Patents by Inventor Benjamin J Merrifield

Benjamin J Merrifield has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7312433
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device 5 of the type which detects the interruption of a beam of radiation (e.g. light 20) by an object (50 FIG. 1) in the beam. The device includes a light emitter 12 and a light detector 32 each enclosed in a housing 10 and 30. In order to accommodate different spacings between the housings different caps 14 having varying size apertures 11 are fittable to the housings. This allows varying amounts of light to be issued and/or detected. Other ways of adjusting the amount of light passing through the cap are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Victor G. Stimpson, Benjamin J. Merrifield
  • Patent number: 6496273
    Abstract: Described is a device which enables toolsetting on a machine tool. The device includes a light emitting unit (10) and a light detecting unit (14). A light source (30) causes a light beam (12) to propagate from the emitting unit (10) to the detecting unit (14). A light detector (40) detects the presence or absence of the beam. A trigger signal is produced when occlusion occurs and so the position of an object can be determined by reference to the machine's coordinate readings. The beam (12) may be uncollimated and thus provide a device with an easier set-up and a greater resistance to vibration in use. The light detector (40) and/or light source may be protected from contamination by windows (34,44) or a protector having an aperture therein. The light emitting and detecting units each have an aperture for the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Victor G Stimpson, Jonathan P Fuge, Benjamin J Merrifield, David R McMurtry