Abstract: A vehicle-trailer hitch angle sensor assembly includes a mounting bracket including a base, a body rotatably coupled with the bracket about an axis spaced apart from the base and biased toward the base, and a sensor array including a plurality of sensors extending in first and second directions along a face of the body.

Abstract: A self-locking and releasing dual-axis hinge automatically locks when unfolded, and automatically unlocks when folded in a determined sequence. The sequence for folding entails rotating about one axis of rotation to release a movable locking element and then rotating about the other axis of rotation. Such unlocking is automatic. The hinge is well suited for a wide range of applications including folding furniture.

Abstract: A planimeter includes a movable housing in which are mounted orthogonally aimed x- and y-position sensors. Each position sensor comprises a piezoelectric ultra-sound transmitter and receiver for sending ultrasound to a reflector disposed on a drawing and sensing resultant echoes. Circuitry in the housing computes from the sensor outputs the housing's position for each of a sequence of locations on a drawing at which a user positions the housing, and from those it computes scaled distances between those positions as well as quantities that can be derived from those distances. The transmitter's and receiver's respective positions with respect to positioning crosshairs are such as to suppress the results of orientation errors. The planimeter's handle is angled at 45° to the directions in which the sensors are aimed so that it lends itself to both right- and left-handed operation.

Abstract: A weight and form sensing apparatus according to the present invention provides weight sensors on a base, in matrix pattern for instance. Each weight sensor has a load receiving portion on a top. Weight and form can be sensed by single weight and form sensing apparatus according to the present invention. That is, output values of the weight sensors are summed, so that an article put on the weight sensors can be detected. Also, the existence of the load on each weight sensor is determined based on output signal of each weight sensor, so that the bottom form and size of the article can be identified. The weight and form sensing apparatus according to the present invention can be preferably arranged into a feeding stream of the article because an arrangement of the sensors for identifying the form and size of the article does not interfere an arrangement of the feeding mechanism for the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile sensor comprising a base plate provided at a first side with a plurality of electrically conducting wires forming a row, and provided at a second side opposite to the first side of the base plate with a plurality of electrically conducting wires forming a column, each of these wires forming cross points with the electrically conducting row wires. Each of the column wires forms an electrical contact with the row wires near each cross point, which electrical contacts are located at the first side of the base plate. The first side of the base plate is provided with a covering having a pressure-dependent electrical resistance and which, together with the electrical contact of the column wires and the row wires, is suitable to form one or more current paths. The covering is divided into segments, with each segment covering at least two adjacent cross points.

Abstract: The hydrography of a land area beneath a shallow body of water is determined by driving a submersible, remotely controlled, powered vehicle along a route over the land area. The vehicle includes a chassis, a drive mechanism, a drive control module to control the drive mechanism, and a mast extending upwardly from the chassis, with the top end of the mast projecting above the body of water. A position indicator, such as a global positioning system, mounted adjacent the mast top end, determines the position of the position indicator, and transmits position data to a receiving unit at a remote location. A transmitter at the remote location transmits instructions to the drive control module to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A measuring device, such as a planimeter, having an increased measurable range for measuring a figure without increasing a length of the measuring device. The measurable range of a planimeter is based upon the a physical length of the planimeter. In order to increase the measurable range of the planimeter, the planimeter is provided with an operation control switch that functions to set a measurement mode of a computer associated with the planimeter to a suspend mode, temporarily halting a measurement operation, so that the planimeter can be shifted to another position. Thus, the measuring range of the planimeter is increased without increasing the physical length of the planimeter.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring figures having circular arc portions by obtaining coordinates of a starting point, an ending point and an intermediate point of each circular arc. The measuring apparatus measures at least one of coordinates or an area of a figure. The measuring apparatus has a main body and a measuring lever. The main body has a pair of rollers that drive the measuring apparatus in a running direction. The measuring lever is pivotally supported on the main body so as to be rotatable in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. The measuring lever includes a tracer, a point key, and an arc key. The point key is manipulated when the measuring lever is at the starting point of the circular arc portion. The arc key is manipulated when the measuring lever is at the intermediate point. The point key again is manipulated when the measuring lever is at the ending point. By obtaining these three points, a parameter of a figure, including the circular arc portion, can be determined.

Abstract: A device for finding the centroid coordinates of a figure that can calculate the centroid from a single time measurement of the figure and display the calculated centroid of the figure. The measuring device comprises a main body having a roller capable of running in a single direction and a measuring lever pivotably supported by the main body so as to be rotatable right or left from the running direction of main body on a horizontal plane. In the measuring device, the main body has a display and a calculating circuit. The tracer of the measuring lever traces the contour of the figure to measure the coordinates, areas, and lengths of the figure. At the same time, the calculating circuit computes the geometrical moments of areas successively and sums the geometrical moments of the areas. Finally, the calculating circuit divides the summed geometrical moment of the areas by an area of the figure to obtain the coordinates of the centroid of the figure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a measuring device for a coordinate of a figure in which values of coordinate positions of a plurality of any given points are input, the coordinate of an asked for position relating to the given points is calculated and marking the asked for position. The measuring device for a coordinate of a figure comprises a body having rollers to trace a running line, a measuring lever pivoted on the body rotating right or left relative to the running line in a horizontal plane, characterized by a display, input device and a calculating device provided in the body, a tracing part, a reading/marking (writing) toggle switch, a reading switch and a marking needle provided in the measuring lever.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring characteristics of a drawing in which a carriage is supported by a pair of wheels for reciprocal motion on a line. A carriage pulse generator produces pulses proportional to the angle of rotation of the wheels rotatably supported at one end. A tracing lever extending from the carriage has a tracing implement on the other end. A tracing lever pulse generator generates pulses proportional to the rotational motion of the tracing lever. A phase signal generator receives signals from the tracing lever pulse generator and generates a phase angle signal received by a calculator in the carriage. The phase angle signals and pulses from the tracing lever pulse generator we used by the calculator to determine one or more characteristics of the drawing being measured by the tracing implement.

