Digital Indicator Patents (Class 33/784)
  • Patent number: 7475493
    Abstract: A caliper-like instrument for measuring tree diameters, includes a straightedge on which there is placed a first leg and a second leg. The instrument further includes a recording unit adjacent the first leg for recording and storing tree diameter measurements. The first leg is fixedly placed along the straightedge, and the second leg projects out from a slide displaceable along the straightedge, with the legs and the straightedge located in mutually the same plane. The first leg can be lowered in the plane and is pivotally fastened to an attachment on the straightedge, and the second leg can be lowered in the plane and is pivotally attached to the slide. The first leg has a first fastener intended to be hooked into the attachment and the second leg has a second fastener intended to be hooked into the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Haglof Sweden AB
    Inventor: Stefan Haglöf
  • Publication number: 20080250665
    Abstract: A rotor bushing restrictor (50) that prevents a rotor bushing (44) from moving away from a stator (42) is provided. The rotor bushing restrictor (50) includes a fixing member (51) fixed on a body and a rotor bushing attitude retainer (52) placed between the rotor bushing (44) and the fixing member (51). The rotor bushing attitude retainer (52) includes two first abutment portions (522) contacted with the rotor bushing (44) and two second abutment portions (523) contacted with the fixing member (51). The two first abutment portions (522) are symmetrically placed to each other with respect to the axis of the spindle (2), and the two second abutment portions (523) are symmetrically placed to each other with respect to the axis of the spindle (2). The two first abutment portions (522) and the two second abutment portions (523) are placed such that a straight line connecting the two first abutment portions (522) and a straight line connecting the two second abutment portions (523) are orthogonal with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuji Hayashida, Shozaburo Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20080229604
    Abstract: A measuring instrument displaying measurements on a digital display for either exterior dimensional measurements of a component or wall thickness measurements of pipe or tubing. Exterior dimensions are determined through contact between the distal end of a first member and the distal end of the base. A second member engaged with the first member is translatable along a second axis traverse to the first axis to an extended position. Wall thickness of a tube or conduit may be measured by a contact with a distal end of the second member and the distal end of the first member. A globular shape to the distal end of the second member allows for accurate measurements in a contact with the interior of either a planar or curved tubing sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Lin Wo
  • Publication number: 20080189971
    Abstract: A brake disc and drum measuring device featuring an elongated member attached to two pairs of jaws extending in opposite directions from the member. A first of said first pair of jaws engaged to said member is adapted to measure a brake rotor while as second pair of jaws measures brake drums. A digital display is always in view with digital indicia right-side-up when the device is being employed in the as-used position with the first pair of jaws extending upward relative to the user's face. Large shoulders on a second pair of jaws provide for easy positioning on brake drums having oversized extensions from their sidewall. A moveably jaw on the second pair also allows the device to be balanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Lin Wo
  • Publication number: 20080184582
    Abstract: An electronic calipers is provided with an adjustable digital display. In an embodiment the calipers includes an elongated body and a display member that pivots or rotates relative to the elongated body. The display member may include a base member, which is coupled with the elongated body for translational movement along at least a portion of a length of the elongated body, and a display coupled with the base member for pivotal movement between a first orientation and a second orientation. In other embodiments, the calipers includes a display portion that rotates on the body portion through an angle of about 360°. In some embodiments the display portion may be a generally annular-shaped member that rotates and/or translates on the elongated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Eidosmed LLC
    Inventor: John Y. S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20080120862
    Abstract: A digital indicator (1) includes: a main body (10); a spindle (11) being axially slidable and having a contact portion (12) on one end, the contact portion abutting a to-be-measured portion; a detector (13) that detects an absolute displacement amount of the spindle (11) relative to the main body (10); and a display (14) that digitally displays the displacement amount of the spindle (11) relative to the main body (10) detected by the detector 13. The spindle (11) is slidable in a direction away from the contact portion (12) beyond the detectable range of the detector (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuji Hayashida, Aki Hiroshima, Rie Arai, Takefumi Kiwada
