Rolling Contact Patents (Class 33/124)
  • Patent number: 10473473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ranging system and ranging method, the ranging system includes: a ranging apparatus and a terminal device (3), wherein the ranging apparatus includes: a measuring wheel (1), a rotating shaft disposed on the measuring wheel (1), and an electronic counter (2) connected to the rotating shaft and used to obtain distance information of the measuring wheel; wherein the ranging apparatus or the terminal device (3) further includes an angle sensor; communication module being arranged on the terminal device (3) and the ranging apparatus, respectively; the terminal device (3) including data processing module configured to generate a traveling trajectory diagram of the measuring wheel, in real time, based on the distance information from the electronic counter (2) and the angle information from the angle sensor. Thereby, a traveling trajectory diagram can also be generated in real time on the basis that a ranging function is achieved, such that working efficiency is effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHWEST INSTRUMENT INC.
    Inventors: Xin Shi, David Xing
  • Patent number: 10082592
    Abstract: A borehole resistivity instrument for use in a borehole drilled within a geologic formation includes an emitting electrode and an imaging electrode. The borehole resistivity instrument also includes a current isolator positioned between the emitting electrode and the imaging electrode. The current isolator prevents a substantial portion of the electric current emitted from the emitting electrode from passing to the imaging electrode through the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Dean Douglas Kleckner, Marian Morys
  • Patent number: 8474151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring the thickness of thin layers over large-area surfaces to be measured (12), in which at least one measuring probe (28), which comprises at least one sensor element (29) and at least one contact spherical cap (31) associated with the sensor element (29), is applied to the surface to be measured (12) in order to obtain a measured value, wherein the large-area surface to be measured (12) is subdivided into individual partial areas (14), a matrix of measurement points (16) is determined for each partial area (14) to be inspected, measured values are ascertained at equidistant measurement points (16) along at least one row (17) of the matrix of the partial area (14) using a device (21) carrying the at least one measuring probe (28), and the measured values are ascertained successively for all rows (17) in the matrix in the partial area (14) and evaluated for this partial area (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Helmut Fischer GmbH Institut fuer Elektronik und Messtechnik
    Inventor: Helmut Fischer
  • Patent number: 7444760
    Abstract: A marking device, in particular a hand-held marking tool for positioning markings, comprises first means (50, 52, 54, 56) which make it possible to position the device (10) in a predefinable first position of a reference surface (16), and second means (46) for leveling the device (10) relative to the reference surface (16), as well as a tracking system (13) for determining a distance covered by the device (10) relative to the first position of the device. The tracking system (13) detects the movement of the measuring instrument (10) on the reference surface (16) in two orthogonal directions (18,20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Hoffmann, Stefan Clauss, Joachim Hecht, Christian Heine, Reiner Krapf, Julian Bergmann
  • Patent number: 7414235
    Abstract: A handheld device. In particular a locating device, includes a housing (10), which is movable with a handle unit (12) over a surface of an item being examined and which has a sensor unit (16) for picking up a first motion parameter. At least one second motion parameter can be detected with the sensor unit (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Hoffmann, Uwe Skultety-Betz, Stefan Clauss, Bjoern Haase, Ulli Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6725553
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improvement on the traditional Measuring Wheel. When the odometry information is combined with two direction sensors and an on-board computer, the instrument is able to perform useful measurements to allow the calculation of an area or the description of a non-linear contour, as well as the traditional distance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventors: Donald R. Airey, Herman Servatius
  • Patent number: 6550151
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improvement on the traditional measuring wheel. When the odometry information is combined with two robust attitude sensors and an on-board computer, the instrument is able to perform useful measurements such as the calculation of an area or the description of a non-linear contour, as well as the traditional distance measurements and other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: Donald R. Airey, Herman Servatius
  • Patent number: 6532672
    Abstract: An area measurement device having a support to be moved around a boundary. A direction indicator determines the directional orientation of the support and creates direction data. A distance indicator determines the distance traveled by the support and creates distance data. A microprocessor receives the direction data and distance data and calculates the area inside the boundary based on this data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph S. Gottlieb
  • Publication number: 20020191609
    Abstract: A computer assisted measuring device that can be tied into a computer to generate price quotes and measurements for the carpet cleaning industry. The device is made up of a measuring wheel, which is used to roll on a surface being measured, a shaft, which attaches the measuring wheel to the end of the computer assisted measuring device, a control box casing, which houses computer compartment components and battery compartment components, a handle for ease of handling and a computer interface jack for connecting the computer assisted measuring device to a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Robert F. Exman
  • Publication number: 20020124424
