Abstract: An articulating joint for a coordinate measurement machine can include an improved optical encoder. The optical encoder can have an encoder hub and a read head that are rotatable with respect to each other based on movement of the articulating joint about an axis of rotation of the joint. The encoder hub has a read surface. The read surface can be an outer surface of a generally cylindrical segment. The read head can be positioned such that a read direction defined by the read surface is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the articulating joint.

Abstract: A measuring tape device with a function of a music player comprises a measure tape casing having a power supply therein; a digital player installed in the casing; the digital player including a control panel, a digital processor, an earphone slot, a USB slot and a memory card slot. The digital processor is installed on the control panel for storing and processing speech data; the control panel serves to control the digital processor; the control panel has buttons for playing, stopping, pausing, volume-adjusting, song-editing; and the earphone slot and USB slot are installed at an upper surface of the casing; the memory card slot is installed at a side of the measure tape device opposite to the side installing the measure tape.

Abstract: For an article of a given type, in particular a garment, a grading mask is used that has images of the pieces of a reference article, geometrical grading regions, each of which contains one or more characteristic points of a piece of the reference article, and grading formulae associated with respective ones of the various regions, each grading formula making it possible, in the associated grading region, and as a function of the variation in one or more magnitudes of a scale of measurements, or of a predetermined increment value, to determine a displacement to be applied to each characteristic point contained in said region for going from the base size to another size.

Abstract: An electric dashboard actuator including an electric motor driving an indicator. The electric motor includes a hollow output shaft of which the ends are located at and flush with two opposite surfaces of the motor, and the indicator includes a male coupling member with a cross-section matching the cross-section of the hollow motor output shaft. One motor surface includes a male or female coupling perpendicular to the surface.

Abstract: A combination temperature exposure indicator suitable for attachment to, or association with, a host product has a substrate, a freeze indicator supported by the substrate and a cumulative ambient time-temperature indicator also supported by the substrate. The freeze indicator can provide a visual indication of exposure of the freeze indicator to a freezing or near-freezing temperature and the cumulative time-temperature indicator can provide a visual indication of exposure of the cumulative time-temperature indicator to a predetermined cumulative time-temperature value. Also disclosed are: a combination freeze indicator and threshold temperature indicator; a combination threshold indicator and cumulative temperature indicator; and three-way combination indicators that can provide indications of cumulative past temperature exposure, exposure to freezing temperatures and exposure to a temperature above a threshold.

Abstract: A rotation transmitter (44) includes a rotor support member (440) provided on an outer circumference of a spindle (2), a rotary piece (45) provided with an engaging portion (46) that is adapted to be engaged with an engaging groove (23), and a coil spring (48) provided between the rotary piece (45) and the rotor support member (440). The rotary piece (45) is supported by the rotor support member (440) in a manner rotatable in a circumferential direction of a rotation shaft (441) provided parallel to the axis of the spindle (2) and the coil spring (48) biases the engaging portion (46) onto the engaging groove (23) via the rotary piece (45).

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first plate for supporting the first surface of the article adjacent to the edge part of the article, a second plate extending from one end of the first plate in order to support the second surface of the article adjacent to the edge part of the article, a band connected to both side ends of the first plate such that a worker is able to securely hold the apparatus using one hand, and a non-skid member attached to at least one of inner surfaces of the first and second plates, which make contact with the first and second surfaces of the article, so as to prevent the apparatus from sliding along the article.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a case with an opening, a core inside the case, a spring extending around and imparting a radially inward force to most of a circumference of the core, and a graduated free metal tape with an arcuate cross-section that is wound around the core between the core and spring. The free metal tape is not connected to the case and core and its entire length is passable through the opening. The spring urges the tape flat against the core. The tape may be graduated on both sides. The case may include rollers that roll on an external periphery of the tape wound around the core and that are urged radially inward by the spring, and plural slots in which respective axes of the rollers are displaced in response to a change of diameter of the external periphery of the tape wound around the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved flag display apparatus useful for displaying a selected portion of the front of the flag. The apparatus has a demonstrator with a first positioner at the first end of the demonstrator and a second positioner at the second end of the demonstrator. The first and second positioners can be cartridges containing selected lengths of adhesive material, or alternatively be made of high friction material. The demonstrator can be linearly and angularly adjustable. The apparatus can comprise a stabilizer for fixing the demonstrator relative to the pole. The stabilizer can comprise a string or other material that can wind around the pole to fix the demonstrator to the pole. Alternatively, the stabilizer can comprise a clamp or a string depending from the top clip of the pole.

Abstract: A system and method for using a survey tool within a borehole is provided. The survey tool includes a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The sensing axes of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally parallel to one another and the directions of least acceleration sensitivity of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally non-parallel to one another.