  • 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: 7325327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the angular or linear displacement of an object. That displacement is transmitted to a movable conductive member, which, in response thereto, is moved to a position at which it electrically contacts one of a plurality of fixed contacts, thereby to complete an electrical circuit that includes a memory location in a read-only memory that contains digital data representing the amount of displacement that correlates to the fixed contact associated with that memory location. That digital data is transferred to an output device for display or additional data processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: David C. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7275335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital tram gauge assembly having an extendible elongate tram bar having a first height rod at a first end and a second height rod at a second end. A digital measuring device is positionable about the tram bar and is capable of digitally sensing, displaying and wirelessly transmitting measurement data from the digital tram gauge. The digital measuring device further includes a digital level sensor that functions as a digital level comparator to indicate whether the tram gauge assembly is oriented substantially parallel to a user-defined reference datum plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Chassis Liner
    Inventors: Henry V. Holec, Greg W. Parkhurst, Timothy M. Gack, Eric R. Seckerson, Mike V. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7266906
    Abstract: A measuring tool has a slider (3) supported to a body frame (1) and a feeding mechanism (4) for moving the slider in axial direction. The feeding mechanism includes: an outer roller (41) rotatably supported to the body frame (1); a forward feed roller (42) disposed between the outer roller (41) and the slider (3) at a position closer to a forward side of the slider (3) relative to the outer roller (41); a reverse feed roller (43) disposed at a position on a reverse side; a roller holder (45) supporting these feed rollers to allow them to move along the circumference around the axis of the outer roller; a first leaf spring (44) that biases these feed rollers toward the slider side; and a power transmitter (46) connecting the outer roller (41) to these feed rollers to transmit the rotation of the outer roller to the feed rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Masamichi Suzuki
  • 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: 7131208
    Abstract: A flexible measuring tape is extended from a predetermined location on a face a predetermined distance to a location on a scalp. A 2 cm by 2 cm square bundle of hair about that location is isolated. The bundle of isolated hair is captured in a slit in a two-part cartridge, one part being slidable in the other part about a changeable length slit 1 mm wide. The cartridge is placed in an “L” shaped end of a plunger extending from a first end of a body of a measuring device. The plunger is drawn into the body of the device to compress the hair in the changeable length slit as the two parts of the cartridge are pushed together between an end of the “L” and the first end of the body. A spring is provided on the plunger between a second end of the body of the device and an inner end of a knob at an outer end of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bernard Cohen Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Bernie Cohen
  • 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: 7024793
    Abstract: A caliper for measuring tree diameters of trees. A slide having a permanent magnet is movable along a graduated rule, the caliper including a pair of legs, one leg attached to one end of the rule, and another leg attached to the slide. An electronic unit measures the position of the slide along the rule and stores measurement values and other desired data. A wire extends within a longitudinal internal cavity in the rule and co-acts with a piezo crystal adjacent an end of the caliper. The wire is connected to a pulse generator that generates short electric pulses of predetermined duration. The caliper also includes a detector that co-acts with the piezo crystal and with the pulse generator pulses to detect a geometric change in the wire that is sensed by the piezo crystal, which emits an electrical pulse in response to that geometric change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Haglöf Sweden AB
    Inventor: Hans Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 6993851
    Abstract: The method for isolating an area of hair-bearing skin and measuring a combined cross section of hair in the area comprising the steps of: preparing a pre-measured site on the scalp; isolating a standardized bundle of uncut hair at the site; compressing the bundle of hair with a measurable load while simultaneously measuring the height of the bundle of hair with a piston and cylinder device. One embodiment of the device comprises a body having a slot for receiving a bundle of hair, an anvil positioned adjacent said slot, and a mechanism for causing relative movement between the body having the slot and the anvil thereby to compress a bundle of uncut hair received in the slot against the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bernard Cohen Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Bernard H. Cohen
