Abstract: The present invention relates to a helmet and a basic helmet concept with highly flexible construction of use in a number of different situations. The helmet can provide varying degrees of protection and can very easily alternate between the various forms of protection. In addition the individual parts of the helmet can easily be replaced. The helmet consists of an outer helmet with a head-protecting part (1) which essentially covers the side, top and back of the head, a chin guard (39 in front of the lower part of the face and a transparent visor (2) which covers the field of vision of the person using the helmet, together with an inner helmet which is connected to the outer helmet and which inner helmet abuts against the user's head.

Abstract: A toilet is provided with a vacuum to assist in the flushing process. The vacuum is provided downstream between the toilet bowl and a waste outlet to draw the waste contents of the toilet bowl and out of the toilet bowl to the waste outlet under pressure. A controllable valve connected to a vacuum source is connected in a discharge passage between the toilet bowl and the waste outlet. The valve is opened to apply vacuum to the discharge passage upon activation of a toilet flush actuator and closes prior to the waste contents of the toilet bowl reaching the location of the valve. A normally closed flap valve is connected between the discharge passage and the waste outlet to define a minimal amount of air in the discharge passage which is removed by the vacuum.

Abstract: A dish drying rack system includes a sink and drain basin extending through a peripheral wall of the sink. A drain panel is positioned over the drain basin. The drain panel has a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Each of plurality of legs is attached to and extends downwardly from a loop member. The legs are positioned on the loop member so that each of the legs extends through one of the holes. A locking assembly is adapted for releasably locking each of the free ends in a position adjacent to a bottom surface of the drain panel so that the legs extend upwardly from the drain panel. A plurality of rods is attached to and traverses the loop member. Plates are selectively positioned within the loop member and vertically supported thereby when each of the free ends is in a locked position.

Abstract: A faucet spout assembly providing multiple spouts with different heights and curvature which are interchangeable within the same faucet. Laminar flow from the spout is achieved with a flow control device upstream of the spout outlet A check valve is optionally used in the inlet to the spout to promote greater flexibility in placement of the flow control device within the assembly.

Abstract: The folding bunk beds of this invention fold between a horizontal sleep position and a vertical storage position. The various embodiments, both manually operated and power operated, of the folding bunk beds use vertically shifting pivot points to accommodate larger bed decks. The bed decks are hinged to carriages that slide on vertical shafts mounted within a wall frame. Bed decks are mounted to support arms that are pivotally connected to the carriages. A linkage mechanism or guide track allows the bed decks to pivot simultaneously between a horizontal sleep position and a vertical storage position as the carriages shift along the shafts. The vertically shifting pivot point allows the bed decks to kneel down, that is to fold up at a pivot point lower on the wall.

Abstract: A backpacker/mountaineers cot that is lightweight enough to be carried in the backcountry and that is assembled using a minimal of structural cot components in conjunction with various commonly used mountaineer's tools. It allows the elimination of the piece of foam or the inflatable sleeping pad that mountaineers generally backpack. Instead, the mountaineer incorporates his trekking poles, ice ax and internal frame backpack stays with the cot's structural components to form a lightweight, strong or the appropriate assembly of the cot.

Abstract: A bed valance consisting of a valance body with a center opening such that the valance body can be slipped over a mattress top onto a box spring without the need for removing the mattress when replacement or changing of the bed valance is necessary. The valance is removably attachable to a box spring with hook and loop fasteners sewn to the top of the box spring, and includes a tightening cord at its inner periphery.

Abstract: Bridges decks or panels for bridge decks made of a metal-plastic-metal sandwich with the plastic bonded to the metal plates so as to transfer shear forces therebetween. The sandwich plates may be constructed with either a solid plastic core or a composite core consisting of plastic, metal plates or structural shapes and forms within or without a frame of girders. Sandwich plate bridge panels without peripheral metal frames are held together only by the adhesion of the plastic to the metal plates.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.

