Abstract: A method for improving the measurement accuracy of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. This method includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, this deformation causing an error in the measurement made by the CMM, and correcting such error in response to the sensed deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing feedback to the operator of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. The apparatus includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, the deformation being an indication of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the arm, and providing feedback to the operator of the CMM in response to the sensed external forces.

Abstract: An ergonomically equipped and interference signal-reducing position measurement probe for mutual alignment of bodies has a speech input device and/or a speech output device. The probe is wirelessly linked to an external control or a higher-level supervisory computer either by an infrared interface or a radio link which operates at an extremely high frequency. Error-reducing measured value acquisition is effected by averaging. The average represents several individual measured value. In the acquisition of the individual measured values, it is watched that the times of measured value recording and the time peaks of a solid-borne sound oscillation on the measurement object are essentially asynchronous to one another.

Abstract: A file marker device adapted for use with a folder. The folder to which the device can be affixed comprises a front flap having a first top edge, a rear flap connected to the front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge. Hanging folders often also comprise a plurality of equally spaced parallel slots near at least a first or second top edge. The file marker device can comprise a support portion having two opposed end tabs, each of the end tabs being capable of engaging one of the plurality of equally spaced parallel slots; and an indicator arm moveably attached to the support portion, the indicator arm being moveable about a pivot point from a first position to a second position. In some embodiments the file marker device also comprises a shield portion and/or a portion adapted for exhibiting identifying indicia.

Abstract: A measuring system for recording angular and linear absolute values has a scale with a measuring track to create the absolute value that is recorded by a sensor configuration. The scale is composed of at least two segments configured in the same way to record absolute values. The scale has at least one track suitable for determining the absolute value of each segment reached using the sensor configuration. The measuring system contains switches that provide the total absolute value for further processing made up of the absolute value of the segment and the calculated absolute value within the segment. The system is supplied by a main power supply. There is also a switch configuration that switches to auxiliary power when the main power fails and the sensor configuration is only used in this operating mode to determine the absolute value of the particular segment reached.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a restriction indicator for an air cleaner system of an internal combustion engine. The restriction indicator includes a housing divided into first and second chambers by a diaphragm. A signal member is connected to the diaphragm. The signal member is moveable along an axis between a reset position and a first indicator position, and defines an axial opening within which a first retaining shoulder is located. A guide member is provided for guiding the signal member as the signal member is moved between the reset position and the first axial position. A retaining member is provided for retaining the signal member in the first indicator position. The retaining member extends within the axial opening of the signal member and includes at least two fingers that project radially outward from the axis. The fingers are configured to engage the first retaining shoulder to retain the signal member in the first indicator position.

Abstract: An inspection tool for measuring the true of metal door frames uses a plumb bob. The plumb bob is suspended from a holder which may be attached to a door frame by magnets in the body of the holder. The relationship of the holder dimensions models the relationship of the dimensions of a metal door frame. The point indicated by the plumb bob will have the same dimensions from the door frame if the frame is true. If the frame is not true, the point will have different measurements.

Abstract: A method for providing feedback to the operator of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. The method includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, the deformation being an indication of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the arm, and providing feedback to the operator of the CMM in response to the sensed external forces.

Abstract: A tool is triangular in shape and made of a clear plexi-glass. The tool contains two types of rate of spread scales, historical and real time. The historical rate of spread scale is based upon previous large-scale brushfires, while the real time scale utilizes GPS technology. The historical rate of spread scale is designed to address two brush fire environments. These environments are a brush fire occurring under Red Flag conditions and a brush fire occurring under Non-Red Flag conditions, and references are placed on the tool at each 30-minute time zone.

Abstract: A method for improving the measurement accuracy of a portable coordinate measurement machine which comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments is presented. This method includes sensing deformation of a portion of the articulated arm when the arm is placed under a load, this deformation causing an error in the measurement made by the CMM, and correcting such error in response to the sensed deformation.

Abstract: A portable coordinate measurement machine comprises an articulated arm having jointed arm segments. The arm includes joint assemblies which include at least one read head together with one or more (preferably five) sensors (preferably proximity sensors) in communication with a periodic pattern of a measurable characteristic, the pattern and read heads being positioned within the joint so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the diameter and the roundness of pins, for example crankpins and main journals of a crankshaft rotating about its main axis of rotation (8), includes a measuring device, coupled to a Vee-shaped reference device (20) and including a feeler (17) axially movable along the bisecting line of the Vee, or a direction slightly sloping with respect to it, and a movable support device for the reference Vee. The support device includes a support element (5) and a coupling mechanism that carries the reference Vee (20). The coupling mechanism includes, for example, two support sections (e.g. parallelogram structures) in series and enables plain translation displacements of the reference Vee. While checking an orbitally rotating crankpin, the Vee-shaped device maintains proper contact with the surface of the pin by virtue of the force of gravity, and the angular arrangement of the direction along which the feeler (17) moves remains substantially unchanged.

