Abstract: The method and the device serve to monitor the alignment of a measuring instrument, specifically a balance. To perform this function, the monitoring device is equipped with an inclination sensor based on the principle of a spirit level, with a container filled with a fluid in which a bubble is formed. According to the invention, the position of the bubble is measured optically by means of a radiating element that is arranged on one side of the bubble and serves to emit a radiation, and a sensor element that is arranged on the opposite side of the bubble and serves to receive the radiation. The radiating element, preferably a light-emitting diode, and the sensor element, preferably a photodiode, together define the sensor axis (sx) on which the bubble is centered as long as the sensor axis runs parallel to the axis of the gravity force. Furthermore, the sensor element is flanked by at least two reference elements that are likewise receiving the radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the angular or linear displacement of an object. That displacement is transmitted to a movable conductive member, which, in response thereto, is moved to a position at which it electrically contacts one of a plurality of fixed contacts, thereby to complete an electrical circuit that includes a memory location in a read-only memory that contains digital data representing the amount of displacement that correlates to the fixed contact associated with that memory location. That digital data is transferred to an output device for display or additional data processing.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring device having a probe for contacting the object (15) to be measured. The probe comprises a sensing member (18) for contacting the object (15), a support unit (13), a supporting element (25) connecting said sensing member (18) to said support unit (13), a detection member (22), detection means (23) for detecting the position of said detection member (22). Said detection member (22) is carried by a connection element (26) and said connection element (26) is attached to said sensing member (18). The detection member may be shaped as pyramid having three reflective surfaces. The position of the detection member can be determined by using three fibers for illuminating the surfaces and three detector screens for capturing the reflected light.

Abstract: Measuring device for measuring the path and/or speed of a moving object in relation to a structural component, with a measuring wheel (20) and with a rotary encoder (10), such that the measuring wheel (20) is coupled to the encoder shaft (16) of the rotary encoder (10) at a precise angle of rotation, and the measuring wheel (20), along with the contact surface (22) formed by its jacket, can be positioned on the object in such a way that the axis of the measuring wheel (X direction) runs basically perpendicular to the direction of motion (Z direction) of the object, and the measuring wheel (20) and the rotary encoder (10) are elastically mounted on the structural component in a direction (Y direction) that is basically perpendicular to the axis of the measuring wheel (X direction) and to the direction of motion of the object (Z direction), wherein the measuring wheel (20) and the rotary encoder (10) are positioned on an elastic arm (32) that exhibits two legs (34, 36), the elastic arm (32) is secured to the st

Abstract: A construction layout and angle measurement tool includes opposite working sides having unique indicia for establishing angles from side edges or corners of building materials. When used with a reference line, and when attached to the workpiece, the tool allows site layout and evaluation by only one person. The tool may be mounted on vertical, horizontal, and inclined workpieces. Angles are determined and evaluated directly with the tool while avoiding mathematical computation.

Abstract: A jig for face frame hinges may include a base and gripping members, wherein the jig may be secured to a frame member or a wall adapted to receive a hinge base plate and the hinge base plate may be abutted with a first hinge abutting edge of the jig. The gripping members may hold the jig in a selected position so that the hinge base may be abutted with the jig while fasteners are engaged through the base and into the frame member, or while holes are pre-drilled and fasteners engaged to mount the hinge base. The proper position may typically be with a second frame member abutting edge of the jig abutted with an adjacent adjoining frame member. Thus, the jig edges form stops for consistently and positively locating hinge bases of a face frame hinge at a predetermined distance from adjacent frame members.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that has planar walls defining a cavity. One wall has annular holes formed therein. An anchor plate is nested within the cavity and provided with apertures situated subjacent to the holes. Each aperture has a diameter equal to a diameter of the holes. One aperture is vertically situated below one of the holes. The other apertures are inwardly offset from their associated holes. Flags are positioned through the holes and apertures. A bottom wall is provided with apertures for directing undesirable fluids and debris out from the cavity. A mechanism is included for illuminating one rod and includes a switch and a fuse box. A light-emitting source is mounted to a front wall, confronts a front face of one flag, and emits a light beam upwardly along the shaft thereof. A mechanism is included for removably mounting the housing onto the recreational vehicle.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission gear indicating device comprises a first indicator drive member adapted to move in response to movement of a first transmission control element; a second indicator drive member adapted to move in response to movement of a second transmission control element; and an indicating unit that indicates a bicycle transmission gear. A motion communicating unit is operatively coupled to the first indicator drive member and to the second indicator drive member and is adapted to communicate motion of the first indicator drive member and the second indicator drive member to the indicating unit.

Abstract: A mechanical scribing apparatus with controlling force of a scribing cutter for adaptively separating each unit of thin film solar cells formed on a single substrate, which is always capable of performing a predetermined minute scribing of a work in accordance with a wear loss of a scribing cutter. This apparatus is provided with a scribing means for placing a scribing cutter having a cylindrical body tapered at a specified tapering angle and having a flat tip face at a specified surface position of the work, pressing the cutter with a specified pressure force to the surface of the work and moving the cutter on the surface of the work, a means for measuring the size of a flat tip face of the scribing cutter and a means for variably controlling the pressure force of the scribing cutter in accordance with the measured size of the flat tip face of the cutter.