Abstract: A self-propelled floor cleaner is provided having a random motion generator which enhances the maneuverability of the floor cleaner. The random motion generator is rotatably attached to the frame of the cleaner and propels the cleaner across the floor in a random motion. This random motion facilitates cleaning of the floor by making the cleaner easier to manipulate. The random motion generator includes a hollow spherical shell. In the preferred embodiment, the hollow spherical shell houses a weighted motor assembly which is rotatably mounted on a center fixed axle which extends diametrically between the first and second hemispherical halves and is attached thereto. The weighted motor assembly is comprised of a motor housing and a power source, such as batteries or cells. A motor is housed within the motor housing and rotates the motor housing about the center fixed axle.

Abstract: A windshield wiper frame connector for connecting a wiper blade unit to a wiper arm incluces an elongated body member defining a longitudinal axis therealong. The body member has a pair of opposing sidewalls defining opposing inner surfaces. A connecting slot is disposed in a lower portion of the body member for rotatably receiving a transverse pin of a wiper blade unit. A hole is formed in each of the pair of opposing side walls for rotatably receiving a pin of a pin type wiper arm. An upper jam portion is disposed on a top portion of the body member for tightly and smoothly receiving a hook type wiper member. At least one space is disposed in the body member for tightly receiving outer surfaces of a first hook type wiper arm. Furthermore, a pivotable lever is provided for removably engaging the pin of the pin type wiper arm.

Abstract: The electric vacuum cleaner is disclosed which includes a main body within which an electric blower and cyclonic separation cylinder are provided. A dust collecting case is provided in communication with the cyclonic separation cylinder to receive dust that has been separated from the inlet tube. The dust collecting case also includes a lifter arranged therein. Air received from the inlet tube is separated such that a portion is passed through the dust collecting case and a communicating passage. The air is subsequently merged and discharge through the electric blower.

Abstract: A self-orienting caster, constituted by at least one wheel, which can rotate on a shaft driven horizontally through the seat of a support provided with a vertical recess open upward and offset axially with respect to the shaft and in which a caster pivoting pivot rotates that is provided with first and second portions insertable in a seat of a furniture piece, the second portion having an end stem with reduced diameter forming a shoulder, a bush fixed axially on the stem and forming an annular groove for accommodating, without play, an elastic ring that presses by expanding against the wall of the recess.

Abstract: The flexible fixation structure for the pull handle of luggage. At hollow tube base frames of the pull handle, some fixation members are mounted to enable the pull handle to be flexibly locked and fixed into upper and lower fixation holes of external hollow tube. The fixation member includes two snappers and two springs. The exterior of first snapper is fitted with the first projecting column, which is protruded and locked onto upper fixation hole of external hollow tube. And, an oblique guide plane is provided at the top of first snapper, and a concave surface at the inner side. At the center of the concave surface, a limit column is internally protruded. The exterior of second snapper is fitted with the second projecting column, which is protruded and locked onto lower fixation hole of external hollow tube.

Abstract: An electronic device. The electronic device comprises a host, a display, a fixed member, a first rotating member and a second rotating member. The fixed member is secured on the host and has a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion separated therefrom with a predetermined angle. The first rotating member is rotatably connected to the fixed member and has an engaging portion. The engaging portion moves between the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion along a curved route such that the first rotating member rotates relative to the fixed member with the predetermined angle. The second rotating member is fixed on the display and is connected to the first rotating member. The second rotating member rotates relative to the first rotating member.

Abstract: A device for damping the movement of movable furniture parts to their closed position provides for a housing which can be fastened to a fixed wall part or carcass part, in which housing a lever is pivotably held or a plunger is slidably guided, with said lever or plunger being pivoted or slid to its closing region by the movable furniture part, thus by way of at least a two-stage gear mechanism with a speed increasing ratio impinging on a rotation damper or on the piston of a damping cylinder.

Abstract: A door hook including a U-shaped bracket having a top member and a front side and back side attached to the top member. The front and back sides are separated by a first distance, which corresponds generally to the thickness of a door over which the door hook is to be placed. A hook is attached to the front side, while a spacer portion is attached to the back side or top. A frangible joint is formed in the back side or top such that the spacer portion can be detached and then reattached to the back side. With the spacer portion in this reattached position the spacer portion and the front side are separated by a second distance, different from and typically less than the first-distance. The second distance corresponds generally to the thickness of a thinner or thicker door, over which the door hook may be placed after removal or removal and reattachment of the spacer.

