Abstract: An improved parking guide comprising a free-standing, portable base having a support member projecting vertically upward from the base and carrying a position display board mounted adjacent the upper end of the support member, a pointer rotatably mounted on a pulley mounted on the support member adjacent the position display board and having an indicator arm moveable across at least a portion of the position display board, a spacer arm mounted on the support member adjacent the position display board and projecting frowardly from the support member, and an actuating cord secured to the base and extending upward to the outer end of the spacer arm and then inward and about the pulley in driving relation with the pulley.

Abstract: An elliptical curve drawing device draws an ellipse having desired minor and major axes along given central axes. The device includes a y-axis movable member movably mounted on a base plate for movement along a y-axis which extends perpendicularly to a straight side of the base plate, and an x-axis movable member movably mounted on the base plate for movement along an x-axis which extends parallel to the straight side. The x- and y-axes are brought into alignment respectively with the major and minor axes of an ellipse to be drawn. The elliptical curve follows the path of movement of a point which is spaced from the circumference of a circle which is concentric with the ellipse and whose radius is A, equal to half of the minor axis of the ellipse, by a distance, parallel to the x-axis, which is equal to B cos.theta. where B is the half of the difference between the major axis 2(A+B) and the minor axis 2A of the ellipse and .theta. is the angle formed between the length B and the x-axis.

Abstract: In a magnetic compass of the kind in which a sensor derives coordinates of a sensed magnetic field, automatic correction of hard-iron and soft-iron distortions is achieved by storing a set of measured values of the magnitude of the sensed magnetic field for different discrete directions of the alignment axis of the compass relative to an estimated origin. If measured values have been accumulated for more than a predetermined number, but not all, possible directions, values are interpolated for the remaining directions to provide a set of measured and interpolated values defining a substantially elliptical locus of the sensed magnetic field vector (E.sub.T.) New coordinates for the estimated origin are derived and the measured values adjusted to take account of changes in the estimated origin. The heading is corrected for displacement of the origin due to hard-iron effect and for ellipticity of the locus due to soft-iron effects.

Abstract: A navigation device for personal use includes a face mask with a transparent window for binocular vision when the device is worn by the user. The face mask has a directional indicator attachement with a multiplicity of symbols to identify the directional orientation of the mask. The directional indicator is attached at a stable location and distance for continuous availability of direct binocular viewing.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling the displacement of a steerable driven trailing machine with respect to a leading machine by measuring the separation between the machines and inputting such measurement to the trailing machine drive control, and measuring the angular disposition of the trailing machine and inputting the steering control of the trailing machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projected light plumb device generally utilized in vertically aligning a floor position with a corresponding ceiling position in which a light projecting device is buoyantly supported within a fluid filled container. The light projecting device is selectively mounted on a float platform which is horizontally supported by the fluid in such a manner that regardless of the floor's inclination, the light projecting device will transmit a beam of light along a perfectly vertical line.

Abstract: A plier-like tool having a resilient spring normally urging the jaws of the ool in an outward direction. One of the jaws is pivotally attached to one end of a flexible measuring tape that has an offset intermediate its length so that when the tape is wrapped around the tubing that is to be measured, the tape will not overlap itself. The other end of the tape has an aperture therein adapted to receive a pin carried by the other jaw of the tool, so that when the tape is wrapped around the tubing and the pin is engaged in the aperture, releasing the manual pressure on the tool will permit the biasing spring to spread the jaws apart, thus snugly wrapping the tape around the tubing. If the tubing size is correct, indicia on the parts of the tape that are in side-by-side relation around the tubing will register or align.

Abstract: In an automated production process it is essential that individual workpieces 2 should be in their accurate positions when being fed into the machining facility which follows. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for identifying the lateral position of a workpiece, especially a ball hub 2. In carrying out the method in accordance with the invention, first the presence of the workpiece 2 in its position when measured is identified by the reaction of a stationary sensor 17, subsequently the contour of the workpiece is scanned by at least two movable, spaced sensors 22, 23, and the position of the workpiece is identified by determining the difference in travel between the sensors 22, 23.

Abstract: A fixture for use with a programmable coordinate measuring machine to determine the centerline of a threaded hole formed in a workpiece from a planar surface and the distance between the centerlines of two similar holes, consists of a plug having a cylindrical section threaded to mate with the hole. A cylindrical head section formed concentrically with the threaded section and of greater diameter, has a counterbore formed at one end, concentrically with the centerline if the threaded section. A probe of a programmable coordinate measurement machine may be moved into the cylindrical bore and brought into contact with three spaced points on the interior diameter of the bore with three straight line motions. A coordinate measurement machine calculates the centerline of bore and thus the centerline of the threaded hole from these three measurements.

Abstract: A drapery installation tool includes a top and bottom square block held together by a pair of bolts, each block having a groove for adjustably mounting a pair of measuring rules, openings for mounting a pair of spring biased pins, and additional openings forming guides for a drill. The measuring rules locate the pins relative to a window casing. The pins when hit by a hammer form starting holes for drapery and curtain rod brackets in wallboard, or in the alternative, act as center punches in wood and wood panelling. The drill guides are used to guide a drill when starter holes are needed in wood and wood panelling.

