Abstract: A tape measure and accessory combination comprises a housing (10), with a retractable tape measure (12) housed therein, which can be extended through a slot (13) in the housing, a blade (15) mounted adjacent the slot so that said blade can use the tape (12) as a straight edge for cutting and scoring. A flashlight bulb (16) is mounted so as to shine along the tape measure when extended, and other accessories can be provided, such as a note surface (21) or pad (120), a pencil (22) or (121), and an angle finder (115) incorporating a bubble vial (116).

Abstract: A jig which receives a sheet in a selected position to accurately scribe it in a straight line. The jig has front and rear panels which form a vertical slit between them in which the sheet is received. The bottom of the sheet sits on an elongated support bar which extends horizontally in the slit and the line is scribed by running a scribing tool along the upper scribing edge of the front panel. The support bar has a pair of spaced studs which extend out through matching openings in the front panel to allow the support bar to be manually moved between a number of different vertical positions to select the distance the line is scribed from the bottom of the sheet. The openings in the front panel each have a number of spaced slots extending sideways which provide a pair of notches in which the studs are seated in each position. The studs are threaded to receive a retaining knob which are tightened against the front panel to secure the support bar in the selected position.

Abstract: A gauge for determining the position of a workpiece within a fitting. The gauge comprises a body portion having a reference plane, a wall spaced from the reference plane and a fitting-receiving assembly. A shaft receiving bore is provided in the body portion which extends inwardly from the reference plane to receive at least some of the fitting-receiving assembly. The fitting-receiving assembly has a fitting-receiving portion extending outwardly from the reference plane for receiving a fitting thereon. The fitting-receiving portion has an end spaced from the reference plane and is mounted for reciprocal movement within the shaft-receiving bore relative to the reference plane. A stop assembly is provided which is operatively associated with the fitting-receiving portion and is movable therewith. The stop assembly has stop means spaced inwardly from the end on the fitting-receiving portion. A marking bore is provided in the body portion which extends inwardly for the wall.

Abstract: A combined tape measure and calculator is arranged with equally spaced holes along the length of its tape. The holes are read by a number of closely spaced optical readers arranged to generate incremental unit signals for a microprocessor mounted in a case of the tape measure.

Abstract: Accurate measurements of production parts are obtained from a system which includes a first measuring apparatus in a laboratory, and a second measuring apparatus which is in a non-laboratory environment where it is subjected to greater temperature fluctuations than in the laboratory. A reference part of substantially the same size and shape as the production parts is inspected by both measuring apparatuses, and the production part is inspected by the second measuring apparatus. While being inspected, both parts occupy substantially the same location on the second measuring apparatus. Results of these inspections are processed by a computer to provide (1) target values which the shop machine would perceive when inspecting a perfect part as specified by the part drawings, or (2) values which indicate what the laboratory machine would perceive for the production part.

Abstract: In the measurement of workpieces on a coordinate measuring machine having a work-contacting probe head of the switching type, the course over time of the contact signal is stored within a time interval which at least spans the procedural time of contact-signal development. After comparison or correlation with a prerecorded sample signal which has also been stored, the exact time of initial contact or the exact scanning coordinates are then subsequently computed.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a tape measure deployment aid for measuring roof surfaces. The deployment device described by this invention consists of a roller that rotates freely on an axle which is connected to a yoke and then attached with linkage fasteners to a tape measure. This invention also includes two methods of using the tape measure deployment aid.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the loft and lie of a golf club head. The invention includes three components. The first is a fitting gauge removably attachable to the shaft for identifying the ideal angles of the loft and lie of the club. The fitting gauge includes a first indicator for measuring the loft angle and a second indicator for measuring the lie angle. The second component of the invention is a bench to which the golf club head is attached. The bench includes a lie reading gauge and a loft reading gauge. The bench may be used for either left-handed golf clubs or for right-handed golf clubs. The third component is an adjusting tool that may be removably attached to the hosel of the club fixed to the bench. The shaft of the club is manipulated relative to the golf club head to adjust the actual lie and loft angles to match the ideal angles of loft and lie by movement of the adjusting tool.

Abstract: An adjustable square and scoring tool for measuring and scoring a sheet of material comprising an alignment block; a rail slidably extended through the alignment block; a knife blade holding mechanism disposed on the rail and adapted for holding a knife blade; and a securement mechanism for securing the rail at a fixed position relative to the alignment block; whereby when a knife blade is coupled to the knife blade holding mechanism and the alignment block is held against an edge of material with the rail at a fixed position, movement of the alignment block along the edge allows the knife blade to score the material.

Abstract: A system and method for contact measurement of dimensional parameters of a container in which rollers coupled to LVDT sensors are placed in contact with a container as the container is rotated about its central axis so that the sensors develop analog signals that vary as a function of variations in geometry of the container. The sensor output signals are fed through multiple input channels to an a/d convertor/multiplexer, which is controlled by a central microcontroller for selecting in turn among the plurality of sensor signals. Within the microcontroller, each sensor signal is compared to a threshold indicative of maximum acceptable deviation of the corresponding dimensional parameter, and the container under test is rejected if the parameter exceeds such threshold. The microcontroller includes facility for real-time display of measured parameters in English or metric units at the selection of an operator, and for communication of measurement data to a remote computer.

