Opposed Contacts Patents (Class 33/783)
  • Patent number: 7373735
    Abstract: A device and method for rapid hardware sizing includes a ruler-like body having a fixed end and a distal end, a fixed jaw at the fixed end, and a sliding jaw opposite the fixed jaw being slidably connected to the body such that the sliding jaw slides there along from a point immediately adjacent to the fixed jaw to the distal end. A digital logic calculation and display means is secured to the sliding jaw such that it moves along the body with the sliding jaw. A measuring means is in communication with the digital logic calculation and display means, and measures a distance between the fixed and sliding jaws. The distance is then communicated to the digital logic calculation and display means and selectively displayed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Todd M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7347002
    Abstract: A barrel measuring device for accurate measurement of all internal dimensions and barrel wall thickness of a gun, tube, pipe or cylinder is comprised of a fixed probe transversely attached to a cross member at a distal end. A second probe transversely attached to a body member proximate to the fixed probe, said body member and second probe slidaby moveable along the axis of the cross member. A measurement device attached to the body member and second probe for recording of the diameter proportional to the degree of expansion of the fixed and second probe within the barrel. A recoil means for expansion contained with the cross member and attached to the body member coupled with the second probe providing an expansion pressure between the probes for measurement with the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Foege
  • Patent number: 7328520
    Abstract: A gage for measuring a diameter of a workpiece has a pair of parallel spaced apart side rails. A pair of block sets is mounted between the side rails and spaced apart from each other. A pair of arms extends transverse to the rails through mating profiles in the blocks of each block set. The arms are slidable in a transverse direction to the side rails. Each block set can slide along the side rails and has a single fastener that secures the blocks to the side rails and the arms to the blocks in a desired position. Drag brakes between the blocks and the side rails prevent the components from sliding of their own weight while the fasteners are loosened. The block sets and arms are rotatable 180 degrees about the fasteners when loosened to accommodate outside and inside measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Technologies Alliance, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Galle, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7275331
    Abstract: A tool for indicating the flushness between a vehicle body roof panel and a sunroof panel that is adjustably mounted within a sunroof opening of the vehicle body roof panel. The tool will signal a vehicle assembly operator in the event that the sunroof panel needs to be vertically adjusted up or down. The tool includes a housing that sits on the roof panel. A lever is pivotally mounted on the housing and has a feeler extending from the housing to contact with the sunroof panel so that the pivotal position of the lever relative the housing is determined by the degree of flushness or lack of flushness between the two panels. An indicator is associated with the lever to indicate to the vehicle assembly operator whether or not the sunroof panel needs vertical adjustment relative to the roof panel to obtain an acceptable degree of flushness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Mills, Craig A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7246450
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing that has front and side faces. The side face has a linear shape provided with a longitudinal length smaller than a diameter of the front face. Coextensively shaped top and bottom conductive clamps are coupled to the side face and spaced from the front face. The bottom clamp is stationary and the top clamp is linearly displaced along the side face. The clamps form a closed electrical circuit when engaged with the fastener. A controller is coupled to the top clamp so that the top clamp is linearly displaced downwardly and upwardly when the controller is rotated along first and second directions. A mechanism is included for measuring a voltage level when the clamps contact the fastener. The voltage level is proportionally adjusted based upon the size of the fastener such that the voltage level increases when a linear distance between the clamps increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Earl Mason
  • Patent number: 7231726
    Abstract: A cover body (100), formed of an elastic member for covering a slider body (510) of a caliper, is provided with concavities and convexities (112) on the inner surface thereof and concavities and convexities (103) on the outer surface thereof. The cover body (100) is arranged so that it is easily deformed elastically in the portion of the concavities and convexities. When a shock is given from the outside, the portion of the concavities and convexities is deformed elastically to absorb the shock, hence the shock given to the slider body (510) is reduced. Accordingly, damage or failure hardly occurs on the measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Shigeru Ohtani