  • 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: 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: 6834439
    Abstract: Components of a measuring tool such as a main beam (11) and a slider (12) of a caliper gauge (1) are formed by a synthetic resin containing carbon nanofiber and an electro-conductive electrode (15) is formed on the surface of the main beam (11) at a predetermined pitch, so that a production process can be simplified, rigidity of the components can be enhanced, linear expansion coefficient can be reduced, and anti-frictional properties can be improved, thus enhancing durability while improving measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Susumu Yoshioka, Shuuji Hayashida, Kouji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6829839
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Environment Protection Agency
    Inventor: Paul M. Killough
  • Patent number: 6816805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and method for printing, utilizing a computer and computer printer, a scale instrument and conversion tool to be used in preparing and interpreting scaled drawings, maps, aerial photographs, graphs and similar documents. The instrument can be printed on paper, plastic film, or any flexible media capable of being processed by a computer printer. The invention includes a sub-process to not only print a scale denominated in the various scales typically used in preparing scaled drawings, etc., but also to print a scale denominated in any other scale to be used in interpreting a drawing, etc., which is not longer presented in the original scale due to reproduction, shrinkage, enlargement, or reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Charles Wilder Wadell
  • Patent number: 6671976
    Abstract: An output-attached measuring instrument has: a measuring instrument body (1) having a circuit board (14) for processing a measurement signal from a sensor as a measurement data, an output electrode (15) for outputting the measurement data, and a connector hole (17) in communication with the output electrode and opening to an outer surface; and a connection cable (30) having a connector (32) capable of attaching to and detaching from the connector hole on an end thereof for transmitting the measurement data obtained by the measuring instrument body to an external device, the connector having a projection (33) capable of being plugged to and unplugged from the connector hole and a connector terminal (34) exposed on a surface thereof, where an elastic connector (20) having am electro-conductive portion for electrically connecting the connector terminal and the output electrode is accommodated in a space of the connector hole of the measuring instrument body and the elastic connector shuts the connector hole when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Takahashi, Masamichi Suzuki, Kouji Sasaki, Yoshiaki Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20030217478
    Abstract: Components of a measuring tool such as a main beam (11) and a slider (12) of a caliper gauge (1) are formed by a synthetic resin containing carbon nanofiber and an electro-conductive electrode (15) is formed on the surface of the main beam (11) at a predetermined pitch, so that a production process can be simplified, rigidity of the components can be enhanced, linear expansion coefficient can be reduced, and anti-frictional properties can be improved, thus enhancing durability while improving measurement accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadayuki Matsumiya, Susumu Yoshioka, Shuuji Hayashida, Kouji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6622397
    Abstract: A shim measuring apparatus to determine the thickness of a shim, with the shim used with a ball joint including a snap-ring and a controlled arm having a bore and a notch. The measuring apparatus comprises an upper housing including a measuring device and a lower housing coupled to the upper housing. The lower housing is configured to receive the ball joint and to engage the notch in the bore. The distance between the upper housing and the lower housing while a load is applied is measured by the measuring device. Such distance between the upper housing and the lower housing represents the shim thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Oshkosh Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Jesse Knoble
  • Patent number: 6553685
    Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a spindle (11) provided to a body (1), a sleeve (31) movable in the same direction as the spindle and stoppable at a desired position, a connector (41) for connecting the sleeve and the spindle and allowing relative movement of the sleeve and the spindle in the moving direction thereof by a predetermined stroke; a pressure spring (61) accommodated in the sleeve for biasing the spindle in a direction for the spindle to abut to the workpiece through the connector, and a biasing force indicator (71) for indicating the pressure spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Nishina, Masahiko Tachikake, Yoshiaki Shiraishi, Rie Tanaka, Shuuji Hayashida, Yoshitaka Kuji, Osamu Saito, Tetsuya Nakadoi