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improvement on the traditional Measuring Wheel. When the odometry information is combined with two direction sensors and an on-board computer, the instrument is able to perform useful measurements to allow the calculation of an area or the description of a non-linear contour, as well as the traditional distance measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Donald R. Airey, Herman Servatius
  • Patent number: 5990809
    Abstract: The hydrography of a land area beneath a shallow body of water is determined by driving a submersible, remotely controlled, powered vehicle along a route over the land area. The vehicle includes a chassis, a drive mechanism, a drive control module to control the drive mechanism, and a mast extending upwardly from the chassis, with the top end of the mast projecting above the body of water. A position indicator, such as a global positioning system, mounted adjacent the mast top end, determines the position of the position indicator, and transmits position data to a receiving unit at a remote location. A transmitter at the remote location transmits instructions to the drive control module to control the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: David M. Howard
  • Patent number: 5909013
    Abstract: A dimensional weighing apparatus is disclosed which has a weighing scale for determining the actual weight of a carton, and a conveyor means along which cartons are moved after being weighed to pass the cartons through a measuring station at which the length, width and height of the cartons are measured. A first measuring means measures both the height and length as the cartons move through the measuring station by means of a member that rides up the leading vertical face of the cartons to measure the height and then across the top surface thereof to measure the length. A second measuring means measures the width of the cartons as they move through the measuring station by means of carton contact members mounted along the side surfaces of the carton and move in and out of contact with the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel F. Dlugos
  • Patent number: 5875556
    Abstract: A measuring device, such as a planimeter, having an increased measurable range for measuring a figure without increasing a length of the measuring device. The measurable range of a planimeter is based upon the a physical length of the planimeter. In order to increase the measurable range of the planimeter, the planimeter is provided with an operation control switch that functions to set a measurement mode of a computer associated with the planimeter to a suspend mode, temporarily halting a measurement operation, so that the planimeter can be shifted to another position. Thus, the measuring range of the planimeter is increased without increasing the physical length of the planimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Akio Kubo
    Inventors: Akio Kubo, Hiroshi Naoi, Hiroshi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5727329
    Abstract: A device for measuring a figure. The measuring device includes an auxiliary tracer to obtain measurement coordinates when a measuring lever of the measuring device is beyond a predetermined rotatable range. The auxiliary tracer functions to increase the measurable range of the measuring device without having to increase the over-all length of the measuring device. The device includes a body having a pair of wheels with a measuring lever extending therefrom and having a main tracer. An auxiliary tracer is provided on an auxiliary arm extending from the measuring lever. Data from either the main tracer or the auxiliary tracer can be processed by a processor to measure the figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ushikata Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Kubo
  • Patent number: 5708592
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring figures having circular arc portions by obtaining coordinates of a starting point, an ending point and an intermediate point of each circular arc. The measuring apparatus measures at least one of coordinates or an area of a figure. The measuring apparatus has a main body and a measuring lever. The main body has a pair of rollers that drive the measuring apparatus in a running direction. The measuring lever is pivotally supported on the main body so as to be rotatable in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. The measuring lever includes a tracer, a point key, and an arc key. The point key is manipulated when the measuring lever is at the starting point of the circular arc portion. The arc key is manipulated when the measuring lever is at the intermediate point. The point key again is manipulated when the measuring lever is at the ending point. By obtaining these three points, a parameter of a figure, including the circular arc portion, can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Ushikata Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Kaji
  • Patent number: 5515299
    Abstract: A device for finding the centroid coordinates of a figure that can calculate the centroid from a single time measurement of the figure and display the calculated centroid of the figure. The measuring device comprises a main body having a roller capable of running in a single direction and a measuring lever pivotably supported by the main body so as to be rotatable right or left from the running direction of main body on a horizontal plane. In the measuring device, the main body has a display and a calculating circuit. The tracer of the measuring lever traces the contour of the figure to measure the coordinates, areas, and lengths of the figure. At the same time, the calculating circuit computes the geometrical moments of areas successively and sums the geometrical moments of the areas. Finally, the calculating circuit divides the summed geometrical moment of the areas by an area of the figure to obtain the coordinates of the centroid of the figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Akio Kubo
    Inventors: Katsumi Kaji, Hiroshi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5115569
    Abstract: This invention relates to a measuring device for a coordinate of a figure in which values of coordinate positions of a plurality of any given points are input, the coordinate of an asked for position relating to the given points is calculated and marking the asked for position. The measuring device for a coordinate of a figure comprises a body having rollers to trace a running line, a measuring lever pivoted on the body rotating right or left relative to the running line in a horizontal plane, characterized by a display, input device and a calculating device provided in the body, a tracing part, a reading/marking (writing) toggle switch, a reading switch and a marking needle provided in the measuring lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Akio Kubo