Abstract: A system for tensioning lines, particularly belts or webs, utilizing a bi-directional tensioning device. The system includes an anchoring tensioning line, the proximal end of which is removably attached to a first end of the device, and a threadable tensioning line, the proximal end of which is threadably attached to a second end of the device. The distal ends of both tensioning lines are fastened to a support surface. A ratcheting system included in the device winds the proximal end of the threadable tensioning line by means of a pivot handle. The threadable tensioning line is tightened when the handle is pivoted in the direction of the second end of the device. The user may change the direction of the power stroke simply by switching the anchoring tensioning line from the first end to the second end and the threadable tensioning line from the second end to the first end of the device.

Abstract: A cable retaining device is suitable for retaining flexible cables at high load tensions. The device includes: a body including a void having a width that tapers from a wider rearward end to a narrower forward end; and a wedge shaped plug, capable of slidable insertion at least partially into said void. The wedge and the plug define at least one channel between them, said channel capable of receiving a cable. The channel is tapered from a narrower rearward orifice to a wider forward orifice. The invention also includes a system of the cable retaining device together with a high-tension polymer cable, said system suitable for surgical use. Furthermore, the invention includes the method of fastening cable with the cable retaining device of the invention. In one embodiment the device retains a looped cable by engaging two cable ends.

Abstract: A jewelry clasp with top and bottom sections, each section having a bore to receive a magnet, and each section having an interlocking surface on the perimeter of the bore. An eyelet is positioned on the perimeter of each section. The interlocking surfaces consist of mating camber protrusions that will lift and separate the top and bottom sections when the sections are rotated in one direction by the eyelets. One magnet is longer than the other to provide structural resistance to separation at the camber protrusions by opposing force exerted through the eyelets. In another embodiment, a steel tube is positioned in the bore of one section to encase the magnets to redirect magnetic flux and provide additional structural resistance against opposing force through the eyelets. Additional steel shielding can be used to reduce magnetic flux emanating from the clasp. Neodymium magnets coated with gold or silver are preferred.

Abstract: This invention relates to a slider for a slide fastener with an automatic stopper comprising front and rear mounting pillars of a slider body and a pawl body open to the rear mounting pillar and having a concave portion for accommodating a shaft portion of a pull wherein a gap portion allowing the shaft portion to pass through is formed in the concave portion by disposing the rear mounting pillar in a fitting guide groove in the slider body slidably in back and forth directions, and the shaft portion is prevented from slipping out of the concave portion through the gap portion when a pull holding body for covering the slider body is engaged with the front and rear mounting pillars, whereby simplifying a slider body's structure, an attachment structure of the pull and manufacturing procedure, and reducing a manufacturing cost while securing a stable/excellent automatic stopper function.

Abstract: A snap swivel includes a main body, a mounting plate having a first surface mounted on a first surface of the main body, a first decorative plate mounted on a second surface of the main body, and a second decorative plate mounted on a second surface of the mounting plate. Thus, the first decorative plate and the second decorative plate are exposed outward from the main body and the mounting plate respectively so that the snap swivel has an outstanding appearance, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the snap swivel.

Abstract: A housing 1 for enclosing a nozzle is suggested, particularly an air covering nozzle or an air texturing nozzle 3, with at least one filament pass-through aperture 10, 11, 12, 13 having a filament pass-through aperture circumference 20 and a housing cover 5 that covers a housing opening in a housing base 15, housing cover 5 engaging with housing base ridges 18 on housing base 5 by means of cover ridges 17, filament pass-through aperture 10, 11, 12, 13 being located in such manner on one of the housing base ridges 18 that part of filament pass-through aperture circumference 20 is formed by one of the cover ridges 17.