Abstract: A measuring machine for measuring an article is disclosed. The machine includes a frame which mounts a movable carriage. A vertically movable measuring assembly is mounted on the carriage. The measuring assembly includes a pair of spaced measuring arms. A drive cylinder moves the measuring arms to engage the article. A linear scale is mounted adjacent the measuring arms.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring characteristics of a human head includes transparent grid members which are placed in front and at the side of a human head or an image of a human head. The grid members have vertical centerlines which are aligned with the center of the bridge of the nose and the front of the ear, respectively, and horizontal centerlines crossing the vertical centerlines. The horizontal centerlines have a number of spaced vertical scaling lines for measurement of distances on the head from the vertical centerlines, the vertical centerlines having a number of spaced horizontal scaling lines for measurement of distances on the head from the horizontal centerlines. Each grid member has an overlay of a pattern of symmetrical squares thereon to facilitate measurement.

Abstract: A roofing speed square of right-triangular shape and methods to use same wherein rafter base cut marks may be made in one step and rafter common cut marks may be made more easily, accurately and safely than marks made employing currently available devices are disclosed. The speed square has a measurement edge, a base edge and a hypotenuse edge. The base edge is T-shaped in cross section. The measurement edge has indicia in units of roof unit rise. When the speed square corner opposite said measurement edge is superimposed on the top corner of the rafter to be marked, and the measurement edge indicia value corresponding to the unit rise of the roof upon which the rafter is to be installed is aligned with the top edge of said rafter, then the speed square hypotenuse may be used as a ruling edge whereby the base cut mark may be drawn.

Abstract: A directional plotter for underwater searches, land searches, land orienting, or the like includes a pair of first and second relatively rotatable discs with the first disc including first, second and third concentric sets of compass degrees in radially adjacent relationship to each other. The second disc includes first, second and third sets of apertures associated with the first, second and third concentric sets of compass degrees. The two discs are relatively rotatable such that different search patterns can be established by rotating the discs relative to each other and viewing the required degrees for a particular search pattern through the associated apertures.

Abstract: An installation frame to facilitate the mounting of a door frame in a rough opening in a domestic or commerical structure which includes parallel stanchions to be disposed, and secured, one on each side jamb, of the prepared frame. The stanchions with suitable horizontal spacers, are secured inside the jambs and the assembly is placed in the rough opening in a building and clamped in place. A first pair of crossed cables extending from the corners indicates, by included measuring devices, whether the frame is square. A second set of crossed cables extending from the corners indicates, by the closeness of cables at the crossing point, whether the frame is in a single plane and not askew. Adjustments are made to insure squareness and proper plane position and then the prepared jamb is centered in the opening and nailed in place.

Abstract: A method of accurately determining the temperature of a thin layer of bandgap material without requiring contact to the layer involves the use of optical radiation through the layer and the detection of optical absorption by the layer. The relationship between the temperature varying bandgap energy and the resulting optical absorption characteristics provides an indication of temperature independent of ambient temperature. Apparatus for performing high quality temperature detection and control is also provided.

Abstract: Measurement devices are mounted on left and right steerable wheels of a vehicle. Caster is calculated for each of the wheels based upon measurements made with the measurement devices. Pitch at zero toe is determined for the left and right wheels and a steering axis inclination (SAI) compensation term is determined. Live caster is calculated using the live pitch of the wheel, the caster calculated for the wheel, the pitch at zero toe for the wheel and the SAI compensation term. An output representative of the live caster is provided.

Abstract: A method of aligning front wheels of a vehicle so that the steering wheel of the vehicle is centered when the vehicle is driven including the steps of aligning the front wheels in centered positions corresponding to straight ahead driving while the steering wheel is immobilized in a centered position likewise corresponding to straight-ahead driving and then turning the steering wheel from a first off-center position through its centered position in a first direction and from a second off-center position through its centered position in an opposite second direction with at least a fraction of the weight of the vehicle on the front wheels.

Abstract: An electronic level indicator, having a housing including at least one planar surface, at least one gravity responsive sensor mounted on the housing, the sensor constituting at least a part of two branches of an electronic bridge circuit, a pulse generator coupled to the bridge circuit for feeding the bridge circuit with short pulses, a differential amplifier connected to the output of the bridge circuit, an A/D converter connected in circuit for receiving signals from the amplifier and a display unit connected to the output of the converter for displaying numerical data indicative of the inclination of the planar surface.

Abstract: The invention is a motion sensitive, battery operated compass utilizing Hall effect digital switches to sense the orientation of the compass in relation to the earth's magnetic field. A vibration sensing circuit serves to turn the compass on when it is in motion, and to turn the compass off when it is at rest. A chopper circuit is provided to interrupt the power supply at a predetermined frequency to conserve battery power. The Hall effect switches are mounted in a known relationship to a rotating magnet allowing selection and decoding of the sensor outputs to provide signals for the operation of an alpha numberic display.