Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle mounted articulator are described. A vehicle conveniently allows an articulator to be moved to various remote work sites. In one embodiment, the articulator can be mounted on a movable base, thereby increasing the flexibility of use and/or reach of the articulator. Such vehicle-mounted articulators can be subjected to various potentially damaging situations due to motion of the vehicle. Various features that allow safe operation of the vehicle and the articulator are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine having three articulating arm transfer members can provide accurate measurements. The transfer members can be single tube assemblies. The transfer members can each be rotatably joined by relatively short articulating joint assemblies allowing relative rotation of adjacent transfer members about two degrees of freedom. Encoders can be used to measure the relative rotation about each of the degrees of freedom, and signals from the encoders can be digitized by processor boards positioned within the transfer members. Processor boards can be placed in tandem in the transfer members, and one or more of the processor boards can be mounted on a rotatable assembly. Slip rings can electrically couple all of the processor boards to allow for infinite rotatability of the articulating arm.

Abstract: An automated coordinate measuring system comprising a measuring arm used for acquisition of geometry data that incorporates an exoskeletal structure resilient to physical perturbations including thermal changes and vibrations which may affect coordinate data acquisition. The system may be adapted to a portable platform allowing for convenient positioning and alignment of the measuring arm in a wide variety of environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for machining mechanical parts by means of a hollow cylindrical tool presenting a distal end with a free edge that is shaped to perform machining when said tool is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for identifying the position of a machine for three-dimensional measuring or machining in a fixed frame of reference. In accordance with the invention, the system comprises: a first base for resting at an identified point on a support wall associated with the machine stand, said base being provided on its top with a bearing platform; a second base identical to the first base, for resting at an identified point on a support surface associated with the fixed frame of reference; and a multi-axis assembly having two hinged arms that are coupled together, and having two endpieces coupled to said arms, each endpiece having a main axis that coincides with the central axis of the corresponding base when said endpiece is in place, said multi-axis assembly also being fitted with integrated angle encoders measuring the respective angles of rotation about each of its axes.

Abstract: A safety harness webbing strap (1) has a piece of elastomeric belt (2) stitched (3) to it at two points along its length. The position of the two stitching along the length of the strap is such that in the relaxed state of the strap, with not tension in either the strap or the belt, the later draws a bight or belly (4) into the strap. Two lengths (5,6) of sleeving are stitched into the same points (3). The elastomeric belt is threaded within the lengths of sleeving. These are of equal length and jointly extend for the full length of the elastomeric belt in its relaxed state. when the elastomeric belt is tensioned, it opens at the joint between the two lengths (5,6) and stretches to a length greater than the sleeving. Thus it becomes exposed to view between the lengths of sleeving, as shown in FIG. 2. The extent of stretching of the belt is limited by the distance along the strap between the stitching. Once the strap is straightened, the belt will stretch no more.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining a horizontal profile line defined by walls that are essentially vertical, by using a pointer having two calibrated reference points, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) placing the pointer horizontally in contact with a point on the profile line to be determined; b) from an origin point, measuring in succession the lengths of segments joining the origin point to each reference point, and also the angle between the two segments; c) deducing by calculation the coordinates of the contact point in the associated horizontal plane, and storing said coordinates; and reiterating steps a), b), c) for a plurality of points on the profile line to be determined, including at least the angle points situated at the intersections between said essentially vertical walls. The invention also provides apparatus for implementing the above method.

Abstract: A tension detector has a flexible strap (350) having its end stitched into a loop (352) that wraps round a central shaft (354). A U-shaped one-piece coil spring has two coiled end portions (356) and (358) wrapped round the shaft (354). The end portions (356) and (358) are inter-connected by a central stirrup (360). A tether strap (316) has a loop (362) sewn into its end which engages round the stirrup (360). The ends of the shaft (354) are journalled in side walls of a housing (366). Each side wall has an inwardly direct abutment projection (368). The upper surface of the housing (366) includes a window (370) through which an arcuate indicator (372) is visible. The indicator (372) has side legs (374) and (376) that are slidably mounted on the stirrup (360). When the strap (316) is relaxed, the left hand end of the arcuate indicator (372) is visible through the window (370). When the strap (316) is tightened, the arcuate indicator (372) pivots to the position shown in FIG.

