Patents Examined by Alvin Wirthlin
  • Trim marking tool
    Patent number: 5291663
    Abstract: A trim marking tool is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of pins located in a slot and movable therein such that the pins can be aligned to conform to measurements taken. The pins are locked into position and a sheet material is placed on a base of the tool with an upper member containing the pins then closed on a lower member such that the pins indent the sheet material for indicating that either bending or cutting is required. Once the tool is set for a particular style window or door, marking of numerous pieces of sheet material can proceed without resetting and pieces bent and cut accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventors: Frank Briglia, James Rioux
  • Gauges for determining whether standards for steel reinforcing bars are met
    Patent number: 5285578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gauge or set of gauges for determining whether the bend angle, bend diameter, and end extension dimensions of a bent steel reinforcing bar used in structural concrete construction are within established allowable limits. The gauge comprises at least the outer marginal portion of a section of a circular disc, the disc having an outer perimeter which defines a diameter approximating the minimum bend diameter for a particular bar size and bar bend, the perimeter taking into account the deformations on said bar and indicating the starting and ending points of the bend, i.e., the points of tangency. Also included are methods of using such a gauge to determine whether a bar bend has less than the minimum bend angle and diameter and whether the end extension of such bend is less than the minimum allowable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Brent Sovereen
  • Inclinometer for wheeled cycles
    Patent number: 5283957
    Abstract: An inclinometer is disposed on a wheeled cycle for indicating the inclination of the wheeled cycle and includes a housing, a panel fixed on the housing, a slot longitudinally formed in the panel, a graduation printed beside the slot, a shaft rotatably supported in the housing, a tube rotatably engaged on the shaft, a weight secured to a bottom portion of the tube, and a pointer extended upward from the tube and movable along the slot of the panel. The pointer moves relative to the graduation when the housing rotates relative to the shaft in order to indicate the inclination of the wheeled cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Ming-Fu Chou
  • Measuring device for determining an absolute position of a movable element and scale graduation element suitable for use in such a measuring device
    Patent number: 5279044
    Abstract: The measuring device (1) comprises a scale graduation element (3) provided with a number of tracks (9, 13), a pick-up device (5) which comprises a number of sensing elements (4, 6) provided with sensors, which number corresponds to the number of tracks (9, 13), and also comprises a signal processing system (7). The tracks (9, 13) include an incremental track (9) and an absolute track (13). Both tracks are formed as a succession of strip-shaped parts (11, 15), each of which has a property which can be detected by the sensors of the sensing elements (4, 6). This property is dependent on the location on the scale graduation element (3). This property is preferably bivalent. In the signal processing system (7) signals originating from the sensing element (4) associated with the incremental track (9) and signals originating from the sensing element (6) associated with the absolute track (13) are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Joannes G. Bremer
  • Signal transmission system for trigger probe
    Patent number: 5279042
    Abstract: A radio transmission system for a touch trigger probe for machine tools or coordinate measuring machines. In the transmitter shown in FIG. 1, a 1 kHz oscillator produces a signal which is phase modulated by an electronic switch and an inverter, when electrical contacts within the probe change state. This phase modulated signal is mixed in a mixer with an unmodulated 500 Hz reference signal, produced in a divider from the oscillator, so that there is a precise phase relationship between the two signals. The receiver shown in FIG. 2 has filters which separate out the 500 Hz reference signal and the phase modulated 1 kHz signal. A decoder phase demodulates the 1 kHz signal, using the 500 Hz signal as a reference in order to increase the reliability of the resulting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Renishaw Metrology Limited
    Inventors: Louis P. Gonzalez, Christian G. J. Courtois
  • Length measuring system
    Patent number: 5279043
    Abstract: A length measuring system comprises an elongate scale member adapted to be scanned for generating measured-length signals, a tubular scale member carrier defining an internal cavity housing the scale member and including a mounting wall, a connection of the scale member to the scale member carrier, the connection permitting a longitudinal movement of the scale member relative to the scale member carrier, and end blocks rigidly connected to the scale member carrier at both ends thereof, the end blocks defining recesses and having opposite sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: RSF-Elektronik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Heinz Rieder, Max Schwaiger