  • Patent number: 7194819
    Abstract: An opposed type fulcrum member of a lever detector is constituted by a main body part having a U-shaped section and thin-walled parts each formed in opposed positions of two sides of the main body part, and two ends of the U-shaped main body part can rock, with the tin-walled parts serving as fulcrums. By performing the U-shaped working and thin-walled working of the main body part by press forming, a low-cost, uniform opposed type fulcrum member is obtained and it is possible to reduce the cost of the whole lever detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd., Tosei Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Nozomi Takai
  • Patent number: 7103987
    Abstract: A slider or a slide shoe for maintaining an interval between a scale and the slider is provided with inclined faces for excluding a foreign matter on a scale face or a sliding guide face at both ends of the slider in a moving direction thereof or at both ends of the slide shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kodama, Yutaka Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7093373
    Abstract: A displacement measuring instrument (1) has a spindle (25) penetrating a gauge body (11) to be slidably supported relative to the gauge body (11) to be displaced and a lifting lever (20) manipulated from the outside for forcibly shifting the spindle. A lever support (30) supporting an end opposite to a drive end (20A) of the lifting lever (20) that is in contact with the spindle (25) is supported by engaging a dovetail groove thereon with a projection of an engaging member (35) formed on the outer circumference of the gauge body (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Chikara Sugai, Toshiyuki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7076886
    Abstract: A slide caliper assembly comprises a caliper including a shaft defining a gaging surface. A first jaw is coupled to and a second jaw is slidably coupled to the shaft. Each jaw defines a gaging surface. One of the jaws is adjustably pivotable relative to the shaft about a pivot axis coinciding with an intersection of the gaging surface of the shaft and another axis extending along the associated gaging surface of one of the jaws. A case houses the caliper, and has a plurality of side edge sections defining a periphery of the case. One side edge section and an adjacent side edge section form a non-right angle therebetween such that the shaft can abut the side edge section, the first jaw can abut an adjacent side edge section, and the second jaw can abut another adjacent side edge section for calibrating or demonstrating the use of the caliper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: ebm-papst Inc.
    Inventors: William Thomas John, Christopher Paul Penna, Dale Allan Watson
  • Patent number: 6990746
    Abstract: A slide caliper includes an elongated shaft defining a gaging surface for abutting against a first surface of an object to be measured. A first jaw is coupled to the shaft and defines a gaging surface for abutting against a second surface of the object. A second jaw is slidably coupled to the shaft and defines a gaging surface for abutting against a third surface or edge of the object. The second jaw along the shaft is adjustable between a first position where the gaging surfaces of the jaws generally abut each other to a second position where the gaging surfaces of the jaws are maximally spaced from each other. At least one of the jaws is adjustably pivotable relative to the shaft about a pivot axis coinciding with an intersection of the gaging surface of the shaft and another axis extending along the associated gaging surface of the pivotable jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Penna, Dale Allan Watson
  • Patent number: 6973739
    Abstract: An instrument for measuring rigger-spread of a boat has an elongate casing 1 for support athwartships of the boat with a shoulder 2 of the casing 1 abutting the outside of the gunwale 4 opposite the rigger 5 and a slidingly-adjustable shoulder 6 abutting the opposite gunwale 9. A measuring tape 10 is extendable longitudinally from the casing 1 to the oarlock 14 of the rigger 5 to give a reading of spread, the extendable length being limited in dependence upon the spacing between the shoulders 2,6 of the casing 1 such that this length is increased or decreased by half the amount of any increase or decrease, respectively, of that spacing. Limitation of the extendable length involves a mechanism in which the two ends 18,19 of a flexible strip 15 or wire are secured respectively to the sliding shoulder 6 and the casing 1 so as to define a loop that is caught by a hook 16 of the tape 10 in limiting tape-extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: John Frayn Ewans
  • Patent number: 6957498
