to the first measurement probe, the second measurement probe extending out of the housing in a second direction that is substantially opposite of the first direction, and measurement circuitry configured for transmitting a measurement signal based on the relative positions of the first and second measurement probes.

Abstract: An offset reference guide for use in determining an offset value for orthopedic fasteners to be used with surgical hardware. The reference guide may include a reference surface against which the surgical hardware may be disposed. In turn, an orthopedic fastener may be inserted through a fastener hole of the surgical hardware and accepted by a fastener relief of the guide. Upon fully seating the orthopedic fastener relative to the surgical hardware, the distal end of the orthopedic fastener may align with one of a set of offset indicia calibrated relative to a known length of the orthopedic fastener. In turn, an offset value for the surgical hardware may be determined that may, for example, be used to augment measurements of bore lengths taken for a bore into which an orthopedic fastener is to be disposed.

Abstract: A sight for a weapon such as a bow, crossbow or firearm is described. The sight includes different vertical indicators that are activated by separate switches on the weapon. The shooter intuitively knows which switch is associated with a greater distance, and the corresponding switch illuminates a range site to adjust for that distance.

Abstract: A bow mount for a bow. A mount bracket is rigidly attached to a mount attachment side. A lateral adjustment piece is slidingly attached to the mount bracket. A position locking mechanism rigidly holds the lateral adjustment piece in a desired position. A device attachment rail is connected to the lateral adjustment piece. A device is connected to the device attachment rail. The device attachment rail does not extend beyond the planar surface of the bow's line of sight side. This allows for the archer to have a line of sight unobstructed by the bow mount. In a preferred embodiment the bow is a compound bow, the device attachment rail is a Picatanny rail and the attached device is a red dot sight.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame rack enables a motorcycle frame to be repaired without removing many components from the motorcycle. A motorcycle is positioned on the motorcycle frame rack, secured in place and then the frame is adjusted using chains coupled to towers. A self-centering laser measuring system is able to be used to analyze and measure damage to the motorcycle frame.

Abstract: A method of determining a depth of a hole formed in a work piece is disclosed. The method includes determining the hole depth based upon a load signal indicative of a load on a tool forming the hole during the forming of the hole. The hole depth determined is then adjusted with an offset and component specifications are combined with the hole length to determine a component specification for use in the hole to fix components together. At least a part of the depth determination and component specification can be carried out automatically in a computer, for an array of holes.

Abstract: A wire electrical discharge machine for detecting an end face of an object, configured so that when a contact detection movement is started and if contact between the wire electrode and the workpiece is detected, positions in which the contact between the wire electrode and the workpiece is detected are stored as contact detection positions and that when a non-contact detection movement is then started and if non-contact between the wire electrode and the workpiece is detected, positions in which the non-contact between the wire electrode and the workpiece is detected are stored as non-contact detection positions. When it is determined whether or not a set number of times of execution is reached and if the set number of times of execution is reached, a reference position is obtained by adding the radius of the wire electrode and a clearance of the wire guide to an end face determination position.

Abstract: A system for installing an array of pilings for an array of solar panels is highly accurate and efficient. The system includes a horizontal laser and a rotating vertical laser that are mounted on a first piling and aligned with a target on a second piling on the opposite side of the array. An alignment template is placed against a piling and aligned with the vertical rotating laser. The aligned template provides a designated location where the next piling is driven. A hammer target on the pile driver allows the installer to precisely install the next piling. After installation, the next piling is measured for accuracy and if errors are found, an alignment bracket is used to correct the error. The process is repeated until the array of pilings is complete.

Abstract: A measuring garment may be provided. The measuring garment may include at least one measurement marking for determining a measurement for a desired garment dimension. The measuring garment may be used to convey calculate and subsequently convey measurement info to a garment company for producing or providing fitted garments.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulated arm CMM is provided. Instructions for the CMM can be inputted to the CMM arm by an action chosen from the group consisting of placing the arm in a predefined position and moving the arm in a predefined manner.