  • Publication number: 20030051361
    Abstract: This invention provides an angle gauge that, when used in conjunction with a caliper or other linear measuring device, improves both the precision and ease with which angles can be measured and set by allowing the user accurately to measure and set angles in fractions of degrees. Using the gauge, an angle formed by the gauge may be determined or set by reference to the linear distance measured by the caliper. Calculations or tables can be used to convert the linear measurements into the angle setting or measurement with great accuracy, or the capacity to calculate the angle corresponding to the linear measurement can be built (i.e. programmed) directly into the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: John Economaki
  • Patent number: 6508012
    Abstract: A digital fastener size indicator having a housing. A fixed jaw extends from an end of the housing, while a movable jaw extends from the end of the housing adjacent to and parallel with the fixed jaw. A digital electrical length measuring circuit within the housing is connected to the movable jaw. When the movable jaw and the fixed jaw encompass a fastener and the digital electrical length measuring circuit is activated a digital readout will be presented in the housing of a single discrete number to an operator to indicate the size of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Earnest G. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6497051
    Abstract: A measurement device having a pair of legs. Each leg has a measurement point and a fulcrum end, the fulcrum ends providing a pivot point for the legs so that the measurement points arcuately move apart from one another. The measurement device has a transducer assembly connected to at least one of the legs which measures leg displacement and generates a distance signal. The measurement device has a programmable processing unit adapted to process the distance signal and display a distance measurement on an electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventors: Wayne F. Poole, Michael G. Sills
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020083613
    Abstract: A digital fastener size indicator comprising a housing. A fixed jaw extends from an end of the housing, while a movable jaw extends from the end of the housing adjacent to and parallel with the fixed jaw. A digital electrical length measuring circuit within the housing is connected to the movable jaw. When the movable jaw and the fixed jaw encompass a fastener and the digital electrical length measuring circuit is activated a digital readout will be presented in the housing of a single discrete number to an operator to indicate the size of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Earnest G. Wells
  • Patent number: 6412187
    Abstract: The present invention provides an analog quantity display method of counting displacement of a probe disposed in contact with an object to be measured and analog-displaying the obtained count value by an analog display section as an analog quantity. If a peak value of the count value exceeds a possible analog-display range of the analog display section, an offset provided for the analog-displayed count value is updated in such a manner that the peak value is displayed within the possible analog-display range. Further, an analog quantity measuring method is provided, which comprises counting displacement of the probe, compares the obtained count value with a peak value of the count value, holds the count value as a new peak value depending upon a result of the comparison, and executes the comparison and the holding of the peak value again if the difference between the present peak value and the present count value exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sasaki, Yoshitaka Kuji, Yuichi Ichikawa, Mikio Suzuki, Norihide Tsuyuki, Hiroyuki Ohta
  • Publication number: 20020062573
    Abstract: The Using the relation ship between the change of distance and resistance in measuring the distance as function of the resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Shawky Z. Nada
  • Patent number: 6332278
    Abstract: Portable precision caliper comprising a slide (2) and a shaft (1) each fitted with a jaw (10, respectively 20). The slide is further equipped with electronic means (11) which enable the distance between the jaws (10, 20) to be displayed on an electronic display (12). The electronic means are powered by a battery (110, 111). The shaft (2) is fitted with a magnetized scale (21) with a period of magnetization &lgr;. The electronic means (11) include a sensor (112) equipped with an array of magnetoresistive electrodes disposed opposite said scale (21). The resistance values of the magnetoresistive electrodes are a sinusoidal function of the longitudinal position of the sensor (112) along the scale (21). The set of magnetoresistive electrodes includes at least certain sets of magnetoresistive electrodes formed of at least 8 electrodes connected in series, so as to increase the electric resistance of the sets and to reduce the electricity consumption of the whole device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Brown & Sharpe TESA SA
    Inventors: Alex Bezinge, Jean-Luc Bolli
  • Patent number: 6279248
