Abstract: A machine, such as a coordinate measuring machine, having an element and a structure movable with respect to each other along rails, wherein the rails have a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the structure to which they are attached. In one embodiment, a bar is disposed on the structure opposite the rails. This bar has a coefficient of thermal expansion, a stiffness, a spacing from the neutral axis of the structure, and a cross-sectional dimension such that the bar balances any thermal stresses in the structure caused by differential expansion or contraction of the structure and the rails with temperature changes to minimize any bending of the structure. In one embodiment, two rails are disposed on a beam, and a carriage travels on the two rails. For each rail, there is an associated bar disposed on an opposite surface of the beam. In another aspect, a pin extends into an elongated slot on a slide associated with the structure to allow the structure to expand and contact.

Abstract: The Framer's Layout and Cutting Guide was designed to simplify the house framing process by creating easily recognizable icons, representing pre-measured for accuracy basic framing functions, for both layout and cutting, which, when superimposed on/integrated—with a standard tape measure, would clean up and speed up the framing process, making it easier for the professional carpenter, as well as for the do-it-yourself homeowner.

Abstract: A measuring instrument that includes a tube 21 having a female thread 211 and a spindle 3 having a lead screw 31 screwing with the female thread 211 and capable of being advanced and retracted in an axial direction along with rotation around the axial center, and measures dimensions etc. of a workpiece according to displacement in an axial direction of the spindle 3 based on a rotation amount of the spindle 3. According to this measuring instrument, a pitch P of the lead screw 31 is twice as large or more than the difference between an external diameter R and a core diameter r thereof, and the difference between the external diameter R and the core diameter r is one-fifth or less of the external diameter R. Because of the lead screw 31 with the large pitch, the spindle 3 can be moved at high speed, thus enhancing operational performance of the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A metalpoint drawing system is provided. The system may include a drawing surface having a sheet of translucent paper with a coating substance applied thereto. The coating substance may be a correction fluid. The system may also include a tool for use by an artist for creating a metalpoint drawing on the drawing surface. The tool may include a holder and a variable length flexible stylus held by the holder and an associated shading guide.

Abstract: A position measuring device that includes a first element having a material measure and a temperature measuring unit with a sensor, the temperature measuring unit is unable to be displaced relative to the material measure. A second element having a scanning head, and an electronic correction device that determines a temperature-corrected position value, wherein the first element is displaced in relation to the second element.

Abstract: A multicoordinate sensing measuring device is proposed in which a sensing lever (5) that is resiliently spring-pretensioned in a resting position in a housing (3) can be displaced along a measuring axis (7) and can be pivoted transversely to the measuring axis (7). A connecting piece (25) is guided in a movable manner in the direction of the measuring axis (7) on a guide surface (23) of the housing (3). The sensing lever carries along the connecting piece (25) via a linkage (31, 33) when the sensing arm (5) is displaced in the direction of the measuring axis (7) as well as when the sensing arm is deflected in the direction of the measuring axis (7). A measuring device (21) detects the position of the connecting piece (25) relative to the housing (3).

Abstract: A datum point adaptor (1) is secured to reference points such as holes, bolts or studs, which form measurement reference points for measuring the alignment of vehicles, especially in the case of collisions and panel beating. The datum point adaptor (1) comprises securing means (3) to secure the adaptor to the datum point, a concave face (4) having a central measurement point (5) and a pivot (6) adapted to engage the central measuring point (5) and pivot 360° to allow measurements to be made to other reference points. The securing means (3) and pivot (6) can be magnetic.

Abstract: A measuring tape having a housing for receiving a spring-powered double-axis reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a primary spool having a length of measuring tape wound around it, and a secondary spool having a spring. The primary and secondary spools are connected by an endless flexible member.

Abstract: An assembly for placing alphanumeric symbols on a frame having a face. The assembly comprises a template and at least one alphanumeric locator. The template is adapted to fit against the face of the frame in accurate position thereon, with the template having an opening therethrough and a scale thereon. The least one alphanumeric locator fits within the opening of the template and is properly located in position by aligning a portion of the at least one alphanumeric locator with the scale of the template. The at least one alphanumeric locator has an aperture therethrough, each aperture having a perimeter corresponding to a periphery of at least one alphanumeric symbol. The alphanumeric symbol can be accurately positioned on the face of the frame by inserting the alphanumeric symbol through the aperture having the corresponding perimeter and adhering the alphanumeric symbol to the face of the frame.

Abstract: A method and kit for mounting a flag to a flagpole includes providing a mounting kit having a flagpole, a sealed bearing with an inside diameter dimension selected to correspond to an outside diameter dimension of the flagpole; a tie; a flexible coupler and a flag with a sufficiently stiff pole-side hemmed edge extending between a top flag eyelet and a bottom flag eyelet to help hold the pole-side hemmed edge straight for full flag display purposes; and then, following the instructions within the kit, mounting the flagpole to a stationary surface, securing the sealed bearing to a top portion of the flagpole, passing the tie through the top one of the pair of flag eyelets to secure a top portion of the flag to the bearing with the tie; and securing the flexible coupler between the bottom one of the pair of eyelets and the flagpole, thereby mounting the flag for free rotation about the flagpole in windy conditions.

