Patents Examined by Richard R. Stearns
  • Patent number: 4536960
    Abstract: The invention is an improved calipers that is arranged for reading at a remote distance from the object being measured, for either inside or outside diameters. The need for a calipers capable of being read at a remote distance is experienced when an item to be measured, such as a pipe, is below ground level in a manhole or drain catch basin, or at some elevated location above ground or floor level that is not readily accessible. The present invention of a calipers eliminates climbing down into a manhole or a drain opening where a ladder may be absent or not readily available or where dangerous gases may be present, or at an elevation above floor or ground level when a ladder is not readily available. The invention consists of a pair of sliding rod members to define the dimensional reading, a pair of dimensional point indicators, a plurality of sliding rod combined coupler-guides, and a plurality of affixing members for connections. The sliding rod members may be in a plurality of sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Inventor: Elliott J. Muti
  • Patent number: 4535544
    Abstract: An improved pendulous bow sight apparatus for archers, in which a self-adjusting sighting point is aligned with a vertical cross hair to provide a single sighting point that is accurate as to lateral aim and distance. The sighting point is provided by an LED facing the archer, suspended across a pendulously mounted sight assembly and powered by a battery mounted on the sight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventors: Thomas F. Jones, Jesse L. Morehead
  • Patent number: 4534117
    Abstract: A spirit level which includes a frame having a hole therein. At least one liquid-containing leveling vial is located in the hole and is preferably mounted in a vial holder having a central opening therethrough. The vial and, where used, the vial holder are fixed to the frame. Extending substantially across the hole is a transparent sight plate held in place by a resilient annular gasket. The gasket includes an angular, annular lip which is sealingly deflected against the sight plate, and a similar lip is sealingly deflected against the portion of the frame forming the hole. The gasket preferably includes a radially outward flange which maintains the gasket in contact with the transparent plate, and which extends into a radial groove around the frame opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Macklanburg-Duncan Company
    Inventors: LeRoy H. Haefner, Stephen M. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 4532710
    Abstract: A measuring device for use in golfing is disclosed. The device employs a fixed diameter measuring wheel, a magnetic revolution sensor, and a solar powered digital display to measure and display distance travelled by the wheel. Display and counter are reset to zero through the use of a phototransistor reset sensor. The device is rapidly connectable and disconnectable from a golf cart, and thus is portable. It is precalibrated, and is readily adaptable for use with a hand-pulled or a motorized golf cart. Attachment of the device to an extension handle rather than a golf cart converts it for use in an independent manual mode. In a further embodiment of the measuring device, the device is programmable by the user to receive and store data corresponding to a measured dimension of the wheel, and is provided with electronics circuitry for measuring the distance travelled by the golf cart in consecutive increments in response to each consecutive revolution of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Phyronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Kinney, Mir Imran, Edward J. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 4532714
    Abstract: An adjustable radial curve is provided having an end tangent bar to which there is attached an assemblage of stacked elements. The stacked elements are fastened together by pin assemblies so that they move independently of each other. The stacked elements are attached to the tangent bar and are adjustable relative thereto. A ruling edge is attached to the stacked elements for creating a curve upon manipulation of the stacked elements. A barscale is attached to the tangent bar and to the stacked elements so that the user of the instrument may set or determine the exact radius of a curve created by the instrument. The barscale may be removable by the provision of a locking device which would function to lock the ruling edge to the ruling arm assembly. A base having at least one guideway is provided for the radial curve whereby radii of particular dimensions may be constructed. A transparent cover is provided for the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: Richard R. Spinning
  • Patent number: 4532716
    Abstract: A tool holder has on its lower end an inverted, frusto-conically shaped bearing surface which is releasably seated coaxially in a correspondingly shaped opening which is formed in the upper surface of a stationary support. Intermediate its ends the bore wall which defines the frusto-conically shaped opening in the support has therein a shallow, circumferential recess, which is connected through a port in the support with a supply of fluid under pressure. In use the lower end of the tool holder is held in the opening in the support solely by gravity; and a tool, which is mounted in the upper end of the holder, is positioned adjacent a conventional gauging device which can measure tooth height and tool runout. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the recess in an amount sufficient to cause the tool holder to be elevated slightly without breaking the seal between the recess and the frusto-conically shaped bearing surface on the tool holder, whereby the tool holder can then be readily rotated manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Parlec, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolph Steiner