    Abstract: A brake drum caliper is disclosed having a beam and two jaws for measuring the inside diameter of a cylinder, with the improvement of limit stops on each jaw for accurately measuring diameter of the cylinder in at least two depths from the top of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Eva J. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6879653
    Abstract: The diameter of a segment of a peripheral rod in a fuel assembly is measured between two successive spacer grids. A measuring tool is positioned at a level situated between the two successive spacer grids, the tool comprising two measuring fingers that are free to move relative to each other in a first horizontal direction and that are urged towards each other by a resilient return arrangement, and that extend in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The measuring fingers are moved in the second horizontal direction towards a rod so as to put two contact pieces of the measuring fingers into contact with two zones of the rod segment. The measuring fingers are moved in the vertical axial direction of the rod along its segment situated between the two spacer grids and an electromagnetic sensor is used to measure the distance between the measuring fingers in the first horizontal direction while the measuring fingers are being moved axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Framatome, ANP
    Inventors: Jairo Arias, Sandrine Maire
  • Patent number: 6860025
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring wall thickness of a container having an open mouth includes a gauge indicator mounted on a support base, and having a first tip and a readout that provides an indication of position of the first tip. A probe arm includes a rod mounted on the base, a second tip pivotally mounted on the rod, a sleeve slidable on the rod, and a link connecting the sleeve to the second tip such that pivotal position of the second tip on the rod is controlled by position of the sleeve along the rod. The second tip is movable between a first position at which a container mouth is receivable over the second tip, and a second position at which the second tip internally engages the wall of the container in opposition to the first tip such that the readout provides a measure of container wall thickness between the first and second tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun P McMackin, James H. Jaquillard
  • Publication number: 20040250438
    Abstract: An instrument for measuring rigger-spread of a boat has an elongate casing 1 for support athwartships of the boat with a shoulder 2 of the casing 1 abutting the outside of the gunwale 4 opposite the rigger 5 and a slidingly-adjustable shoulder 6 abutting the opposite gunwale 9. A measuring tape 10 is extendable longitudinally from the casing 1 to the oarlock 14 of the rigger 5 to give a reading of spread, the extendable length being limited in dependence upon the spacing between the shoulders 2,6 of the casing 1 such that this length is increased or decreased by half the amount of any increase or decrease, respectively, of that spacing. Limitation of the extendable length involves a mechanism in which the two ends 18,19 of a flexible strip 15 or wire are secured respectively to the sliding shoulder 6 and the casing 1 so as to define a loop that is caught by a hook 16 of the tape 10 in limiting tape-extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: John Frayn Ewans
  • Patent number: 6782635
    Abstract: A pair of extensions for a gauge for measuring objects is disclosed. Various construction details are developed that provide extensions that may be used to determine the size of objects, such as gemstones, that are embedded within a structure and not accessible by conventional gauges. In a particular embodiment, a pair of extensions each having a sleeve and a member extending outward from the sleeve. The sleeve fits over a finger of the arms of a gauge and includes a set screw to attach the sleeve to the finger. The members include contact surfaces to be placed in contact the object to be measured. In another particular embodiment, at least one of the extensions has a tapered cross-section such that the distal end of the cross-section is sized to be inserted within the structure surrounding the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Frank J. Cappiello, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6739068
    Abstract: A pliers with two handles and two jaw portions, all pivoted together. Two readable combinations, each having a scale and a pointer, are on the handles to respectively reveal the amount of pivot and the force applied to a workpiece. A parallel linkage assembly can be attached to the jaw portions for contacting the workpiece, and, because of the parallelism, the location of the contact with the workpiece is not critical to the readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated
    Inventor: James A. Rinner
  • Patent number: 6725557
    Abstract: A measuring system including a linear gauge 8 is placed on a vibration isolation table 7, and this system assembly is placed in a temperature controllable, constant-temperature chamber. A specimen table 16, which has a centrally-disposed circular protrusion 16C of a diameter sufficiently smaller than a specimen under measurement, is mounted on a surface plate 2 of a linear gauge 8. The position of a measuring element 1 is measured when it is brought into contact with the centrally-disposed circular protrusion 16C, and the position of the measuring element 1 is measured when it is brought into contact with the specimen placed on the specimen table. The measured values are used to determine the thickness of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Kushibiki, Mototaka Arakawa, Ryoichi Okabe
