Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning stringers. A tool comprises an index feature, a body, a number of legs, and a biasing member. The index feature indicates a centerline of an enclosure. The body has a longitudinal axis running substantially parallel to the centerline of the enclosure. The number of legs is moveably associated with the body. The biasing member contacts the body. The biasing member biases the number of legs towards a selected position.

Abstract: A dipstick assembly includes a handle and a dipstick contacting the handle and being supported thereby, where the handle includes a waist portion including a first material and a head portion including a second material, the first material including a thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A composite level and a method to manufacture the composite level are provided. A composite level can have three layers of material. A first layer comprises a glass-mat material, a second layer comprises carbon fiber, and a third layer comprises a glass fabric material. A composite level can also have only two layers of material. At least one bubble vial is mounted on the level body. The method to manufacture the carbon fiber composite level comprises a pultrusion process wherein a fiber glass material and carbon fiber are saturated with resin and molded into a final shape.

Abstract: Wider overall angular viewing range for a spirit level achieved by provisioning spirit levels with a bubble vial module including a reflective surface wherein the reflective surface is manually pivotal about a pivot axis relative to a non-pivoted direct opposite viewing position such that a user can pivot the reflective surface towards himself. The system may include predetermined viewing positions.

Abstract: A tile spacing device comprises a U-shaped handle, a pair of washers affixed to both open ends of the handle; and a gap-creating spacer bar extending between the open handle ends beneath the pair of washers. A method of using this device for improving spacing consistency between horizontally-installed tiles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a scale and a scanning unit movable relative to the scale in a measurement direction. The scale has an incremental measuring graduation and reference marks spaced apart from each other. The scale has a first marking track containing a first marking associated a reference mark and a second marking spaced apart from the first marking. The scanning unit has a first and a second detector spaced apart from each other. A distance between the detectors is greater than a length of the first marking and less than a length of the second marking. The scanning unit is configured to produce a reference pulse based on only the first detector of the two detectors generating a scanning signal, and to produce a switching signal when both the first detector and the second detector generate a scanning signal.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement device comprises an articulated arm having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of jointed arm segments therebetween. Each arm segment defines at least one axis of rotation. A laser scanner assembly is coupled to the second end of the arm and is rotatable about a last axis of rotation of the articulated arm. The laser scanner assembly comprises a laser and an image sensor. The laser is positioned on an opposite side of the last axis of rotation from the image sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a surveying instrument, comprising a surveying instrument main body and a remote control operation unit being attachable to and detachable from the surveying instrument main body and capable of communicating with the surveying instrument main body. The remote control operation unit has an operation button, a directional angle sensor and a vertical sensor. The angle measurement value is transmitted to the remote control operation unit by pressing the operation button. The remote control operation unit calculates a difference between the directional angle and the vertical angle detected by the directional angle sensor and the vertical sensor before moving and the directional angle and the vertical angle after moving the remote control operation unit. An angle measurement value after moving is calculated based on the difference and the main body control unit rotates the telescope unit so as to become the angle measurement value after the moving.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment device for precisely positioning a first functional element (103), particularly a retainer, on a second functional element (105), particularly a disc, these being detachably secured to each other.

Abstract: A machine tool including a non-contact affected layer detection sensor capable of detecting an affected layer with high precision is provided. A machine tool includes a non-contact affected layer detection sensor, a main body, probes and that contact the surface of an workpiece, arm portions supported by the main body, and dimension measurement sensors that output a signal that corresponds to the dimension of the workpiece on the basis of displacement of the arm portions with respect to the main body. The affected layer detection sensor is provided in the arm portion, and outputs a signal that corresponds to an affected state of the workpiece. The arm portions hold the probes respectively, and are displaceable with respect to the main body in accordance with the dimension of the workpiece.

