Abstract: A communicative coupler for a tubular member including a hub having a longitudinal hub axis and a chamber disposed therein, a coil disposed in the hub for electromagnetically communicating with a coil of the tubular member, a shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second end of the shaft is pivotally coupled to the hub, and a positioning assembly disposed in the chamber of the hub that engages the second end of the shaft, and wherein the positioning assembly is configured to allow the longitudinal shaft axis to become laterally offset from the longitudinal hub axis.

Abstract: A communicative coupler for a tubular member including a hub having a longitudinal hub axis and a chamber disposed therein, a coil disposed in the hub for electromagnetically communicating with a coil of the tubular member, a shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second end of the shaft is pivotally coupled to the hub, and a positioning assembly disposed in the chamber of the hub that engages the second end of the shaft, and wherein the positioning assembly is configured to allow the longitudinal shaft axis to become laterally offset from the longitudinal hub axis.

Abstract: Mechanical coupling apparatus for a position locating system comprises a force sensing device (504). One extremity of the coupling apparatus is joined to a rigid body (506) which may be fixed. A plate or a visual display screen (501) having a surface (501a or 501b) exposed to the application of a localized force is joined to the other extremity of the coupling apparatus. The force sensing device senses force changes which are proportionately related to the localized force (F) applied to the exposed surface of the plate or visual display screen. The force is sensed through a predetermined point of action (510) of the coupling apparatus. In order to decrease error, the point of action (510) is in substantially the same plane as the exposed surface of the plate or screen. The coupling apparatus provides support to the plate or screen (501) without creating any undesirable moments.

Abstract: A position locating system for calculating the coordinates of a localized force applied to a surface (101a) has force sensing devices (101, 501, or 501a) for supporting the surface (101a). The force sensing devices provide force proportional electrical signals to a processing system (512) for calculating the position of the localized force applied to the surface. In order to provide samples of the dynamic alternating current characteristics of the force proportional electrical signals to the processing system, the improvement comprises an alternating coupling circuit (508) associated with each force sensing device. The alternating current coupling circuit accentuates the common dynamic frequency characteristics of the variety of forces presented to the system. The sample collection circuit (511) of processing system (512) sequentially collects samples (401a) of the force proportional electric signal from each AC coupling circuit (508).