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a hand held caliper with a hand movable slide, whose motion is transformed into rotation of an apertured multi-row encoder disk, a radiation source and a radiation detector. The present invention accurately measures a linear dimension using a simple, efficient, and durable digital measuring system. Accuracy of 0.0001″ is attained, greater than the 0.0005″ of the prior art, without encountering greater manufacturing costs, by utilizing well known fabrication techniques when producing the multi-row encoder disk, and otherwise using well known and inexpensive technology. The present invention does not require a motion dampening device, as errors may be determined and signal jitter are compensated for in the invention electronically or through the use of software, which adds little or no additional cost to the system and does not add mechanical complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Central Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Walters
  • Patent number: 6247244
    Abstract: The micrometer includes a sleeve provided with an at least partially threaded inner surface and an at least partially threaded outer surface. The outer surface includes at least one deformable, tapered portion. A micrometric screw is engaged in the sleeve, and is able to be set in rotation with respect to the sleeve in such a way as to displace itself along the longitudinal measuring axis (x) of the device. A nut is engaged on the external threading of the sleeve and is able to be put in contact with the tapered portion in such a way as to deform it in order to adjust the play between the screw and the sleeve. The tapered portion is devoid of longitudinal slits; its deformability is provided by an external diameter variable along its periphery, preferably by an odd number of flat segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Brown & Sharpe Tesa SA
    Inventors: Adriano Zanier, Arthur Bovey, Michel Paudex
  • Patent number: 6205672
    Abstract: Tires can be accurately and quickly measured by using a tire caliper that outputs data in digital form. A measuring instrument determines the diameter of automotive tires, preferably automotive race tires, and displays the circumference or the diameter at the users option, The tool of this invention has a digital display including a relatively elongate caliper body formed with a measuring part adapted to make measuring engagement with the tire to be measured. A member freely slidable in a longitudinal direction of the caliper body and formed with a measuring part disposed opposite to the measuring part of the caliper. In one preferred embodiment, the measuring instrument is marked with a transparent linear scale fixedly disposed on the caliper body with its axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the caliper body and a transparent index scale is mounted on the slider with its calibrated face disposed opposite to the calibrated face of the linear scale and slightly spaced apart relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Skinner, Sutton, Watson & Rounds
    Inventors: Craig Paulsen, Rick Capps
  • Patent number: 6145207
    Abstract: A gauge system determines the thread pitch diameter of an internally or externally-threaded article and includes a standard measuring caliper with styli selected and fitted into the caliper to correspond to a particular thread type and pitch. The styli are mounted into the caliper to provide a reference zero position to the calipers for either externally or internally-fitted articles. A processor is associated with the calipers and styli and is of a type which is configured for hand-holding. The processor has input buttons for inputting a descriptor of internal or external threads, thread type and thread pitch. The processor software receives and processes information received from the caliper to calculate the thread pitch diameter. A display connected to the processor presents the thread pitch diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Brunson Instrument Company
    Inventor: Gordon Brunson
  • Patent number: 6105269
    Abstract: A osteological instrument having an unique dual rod and bearing linear motion mechanisms incorporating multiple measuring features and functions providing stable, rigid and generally fluidity of movement of horizontal and vertical caliper arms thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: James W. Kondrat
  • Patent number: 5920198
    Abstract: A rotatable rotor 41 and a stator 51 located at a predetermined gap between outer circumferential face of the rotor 41 provided with half-cylindrical inner circumferential face are provided. The both ends of the outer circumferential face of the rotor 41 are provided with a step portion 44 to retain a predetermined gap between the opposing faces of the rotor 41 and the stator 51, and a stopper portion 45 to be abutted to both end faces of the stator in the axial direction. A forcing means 61(plate spring) are also provided to force the stator 51 to the rotor 41 so that the inner circumferential face of the stator is abutted at the step portion 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Suzuki, Seigo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5901458