Abstract: A process for forming an elongate strip defined by a plurality of adjacent but sidewardly spaced pressure caps used for securing an underlayment to a substrate. A plurality of essentially identical strip segments, each containing a plurality of substantially identical pressure caps disposed in sidewardly spaced relationship along a row, are molded of a plastics material, with the endmost cap of each strip being molded with an outwardly cantilevered securing tab. A plurality of strip segments, after removal from the mold, are positioned in adjacent end-to-end relationship and the connecting tab on the end of one strip is mechanically joined to the endmost cap associated with a second strip, with a plurality of such strips being joined in aligned end-to-end relationship to define the elongate strip, which strip can be suitably packaged as a coil.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing high performance copper inductors includes providing a tall, Cu laminate spiral inductor is formed at the last metal level, and at the last metal +1 level, with the metal levels being interconnected by a bar via having the same spiral shape as the spiral metal inductors at the last metal level and the last metal +1 level. The method includes integrating the formation of thick inductors with the formation of bond pads, terminals and interconnect wiring with the last metal +1 wiring. Included are dielectric deposition and spacer formation steps, and/or selective deposition of a passivating metal such as CoWP, to passivate a Cu inductor that is formed after the last metal layer.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for supporting a read/write device in an information storage device having an actuator arm having at least one tower protruding from a first surface of the actuator arm, a loadbeam having at least one tower receiving means for receiving the at least one tower, wherein the at least one tower is shaped to extend into the at least one tower receiving means when the loadbeam is joined with the actuator arm, and wherein the tower and tower receiving means are configured such that deforming the at least one tower when within the at least one tower receiving means provides a deformation interference between the at least one tower and the at least one tower receiving means that reduces movement of the tower receiving means relative to the tower.

Abstract: A method of forming a reader of a magnetic head includes multiple processing steps. First, a sensor is formed having an air bearing surface. Next, a hard mask is formed on the sensor extending a distance from the air bearing surface substantially equal to the desired stripe height of the sensor. Finally, a portion of the sensor not covered by the hard mask is removed.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head comprises a read head and a write head. The read head and the write head are placed such that a top shield layer of the read head and a bottom pole layer of the write head are opposed to each other. A magnetism intercepting layer is provided between the top shield layer and the bottom pole layer. The magnetism intercepting layer is made of a nonmagnetic metal material that is capable of being formed through plating, such as platinum. The top shield layer, the magnetism intercepting layer and the bottom pole layer are consecutively formed through plating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic head manufactures a magnetic head having a base, and a laminate stacked on the base and including a magneto-resistive device. The method mechanically polishes a surface of a structure including the base and the laminate close to a magnetic recording medium, wherein the surface of the structure includes an end face of the laminate including an end face of the magneto-resistive device and a surface of the base. Next, the method selectively etches a first region on the surface of the structure close to the magnetic recording medium, wherein the first region includes the surface of the base but does not include the end face of the magneto-resistive device. Subsequently, the method entirely etches the surface of the structure close to the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A wire processing apparatus includes a microwave generator, a microwave transmitter, a waveguide coaxial converter and a wire insertion pipe, and the wire insertion pipe is disposed in the wireguide coaxial converter. In wire recycling process, after a tip end of a coated wire is inserted into the wire insertion pipe, microwave is launched into the inside of the waveguide coaxial converter. The tip end of the coated wire is separated into a decomposed coating insulator and a molten electric conductor by microwave. In wire cross-linking process, after microwave is launched into the inside of the waveguide coaxial converter, the coated wire is inserted into the wire insertion pipe. The coated wire is cross-linked by high frequency heat and a coating insulator is adhered well to an electric conductor by heat shrinking.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a plurality of permanent magnets with two different north-south magnetic pole alignments for use in microelectromechanical (MEM) devices. These methods are based on initially magnetizing the permanent magnets all in the same direction, and then utilizing a combination of heating and a magnetic field to switch the polarity of a portion of the permanent magnets while not switching the remaining permanent magnets. The permanent magnets, in some instances, can all have the same rare-earth composition (e.g. NdFeB) or can be formed of two different rare-earth materials (e.g. NdFeB and SmCo). The methods can be used to form a plurality of permanent magnets side-by-side on or within a substrate with an alternating polarity, or to form a two-dimensional array of permanent magnets in which the polarity of every other row of the array is alternated.

Abstract: A powder compaction press having opposed rib and channel punches which are interleaved and a production method are used to produce capacitor elements having a uniform compaction density and which are free of surface imperfections.