Abstract: A marking device of the present invention includes a resilient member to shield a marking member and enable an article with the device to traverse a surface without leaving a mark. The marking member is fixed to the device base and may have an adjustable height. The device may further include an indicator to provide a visual, audible or other type of signal indicating successful completion of marking. Further, the marking device may be slidably attached to measurement instruments to mark locations corresponding to desired measurements. In operation, the article or instrument with marking devices secured thereto is positioned at a desired location relative to the surface. Pressure is applied to the article or instrument, where marking members of the devices protrude through corresponding resilient members to produce marks on the surface. A level device with an adhesive base may be removably secured to an article for proper article orientation.

Abstract: In an apparatus including a unit which is recoverable and reusable after use, an environmental history indicator member having a property variable according to an environmental history of use of the apparatus and arranged not to participate in any functions of the apparatus during use of the apparatus is disposed inside the unit or adjacent to the unit. By checking the state of the environmental history indicator member when the unit is recovered from the apparatus after the end of service of the apparatus, a management system for reuse is arranged to easily and efficiently decide the unit to be reusable or no longer usable.

Abstract: A bookmark (40) consisting of two alterable open book icons (30) (60) plus an adjustable highlighting device (24). Bookmark (40) provides for marking books with both single column pages and double column pages. Markings are made to a quarter of the text on a page and to a quarter of the text on a column. Paragraphs and sentences of five lines or more may also be marked. The markings will be retained even if bookmark (40) were to fall out on opening the book. Under normal usage, a single line-of-text can be marked. The bookmark (40) is usable in both soft-cover books and larger hard-cover books.

Abstract: A highly reflective arrowhead traffic sign is provided which exhibits an arrow shape to “aim” traffic to one side or the other along a roadway. A horizontal longitudinal member has at least one pair of arrow-shaped “wings” that extend beyond the outer boundary of the horizontal member. The wing sets can be attached to the horizontal member by use of locating holes and mating pins, or they can be pivotally mounted on the horizontal member. The arrow wings can be shaped into a configuration that points to the left or to the right, or they can be placed on both ends of the horizontal member and simultaneously point to both the left and right, thereby indicating to traffic that a lane is closed, and that traffic must go either left or right to avoid the closed lane.

Abstract: An aligning mechanism having stage mechanisms, each of which is composed of a first stage capable of moving in the direction in which a fiber array b advances to and retreats from a waveguide type optical member a, a holding section sustaining member 2 for the fiber array and a second stage 5 capable of moving in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fiber array spreads, wherein angle adjusting mechanisms 6 and 7 capable rotating around the rotation axis perpendicular to both the said directions are provided between the first and second stages and the holding section sustaining member and the second stage. One aligning unit can be used for aligning either of two fiber arrays and a waveguide type optical member respectively having orthogonally ground end faces or either of fiber arrays and a waveguide type optical member respectively having obliquely ground end faces, and also allows the angle to be easily changed in response to the angle of the end faces.

Abstract: A proximity sensor measures receptor output with an energy source deactivated. The sensor then measures receptor output with the energy source activated. The measurements with the energy source activated are compared to the measurements with the energy source deactivated to compensate for the effect of ambient conditions. A near condition is recognized if the change between the two groups of measurements exceeds a designated value. To compensate for receptor output that may decrease after reaching a peak value during approach of an object, a near condition can be maintained until the change between the two groups of measurements no longer exceeds a different designated value. Multiple sensors can be used to avoid false near conditions caused by, e.g., placing a device equipped with the sensors next to a stationary object. In one embodiment, a sensor comprises an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor.

Abstract: A compact safety cone that can self-right when in use and be reduced to a compact size when not. The compact safety cone has a base, flexible means, and cover. The spring flexible means coils around the center of the base in decreasing diameters without overlapping. The compact safety cone has a substantially low center of gravity due to the weight distribution among its components. By design, the compact safety cone has a fast impulse response to direct (contact) and indirect (no-contact) perturbations and is capable of being run over or hit by a vehicle and “self-right” substantially immediately after the impact. When not in use, an integrated holding means conveniently and securely keeps the flexible means to the base. The holding means can be, e.g., a cover, lid, light, sign, mirror, box, case, hook, latch, strap, Velcro, pin, lock, etc. In some cases, an optional handle may be included.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indicating instrument, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising an approximately circular scale (12), which is placed on a dial (5), provided for a physical quantity, and along which a pointer (10) can be displaced whereby being able to be rotatably driven about an axis of rotation. Additionally provided is a marking that indicates a particular area of the scale (12). The marking is placed on a part (27), which is situated underneath the plane of the dial (5) whereby enabling it to be rotatably driven about the axis or rotation of the pointer (10) into a control position. The dial (5) comprises, along the movement path of the marking, a window (13) through which the marking can be viewed from the front of the indicating instrument.