Abstract: An apparatus for use with a device including a wall surface, and a removable, rotatable shaft having thereon a reference point and a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including a surface supported by the wall surface with a shim between the bearing assembly surface and the wall surface, and with a fixed distance between the wall surface and the reference point when the bearing assembly is axially loaded in the device, the apparatus being for measuring the required thickness of the shim without inserting the shaft into the device, and the apparatus comprising a mechanism for axially loading the bearing assembly with the shaft out of the device, and a gauge rod for measuring the existing distance between the bearing assembly surface and the reference point.

Abstract: A safety device on a quill with a sensing head fixably connected thereto interrupts a positioning motion of the quill in case of a collision of the sensing head. For this purpose there is fastened to the quill a mounting plate 6, on which rests a bearing plate on at least three balls 20. The sensing head is fixable to the bearing plate. Several switches and switching cams assigned to them are offset relative to the balls on the bearing plate. In case of a collision of the sensing head, the bearing plate is deflected relative to the mounting plate, thereby causing at least one switch to interrupt the driving motion of the quill.

Abstract: A tool useful for marking and constructed of a flexible material which includes a flat member having a structural layer of a predetermined shape with first and second parallel surfaces, the structural layer having marking edges perpendicular to the first and second parallel surfaces for measuring, aligning and marking, a first wear rim along the marking edges extending a uniform distance away from the first parallel surface of the structural layer, a second wear rim along the marking edges extending a uniform distance away from the second parallel surface of the structural layer, a plurality of first marking indicia on and extending away from the first parallel surface along the first wear rim, a plurality of second marking indicia on and extending away from the second parallel surface along the second wear rim, wherein the first wear rim extends away from the first parallel surface a greater distance than the first marking indicia extend away from the first parallel surface, and wherein the second wear rim e

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has supporting members movable in a plurality of coordinate directions which are each made of welded steel construction. Surfaces of the supporting members are covered by sheet metal shells which are spaced by a small distance away from the supporting members and form an air space thereover. This reduces the adverse influences of temperature induced expansions and contractions.

Abstract: An azimuth calculation apparatus includes an azimuth sensor mounted on a moving body for detecting a direction of the moving body, the azimuth sensor having an excitation winding wound on an annular magnetic core and a pair of output windings wound on the core perpendicularly relative to one another to produce first and second output signals therefrom in response to energization of the excitation winding. The calculation apparatus is arranged to detect a temperature of the azimuth sensor and to determine a pair of correction values based on the detected temperature of the azimuth sensor so as to correct each value of the first and second output signals from the output windings to an optimal value for calculating the direction of the moving body in dependence upon the corrected output signals from the output windings.

Abstract: A numerically or manually controlled moving carriage drafting machine with digital X-Y position and angle indication, input keyboard, ruler holder and lowering mechanism for tubular pens or similar writing instruments at the drawing head is particularly characterized in that the drawing head contains an X.sub.1 -Y.sub.1 writer with high dynamic range and small working range only for lettering and small sized symbols whose path instructions are superimposed by the same computer alternately also to the X-Y drives of the moving carriages, and that all movements of the drawing head originate as selected from a movement sensor which is guided manually by the hand of an operator as well as from a path computer, with all operating and path driving programs at least capable of being recalled from the keyboard at the drawing head.

Abstract: A mount on the probe head of a coordinate measuring machine is described. For rapid change of a probe pin carrier, accommodating at least one probe pin, which is drawn against a bearing which clearly determines the position of the probe pin carrier in the probe head, a mechanical clamp mechanism, which acts on the bearing part of the probe pin carrier, and compression-creating and tension-creating media, actuating the clamp mechanism, are provided in the probe head.

Abstract: A guide roller attachment for a cutting torch which consists of a clamp member secured to hex nut of the cutting torch and a pair of elongated legs with knurled wheels rotatably coupled thereto. The legs are adjustably coupled to the clamp member to control distance of the torch tip to a workpiece and stabilize the cutting torch during its push/drag along the work piece when straight and bevel cutting.

Abstract: A chalkline device situated on a protractor in such a manner which permits the chalkline string to extend from the centerpoint of the protractor's radius past the degree markings on the protractor. By placing the centerpoint side of the protractor on any straight surface and extending the chalkline string past the degree markings any angle measurement can, by the chalkline string, be determined and marked in the same process. The chalkline string serves as both the hand of a dial and a medium for conveyance of the chalk to the surface being marked or measured.

Abstract: A device (gage, data station, and software) and method to measure mean radius and deviations from mean radius of nominally cylindrical or conical shapes in a plane perpendicular to the nominal axis of revolution using curvature measurements at uniformly spaced intervals about the circumference is described. The system divides the contour of interest into equal segments and measures the local curvature at each point. The group of measurements combines with a closure constraint to produce a condition of mathematical overcompleteness. This is used to minimize the accumulation of measurement error.

Abstract: A lens pattern blank has an axis scale pattern on the front face thereof to enable the user to check the axis of the pattern before cutting lenses, particular for bifocal lenses. The axis scale pattern includes a mark along the X axis and to the left of the origin on the front face of the blank and a range of angles with a 0 point at the X axis and a radial center at the cross. The angular markings are disposed to the right of the origin.