Abstract: A framing T-square protractor apparatus includes a first rule element having first and second edges, a surface, and a length of about 3 ft between the first and second edges; a second rule element having first and second edges, a surface, and a length of about 5 ft between the first and second edges, the second rule element being pivotally connected to the first rule element midway between the first and second edges of the first rule element; and a semi-circular element extending between the first and second edges of the first rule element to form an 180 degrees arc with 0 to 90 degrees angle indicia on each half, the semi-circular element being connected to the first and second edges of the first rule element and being adapted to movably receive the second rule element for sliding along the semi-circular element.

Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.

Abstract: A small sealing gauge may include a body that is attached to a site to be measured, a lever that linearly moves by contact with a moving part while moving in a state of being inserted into a hole of the body, and a dial gauge that is inserted to a back side of the hole in the body to measure an amount of movement of the lever through contact with the lever.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a plurality of transfer members and a plurality of articulation members connecting the plurality of transfer members to each other to measure an angle between the transfer members. The machine can additionally include at least one coordinate acquisition member positioned at an end of the articulated arm. Further, the machine can include a harness connected to at least one of the group consisting of the transfer members and the articulation members to support at least a portion of the weight of the transfer members and the articulation members. The harness can also be configured to mount to a human.

Abstract: A measuring jig including a body, the body defining a substantially elongated recess delimited by a recess first side surface, a recess first edge surface extending from the recess first side surface, a recess second edge surface extending from the recess first side surface, the recess first and second edge surfaces extending in a substantially laterally opposed and substantially parallel relationship relative to each other, and a recess mitered end surface extending from the recess first side surface and between the recess first and second edge surfaces, the recess mitered end surface being mitered relative to the recess first and second edge surfaces, the body further defining a tape measure mount for mounting at least part of a tape measure thereto so that a tape measure first end is substantially in register with the recess first edge surface adjacent the recess mitered end surface.

Abstract: A compass system for a vehicle includes a compass sensor and compass circuitry. The compass sensor is disposed at or near an interior heated surface of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the compass system. The compass circuitry, responsive to an output of the compass sensor indicative of sensed magnetic signals or fields, is operable to determine a directional heading of the vehicle. The compass circuitry is operable to determine a magnetic signature generated by a heating element that heats the interior heated surface of the windshield when the heating element is powered. The compass circuitry, responsive to a determination that the heating element is powered, is operable to compensate the sensed magnetic signals to determine the vehicle directional heading. The compensation is derived from the determined magnetic signature. The compass circuitry may compensate the sensed magnetic signals by applying an offset derived from the determined magnetic signature.

Abstract: A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications.

Abstract: A bow sight with at least one sight pin mounted to a frame assembly. At least one optical fiber is attached to the sight pin. The optical fiber is exposed to gather ambient light and to transmit light to a sight point located within the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly includes an optical structure mounted to the frame assembly including a sight point of an optical fiber located near a proximal end of the optical structure and a lens with alignment indicia located at a distal end of the optical structure. An adjustment system permits the optical structure to be reoriented relative to the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of the shooter relative to the bow in at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A fish measuring tape and a method for using the same is provided. The fish measuring tape comprises an elongated body portion having a first end and a second end. The body portion includes a plurality of markings designating increasing length from the first end towards the second end. The body portion further includes a plurality of graphic representations that allow a user to identify different fish species. The plurality of graphic representations is aligned with a specific marking of said plurality of markings to indicate the regulated length and size of a specific fish species that can be retained for personal use. The body portion further comprises a plurality of bag limits configured to identify a quantity for each said specific fish species that can be kept.

Abstract: A multi-function tool includes a utensil, a handle pivotally attached to the utensil, and a compass magnet mounted on the handle or utensil. The multi-function tool has a center of gravity, in at least one configuration, aligned with a convex side of the utensil to balance the multi-function tool. A sundial may be mounted on the multi-function tool. Geographical direction is determined by configuring the multi-function into a folded configuration in which the handle and utensil extend in generally the same direction from a hinge, balancing the multi-function tool upon the convex side of the eating utensil thereby permitting the compass magnet to cause a rotational orientation of the multi-function tool; and determining a geographical direction from the rotational orientation of the multi-function tool.