    Abstract: An electronic caliper having a reduced offset position transducer that uses two sets of coupling loops on a scale to inductively couple a transmitter winding on a read head on a slide to one or more receiver windings on the read head. The transmitter winding generates a primary magnetic field. The transmitter winding is inductively coupled to first loop portions of first and second sets of coupling loops by a magnetic field. Second loop portions of the first and second sets of coupling loops are interleaved and generate secondary magnetic fields. A receiver winding is formed in a periodic pattern of alternating polarity loops and is inductively coupled to the second loop portions of the first and second sets of coupling loops by the secondary magnetic fields. Depending on the relative position between the read head and the scale, each polarity loop of the receiver winding is inductively coupled to a second loop portion of either the first or second set of coupling loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Nils Ingvar Andermo, Karl G. Masreliez
  • Patent number: 5875561
    Abstract: A digital compass has a digital screen that shows the distance between compass legs, one half the angle between the compass legs, and a ratio between half of an inductive rod raising value to a length of the compass leg from a compass leg mounting point to a carrier arm mounting point. The information on the digital screen is sufficient for operation of the compass, such as dividing a circle into equal arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Chi Chung Chen, Yang Ning Pi
  • Patent number: 5768798
    Abstract: A back-plunger type displacement detecting apparatus is provided having a thinner case. The back-plunger type displacement detecting apparatus has a spindle secured to the case to extend perpendicular to the display surface of a digital display unit. A movable member is secured to the case and extends perpendicular to the direction of movement of the spindle. A converting mechanism converts the displacement of the spindle into displacement of the movable member. An electrical unit detects the displacement of the movable member and displays the detected value on the digital display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Takahashi, Masamichi Suzuki, Hiroshi Kawai, Yukio Kageura
  • Patent number: 5691646
    Abstract: A rotary encoder 10 is composed of a halfway cylindrical stator 11 and a cylindrical rotor 12. The rotor 12 is disposed coaxial with the stator 11 with a predetermined gap. Plural transmitting electrodes 13 with spiral patterns and receiving electrode 14 with a rectangular pattern are formed on the inner surface of the stator 12. The transmitting electrodes 13 and receiving electrode 14 are formed of a FPC substrate 17 with lead lines 15, 16. On the outer surface of the rotor 12, coupling electrode 18 are formed with a spiral pattern so as to be capacitively coupled to the transmitting electrodes 13 and receiving electrode 14. FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Mitutoya Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5657552
    Abstract: A map or globe is provided with a transparent thin covering capable of conducting electricity. The transparent thin covering envelopes the globe or overlies the map. An electrical resistance measuring means would be employed to determine a measure of electrical resistance between any two points on the map or globe. The electrical resistance measuring means would include a first probe and a second probe. The first probe would be placed on a first location on the map or globe and the second probe would be placed on a second location on the map or globe. A measure of electrical resistance will be generated by the electrical resistance measuring means reflecting the resistance of the conductive thin covering between the first location and the second location. This electrical resistance is proportionally related to the distance separating the two points on the map or globe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventors: Rollin Reineck, Jerome M. Comcowich
  • Patent number: 5598639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a roll nip tool for making nip width measurements within a high temperature roll nip. The tool includes a first thin section for inserting into the high temperature roll nip. The first thin section includes a first surface that has a first portion of an electrical circuit formed thereon. The first thin section also includes a second thin member that has a second surface and a second portion of the electrical circuit formed thereon. The first thin member and the second thin member are attached together to form a pocket, and are arranged together such that the first and the second portions of the electrical circuit can be brought together into circuit closing contact within the pocket. The first thin section of the tool further includes a mechanism or suitable means such as pressurized air within the pocket for normally keeping the electrical circuit open by controllably separating the first and the second portions of the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael B. Webb
  • Patent number: 5570514