  • Patent number: 5038484
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining an area of a surface which is traversed and treated by an object during a unit of time is configured for use with a moveable object that has a first axis of a known length. The object is capable of movement along a second axis and the first and second axes define an angle between them which is other than 0.degree.. A signalling means includes a sensor which may be mounted in a motion-sensing relationship to the object for providing a motion signal when the object moves a distance along the second axis. The motion signal has a predetermined relationship to that distance. A timing means repetitively provides a plurality of timing signals, each sequential pair of which defines an interval of time of known duration. A computing means is coupled to the timing means and to the signalling means for receiving at least one sequential pair of timing signals and at least one motion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Von Schrader Company
    Inventors: Quentin H. Rench, Steven Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4616419
    Abstract: A measuring device to measure a figure in which a measuring lever is pivotally attached to a carriage supported on a pair of wheels for reciprocal movement. A locking device pivotally mounted on the carriage prevents movement of the measuring lever. Release of the locking device resets data processing counters in the carriage to zero in preparation for a measurement. Measurements are performed by tracing a figure with a tracing device on an outboard end of said measuring lever which sends signals through a computer processor to a counter. A switch on the outboard end of the measuring lever allows measurements to be held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Akio Kubo
  • Patent number: 4530367
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a volume change for facial swelling of a person which may occur after surgical removal of wisdom teeth, including a bite fork engageable within the mouth of the person for providing a relatively fixed reference position for the facial swelling; a reciprocable feeler rod having a free end with a feeler wheel secured thereto and reciprocable in a first x-axis direction substantially normal to the facial swelling; a spring which biases the feeler wheel into contact with the facial swelling; a tracing device for moving the feeler wheel in a second y-axis direction substantially normal to the first direction to cause the feeler wheel to trace across the facial swelling in a plurality of parallel planes spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the z-axis direction; a first LVDT for producing a first signal in response to the reciprocable movement of the feeler wheel in the first direction; a second LVDT for producing a second signal in response to movement of the feeler wheel in the secon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignees: N.J. Institute of Technology, University of Medicine and Dentistry
    Inventors: Paul J. Desjardins, Sathischandran Menon, Maano Milles, Hans E. Pawel
  • Patent number: 4383301
    Abstract: A hand held calculator having a key board with numerical keys and function keys and a visual display is provided at one corner with a rotatable measuring wheel which projects beyond the perimeter of the calculator case so that it can be rolled along a selected line, for example a line on a building plan or map to measure the length of the line. Means is provided for sensing rotation of the wheel and generating a unit signal pulse for each increment of rotation of the wheel. These signal pulses are fed into the calculator circuitry as unit entries and are automatically added to obtain a total measurement entry representing the length of the line. Numerical keys and function keys of the calculator are thereupon manually operable so as to perform additional arithmetic operations on the measurement entry, for example multiplication or division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Inventors: Deen I. Morita, George M. Nakasone
  • Patent number: 4260877
    Abstract: An area measuring attachment for a linear conveyor is disclosed. The device is particularly adapted for area measurement of long, narrow objects having an irregular height and angular orientation, for example lumber, and particularly rough-cut lumber. The device includes an array of independently suspended, generally vertically oriented, freely rotating wheels. The wheels are equally spaced in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor. Frictional contact between the wheels and the objects passing on the conveyor define the width and length of the objects. The wheels are pivotable about a first axis, generally transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor, for accommodating objects having a warp or an irregular height. The wheels are also pivotable about a second axis, generally parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor, for accommodating objects having irregular angular orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Inventor: Daniel E. Conway
  • Patent number: 4149318
    Abstract: Most Diazo printers and other such copy machines have an automatic feed capability provided by a drive roller for receiving light-sensitive paper from copy paper rolls of varying widths and feeding the paper into the machine. To provide a square footage count of the machine output, a measuring wheel is mounted to ride on the drive roller and be driven by its contact with the copy paper. The wheel roller which carries a small magnet is disposed closely adjacent to a magnetic switch so that, once during each roller revolution, the magnet closes the switch and closes a power circuit coupled to a counter. The diameter or circumference of the wheel roller is preselected so that each of its revolutions represents one square foot of the copy paper on which it rides. Preferably, there are provided a plurality of wheel rollers each of which has a diameter matching that of various copy paper widths for which the machine is adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas G. Schaaf