Abstract: A spirit level includes a spirit level body having an I-shaped cross section, end caps arranged at the end faces of the spirit level body and at least one spirit level vial mounted in the spirit level body. Each end cap has a plate-like base member which is rectangular in the elevational view thereof and whose height and width corresponds to the height and width of the I-shaped cross section of the spirit level body. The base member has on one side thereof two wing lugs which define a gap therebetween. The width of the gap between the wing lugs corresponds to the wall thickness of the web of the spirit level body which is I-shaped in cross section. At least one recess is provided in the end face of the web of the spirit level body. The at least one recess has at least one toothed side. At least one projecting lug is provided within the gap between the wing lugs of the base member.

Abstract: A scroll chamfer gauge measures the chamfer between the flank surface of the scroll and the tip of the scroll. The gauge is positioned on the tip of the scroll and has a locator which positions the gauge with respect to the flank surface. A probe extends from the gauge and locates the intersection of the chamfer and the flank surface. An indicator provides a direct reading of the height of the chamfer parallel to the flank surface.

Abstract: A body, having a straight-edged rule fixed thereto, and transverse thereto, slidably receives a pair of blocks which also have straight-edged rules fixed thereto. All the rules are parallel, and one thereof is used to engage a proximate wall surface, while the other two are adjustably set to take the measure across a last-laid tile. Then, the first, which engages the wall surface is fully retracted, while the adjustably-set other two rules are advanced, with the body, to the wall surface. The outermost rule, then, along its straight edge, defines whereat a next tile is to be cut to fit an undersized space.

Abstract: A tape measure device includes a belt tape member made of a flexible material. A cursor is slidably supported for movement on and along the belt tape member. The cursor includes a housing and an encoder which includes a relative displacement sensor for detecting a relative displacement value between the belt tape member and the cursor. The displacement sensor includes a first electrode made of a conductive ink and printed at predetermined and spaced intervals on and along the belt tape member. The conductive ink first electrode printed on the belt tape member is protectively coated by an electrically nonconductive insulative membrane. A second electrode is provided on the cursor and opposes the first electrode and the insulation membrane. A circuit is provided for creating an electrical capacitance value between the first and second electrodes and for issuing signals in response to a change of electrical capacitance between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A precise motion transducer is described. The transducer converts relatively large inputs, either forces or motions, into relatively small predictable and repeatable motions at the output. The input forces or motions may be produced by a Micrometer, a set of calibrated masses (weights), an electromagnetic voice coil (solenoid) or any other standard or customized device that can produce a calibrated force or motion and deliver this force or motion to the transducer. The force or motion, once delivered to the transducer body, is then transformed into a small motion which is then available to control the position or motion of a component, device or instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable stand developed to facilitate an accurate measurement of vertical distances from a surface, on which at least one leg of the stand rests to a given point above that surface. The surface may be either ground surface or a surveyor's hub on a stake. The stand has two legs one leg of which is both a distance measuring device and a plumb finder by which the verticality of the leg may be ascertained. The second leg is formed of two spaced apart beams to provide stability, the beams having pointed ends for insertion into the surface on which the device stands.

Abstract: A measuring tool including a device (4) for measuring the terrestrial magnetic field is inserted in a drill string (2) linking a drilling tool (3) to a surface installation. The method allows to be free from the disturbance affecting the measured terrestrial magnetic field and which is due for example to the drill string. It comprises stopping the tool during the progression thereof in the well in successive stop positions longitudinally spaced out in relation to one another, the angular position of measuring device (4) in these positions being random, and using a statistic calculation method for combining the different measurements and determining the disturbing field.

Abstract: A rail guard for monitoring the limits of transverse inclination and extension between the rails of a railroad track and transmitting an indication when these limits are breached. The rail guard has a plurality of tension switches, each switch being coupled between the outer edge of a railroad track and a penetrable surface near the railroad track. The tension switches are coupled in series and in turn are coupled to a relay. The relay controls a warning signal when one or more of the switches is in an open position.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped carpentry building tool is provided, which includes a reference plate member for placement on one or more building members and having an inner edge and outer marking edge; a first marking guide arm connected at 90.degree. to one end of the reference plate member; a second marking guide arm connected at 90.degree. to the other end of the reference plate member to form a generally U-shaped tool; a first lip member connected to one edge of the reference plate member to form a first right angle, corner-engaging member for engaging the corner of the one or more building members to properly position the reference plate member relative to the one or more building members; and a second lip member connected at 90.degree.

Abstract: A multiple coordinate feeler apparatus, comprising a housing, a feeler arm axially projecting beyond the housing, the feeler arm having a feeler ball formed at the free end thereof and being axially displaceably supported in the housing and being supported at the housing universally rotatable up to a predetermined maximum angle by a spherical joint of a ring seat formed in a housing plate and of a spherical joint head formed at the feeler arm and rotatably supported on the ring seat, a slide being supported by the spherical joint head and being slidable in the housing against the force of a return spring, the slide being coupled with an indicating means indicating the sliding quantity of the slide, the joint head being liftable out of the ring seat by the axial displacement of the feeler arm.