Abstract: In a process for filtering the consecutive results yi of a north-seeking gyroscope which are ooverridden by interference signals, the difference between the extreme measured values within a time window is determined. Only if this difference is less than a given maximum deviation y is the means value of the measurements in this time window given as the corrected direction of north.

Abstract: A pen-caliper device includes a pen assembly having a pen barrel, a ballpoint ink cartridge in the barrel, and a mechanism engaging the ink cartridge and the barrel for advancing the ink cartridge to position a ballpoint of the ink cartridge for writing, and later retracting the ballpoint into the pen barrel. The pen-caliper device also includes a caliper assembly having first and second caliper arms each having a pointed tip. First and second gear elements are attached to pivot ends of the first and second caliper arms, respectively. The first and second gear elements engage each other to cause symmetrical opening and closing of the first and second caliper arms. A snug-fitting rigid sheath is slidable over either the caliper assembly or the pen assembly, so a user can remove the sheath from the caliper assembly to expose the first and second divider arms and slide the sheath over the pen assembly for safe-keeping while using the caliper assembly.

Abstract: A T-square attachment that is designed for use in conjunction with a conventional tape measure. The square is attached to the case of the tape measure in such a way that it forms a right angle with the extended tape, so as to enable a user to mark two parallel straight lines in a perpendicular direction at selected distances measured from the end of the tape. In order to complement the size of standard lumber used in construction in the United States, the ruler portion of the T-square is approximately 1 and 1/2 inches wide and about 8 inches long. These dimensions enable a user to mark both top and bottom plates with two parallel lines to delineate the exact location for the placement of each stud. A centrally located notch in the ruler is provided to line it up with the desired markings on the blade of the extended tape measure.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment guide device, for a ball and socket hitch, wherein the guides can be mounted either to the rear or side, wherein the sighting elements on the guides are visually emblematic of the coupling elements, where one sighting element is isomorphic of the hitch ball and the other sighting element is isomorphic of the socket, and where the sighting elements are scribed with lines which visually amplify deviations from alignment.

Abstract: An exposure method and apparatus in which a first member such as a reticle is illuminated with a light from a light source such as an excimer laser so that the image of a pattern carried by the first member is projected through a projecting optical system onto a second member such as a semiconductor wafer, thereby exposing the second member to the pattern. At least one of the first and the second members and the projecting optical system is adjusted along the optical axis of the projecting optical system and the focus condition of the pattern image on the second member is detected by a focus detecting device during the movement of the member. The exposure is effected in accordance with the output signal from the focus detecting device without requiring the movement of the member to be stopped.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for positioning a dart board and an associated throwing line (hockey) without reference to the slope of the floor or the verticality of the wall (on which the board is mounted), or on the planarity of either. The primary advantage of the device is that inaccuracies in the level of the floor and the angle between the floor and the wall do not effect the measurement; another advantage is that the device allows the positioning to be done by a single person. The device includes two measuring lines connected (virtually) at right angles with means for leveling the throwing distance line, means for measuring the board elevation, means for attaching to the board and/or a board mounting bracket, and means for locating the hockey.

Abstract: An adjustable plumb level formed from an I beam with wood side panels. A circular hole is formed through the I beam and side panels, within which an indicating mechanism is disposed. The indicating mechanism is easily replaceable so that the present invention can be used as a plumb or a level.

Abstract: Vehicle wheel alignment tools are formed by a pair of upright posts supported from respective wheel by bracket mounting members. The top end portion of the respective post is provided with a horizontal and vertical slots for respectively receiving an edge portion of a planar protractor plate having a protractor scale thereon. With the protractor plates in the horizontal post slot and a flexible strand extending between the centers of the protractor scales and intersecting the protractor scale indicia on the respective plate, the toe-in angle of the vehicle wheels is indicated. With the protractor plates disposed in vertical planes in the post top end slots and the protractor scales disposed horizontal or vertical, a string extending between the protractor scale or plumb bob cords secured to the centers and intersecting the respective protractor scale indicia respectively indicates camber and caster angles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel template for the uniform positioning of electrical boxes in walls of buildings. The template has a slidable vertical adjusting extension that can be locked in place when the appropriate height of installation is determined. The template also has depth adjusting screws which determine how deep on a stud the template will be nailed. On the front face of the template are handles and on the back face of the template is a clamp which holds the box securely in position while nailing to a stud.

Abstract: A level vial includes a pair of elongated vessels, each having a top open end, a bottom open end and a transparent tube portion having a flat side wall extending between the top open end and the bottom open end. A flexible elongated pipe has two ends respectively connected to the bottom open end of the elongated vessels to communicate with the transparent tube portion so as to contain water therein. The transparent tube portion of the elongated vessels may be selectively vented with the ambient environment. A float restraining member is fixed to and extends inwardly from an inner wall surface of the transparent tube portion of each of the elongated vessels. The float restraining member is disposed adjacent to the top open end of the elongated vessel and defines an axial through hole. A floating article is provided in the transparent tube portion of each of the elongated vessels inwardly of the float restraining member.

Abstract: A picture position marking tool comprises an arm having an element for marking a position on a wall, as by penetration of the wall. The arm supports a picture either by a wire hanger or a strap hanger, so that the hanger is in substantially horizontal alignment with the wall marking element. A protrusion may be provided on the arm, located on the same side as the marking element, and spaced from it. A handle is provided which includes a grip portion which, in a preferred embodiment, is connected to the arm by a connecting portion, the connecting portion being at right angles to both the arm and the grip portion and providing a tool of generally U-shaped configuration. The handle portion may also be, in other embodiments, in other orientations relative to the connecting portion. In still other embodiments, the handle portion may extend directly to the arm, spaced from the marking element and forming an angle with the arm: the angle may be either a right angle, or an acute or obtuse angle.