Abstract: A apparatus for use in surviving at least one of an avalanche and a mudslide. The apparatus includes a housing having a selectively inflatable member stored therein. The apparatus further includes a means connected to the housing for securing the housing to a user and means connected to the selectively inflatable member for inflating the selectively inflatable member. Upon activation of the inflating means the selectively inflatable member is caused to inflate and be expelled from the housing forming a support for the user and stay on a surface of at least of avalanching snow and sliding mud.

Abstract: An enhanced structure for measuring tape, comprises a tape casing having a wheel disposed in its interior, a metal tape being wound around said wheel 11 and having a tail end fixedly connected to said wheel so as to generate elastic force to let said tape eject automatically from said tape casing when no braking force is applied; a press button pivotally connects to the top of said tape casing, said press button having a curved tooth face disposed at top of inner wall thereof, with said curved tooth face and a removable transmission element meshing with each other; and a driving element and a power receiving element mesh with each other and are disposed near said transmission element, wherein said power receiving element links with said wheel; a user can use one hand to eject the tape, when he/she wants to retract the tape, he/she can press said press button with the hand that holds the measuring tape to let said curved tooth face inside said press button to rotate downward for an angle, and then to drive sai

Abstract: A condensed retractable traffic cone is a device designed to provide motorists with advance warning of disabled vehicles and/or work zone areas. The device has been designed to withstand reasonable winds through the use of two base supports, a lower portion, a retractable arm and a series of retractable vertical risers. The retractable vertical risers in combination with a retractable arm allow for the device to easily expand to height consistent with traffic engineering design standards when in operation and then compact when it is in storage. The two base supports are designed not only to provide the necessary structural stability but to also open and close about the retractable vertical risers thus providing for additional compactness. The vertical risers are designed with flexible hinges so that they may store flat and expand to a rectangular shape when the base supports are rotated to an open position. This is accomplished a by linkage connecting the lower vertical riser and the base supports.

Abstract: A gas delivery system and method are disclosed in which a flow indicator is interposed between the distal end of a conduit connected to a gas source and a device for introducing the gas in the airway of an individual so that the individual, or some other person in visual contact with the individual, can easily determine whether or not gas is flowing through the system.

Abstract: A timing device for visually determining the passage of a preselected period of time including a tube (2) having opposed ends with at least one of the opposed ends having a reservoir (10a, 10b) for storing a reactant or an indicator, a transport system (12) extending from the reservoir to the other of the opposed ends of the tube (2) for transporting at least one of the reactant or the indicator until they contact each other, a reactant, and an indicator which when in contact with the reactant via the transport means (12) emits an observable change in property wherein the minimum length of the period of time corresponds to the time it takes for the reactant and indicator to contact each other. Thc tube (2) has a shape which undergoes at least two material changes of direction exceeding 90° and up to 180° from one of the opposed ends to the other.

Abstract: A wall fastener locating and marking tool including a generally elongate vertical member having an upper end, a lower end; a generally elongate horizontal bar attached to the upper end of the vertical member and substantially normal to the vertical member; a handle portion, and a marking tool assembly releasably connected to the vertical member and vertically slidable along the vertical. The marking tool assembly has a marking tool tip protected by a depressible collar and includes retention means for bearing an object by its wall fastener hardware during the locating, marking, and installation of the object.

Abstract: A brake drum caliper is disclosed having a beam and two jaws for measuring the inside diameter of a cylinder, with the improvement of limit stops on each jaw for accurately measuring diameter of the cylinder in at least two depths from the top of the cylinder.

Abstract: This device is a handheld, battery-operated instrument that utilizes light beams to project visible lines for increasing the accuracy in determining angles. A linear potentiometer is incorporated at the pivot point between the two diodes and measures a voltage change based on the angle between the arms of the device.

Abstract: A mechanism for simultaneous angle adjustment of support elements (4), particularly for setting up a mold structure for the steps of a straight staircase, has a casing (9) in which at least two interdependent shafts (6) are arranged. Each of the shafts (6) extends into the next shaft in a nested configuration where the successive intervals between the shafts are adjustable. Each shaft has a threaded portion (6a) traversing an internally threaded block (11) that is located in the casing and holds one of the support elements (4). A shaft (12), running parallel to the two or more shafts (6), passes through the blocks and is equipped with eccentrics (13), where each of the eccentrics (13) is respectively associated with one of the blocks (11).

Abstract: A calculated medicine dose dispensing apparatus includes a medicine bottle and a calculated dose medicine dispenser specific to the medicine bottle and a particular medicine. The medicine bottle has a neck and a bottle cap installed on the neck. The dose dispenser includes a cup in the shape of a truncated cone with a large diameter open end and an end wall closing the small diameter end. The end wall has a circular indent defined by an indent sidewall. The dose cup fits on the bottle cap with the large open end facing down and the bottle cap frictionally installed in the cup indent. A dial assembly is installed on the dose cup on the exterior of the end wall. The dial assembly calculates the proper dose of the medicine for the patient according to a patient parameter such as weight. The dial assembly includes a dial and a data disc. The data disc is installed on the dose cup end wall and carries at least two information sets that are circularly arranged, spaced apart information bits.

Abstract: A display instrument with two illuminated pointers, in which instrument the illuminated pointers (4, 6) are supplied with light via a light splitter (10). The latter has a frustum-shaped depression (21) so that a portion of the light is radiated in the axial direction and passes into the upper illuminated pointer (4). A further portion is scattered radially at the generated surface (24) of the frustum (23) and passes into the lower illuminated pointer (6).