  • Patent number: 4531299
    Abstract: A means for taking roller paths inclination data as part of a weapon system lignment sequence. An accelerometer sensor sends out a DC signal representative of tilt. This signal is amplified and fed to a difference amplifier where a reference signal from a similar channel is subtracted. The difference signal is filtered to remove ship's motion and sent to a scaler circuit for providing an output voltage representing the inclination difference between the two sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lewis E. Wolfe, Ross K. Howard
  • Patent number: 4531296
    Abstract: Marking out device having a sliding block for sliding along the outer edge of a workpiece with a vertical wall resting against the outer edge of the workpiece. A graduated horizontal guider is secured at one end to the upper side of the sliding block and extends laterally therefrom. A holder with a vertical through bore for clamping a pin-shaped marking out member is displaceable along said guider starting from a zero-position of the graduation in which position the axis of the bore lies in the plane of the inner surface of the vertical wall of the sliding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Sociaal Werkvoorzieningschap Zuidwest-Veluwe
    Inventor: Christiaan E. Veeze
  • Patent number: 4531302
    Abstract: A replacement edge drafting device attaches to a drafting rule having a damaged edge and provides a new edge in place of the damaged edge. The device has an elongated body formed with a drawing section that provides the new edge and with an attachment section that joins the body to the damaged drafting rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Inventor: Leon Tighe
  • Patent number: 4528754
    Abstract: A self-propelled drawing device is driven by two independent wheels whose axes are fixed, and has a writing tip which marks the drawing medium at a point which is not on the imaginary line joining the points of contact of the wheels with the drawing medium. The drawing device is connected to a stationary control device by flexible conductors in the form of a ribbon whose width lies in a vertical plane. Instead of a drawing device, the device can be arranged as a tracing device with counters on the wheels and a tracing tip instead of the writing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Chessell Limited
    Inventor: John Houldsworth
  • Patent number: 4527337
    Abstract: In the layout of the location of studs for wall framing a template is provided to eliminate the tedious, time-consuming and oftentimes inaccurate procedure of using carpenter's squares, rules and the like with accompanying pencil marks. The template uses a number of blocks slidable along a blade provided with a rule scale, each releasably held in place by a thumb screw. Each block has a pair of parallel cutting edges for scribing the stringers thereacross by the simple expedient of tapping the blocks with a hammer, such that, during assembly of the framework, each stud need merely be held between a pair of marks inscribed into the stringer while nailing the stud in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventor: Cletus F. Dreiling
  • Patent number: 4527335
    Abstract: An extensometer is used for measuring axial and diametral strains in a material test specimen. The extensometer comprises an assembly of extensometer sections positioned on diametrally opposite sides of the specimen with specimen engaging points spaced axially along the specimen. The extensometer assembly is arranged so that the two extensometer sections will average the axial strain measured by the two extensometer sections. Also, if desired, the two extensometer sections may provide an indication of the average change in diameter of the specimen at the location of the upper contact points and at the location of the lower contact points of the extensometer sections on opposite sides of the specimen. The support system between the extensometer sections provides for the necessary degrees of freedom to provide measuring only in the axis desired, and sufficient restraint in other axes to insure that accurate measurements are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Harry R. Meline
  • Patent number: 4527334
    Abstract: A measuring device comprises an outer casing and an inner drum mounted on a central hub of the casing. The drum has an innermost rim, an intermediate rim, and an outermost rim, each of the rims having a different diameter. The intermediate and innermost rims are arranged on one side of the drum while the outer rim is arranged on an opposite side of the drum. A tape is wound onto the intermediate rim on one side of the drum while a spring is wound inside the outer rim on the other side of the drum. This side-by-side arrangement of the tape and spring allows a lengthy tape, for example, 50 feet or more, to be quickly returned, compactly stored, and easily carried. A resilient shock-absorbing bumper is also provided around the periphery of the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman S. Jones, William C. Blackman
  • Patent number: 4525930
    Abstract: A dimensional measuring and checking machine mounts a bridge structure (12) on legs (22) which are supported on a base (10) by air bearings. The varying forces due to travel of a probe mounting carriage (24) create vertical displacements of the bearings and movement of the bridge (12) out of alignment. To compensate for this, and thus enable high accuracy measuring, a chain (34) moves with the bridge (12), rotating a spindle (42) at one end of the machine, and thus moving the legs (22) at that end so levers (48) and pivot blocks (52) vary the height of the bridge (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: L.K. Tool Company Limited
