External Patents (Class 33/532)
  • Patent number: 9638506
    Abstract: A wrench selector system for efficiently selecting a wrench based on the head size of a fastener or nut. The wrench selector system generally includes: a housing including a display unit; first and second prongs protruding from said housing, wherein first and second grippings are adjoined to said first and second prongs, respectively; and a control button positioned on said first gripping to allow for holding and computing of at least one of a head size of a fastener or nut; wherein said computing is displayed on said display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Zane Z. Zuther
  • Patent number: 9205524
    Abstract: A test gauge for determining whether a tool holder assembly that utilizes a retention knob is properly assembled. The test gauge is mounted on a tool holder before the installation of a retention knob. Measurement devices, such as dial indicators, determine whether a “wobble” exists between the test gauge and the tapered surface of the tool holder and also provide a distance measurement between the test gauge and a reference surface on the tool holder. After installation of the retention knob, the test gauge is again placed on the tool holder in the same relative position and the distance between the test gauge and the reference surface is again observed. Any change in the distance measurement is an indication that the installation of the retention knob produced a distortion in the tool holder tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: John Wayne Stoneback
  • Patent number: 7650207
    Abstract: In a rail track system having transition points, a locomotive having a navigation system (such as a combined inertial/GPS location system) moves along an initially known track and enters the “halo” surrounding a track transition to begin data collection/logging to accumulate successive position information data points as the locomotive moves into, progresses through, and exits the “halo.” The collected data for movement within the “halo” is then subject to a best fit assessment relative to the data pre-stored in the track database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 6810599
    Abstract: A method and a gauge for measuring the sharpness of the tip of an object is provided. The method includes receiving the tip of the measured object in the end of a tube. The object deflects a plunger inside the tube a finite distance proportional to the sharpness of the object inserted in the tube. A measurement of sharpness of the tip of the object is derived by measuring the deflection distance of the plunger. The measuring method may be used to measure the sharpness of a number of objects in sequence by displaying the sharpness of the object, such as where the objects being measured are pins arranged in a matrix pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Obrachta, Robert Nelson, Richard J. Meusborn
  • Patent number: 6446348
    Abstract: In a gage to gage an axially tapered surface on work, the combination comprising first and second gage sections defining an axis, and relatively movable axially; first locaters on the first section to engage the tapered surface at first locations spaced about the axis; second locaters on the second section to engage the tapered surface at second locations spaced about the axis, an indicator plunger on the second section to engage a shoulder on the first section as the two sections are relatively moved, axially; and whereby the amount of subsequent relative movement of the two sections prior to engagement of the second locaters with the work is an indication of work surface taper deviation from a predetermined taper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Frank J. Brian
  • Patent number: 6119360
    Abstract: A device that is both square and multi-sided in configuration. At equally spaced intervals a variety of hole sizes (A,B,C,D) are drilled through the base (8). The base (8) is coupled to a L-shaped ratchet mechanism (6). The ratchet mechanism (6) rotates in both directions about the base (8). The ratchet mechanism (6) provides selective positioning about the base (8). A micrometer (4) is attached to the ratchet mechanism (6). A scale of measurement is provided on the micrometer (4). The base (8) surface represents the zero measuring point. The object being measured is interposed into the appropriate diameter through the base (8). The object is pushed through the base (8) until contact between the object and the micrometer (4) shaft occurs. Adjusting the micrometer (4) clockwise moves the objects grinding taper flush with the base (8) surface. The value measured on the micrometer (4) represents the angle of the object being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventors: Kevin Huddleston, Curtis Harreld
  • Patent number: 5822876
    Abstract: A gauge for measuring an out-of-plane surface displacement profile around a cold-worked fastener hole in relation to the distribution of residual compressive stresses around the hole and related fatigue life. The gauge has a deformable strain sensor positionable to be deformed in accord with the out-of-plane surface of the structural material circumferentially surrounding the cold-worked hole. A measurement reporting readout device is in communication with the strain sensor and relates three-dimensional surface-profile measurement data in accord with strain sensor deformation to determine or verify the cold expansion magnitude, uniformity and consequent fatigue life through three-dimensional elastoplastic finite element comparative analyses and/or experimental measurements for a hole in any material of given thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G. Haas, James R. Kennedy, Alvin Levy, John M. Papazian
  • Patent number: 5056238
    Abstract: A pair of vernier calipers includes a shaft. A vernier is slidable along the shaft. A protractor has a base coupled to the vernier. A follower is pivotally coupled on the base. A spring is biased between the follower and the base so as to bias the follower to rotate in one direction relative to the base. A graduation is provided on the follower. A mark is provided on the base. When the vernier is pushed toward an object, the follower is caused to rotate so that a relative movement between the mark and the graduation indicates an angular dimension of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Yi C. Chi
  • Patent number: 4897931
    Abstract: This invention pertains to slide calipers for use with hose fittings wherein the improved construction includes caliper fingers having angles corresponding to standard hose fitting adapter sealing surface angles thus allowing the user to identify the type of adapter angle being measured. At the same time the caliper fingers act as reference points for measuring the size of a hose or fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen D. Goulette
  • Patent number: 4761891
    Abstract: In an NC-lathe comprising a thread touch sensor provided with a touch portion to be brought into contact with an effective radius/diameter portion of a screw thread, an automatic measuring device electrically connected to the thread touch sensor, and an automatic correction device connected to the automatic measuring device; an effective radius or diameter of a screw thread is measured by bringing the touch portion of the thread touch sensor into contact with an effective radius/diameter portion of the screw thread, the measured dimension is compared with a desired dimension, and when a difference is produced between the respective dimensions, the NC-lathe is controlled by correcting an amount of machining by means of the automatic correction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Sugimura
  • Patent number: 4683661
    Abstract: A gauge is disclosed for measuring the width between opposing walls of a tapered groove forming the peripheral rim of a pulley, gear or the like. A body member includes a projection portion positionable in the groove into engagement with the opposing walls thereof, and a handle portion for facilitating manual positioning of the projection portion within the groove. A gauge member is mounted on the body member for movement relative thereto in a direction oblique to the rim to bring the gauge member into abutting engagement with the rim. Indicia is provided on the gauge member for determining the penetration depth of the projection portion within the groove as a function of the relative positioning between the body member and the gauge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: Benjamin Sommer
  • Patent number: 4677751
    Abstract: In order to determine the size and style of a hose fitting, and the size of a hose which may be assembled thereto, a simple, easy-to-use device is provided. The device has a body, one end of which permits identification of various types of tapered, threaded fittings, the other end of which may be used to measure various dimensional features of a fitting or hose. By using viewing means on the device, measuring indicia on the device may be quickly read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Masseth
  • Patent number: 4596075
    Abstract: A vernier gauge includes a first arc member having a first radially inner side and a first radially outer side, a second arc member having a second radially inner side and a second radially outer side slidably engaged with the first radially inner side, having a second free end and a second clamped end and provided with a second scale, a third arc member having a third radially inner side slidably engaged with the first outer side and a third radially outer side, having a third free end and a third clamped end and provided with a third scale, the third arc member together with the first and second arc members defining a free space at the center of the first, second and third arc members, two intermediates each of which has a first end provided on one of the second and third free ends and a second end and is capable of moving radially with respect to the arc members and two measuring pieces each of which has a first engaging end pivotally connected to the second end and a second engaging end pivotally intercon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventors: Bau-Shen Liu, Bau-Horng Liu