  • Fluid-based acceleration and tilt sensor
    Patent number: 5279040
    Abstract: A sensor (10) for measurement of acceleration and/or tilt of a movable object, particularly a motor vehicle, features an interior space (12) partially filled with fluid (15). Within that space, at least two heatable, temperature-sensitive electrical circuit elements are arranged so that, in a rest or initial position of the sensor, they are equally covered or wetted by the fluid. If the acceleration and tilt of the movable object are both zero, or the two cancel each other out, the sensor reading is zero. If this is not the case, the acceleration or tilt leads to a differing degree of coverage or wetting of the at least two circuit elements, and thus to a non-zero sensor reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Kippelt, Botho Ziegenbein, Gunther Stecher
  • Audible-visual edge finder
    Patent number: 5276975
    Abstract: An edge finder held on the end of a spindle of a milling machine is provided with a flat on the outer cylindrical surface of the working end member thereof. When the edge of a work piece mounted on the table of the milling machine is slowly advanced by a machinist to contact the rotating end member, the flat thereon produces an audible clicking sound each revolution of the spindle. Moreover, upon contact, the flat on the rotating working end member causes it to vibrate radially thereby enhancing the sidewise jump thereof and making it easier for the jump to be observed by the machinist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: John F. Fisher
  • Combination square, height/width gage
    Patent number: 5276973
    Abstract: This is a height/width gage element for use with an adjustable square; the square has a head portion which is slidable engaged to a base and the base is a straight edge having a side surface with a first engagement slot formed on the side surface extending longitudinally thereon, the height/width gage element has a lower side with a front side edge and a first angle side extending from the back side edge, when the head portion and the height/width gage element are slid together along the base portion, the first angle side and lower side of the height/width gage element abut the angle side and the bottom side of the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: C & K Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Vitie Rakauskas
  • Masonry guide
    Patent number: 5274929
    Abstract: A masonry guide for supporting a vertical masonry line parallel to, and at a fixed distance from, a structural shell is disclosed. A masonry line attachment means is slidably mounted on the guide to permit location of the masonry line at the desired distance from the structural shell. The masonry guide may be attached to either a flat surface or corner of the structural shell. Alignment of the masonry guide with door and window jambs is facilitated by a locating tab pivotally mounted in the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Carmine Tocci
  • Cross hair adjuster for archery bow
    Patent number: 5274925
    Abstract: A sight scope for an archery bow is provided which consists of a telescopic tubular housing having a first segment mounted to a handle of the archery bow, so that a viewing end of the first segment can be positioned in front of an eye of an archer, with a second segment of the archery bow being adjustable thereto. A cross hair is carried within the first segment of the telescopic tubular housing. A structure is for adjusting the height of the cross hair with respect to the adjusted length between the first and second segments of the telescopic tubular housing, so that the archer can focus on a target to try to hit the target with an arrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventors: Elwood M. Campbell, George Spector
  • Level
    Patent number: 5272816
    Abstract: This invention relates to a level which detects a level line or horizontal surface. The mixed liquid, composed of a main agent, 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and an additive agent, comprising one or more of a soluble agent selected from the group of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, acetone, hexane, heptane, isoamyl alcohol, allyl chloride, isopropyl chloride, propyl chloride, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, pentane, methyl hexane and silicon oil, is contained and sealed, having a ratio of about 60:40 to about 70:30 between the main agent and the additive agent, with the dyestuff in a transparent heat-resistant tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Takao Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Fujiwara
  • Signal conditioning circuit for trigger probe
    Patent number: 5272817
    Abstract: A touch trigger probe has electrical contacts. A comparator compares the resistance of the contacts with a threshold, in order to generate a repeatable trigger signal when the contacts open. To ensure that the trigger signal can be generated reliably even if the resistance of the contacts when closed should increase, the threshold set is variable. The threshold can, for example, be set by a sample and hold circuit which tracks the resistance of the contacts when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Renishaw Metrology Limited