Abstract: A level having an adjustable mechanism for truing to acquire an exact reading which comprises an elongated rigid body being an I-shaped frame having a web with a first flange transversely extending across a first long end of the web and a second flange transversely extending across a second long end of the web. A first bubble vial is mounted in a parallel relationship within the center of a first elongated rectangular plate for taking horizontal measurements. A second bubble vial is mounted in a transverse relationship within the center of a second elongated rectangular plate for taking vertical measurements. A mechanism is for securing the first elongated rectangular plate in an adjustable manner to one face of the web and the second elongated rectangular plate in an adjustable manner to an opposite face of the web.

Abstract: A meter panel such as a speedometer used in an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle includes a transparent pointer disc, a dial plate having scales and numerals thereon, and a light source for illuminating the pointer disc. The pointer disc is disposed in front of the dial plate to overlap the scales and numerals of the dial plate. The pointer disc is rotated by a pointer driver disposed behind the dial plate. Light emitted from the light source is introduced into the transparent pointer disc and reflected by a groove formed on the pointer disc toward the front side of the meter panel, thereby making the pointer visible. Since the pointer overlaps the scales and numerals of the dial plate, the pointer position relative to the scales and numerals is easily and clearly recognized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for viewing an object (such as a coating overspray accumulation) disposed in a difficult to view area (such as the underside of a lower trough or weir of a cleaning apparatus) and for measuring a distance between first and second points on the object. The apparatus includes a laser, a mirror and a measuring instrument. The mirror reflects a laser beam generated by the laser such that the laser beam is divided into first and second portions that are disposed at a right angle to each other. The laser is moved along a measurement path to a first measurement position that places the second portion of the laser beam at the first point on the object. The laser is then moved along the measurement path to a second measurement position that places the second portion of the laser beam at the second point on the object.

Abstract: A calibration method is provided for calibrating a parallel kinematic mechanism that has an end effecter. The method includes setting an adjustment tool attached to the end effecter in predetermined postures in a reference coordinate system by taking coordinates of the posture of the adjustment tool each time the adjustment tool is placed in the posture and recording coordinates of driver shafts manipulated by a numerical control device in accordance with the inverse kinematics each time the adjustment tool is placed in the posture. The method continues by calculating kinematic parameters necessary for the kinematics of the parallel kinematic mechanism based on the taken coordinates of the postures of the driver shafts and the recorded coordinates of the driver shafts. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain accurate posture information of the end effecter and relative coordinates of the driver shafts.

Abstract: Easy Stairs is an L-shaped device having a diagonal sliding rod attached to the two sides. Connectors with locking devices allow the diagonal rod to firmly affix to the sides at various locations. To use Easy Stairs, a user adjusts the diagonal rod along the edge of a stringer. When it is in the correct position for the proper size stair, the lock lever is activated. A line can then be drawn on the inside edge of the device on both sides, forming the shape of the stair. The same stair size is then repeated as many times as is necessary to make a staircase of appropriate size.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing a position of an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system. The apparatus includes a base, a first slide assembly, and a second slide assembly. The first slide assembly is movably disposed on the base for engaging a seat back. The second slide assembly is movably disposed on the base and includes a measurement tool for measuring the position of an anchorage.

Abstract: Touch probe for a machine for measuring coordinates, including a contact feeler (12), relatively mobile relatively to a fixed organ (1) and held in a defined and repeatable resting position by a spring (21). The probe comprises an electric circuit to detect the displacements of the feeler (12). The resting position is defined by six contact points distributed around the axis of the feeler to obtain a uniform sensitivity to lateral forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for surveying the pressure of fluids housed in tanks or flowing through ducts comprises a device (100), an envelope (1) with axial symmetry which forms the external covering of the device (100), said envelope (1) being kept in distal position with respect to a connecting body (2) by a counter spring (3); the envelope (1) axially slides with respect to the body (2) to allow the commutation of the apparatus (100) from a non-active to an active condition; the commutation of the device (100) is due to an external force (F).

Abstract: This invention provides an instrument device including: a dial having scale marks; a pointer pointing the scale marks and provided in front of the dial; a light source provided behind the dial and supplying light to the pointer to cause the pointer to emit light; and a cover provided in front of the pointer, the scale marks and the pointer being visually confirmed through the cover, wherein a reflection member is provided at a part of the cover corresponding to a rotation center of the pointer; a reflection part is provided on the dial; and the reflection part is illuminated with light emitted from the pointer and light reflected and scattered by the reflection member after being emitted from the pointer.

Abstract: A freeze indicator employs, as active indicator element, dispersion of solid particles in a liquid medium which can be water or aqueous and which coagulates to provide an irreversible appearance change when subject to freezing. The liquid dispersion can be contained in an indicator volume around which extends a vapor block layer. The vapor block layer can prevent loss of liquid vapor from the dispersion and consequent drying out and dysfunctionality of the freeze indicator. For containing an aqueous medium, bilayer and trilayer laminate materials can be used which have a low water vapor transmission rate. The active indicator element can be a dilute colloidal dispersion of a metal such as gold or silver or other inorganic pigment material in water or an aqueous medium. Some embodiments avoid use of dispersants and the like and employ an active indicator element consisting of inorganic pigment particles, water and optionally an ice nucleating agent.