Abstract: Electrical mounting boards and methods for their fabrication and use are disclosed herein. In particular, such mounting boards embodiments utilize hybrid ground lines interconnected through a substrate core to form multilayer ground grids. Such hybrid ground lines include groups of substantially parallel ground lines configured such that the groups of ground lines are positioned in transverse arrangement with other groups of ground lines formed on the same level. Such implementations have many uses, including, but not limited to, the ability to more efficiently route signal lines and connect electrical components on a circuit board.

Abstract: A substrate for mounting an electronic component, includes a baseplate having a main surface formed with or without a recess. A ceramic substrate is provided on the main surface of the baseplate and has a smaller size than the baseplate. A metal layer is provided to cover both of the baseplate and the ceramic substrate. The metal layer has a surface remote from the baseplate and the ceramic substrate is made flat, the baseplate is made of a metal-ceramic composite of a metallic material and a ceramic material, and the metallic material in the composite and the metal layer have different compositions. Thus, an integral ceramic circuit board, which is resistant to repeated thermal stress and is superior in reliability can be realized.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cable modem device capable of reducing unnecessary signals inputted into a circuit substrate which processes signals and signal terminals from the outside and unnecessary radiation generated by the circuit substrate, the device having a hexahedral shield case which shields a circuit substrate, and a plurality of terminals for use in input/output of the signals with respect to the circuit substrate. Each of the terminals has a noise filter function, and is fixed to the shield case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for through-contacting flexible substrates 1, in particular circuit boards, having electrically conductive contact zones 4, 41 present on two opposing surfaces 1a, 1b of the substrate provides that a cut 11 is produced obliquely to the surfaces of the substrate in the area of the contact zones, and the two substrate areas 20, 30 adjoining the oblique cut are moved past each other until they lock behind each other. Moving them past each other is effected by a ram 12, by the action of compressed air 13, by applying a vacuum 14 or by a driving hook 15 fixed to the cutting tool. The two steps of producing the cut and moving the two substrate areas adjoining the cut past each other are effected in a common processing station, preferably in a single operation.

Abstract: In a process for producing a turbine blade or vane, providing a casting mold for casting the turbine blade or vane, the casting mold including a blade or vane platform and a main blade or vane part, and a position of the main blade or vane part relative to the blade or vane platform determining a first angle of incidence; providing additional machining stock to the blade or vane platform at predetermined locations; machining the casting using a process which is specified for the first angle of incidence; rotating the casting around a longitudinal axis for an angle which is equal to the difference between said first angle of incidence and a second angle of incidence, and subjecting said rotated casting to said machining process to remove at least partially the additional machining stock.

Abstract: A method for producing an ink jet head including, on a substrate, a piezoelectric element for discharging an ink from a discharge port, and an ink flow path communicating with the discharge port so as to correspond to the piezoelectric element, the method comprising in this order a step of providing, on the substrate, a mold material corresponding to the ink flow path, a step of providing a wall material of the ink flow path so as to cover the mold material, a step of eliminating a portion of the substrate corresponding to the piezoelectric element thereby forming a space in the substrate, and a step of eliminating the mold material thereby forming the ink flow path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a differential housing having a ring gear integrally formed therein. The method includes the steps of forging a conical frustum from a steel rod; deforming the frustum between upper and lower die halves of a tool to produce a differential housing having an annular rim; and forging a plurality of teeth in the annular rim defining the rim gear.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing endodontic instruments having either helical or non-helical flutes with hard surfaces and resilient cutting edges by either an EDM or ECM process, wherein material is removed from the instrument blank in the desired flute pattern. The EDM or ECM process disintegrates the surface material, and as it cools, at least a portion of the removed material re-deposits onto the surface being machined to form a recast layer having a surface hardness that is at least about 15% greater than the hardness of the material forming the instrument blank.

Abstract: A combination hairdressing scissor assembly is disclosed to include a plurality of male connecting members and a plurality of female connecting members symmetrically provided at two opposite sides of each pair of hairdressing scissors for enabling a plural pairs of hairdressing scissors to be connected in parallel by fastening the male connecting members of one pair of hairdressing scissors into the female connecting members of another pair of hairdressing scissors, each female connecting member having a front receiving open chamber, each male connecting member having two parallel insertion blocks engageable into the front receiving open chamber of the corresponding female connecting member by force.