Abstract: An improved jig for manufacturing a firearm lower receiver is comprised of a power tool mount; an adapter; a guide plate with plate screws; a rear support with mounting screws; a front support; and at least one of a carriages with at least one locating pin. A guide plate is disposed below the top surface of a lower receiver in conjunction with an adapter. The jig is a universal fitment and includes a bearing to support a rotary tool and at least one guiding feature can be used to facilitate in the guidance of the rotary tool without placing the rotary tool in direct contact with any of the guidance features. A removable locating pin is situated a long the front and rear takedown pin holes of a firearm receiver that is not threaded and is provided with at least one of a pull, string or other handle.

Abstract: A jig assembly for marking a cabinet with hole positions that are needed to install hardware. The jig assembly utilizes a reference plate. At least one matrix of holes is formed through the reference plate. The holes are used to make markings at different positions and distances. The holes are preferably identified with scale indicia that provide visual indications as to the positions of each of the holes. Arms are attached to the reference plate with pivot connections. Marking holes are disposed through the arms. The arms can rotate and extend from the reference plate in opposite directions. A top plate is positioned across the top edge of the reference plate. The top plate creates a guide. A side plate is positioned across a side edge of the reference plate. The side plate creates a second guide that intersects the top plate at a perpendicular.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a geodetic instrument comprising a scanning head, a reflecting optical element, a radiation source, a control unit and an electronic distance measurement (EDM) unit. The scanning head is rotatable about a first axis. The reflecting optical element mounted in the scanning head and rotatable about the same first axis. The radiation source is adapted to emit light to be output along a light beam path from the geodetic instrument via light reflection against the reflecting optical element. The control unit is adapted to adjust an angular displacement profile of the reflecting optical element about the first axis relative to an angular displacement profile of the scanning head such that an angular displacement of the light beam path about the first axis as a function of time presents a stair-like profile. The EDM unit is adapted to determine a distance to a target during a flat portion of the stair-like profile.

Abstract: A top mounted column placement element includes a plumb bob hanging element to allow a plumb bob to hang from the top mounted column placement element and identify a corresponding portion of a bottom mounted column placement element. The top mounted column placement element defines a column perimeter. The bottom mounted column placement element also defines a column perimeter. Once the top mounted column placement portion and bottom mounted column placement element are in place, the column can be placed and set to conform to both defined column perimeters, ensuring the column is properly positioned.

Abstract: A classic knife cut culinary guide for providing both visual and actual measurement comparison of classic knife cuts to standard size classic knife cuts provided as cutouts around the periphery and through the guide, as well as limited measurement indications in both English and metric units.

Abstract: An inspection device comprises movable equipment driven relative to a frame and provided with external and internal inspection gauges. Detection systems are provided for detecting contacts occurring between the internal and external gauges and a container. Each detection system further comprises an emitter and receiver system for emitting and receiving a light beam in a direction parallel to the travel direction of the movable equipment. A movement transformation mechanism carried by the movable equipment is also provided for transforming the travel movement of the gauge relative to the movable equipment into a movement that obstructs or ceases to obstruct the light beam.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) including a CMM control system, a surface scanning probe that measures a workpiece surface by outputting probe workpiece measurements, and a probe measurement timing subsystem. The method comprises: operating the CMM control system to output a measurement synchronization trigger signal at predictable times; operating the probe measurement timing subsystem to determine a pre-trigger lead time that is a fraction of a current duration of a probe workpiece measurement sample period, to initiate a current instance of the probe measurement sample period at the pre-trigger lead time before a next predictable time of the measurement synchronization trigger signal; operating the CMM control system to latch a current set of CMM position coordinate values; and operating the surface scanning probe to output the current instance of the probe workpiece measurement in association with the current set of CMM position coordinate values.

Abstract: An attachable retainer for mounting on the L-shaped catch assembly of flexible tape is provided. The attachable retainer provides a pear-shaped base plate having peripheral sidewalls defining a lower holding area for receiving flimsy workpieces that would not afford sufficient resistance needed to extend the flexible tape relative to its housing. A curved opening in the base plate receives the catch assembly, while two prongs and a horizontal brace over the curved opening and a tongue element just below the curved opening removably secure the catch assembly. A plurality of teeth provided by the sidewalls enable the attachment retainer to be used on conventional and unconventional workpieces without the need to remove the attachable retainer.