Abstract: A valve stem pressure poppet incorporated into a tire valve cap for monitoring tire air pressure. The indicator assembly is screw attached by a connector onto an existing valve stem. The assembly includes a hollow outer tube for housing a slideably disposed indicator, a sealed space above the indicator, a compression spring and a connector end fitting. An air passage runs throughout the length the indicator. Once the assembly is engaged, pressurized air feeds directly through the indicator into the sealed space, forcing the indicator down against the force of the compression spring. If the tire remains above a predetermined critical low pressure point, the indicator will remain in the down “equilibrium” position. However, if the air pressure in the tire drops below the critical pressure point the compression force of the spring will overcome the downward pressure on the indicator, and the indicator disengages or “pops” up.

Abstract: A braking structure of measuring tape, including a housing, a tape rule contained in the housing and a braking mechanism, characterized in that: a push button is formed onto the housing, by pushing the push button into the housing to keep it at a lower position; a braking plate of the braking mechanism would effectively suspend the movement of the tape rule, and after that, if the push button is pushed downward again, the braking mechanism would push the push button upward and return to its higher position, and the braking plate of the braking mechanism would separate the tape rule and the movement of the tape rule would not be suspended.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting lean of a container includes a light source positioned beneath a container for directing light energy onto the container bottom as the container is held in position and rotated around an axis. A light sensor positioned beneath the container receives portions of the light energy from the source reflected from the container bottom. An information processor is coupled to the light sensor for determining, as a combined function of the reflected light energy and container rotation, departure of the container bottom from a plane perpendicular to the axis. The container preferably is held in position and rotated around an axis by a drive roller that urges the container against axially spaced backup rollers so as to define an average axis of rotation as a function of the geometry of the container and spacing between the backup rollers.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing system featuring a lumen advanceable in vasculature, an inside caliper device at the distal end of the lumen, and a readout for reading the dimension gauged by the inside caliper device. In the preferred embodiment, the inside caliper device includes a four bar linkage with first and second opposing pivot points and third and fourth opposing pivot points and a push rod connected to the second pivot point for alternatively urging the third and fourth pivot points together when extended and urging the third and fourth pivot points apart when retracted to gauge the inside dimension of the vasculature.

Abstract: A setting gauge (G) determines the thickness of a spacer (22) which gives the correct setting for a pair of tapered roller bearings (B1, B2) that are mounted in opposition to accommodate relative rotation between machine components (S, H). The gauge has a base (50) which at one end fits against a surface (12) to which the spacer is to be applied, and at its other end holds one of the races (32) of the bearing (B2) remote from the other race (30) which remains in its operating position. In addition, the gauge has a pair of gauge elements (52, 54), one of which fits against a conical envelope along the remote race and the other of which fits against an identical conical envelope on the race which remains in its operating position, in effect, projecting the conical envelope defined by the in-place race out of the bearing to a remote location so that measurements may be taken from the bearing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first developing device and a second developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member and a developing portion; a rotatable member supporting the first and second developing devices, the rotatable member being rotatable along a path through the developing portion; a first developer supply container and a second developer supply container, supported on the rotatable member, for supplying developer into the first developing device and into the second developing device; wherein the developer in the first developer supply container is fed using rotation of the rotatable member, whereas the developer in the second developer supply container is fed without using rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A water or spirit level is composed of an elongated body, preferably of metal, at least one bubble mounted in the elongated body, and end caps, preferably of plastics material, at the end faces of the elongated body, wherein at least one outer surface of the elongated body constitutes a preferred measuring surface. At least one of the end caps is releasably connected to the level body such that the end cap can optionally be removed and once again replaced.

Abstract: An AC voltage from a power generating circuit is applied to a charge roller. CPU controls the power generating circuit so as to flow a constant current according to a control value through a current path from the power generating circuit to the charge roller. CPU produces an information according to an peak value of the AC voltage applied to the charge roller. CPU produces an information according to the AC voltage applied to the charge roller when the AC voltage is in a predetermined phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for measuring the height of a guest at a theme park, including employing an ultrasonic emitter and sensor to determine height. The park may have a plurality of different predetermined minimum height ranges or categories for certain rides and attractions, which must be met by a guest before the guest is allowed to participate. The results of the height measurement are provided on indicia and given to the guest to use at rides throughout the park. The device may be a wristband affixed to the guest, and displaying a color or symbol based on the height of the guest. The guest would be allowed to participate in an attraction provided the color code matches the minimum requirements of the attraction. This present invention may eliminate the need to check the height of the guest at each ride.

Abstract: A protractor and ruler combination includes a main ruler having a side formed with a protractor, a secondary ruler rotatably mounted on the main ruler, and an auxiliary ruler having a side secured on the secondary ruler, so that the secondary ruler is moved in concert with the auxiliary ruler on the protractor of the main ruler. Thus, the auxiliary ruler is moved relative to the main ruler, and the secondary ruler is moved in concert with the auxiliary ruler on the protractor of the main ruler, so that the included angle between the ruler section of the main ruler and the ruler section of the auxiliary ruler is measured exactly.