  • Publication number: 20040020069
    Abstract: An electronic caliper includes fixed and movable caliper arms mounted on a common housing and having jaws at their free ends. One of the caliper arms is attached to the housing through a pivot pin for pivoting motion between a contact position and a disengaged position. A spring engages the movable arm at a point on a side of the pivot pin opposite the jaws. The spring is under tension so as to bias the contact pad carried by the distal end of the movable caliper arm toward contact with the pad mounted on the distal end of the fixed caliper arm. A non-contact electronic sensor is positioned facing a target disk carried by movable caliper arm at its innermost end within the housing. A plunger, located on the same side of the pivot pin as is the target disk, allows the movable caliper arm to be pivoted to its open position to allow for insertion and removal of the soft tissue to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Paul M. Killough
  • Publication number: 20040016142
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring distances on a surface according to a designated scale includes: (a) a distance indicating unit for indicating distance between a first locus and a second locus on the surface; (b) a calibration unit coupled with the distance indicating unit for effecting calibration of the apparatus to the designated scale; (c) a control unit for controlling at least the calibration; the control unit being coupled with at least the calibration unit; and (d) a display unit for displaying information relating at least to the calibration and the distance; the display unit being coupled at least with the control unit. At least the control unit, the distance indicating unit and the display unit cooperate to indicate the distance according to the designated scale after the calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard Arthur Beber
  • Patent number: 6647637
    Abstract: A downhole caliper instrument utilizing a linear or arcuate magneto resistive sensor to determine the position of one or more caliper arms which extend from a carrier tool to touch the surface of a borehole wall. A processor and firmware are included to calculate and plot the borehole radius. A plurality of magneto resistive sensors are provided to calculate the sine, cosine and tangent for accurate motion of each independent arm. The magneto resistive sensors sense the position a precise magnetic ruler linked to the caliper arm. The position of the caliper arm determines the radius of the borehole. Calculation of Radius/Diameter is preferably performed in the computer on surface. The downhole controller's firmware controls the multiplexer switching, A/D conversion and other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Helmut Lechen
  • Patent number: 6594915
    Abstract: A caliper has a main scale (1) having an inside-measuring jaw (2) and an outside-measuring jaw (3) and a slider (11) having an inside-measuring jaw (12) and an outside-measuring jaw (13) further includes a tube-shaped grip (30) provided on an end of the main scale (1) capable of movement in a longitudinal direction of the main scale (1), the grip (30) including a means for fixing the grip (30) relative to the main scale (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Shigeru Ohtani, Jun Odake
  • Patent number: 6560889
    Abstract: A downhole caliper instrument utilizing a magneto resistive sensor to determine the position of a caliper arm which extends to touch the surface of the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Helmut Lechen
  • Patent number: 6546634
    Abstract: A compass cutter has a main body fastened with an extension rod which is connected with a slidable seat slidable along the extension rod. The main body is further provided with a locating block, a protective cover, a blade, a fixation block, and an insertion pin. The slidable seat is provided with a locating block, a connection rod, a locating pin, and a shield. The compass cutter can be expanded, through the movement of the extension rod. The locating pin and the blade are covered by the shield to protect the user of the compass cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Chen Shan Ming
  • Patent number: 6508009
    Abstract: An improved gemstone measuring apparatus includes a pair of linearly aligned measurement flanges used to determine the linear dimensions of a gemstone alone a plurality of axes. One of the measurement flanges is linearly moveable relative to the other. A measurement member translates the distance between the measurement flanges to display indicia responsive thereto. A rotatable support platform is coupled to the housing intermediate the measurement flanges, the axis of rotation thereof being co-extensive with a measurement flange. The gemstone whose dimensions are to be measured is disposed upon the rotatable support platform intermediate the measurement flanges. The rotatable platform is positioned to align the gemstone axis being measured with the axis of alignment of the measurement flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: Semyen Tubis, Igor Borisov