    Inventor: James Bury
  • Patent number: 4524522
    Abstract: A fitting curve and ruler is provided to aid in the measuring and marking of patterns and fabric for the making of clothing at home. The ruler is formed as a one-piece flat panel having straight and curved edges. The upper edge has reverse curves, to mark curved lines, and the lower edge is a straight edge having metric and inch rule markings. The panel has cut-out pattern symbols and three series of slots which permit markings to be made. A first series of slots is parallel to the straight edge, a second series of slots is parallel to the curved edge, and a third series of slots is perpendicular to the straight edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Butterick Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Patricia Perry
  • Patent number: 4524523
    Abstract: A probe for checking linear dimensions of mechanical pieces comprises a support casing, an arm movable with respect to the casing and having a first element, a second element and an intermediate third element, a feeler fixed to the first element of the movable arm for contacting the piece to be checked, and detecting means for providing a signal depending on the position of the movable arm. The intermediate element is removably coupled to the first element and the second element and defines a section adapted to break as a consequence of blows against the feeler and the first element of the movable arm occurring along any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Finike Italiana Marposs S.p.A.
    Inventors: Guido Golinelli, Carlo Dall'Aglio
  • Patent number: 4524520
    Abstract: A system for positioning an X-axis carriage and a Y-axis carriage comprises two flexible coupling elements for the X-axis carriage, and a single flexible coupling element for the Y-axis carriage. Providing two such coupling elements for the X-axis carriage enables shorter-length elements to be used, thereby providing higher dimensional stability under load or temperature variations, and also higher-load capabilities than when a single flexible coupling element is used for the respective carriage. Further, several preferred embodiments are described wherein each of the flexible coupling elements occupies a single plane, thereby enabling belts, rather than cables, to be used, further enhancing the dimensional stability and strength of the system. Still further, in all the described arrangements, the transmission ratio of the two X-axis coupling elements and of the single Y-axis coupling element are all the same, thereby obviating the need for different transmission elements to equalize the transmission ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: Nessim I. Levy
  • Patent number: 4524524
    Abstract: A gage and method are disclosed for measuring the inside or outside diameter of a product at a selected distance from the end of the product. The gage has a pair of blocks slidable along a pair of parallel vertical guide rails. Each block has a bearing pad which can be positioned against the end of the product to be measured. An arm extends horizontally from each block and is slidably mounted in an aperture extending through the block. A contact depends vertically from the end of each arm. One contact is mounted on a vertically reciprocable dial indicator plunger. The contacts are first positioned horizontally and vertically using gage blocks which correspond to the specified diameter and distance from the end of the pipe. The gage is then positioned against the end of the product and the contacts are brought into contact with the surface of the product at diametrically opposed points thereon. The dial indicator displays the deviation of the actual diameter from the specified diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Gagemaker, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy I. Frank, John R. Wolfe, III
  • Patent number: 4521967
    Abstract: This height gauge includes a support erected on a base, a slider movable on the support, a main graduated scale with no numerical values vertically movable in the moving direction of the slider, and a numerical value belt movable on one side of this main graduated scale with no numerical values. The movement of this numerical value belt makes it possible to zero-set the slider at a desired position on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenju Uchino
  • Patent number: 4521973
    Abstract: An electronic level includes a conductive gravity-levelled reference element (33) and one or more pairs of sensing electrode members (A1-D1) supported in spaced confronting relation to the reference element on a flat rigid support (37) which is movable relative to the reference element. A dielectric fluid separates the reference element (2) from the sensing electrode members so that at least one pair of capacitors is formed the capacitances of which capacitors vary oppositely in response to deviation from level position of a line joining the pair of sensing electrode members and the consequent loss of parallelism of that line with the reference element. Alternating voltages are applied to the capacitors such that the product of the capacitance and the applied voltage is equal for both capacitors when parallelism exists. A detecting means senses variations of the capacitances and provides an indication of any deviation from level position of the flat support (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Getronics AB
    Inventors: Klas R. Wiklund, Lars A. Ericsson