Abstract: A child safety seat having a base member for being mounted on a vehicle seat and secured in place in a conventional manner by lap and shoulder straps of the vehicle's adult seat belt. A child support in the child seat includes a squab attached to a base member and a back pivotally connected to the squab by a pivot axis. The base member has two L-shaped side members, each having a lap belt guide and a clampable shoulder belt guide between the pivot rod and upper bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for identifying the position of a machine for three-dimensional measuring or machining in a fixed frame of reference. In accordance with the invention, the system comprises: a first base for resting at an identified point on a support wall associated with the machine stand, said base being provided on its top with a bearing platform; a second base identical to the first base, for resting at an identified point on a support surface associated with the fixed frame of reference; and a multi-axis assembly having two hinged arms that are coupled together, and having two endpieces coupled to said arms, each endpiece having a main axis that coincides with the central axis of the corresponding base when said endpiece is in place, said multi-axis assembly also being fitted with integrated angle encoders measuring the respective angles of rotation about each of its axes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining a horizontal profile line defined by walls that are essentially vertical, by using a pointer having two calibrated reference points, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) placing the pointer horizontally in contact with a point on the profile line to be determined; b) from an origin point, measuring in succession the lengths of segments joining the origin point to each reference point, and also the angle between the two segments; c) deducing by calculation the coordinates of the contact point in the associated horizontal plane, and storing said coordinates; and reiterating steps a), b), c) for a plurality of points on the profile line to be determined, including at least the angle points situated at the intersections between said essentially vertical walls. The invention also provides apparatus for implementing the above method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for machining mechanical parts by means of a hollow cylindrical tool presenting a distal end with a free edge that is shaped to perform machining when said tool is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: An automated coordinate measuring system comprising a measuring arm used for acquisition of geometry data that incorporates an exoskeletal structure resilient to physical perturbations including thermal changes and vibrations which may affect coordinate data acquisition. The system may be adapted to a portable platform allowing for convenient positioning and alignment of the measuring arm in a wide variety of environments.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion, and a seating surface for a child occupant, the seating surface. A rigid link is attached to the child seat structure solely by a coupling mechanism that permits angular movement of the child seat structure relative to the rigid links about an axis located above the base support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. The child safety seat may be either forward facing or rearward facing.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat body having a seat portion (12), a backrest (14) with an outwardly facing rear surface, and a support mechanism comprising an abutment member (24) and a link (32) having one end connected to the abutment member (24) and another end pivotally connected to the outwardly facing rear surface. The abutment member (24) is movable through a predetermined angle of greater than 90° between a stowed position in which the link (32) and the abutment member (24) are parallel to and in close proximity to the outwardly facing rear surface and a deployed position in which at least one edge of the abutment member (24) is held by the link (32) in a position spaced apart from the outwardly facing rear surface. A limit device prevents angular movement of the link (32) beyond the deployed position.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion, and a seating surface for a child occupant, the seating surface. A rigid link is attached to the child seat structure solely by a coupling mechanism that permits angular movement of the child seat structure relative to the rigid links about an axis located above the base support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. The child safety seat may be either forward facing or rearward facing.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a child seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion and a back support surface for abutting against the seat back of the vehicle seat. A rigid link is pivotally attached to the child seat structure so as to project from the child seat structure between the base support surface and the back support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. In the event of sudden deceleration, both the front and rear edges of the base support surface are pressed downwards into the vehicle seat cushion simultaneously. This results in a reduction of the extend of forward excursion of the child's head.

Abstract: The seat portion of a rearward facing child safety seat has static rear part and a movable front part which is movable between a deployed position in which its upper surface is contiguous with that of the rear part and a stowed position leaving an opening in front of the rear part for receiving the legs of an older child occupying the child seat with his knees bent and his feet positioned below the level of the static rear part.

Abstract: A child safety seat 10 is adapted to rest on a vehicle seat and to be secured thereon by a vehicle seat belt 32 which extends through an opening 16 in the child seat 10 so that the vehicle seat belt 32 passes between a seated occupant of the child seat 10 and the vehicle seat. A traveller 20 can be coupled to a tongue 30 of a vehicle seat belt 32 and then moved from one side of the child seat 10, 40 through the opening 16 to the other side of the child seat 10 so as to pull the seat belt 32 through the opening 16.

Abstract: A safety seat for enabling a child to use an adult vehicle seat belt has a seat portion and respective guides on each side of the seat portion for locating the lap portion of the adult seat belt. A backrest is movable between a deployed position in which it projects upwardly from a rear edge of the seat portion and a stowed position within the seat portion.