Abstract: A control system for an acreage counter, controllable by an electrical logic condition, includes: a flip-flop having enable logic condition output upon being set, and an inhibit logic output upon being reset; an enable counter and an inhibit counter connected respectively to the set and reset inputs of the flip-flop; an enable clock and an inhibit clock connected respectively to the enable and inhibit counters; and sensors or switches connected to the respective counters and cooperating respectively with an operating lever or operating switches of an agricultural implement to actuate the associated counters upon change in the status of the operating controls. The clocks and counters function to delay setting or resetting of the flip-flop for a selected time so that minor adjustments may be made to the working position of the implement without falsely initiating or interrupting the acreage counter.

Abstract: Measurement of the area and shape of contact between a vehicle's wheels or racks and the surface over which it moves is automated by having the vehicle drive over an array of switches connected in a matrix including X and Y conductors. The matrix is systematically scanned to produce a pulse train with one pulse therein for each closed switch, with the locations of said pulses indicating the shape of the area of contact. Circuit means are provided to count the number of pulses to indicate the area of contact and to operate a small scale display which indicates the shape of the area of contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the accurate volumetric subdivision of conveyed bar-shaped material such as bar steel or billets, using measurements of the bar's cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Apparatus for area measurement of elongated strips of different widths is described, which strips may be film to be treated, the strip to be measured preferably being initially delivered between driven rolls carried on parallel shafts, the strip passing over a driven roll having grooves at predetermined intervals, small freely rotatable rolls with peripheral projections such as rings thereon being provided which depress the strip into the grooves, the freely rotatable rolls being driven by engagement with the strip, the small rolls engaging actuation rolls having magnets carried therein to activate switches to generate pulses for counting by a counter to give an area indication and for other purposes, or the small rolls directly moving magnets for switch activation. The actuation rolls are preferably counterbalanced to reduce undesired unbalance.

Abstract: A system for indicating area traversed by a vehicular implement has a ground speed sensor for generating ground speed pulses at a frequency which is a function of the implement ground speed; a pulse generator for deriving fixed width pulses from said ground speed pulses; an integrator for accumulating the fixed width pulses to derive a positive slope dc signal whose instantaneous magnitude is an analog of distance traveled by the implement; a comparator for comparing the analog signal to a reference signal whose magnitude is an inverse function of the width of path traversed by the implement and for providing an output signal when the former becomes equal to the latter, whereby the output signal indicates that the implement has traversed an area equal to the distance traveled multiplied by the path width; and a counter for registering and displaying the number of output signals as an indication of area traversed.

Abstract: Apparatus for area measurement of elongated strips of different widths is described, which strips may be film to be treated, the strips to be measured being delivered manually or driven between rolls carried on parallel shafts, the number of rolls on one shaft which are actuated being determined by the width of the strips, the actuation rolls having magnets carried therein to activate switches to generate pulses for counting by a counter to give an area indication. The actuation rolls are preferably counterbalanced to reduce undesired movement.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a movable means along a curved path comprises measuring means arranged to measure the movement of the movable means in terms of a series of increments corresponding to chords to the curved path of equal length, and counting means arranged to count the number of said increments. The movement may be in two or three dimensions. When the curved path is a two dimensional closed path, the area enclosed by the path can be measured.

Abstract: A system for measuring the amount of area traversed by a vehicular implement comprising linear distance measuring means for generating an electrical signal having a characteristic which varies systematically in accordance with the distance traversed by the implement. An electronic switch having a first switching state and a second switching state is utilized for developing a control signal having a first value when the switch is in the first state and a second value when the switch is in the second state, with the electronic switch being coupled to the electrical signal generator and responsive to the electrical signal for switching to the first switching state. A clock is responsive to the control signal being in the first state and having the first value for generating a timing signal having a predetermined frequency. A pair of presettable dividers are coupled to the clock for developing a switching signal which is applied to the electronic switch to switch it to the second switching state.

Abstract: An electrically operated recording measuring instrument burns out the trace of a curve on a moving record medium coated on both sides with an evaporated metal layer. The power supply for the burnout current also feeds an auxiliary writing member for burning out an additional trace to isolate an area of the metal layer under the curve and, if desired, to subdivide the area in a similar way. The power supply also furnishes a higher voltage to a test probe for burning out any remaining conducting bridges across the burnout traces before capacitance measurements are made which can read directly in terms of area or relative area. The method and apparatus are particularly usable for photoelectrically evaluating blood samples treated by electrophoresis to separate the proteins.