  • Patent number: 6505414
    Abstract: A comparator (1) has: a frame (2); a spindle and an anvil (4) supported by the frame (2) to be advanceable and retractable in the axial direction thereof; a biaser (39) for biasing the anvil (4) toward the spindle; a release (6) for retracting the anvil relative to the spindle against the biaser (39); an indicator (7); and an indicator driver (8) for transmitting the movement of the anvil (4) to the indicator (7), where a seal member (40, 43, 47) provided on the border between an outer surface of the frame (2) and at least one of the anvil (4), the biaser (39), the release (6) and the indicator (7) and a biasing force adjuster (5) for varying the biasing force of the biaser (39) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 6473987
    Abstract: A wafer edge grinding or polishing machine is provided with a pair of chucks for engaging a wafer therebetween, a fixed reference surface and a sensor which is movable with a movable chuck. Measurements are made by the sensor relative to the fixed reference plane when the movable chuck is in engagement with the opposite chuck without a wafer therebetween in order to obtain a standard measurement value. With a wafer between the chucks, the sensor obtains an actual measurement value relative to the fixed reference surface. A calculator determines the difference between the standard and actual measurements values and displays the difference as the thickness of the wafer. Multiple sensors may be used to obtain multiples readings which are averaged by the calculator to obtain a thickness measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Accretech USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Steere, III, Colby Steere
  • Patent number: 6467184
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus is provided with a stylus (30), including a column (12), a carriage (14) slidably mounted on the column (12) and a stylus carrier (32). The stylus carrier (32) carries the stylus (30) and is secured to the carriage (14). The stylus carrier (32) is provided with a bar (42) and a support (44). The support (44) is secured to one of the ends of the bar (42). The stylus (30) is secured to the support (44). The carriage (14) is provided with two supports (54, 56) arranged longitudinally on one of the sides of the slide (52), one at each of its ends. The two supports (54, 56) are in contact with one of the faces of the bar (42). A locking member (58) is formed of a lock (74) and cooperates with the other face of the bar (42). A spring (78) generates a blocking force (F) which applies the lock (74) against the bar (42). The force (F) is oriented along an axis passing between the two supports (54, 56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Schnyder & Cie S.A.
    Inventors: Robert Wüst, Jacques Schnyder
  • Patent number: 6460268
    Abstract: A universal differential bearing preload tool includes a pair of opposite cylindrical discs simulating differential bearing cups, a disc spreading device for adjusting a distance between the discs, and a force measuring device associated with the disc spreading device. The opposite cylindrical discs are removably fastened to the preload tool and selected from a plurality of discs having assorted external diameters simulating differential bearing cups of different sizes and manufactures. The bearing preload tool is used for mounting a differential case in a differential housing with a predetermined bearing preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Spicer Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Karl Hoefer
  • Publication number: 20020100183
    Abstract: A caliper has a main scale (1) having an inside-measuring jaw (2) and an outside-measuring jaw (3) and a slider (11) having an inside-measuring jaw (12) and an outside-measuring jaw (13) further includes a tube-shaped grip (30) provided on an end of the main scale (1) capable of movement in a longitudinal direction of the main scale (1), the grip (30) including a means for fixing the grip (30) relative to the main scale (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Shigeru Ohtani, Jun Odake
  • Publication number: 20020092190
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the trailing edge thickness of an airfoil in a turbine includes a plurality of tools; each tool having a main body portion and a forward end; an opening along a side edge and in proximity to a forward edge of the forward end, the opening including a slot of predetermined width adapted to engage the trailing edge of the airfoil; wherein each of the tools has a different predetermined slot width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Nicholas Joseph Mollo, Alan Donn Maddaus, David Elliott Shapiro, Maurice D. Fournier
  • Patent number: 6367157