    Inventor: Louis P. Gonzalez
  • Circular saw guide
    Patent number: 5271159
    Abstract: A mitering guide device for a circular saw has a protractor including a curved edge with angle markings thereon. An arm is pivotally attached to the protractor and performs in conjunction with a saw guide for defining an angle to be cut. A hinge is attached to the protractor and saw guide through multiple hinge joints for permitting various thicknesses of boards to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventors: Andy H. T. Chen, Alan H. Y. Tsao
  • Protective device for a longitudinally extending machine component
    Patent number: 5269068
    Abstract: A protective device includes at least one pair of conducting wires stretched tightly along a machine component. The wires are guided in cutouts in the partitioning legs of a bellows which at least partially covers the machine component. The shape or a metallization of the legs causes an electric contact to be made between the wires of the pair when the bellows and partitioning legs are displaced by transverse forces acting thereupon. In this way, the emergency circuit of the measuring apparatus can be actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventor: Karl Seitz
  • Instrument for measuring flatness or uniformity of curvature
    Patent number: 5269070
    Abstract: An instrument for determining the profile of a surface. Two hinge plates are attached to each other at a hinge joint. A collimated light source on one of the hinge plates produces a spot on a position sensitive photo detector on the other hinge plate. An electrical circuit is provided to produce an electrical signal based on the relative position of the spot as the instrument flexes as it is slid along the surface. In preferred embodiments the electrical signal is a measure of the surface profile or the change in slope of the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Wm. H. Thurston
  • Universal sun-clock
    Patent number: 5265345
    Abstract: A universal sun-clock is described comprising a base, on whose surface there are present a sun-dial (consisting of a clock-face and a time-pointing tongue) and a reference mark for orienting the sun-clock according to the longitude and an upright (hinged to an end of a support which can be drawn out from the base) bearing a semicircular sector, free to rotate around a pin, on which sector a latitude scale (graduated from 90.degree. of latitude North to 90.degree. of latitude South) is marked: an index integral with the upright allows to read the latitude on the semicircular sector. When the sun-clock is in a working position the support is drawn out from the base and the upright is rotated around its hinge until it is perpendicular to the base, whereas when the sun-clock is in a rest position, the support is retracted into the base and the upright, by rotating round its hinge, is pulled down onto the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Navir snc di Natali A.&C.
    Inventors: Angelo Natali, Franco Natali
  • Touch signal probe
    Patent number: 5259122
    Abstract: A touch signal probe wherein a stylus installation shaft 2 and a stylus are connected by two springs 8 and 10 so as to move in a X-Y direction and a Z direction and a slat of a damper 9 is contained in a closed closure space S between the spring 8 and the spring 10, which space S is filled with a viscous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ichiba, Hideo Morita
  • Calibration and measurement device
    Patent number: 5259120
    Abstract: A ball-bar 26 for calibrating machine tools and coordinate measuring machines comprise a unit 30 containing a displacement transducer 34 for measuring axial displacement of a precision ball 28. The ball 28 is pivotably located on the head or spindle 12 of the machine, which is driven in a circle about a ball 22 mounted on the bed or table 10 of the machine at the other end of the ball-bar in order to perform a calibration. The ball-bar has a modular construction, its various components such as the unit 30, extension bar 40, magnetic sockets 24,29, supporting device 14 and magnetic clamp 16 being connected together via M6 screw-threads, e.g. at 18,42,44. This enables the unit 30 to be connected to the various other components in a variety of configurations, e.g. for use as an electronic dial gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Renishaw Transducer Systems Limited
    Inventors: Mark A. V. Chapman, Seamus McFadden, Marcus J. Eales, Andrew M. Bailey
  • Electronic capacitive level with display showing direction of rotation to achieve level/plumb
    Patent number: 5259118
    Abstract: An electronic inclination sensor device (level) has a display which unambiguously shows the user, when the device is not level or plumb, in which direction the user should rotate the device to achieve level or plumb, by means of an LCD display showing alternatively, three icons: one icon for level/plumb, a second icon for clockwise rotation, and a third icon for counter-clockwise rotation. The icons are displayed automatically in response to the level's sensor selection logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Zircon Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Heger