Abstract: A combination hairdressing scissor assembly comprises a plurality of male connecting members and a plurality of female connecting members symmetrically provided at two opposite sides of each pair of hairdressing scissors for enabling plural pairs of hairdressing scissors to be connected in parallel by fastening the male connecting members of one pair of hairdressing scissors into the female connecting members of another pair of hairdressing scissors, each female connecting member having two clamping arms and two elastic stop strips connected between the clamping arms at top and bottom sides for securing the respective male connecting member in place upon insertion of the respective male connecting member into the opening between the clamping arms.

Abstract: A rotary knife with an improved drive transmission. The knife includes a tubular handle assembly, an annular blade, a blade housing, a pneumatic motor, and a drive transmission assembly. The transmission includes a drive or pinion gear, a drive shaft, and a connector assembly that inhibits axial movement of the pinion gear into the blade housing by the force of air pressure.

Abstract: A glass cutting apparatus has a spindle rotatably held and a saw blade provided on the spindle at a tip portion thereof. An upper portion of the blade is covered with a top cover. A lower portion of the blade, which protrudes from a lower portion of the top cover downward, is covered with a swingably safety cover held through a second ball bearing provided at an outer periphery of a bearing case. A fixing member between the bearing case and the blade is provided with a seal cover member which has a tip portion extending to the neighborhood of an outer periphery of a seal member for covering the bearing. Thereby, the seal cover member covers the seal member on a blade side thereof. Thus, the glass-cutting apparatus can eliminate a danger of touching its saw blade by mistake at the time of non-operation.

Abstract: A main spindle of an air saw is reciprocated by sliding a piston in a cylinder chamber with the pressure of air supplied to the cylinder chamber via an air supply path so as to alternately apply the air pressure to pressure-receiving surfaces of a back plate and a front plate, wherein a rear air-cushion chamber is formed in a portion for fixing a return spring for urging the back plate toward the center of a cylinder while a front air-cushion chamber is formed in a portion for fixing a return spring for urging the front plate toward the center of the cylinder, so that the front and rear balance is maintained.

Abstract: A gauge of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a dial having indicia thereon. A pointer is rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions relative to the dial. A light source is disposed in the gauge and adapted to direct light in a first direction. A light diverting member is disposed adjacent to the light source and receives light from the light source. The light diverting member includes a first and a second light exit areas. The first light exit area is adapted to direct a first portion of the light generally away from the dial. The second light exit area is adapted to direct a second portion of the light generally toward the dial.

Abstract: A multi-purpose strap for use with a laser tripod having a head portion and a base portion includes a flexible member, a first coupling component located at an end of the flexible member, and a second coupling component located at an opposite end of the flexible member. The flexible member when in a first configuration is adaptable to be coupled to the head portion using the first coupling component. The flexible member in a second configuration is also adaptable to be coupled to the tripod base using the second coupling member to form a shoulder strap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller comprising: at least two input terminals, each of which is configured to receive one of at least two input signals comprising information on a positioning of a scanner relative to a reference medium, and an output terminal, which is connectable to the scanner and configured to transmit an output signal, which is used for controlling the positioning of the scanner, wherein the controller further comprises: a processing unit being operable to designate a corresponding weighting function to each of the at least two input signals, a magnitude of the corresponding weighting function being selected to be in accordance with a noise profile of the input signal to which it has been designated; the processing unit further being operable to simultaneously use the at least two input signals, each with the corresponding weighting function designated thereto, to design a transfer function of the controller for use in the production of the output signal.

Abstract: A scanning head of the measuring type for a coordinate measurement system, has a fixed part, at least one part that is displaceable relative to the fixed part, and at least one damping device for damping vibrations that occur. The at least one damping device is configured as an electric motor, which is connected with at least one negative ohmic resistor.

Abstract: A digital measurement system is provided for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface. The measurement system includes an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of the reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part. A digital reader head is attachable to the second part. The reader head is operable is operably engaged with and moveable along the reference element for measuring relative movement of the reader head along the reference element. The readout further includes a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of the reader head along the reference element.