    Abstract: A telescoping bar includes a track pusher for adjusting and measuring the track on a motor vehicle's wheels. A pneumatic spring, housed within the telescoping bar, functions as an accumulator and applies expansion forces on either the two front wheels or two rear wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Snap-On Deutschland Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Diez
  • Patent number: 6360450
    Abstract: A measuring device of the caliper type especially adapted to making inside diameter measurements. The caliper features the ability to change its set position and provide accurate measurements over an adjustable measurement range. The caliper is of compact configuration and is preferably formed from a single block of metallic material including machined features to provide a number of cooperating elements which are elastically coupled to one another. These features allow the separation distance between the probe tips to be adjusted without changing the output of the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Control Gaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Turner
  • Patent number: 6314657
    Abstract: A ride height gauge comprising a frame and an indicating mechanism. The frame preferably includes an upright and a generally horizontal base attached to the upright to form a right angle joint. The indicating mechanism preferably includes an arm, an arm mount, and an indicator device. The arm is attached to the arm mount, and the arm mount is slidably attached to the upright. The arm has a vertical position along the upright. The indicator device quantifies the vertical position of said arm. The indicator device may either be an analog device or a digital device. A method for using the ride height gauge to measure the ride height of an automobile chassis includes the steps of positioning the gauge directly under a corner of the chassis, sliding the arm upward until the arm contacts the chassis, and reading the quantified vertical position of the arm from the indicator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Intercomp Company
    Inventors: William P. Kroll, Randie Evenson
  • Patent number: 6314654
    Abstract: A caliper device for taking the dimension of an object such as livestock having caliper arms with hand members for gripping the rib cage of an animal and telescoping first and second members assembled for manual relative longitudinal movement when taking the dimension of the rib cage. The first member abutting the back of the animal and carrying the caliper arms and the second member carrying a cursor and weight graduations indicating an appropriate weight graduation, estimated according to the size of the rib cage when gripped by caliper arms and hand members. Other embodiments include the first member carrying a series of lights each marking a respective weight graduation or carrying a clock-like gauge system for indicating the estimated weight of an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Simon Morissette
  • Patent number: 6311382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for installing door hinges on car bodies, whereby the actual opening width of the car door on the side frame receiving one or two car doors in the longitudinal car axis is touch-sensitively determined by means of a sensor in a direction X and the arrangement of the door hinges is adjusted in said direction X using a positioning system connected to the sensor by a cranking device, depending on the tolerance margin, which should be calculated so as to have at least vertically (direction Z) as uniform a slot width as possible once the car door is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp Technologies AG
    Inventor: Kurt Jäck
  • Patent number: 6308431
    Abstract: A pair of jaw components 7a and 7b positioned on both sides of a casing 1 are attached to both the tips of a pair of parallel piston rods 6a and 6b which synchronously extend and contract in opposite directions by an action of an air pressure and the tips of a pair of guide rods 13a and 13b which synchronously extend and contract in opposite directions by a rack-and-pinion mechanism. By forming a magnetic scale 18 on a side face of one of the guide rods, 13b, the guide rod 13a is also used as a part of a dimension measuring mechanism. A sensor unit 20 for reading the magnetic scale 18 is attached to the casing 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Takanashi, Katsumi Hagiwara, Kouichirou Kanda
  • Patent number: 6272759
    Abstract: A gauge is provided that is useful in measuring the horizontal wheelbase of a railway freight car truck sideframe. The gauge itself is comprised of a main horizontal body section usually of a single piece of aluminum bar stock. A stationary depending leg extends downwardly and is affixed to near one end of the main horizontal body section. A bearing slide assembly is affixed to the main horizontal body section near its other end. A measuring leg depends from the bearing slide assembly and is movable along the bearing slide assembly. An indicator scale is associated with the measuring leg so that its relative position with regard to the main horizontal body can be readily measured from a scale affixed thereon. The stationary depending leg is brought into contact with one edge of a pedestal jaw of the railway freight car sideframe, and the measuring leg is moved into contact along the bearing slide assembly with an opposite edge of the opposite pedestal jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: AMSTED Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry L. Reichenbach, Sr., Les L. Unger, Terry L. Tilley, Leonard D. Thomason