Abstract: A marking system is disclosed that enables a user to lay out a foundation/perimeter for a structure without requiring the use of measuring instruments and/or complex procedures. The system includes six wire-like premeasured members that are releasably attached to specially designed corner members. The system is laid out with four of the wire-like members enclosing a square or rectangular area with their ends attached to the corner members. The remaining two wire-like members diagonally cross the enclosed area and each is attached at its ends to opposite corner members. When the diagonals intersect at their midpoints, the user is assured that the corners form right angles. Each of the diagonally placed members preferably includes a marking band at its midpoint to facilitate the locating of the midpoints by a user.

Abstract: A tie gauge for tieing a four-in-hand tie to position the wide end at a selected portion of the waist such as the belt buckle is provided. The tie gauge is comprised of selected characterized markings such as numbers on a strip of fabric attached to the inside of the tie. The strip is positioned a pre-selected fixed distance from a bottom or lower end of the wide end of the tie and is of sufficient length that the user may register a selected marking that may be used to tie the tie with the wide end appearing at the desired length. The selected marking in the initial tieing stage of crossing the wide end over the narrow end is registered with a standard point in the narrow end such as the center of the cross-over position.

Abstract: A movable support (5) provided at its botton surface with a pad (19) made of antifriction material and slidable on a lapped reference surface (2).The movable support includes discharging jacks (8) which bear indirectly against the frame. The effort corresponding to the sum of the independent efforts of each jack must be lower than the effort exerted by the weight of the movable support and of its optional accessories, so as to minimize the difference between the sliding effort at the beginning and the friction effort of displacement in any direction on one plane and so as to limit, in the displacement referential X,Y,Z, the deviations of the geometrical positions of a sensor or of a tool. A motor (26) and a particular reducer drive the movable support in a translation direction X. There is provided a second drive unit for a translation in the direction Y.By using as an accessory a micrometric displacement table and a follower, it is possible to take tridimensional profilometric measurements.

Abstract: A level is provided with a top-reading feature, allowing a vial to be viewed through the upper flange of the level. A magnifying element is disposed between the vial and an opening formed in the upper flange, to magnify the vial when it observed from the top of the level. The magnifying element is preferably formed integrally with a transparent lens, which is retained between a vial cover and a side of the web of the level frame. Complementary structure is provided on the lens on the opposite side of the web, for sealing the internal cavity defined by the vial covers, in combination with the lenses, to prevent entry of dirt or other foreign material into the cavity.

Abstract: A square device for use by steel fabricators including a blade member and a beam member attached adjacent one end of the blade member whereby the adjacent inner surfaces of the blade member and beam member are at right angles to each other, and an elongated notch defined by the inner surface of the beam member extending from one end of the inner surface of the beam member to the other end of the beam member and which is of sufficient width whereby a portion of the notch extends above and below the blade member. In a preferred embodiment, the inner corner of the beam member is provided with a vertical groove.

Abstract: A measuring tool for hanging up a picture and the like onto a flat vertical surface, is provided and consists of a box-shaped housing. A mechanism is carried on the housing for ascertaining whether the housing is in a horizontal and vertical alignment with respect to the flat vertical service. Another mechanism is carried on the housing for taking linear measurements between two points on the flat vertical surface. A drawer having a pull handle is disposed in the housing for holding a plurality of nails therein. When the drawer is opened, two of the nails can be removed and hammered into the two points measured on the flat vertical surface, allowing the picture and the like to be properly hung up on the flat vertical surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a leveling tool that has three leveling indicators mounted thereon, one of which is removable and usable as a separate tool when bending electrical conduit. A calculator is integrated into the leveling tool for performing calculations during leveling or during the bending of conduit. A phosphorescent liquid is used in the bubble level indicators for low light use.

Abstract: Rip guide for tools comprising a guide member adapted to slide along an edge of a work piece such as a sheet of plywood.A slotted scale member having a guide end and a tool mounting end is adjustably mounted on the guide member.A saw mounting member is rotatably mounted on the tool mounting end of the scale member. The tool mounting member is adapted to be clamped to a conventional tool.The scale member has a transverse slot adjacent to its tool mounting end, the slot being adapted to receive a razor type knife for cutting plaster board parallel to the edge of the cutting piece.The scale member also has at least one hole adjacent to its tool mounting end to receive a marking member for marking the work piece parallel to the edge of the work piece.The scale member has a hole located a predetermined distance from the guide, the hole being adapted to receive a marker member for marking the work piece parallel to the edge of the work piece.

Abstract: A device for hanging pictures and the like including a flat elongated ruler-like body adapted to be held in a generally horizontal position on a wall. The device has a centering means, such as a notch, at its midpoint and calibrated indicia extending outwardly longitudinally from the centering point. Conventional picture hooks are frictionally engaged at predetermined points along the upper edge of the device by a rod which is attached to the device parallel to and spaced apart form the upper edge. In using the device, a single mark is made on the wall to indicate the height and lateral position of the picture, and then the device is held with one hand in a horizontal position, with the centering notch registering with the mark on the wall, while the picture hooks are nailed into place with the other hand.