    Abstract: There is disclosed a device and method for measuring a crimp height which eliminates the step of re-holding a wire to readily accomplish the application thereof to an automatic wiring assembly fabricating apparatus. The crimp height measuring device includes: a measuring base for placing thereon a crimp terminal of the wire conveyed in a predetermined wire conveying direction by a wire conveying device holding the wire with the crimp terminal projecting in a direction crosswise to the wire conveying direction; a clamp device adapted to displace to a fixing position allowing the crimp terminal to be clamped on the measuring base and to an open position allowing the crimp terminal to be conveyed in the wire conveying direction; and a control device for displacing the clamp device to the open position to allow the crimp terminal to be conveyed when the wire is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hashimoto, Nobuyuki Itaya
  • Patent number: 5533271
    Abstract: A linear test gage for testing the accuracy of machine tools is operable for out of roundness measurements as well as long-range linear measurements. The test gage consists of a linear guide assembly, first and second reference elements, and a long-range linear measurement device. The linear guide assembly includes an elongated guide profile, a guide rail secured to the guide profile, and a slide which is slidably movable relative to the guide rail. The first reference element is attached to the first end of the guide profile and the second reference element is attached to the slide so that the reference elements are relatively movable over a length of about 30-40 inches. A first knuckle assembly secures the first reference element in a fixed position relative to the machine tool. A second knuckle assembly secures the second reference element to an active element of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Robert P. Callaghan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5495677
    Abstract: A digital display micrometer gauge holds a workpiece to be measured between an anvil and a spindle. An engagement member is provided at an end of the spindle. An inner sleeve having an axial slit into which the engagement member is inserted, is secured to a U-shaped main frame, and an outer sleeve having a spiral groove, which is formed in the inner peripheral section thereof, is provided on the outer periphery of the inner sleeve to be circumferentially rotatable. By rotating this outer sleeve, the spindle can be driven at high speed. A main scale constituting a linear encoder is attached to a side surface of the spindle extending along the axis of the spindle, whereby the displacement amount of the spindle can be detected with high accuracy. A slide member slidable on the inner surface of the inner sleeve is provided at the end of the spindle where the engagement member is provided, and the spindle can be inserted into the inner sleeve together with the main scale attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Tachikake, Masamichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5493786
    Abstract: A real estate electro tape is provided that measures the length of an interior or exterior wall or other similar structure using optical means. A sonic tape is used to measure the perpendicular distance from the device to the interior or exterior wall. Two steerable lasers are then used to determine the angles between the perpendicular and the beams aimed at the wall edges. An algorithm is applied to the angular and perpendicular distance data to obtain the length of the wall. A microprocessor performs the calculations, the results of which are displayed on an electro optical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Christopher S. Thomson
  • Patent number: RE37490
    Abstract: An electronic caliper having a reduced offset position transducer that uses two sets of coupling loops on a scale to inductively couple a transmitter winding on a read head on a slide to one or more receiver windings on the read head. The transmitter winding generates a primary magnetic field. The transmitter winding is inductively coupled to first loop portions of first and second sets of coupling loops by a magnetic field. Second loop portions of the first and second sets of coupling loops are interleaved and generate secondary magnetic fields. A receiver winding is formed in a periodic pattern of alternating polarity loops and is inductively coupled to the second loop portions of the first and second sets of coupling loops by the secondary magnetic fields. Depending on the relative position between the read head and the scale, each polarity loop of the receiver winding is inductively coupled to a second loop portion of either the first or second set of coupling loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Nils I. Andermo, Karl G. Masreliez
  • Patent number: RE36257
    Abstract: A real estate electro tape is provided that measures the length of an interior or exterior wall or other similar structure using optical means. A sonic tape is used to measure the perpendicular distance from the device to the interior or exterior wall. Two steerable lasers are then used to determine the angles between the perpendicular and the beams aimed at the wall edges. An algorithm is applied to the angular and perpendicular distance data to obtain the length of the wall. A microprocessor performs the calculations, the results of which are displayed on an electro optical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Christopher S. Thomson