  • Publication number: 20010009072
    Abstract: A ride height gauge comprising a frame and an indicating mechanism. The frame preferably includes an upright and a generally horizontal base attached to the upright to form a right angle joint. The indicating mechanism preferably includes an arm, an arm mount, and an indicator device. The arm is attached to the arm mount, and the arm mount is slidably attached to the upright. The arm has a vertical position along the upright. The indicator device quantifies the vertical position of said arm. The indicator device may either be an analog device or a digital device. A method for using the ride height gauge to measure the ride height of an automobile chassis includes the steps of positioning the gauge directly under a corner of the chassis, sliding the arm upward until the arm contacts the chassis, and reading the quantified vertical position of the arm from the indicator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: William P. Kroll, Randie Evenson
  • Patent number: 6263585
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to measuring devices, namely calipers. The invention is a measuring device for measuring the height or depth of a conductive element comprising a stabilizing body comprising a beam; at least one leg extending from said beam; a contact affixed to at least one leg, an electrical energy source connected in series with said contact; an indicator connected in series with said electrical energy source and said contact; a caliper comprising a measuring scale; a probe, said probe connected in series with said contact, said electrical energy source, said indicator; and means for affixing the caliper to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Ansel Reed Dickinson, Richard E. Trillwood
  • Patent number: 6247243
    Abstract: A turf inspection instrument offering an expandable depth of field and enhanced vertical scale for observing and assessing turf conditions is provided wherein the instrument includes an end wall having a gauge surface carrying graduated measuring indicia thereon, opposing longitudinal ends, and arms extending therefrom to form a substantially U-shaped frame having an open end opposite the end wall. The end wall further has a beveled bottom edge for satisfactory turf penetration. A selectively adjustable viewing assembly is carried by the frame (i.e., between the arms) substantially parallel to the end wall for movement with respect thereto. The viewing assembly includes a prism and arm engaging members adapted to support the prism moveably upon the arms, with the prism being tiltably received by the arm engaging members. A turnbuckle assembly connects the arms near the open end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph M. Check
  • Patent number: 6217077
    Abstract: The invention is of a kit or system useful for guiding and facilitating the taking, tabulation and processing of measurements as pertain to scoring game animal according to established scoring rules. The kit or system includes a flexible cable which is used to record absolute lengths or distances needed for a proper scoring. The cable lacks cumulative length indicia or unit indications, but rather includes equally spaced incremental indicia which are used (by multiplying the number of indicia as rest between measurement endpoints) as part of the ultimate determination of length according to standard measurement units. A reusable score card is also provided which includes spaces for recording measurements and indicia for indicating the proper measurements to be taken as well as the sequence thereof and prescribed calculations to be made therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Michael E. Priebe
  • Patent number: 6185833
    Abstract: A leaf thickness sensing device (1) having mounting apparatus (9, 10) for flexibly mounting the device adjacent a leaf whose thickness is to be sensed, a leaf support element (4) coupled to the mounting apparatus, a displaceable leaf abutting (6) juxtaposed with respect to and biased towards the leaf support element so as to be in firm, non-destructive abutting contact with a leaf to be releasably retained on the leaf support element; a displacement transducer element (11) responsibly coupled to the leaf abutting element and serving to generate a signal corresponding to displacement of the second element relative to the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventors: Ben-Ami Bravdo, Yehoshua Sharon, Ron Seliemann
  • Patent number: 6185832