Abstract: A levelling and shifting machine and a transmitter system (1) are used, the latter being installed on a carriage parked on the track and transmitting a spreading beam in the horizontal plane for levelling and a spreading beam in the vertical plane (Fr) for shifting, these beams defining an absolute measuring base. The receivers for levelling and shifting, which are installed on a measuring carriage of the machine, are designed for self-centering relative to the line of incidence of one of the said beams or the other during each measurement. In a curve of the track (3), the vertical beam (Fr) defines a cord of this curve, and the set position of the receiver defines the current value of the pitch of the curve (fm.sub.0, fm.sub.1 etc). A computer calculates the desired value of the pitch (f.sub.0, f.sub.1 etc.) and the variation (y.sub.0, Y.sub.1 etc.) between the two values, the latter variation determining the shifting correction.

Abstract: Apparatus for tracing the inner periphery of an eyeglass frame lens opening and for producing a set of coordinates each of which coordinate set describes a sensed position along the traced path. The eyeglass frame is positioned on an overhead bridge and a stylus held by a stylus holding fixture engages the eyewire groove of the lens opening and is used as a guide to move the fixture along the traced path. Encoding arms are coupled to the fixture and drive respective associated rotary encoders whose outputs represent the distance each arm has moved from a first to a second sensed location along the path. A computer operates in accordance with an instruction set to generate coordinates for each of the sensed points along the traced path whereby the set of coordinates characterizes the size and shape of the lens opening.

Abstract: A remote center compliance system for compliantly connecting a robot support arm interface to an operator device interface comprises at least three gas-tight spring bellows interconnecting the interfaces and a connection means for connecting the interiors of the bellows in common to an external variable pressure source. The compliance of the system, both rotational and lateral, may be controlled by the applied pressure. The bellows may also be evacuated so that their resultant collapse locks the support structure and operator device together.

Abstract: A device that may be of different shapes and sizes to function as a level that emits an audio and visual signal when the device is level or parallel with gravity. It will also emit the same signals when the level is put in a vertical position and the device is plumb in one dimension; while at the same time will emit a different audio and visual signal when the level is moved and the bubble or amalgam will flow to the center of the other glass tube thus indicating that the other plane is level. In essence, both sets of signals will activate when the level is in true vertical position. The audio and visual signals are activated by D.C. current supplied by a dry cell battery. The liquid leveling agent is a drop of amalgam enclosed in a glass tube that is embedded in the body of the level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for checking for tool breakage in machine tools having a sensor for sensing a clamped tool before and after a machining operation and an electronic device for evaluation of the measurement detected by the sensor. According to the invention the sensor is constructed as a moveable feeler rod (5) and in each measuring operation is pressed against the tool tip with an adjustable force independent of the length of the tool (7) concerned. A device for determining the respective measuring position of the feeler rod (5) provides the data for the evaluation.

Abstract: A vertical alignment apparatus has a light and a light fixture attached to a cable to be lowered into the cylinder to be aligned. A disk mounted on top of the light fixture and centered about the light fixture and the cable causes the light emitted from the light fixture to form a halo between the disk and the wall of the cylinder. A tripod on top of the cylinder movingly centers the light, light fixture and disk in the cylinder. The method of the invention involves lowering the apparatus into the cylinder. The light fixture is activated to create a halo of light around the disk. The light fixture is then raised up the casing, and the casing is adjusted until the halo has circular consistency.

Abstract: This invention comprises an illuminated gunsight attachment for mounting on a weapon to permit the user to aim and shoot in low-light conditions. The illuminated gunsight includes a light-emitting diode for a front sight and an illuminated rod for a rear sight. The invention also includes a magnetic switch which automatically activates the power circuit to illuminate the sights as the revolver is withdrawn from its holster. The illuminated gunsight attachment is mounted unobtrusively on the barrel of a weapon to permit use of either conventional sight posts of the weapon or the illuminated sights of the invention. In one embodiment the rear sight is formed by a set of parallel lines comprised of flourescent markings located on opposite sides of an illuminated line. The invention also includes a firearm holster with a magnet thereon for activating the illuminated gunsight as it is withdrawn from the holster.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring the change in the freeboard of a barge, indicating a varying amount of cargo within the barge. An oil gauging tape is used to lower the device which comprises a vertical pipe transversed by a horizontal bar with an aperture therethrough. A flexible tube is coupled to a nipple which is secured to the underside of the block. Water, entering through the tube, flows into the vertical pipe and contacts and changes the color of a chalk or water-seeking paste material lightly spread on the graduated area of a gauging stick, resting in the vertical pipe. The device is lowered until the horizontal bar is submerged approximately 3" below the apparent surface of the water and the oil gauging tape is read for a measurement. The device is held steady to ensure that the vertical pipe is filled to the outside water level and is then reeled to the deck where the gauging stick is removed and the measurement of the water mark is noted and added to the measurement on the oil gauging tape.

Abstract: A measuring device for universal application includes a parallel-crank mechanism directly rotary mounted on the slider of an isosceles centered slider-crank mechanism. The measuring element or pin is adapted on the coupler of the constrained guide mechanism. All points of coupler plane including the measuring element are moved along exactly straight lines parallel to each other at right angle to the axis of the slider. The simple change-over of a lever against its other abutment turns the active direction of a spring and enables the resetting of the measuring device from internal to external measurement. Alternatively, two-point or three-point or relative measurements can be executed. The modular unit system permits, if desired, an arrangement of two or more of the constrained guide linkages according to the invention on the sliding axis whose sliders are rigidly connected in groups of preferably three.