    Abstract: Calipering the thickness of individual books during production, independent of caliper bounce due to elastic resiliency of the books. A caliper roller is held apart from an anvil roller while a book is positioned between the two rollers. The caliper roller then is moved toward the anvil roller with sufficient resilient force to cause an initial maximum compression of the book between the caliper elements, followed by rebound movement of the caliper roller. The initial movement of the caliper roller is coupled to a measuring element through a lost-motion connection, so that the measuring element is not affected by rebound movement of the caliper roller. Movement of the measuring element thus corresponds to the initial maximum compression of the book by the caliper roller, which in turn corresponds to the actual thickness of that book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Robert J. Hassell
  • Patent number: 6119358
    Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the thickness of printed products which are conveyed by one conveying means each in a continuous conveying stream along a conveying direction. Monitoring elements are introduced into the conveying stream and one monitoring element is allocated to each printed product. The monitoring elements include a pair of monitoring levers with clamping jaws which are pressed against each other with a clamping force. During monitoring, a region of each printed product is clamped between the clamping jaws of a pair of levers which are pressed against each other. Pairs of one monitoring element and one printed product interact with each other and are conveyed in succession through a monitoring area. For quantitative recording of this interaction, an image is recorded of one edge of each of the monitoring levers of one lever pair, and of the distance between these edges. The distance is a function of the thickness of the pressed printed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Egon Haensch
  • Patent number: 6073360
    Abstract: A mount for mounting a measuring instrument, such as an electronic measuring transducer. The mount includes a spring operated clamp assembly for attaching the mount to a first part with a reference surface engaging a desired location on the first part. In one embodiment, the clamp assembly grips the first part between a clamp member and a clamp portion. The mount has an unclamping member which may be operated with one hand to selectively open the clamp. In another embodiment, the clamp assembly includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member urged by a spring relatively away from the first clamp member, each of the first and second clamp members having a grip by which the first and second clamp members may be urged together then selectively released to clamp the mount in a gap between the first part and a second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: JS Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Struble
  • Patent number: 6061922
    Abstract: A length correction device includes a rail including two side plates formed with two elongated slots and two fixing blocks fixedly mounted between said side plates, a seat including a main body, a collar, a packing and a knob, a rectangular block formed with a threaded hole and a recess at one side thereof and two pin holes and a threaded hole at a lateral side thereof, and a positioning plate fixedly mounted on said rectangular block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Lee Ching Tzeng
  • Patent number: 6021580
    Abstract: The instrument comprises two rigid yokes 1 and 2 capable of sliding one with respect to the other in the direction of the clearances to be measured between two components (R, 5) and 8. First of all, using an operating member 3, enough force to bring the ball R against the stop b1 of its socket is exerted on the component 5 by means of a spring 10. The comparator 9 is zeroed. Enough force is then exerted on the component 5 to bring the ball R to rest on the opposite stop b2 of its socket, this being done using an operating member 4 that acts in the opposite sense, the clevis mount 8 still being held between two resting faces 6, 7 of the yokes 1, 2. The clearance of the ball R in its socket is then read directly off the comparator 9. Application to measuring clearances in ball joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Thomas Pierre Louis Manfredotti, Christophe Georges Barucchi, Philippe Maurice Paul Antomarchi
  • Patent number: 5987764
    Abstract: A gage for measuring the external threads of a threaded body has a segment housing formed from a housing body. The housing body has a generally U-shaped cross section with a bottom extending between a pair of opposite, upright sidewalls so that a channel with a longitudinal axis is defined. First and second gage segments are configured to engage the threads of the threaded body when the threaded body is positioned between the first and second segments and the first and second segments are closed together. The first gage segment is fixed to the housing body, and the second gage segment is received within the channel of the housing body. The second gage segment moves linearly within the channel along the longitudinal axis to allow the first and second segments to be separated for insertion of the threaded body between the first and second segments. This also allows the first and second segments to be closed together for engagement with the threaded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Joe E. Greenslade