Abstract: A position digitizing device in which a cursor, moveable within a field generated by successively activated grid wires, developes a voltage from the field and, in conjunction with conditioning circuits, yields the electrical intelligence required to indicate its position with a high degree of precision. Currents are successively passed through parallel grid lines at discretely separate distances, the resultant successively positioned fields successively inducing voltages at the cursor coil output dependent upon the position of the cursor in relation to the actuated grid line. Conditioning equipment to which the cursor output is coupled mixes the cursor output with a reference and introduces circuitry responsive to the rate at which the grid currents are successively stepped to translate the cursor output to a time variant wave form.

Abstract: In a work piece measuring probe the movement of a stylus in three dimensions is sensed by respective inductive transducers having sensing coils fixed to a support in positions adjacent three mutually perpendicular surfaces defined on the stylus.

Abstract: An improvement in a digitizer for use in computer drafting has been provided wherein a multiple wire connector located in both the X beam and Y beam is held in a taut and concealed condition within the respective beams for any position of the digitizer. An adjustable attachment is provided between the extrusions for the X and Y beam and the respective X and Y guide bars so that the guide bar can be aligned in a straight condition regardless of any warping of the beams during extrusion. A mechanical brake is also provided for fixing the position of the digitizer during use.

Abstract: A conical centering feeler is located in axial alignment with the central axis of one of the elements and has its pointed end directed towards the other. If the other element is a nut, for example, the point is directed towards the bore in the nut. If the other element is a bolt, the conical element is hollow and the hollow, wide rim is placed over the bolt. The conical element is held by a flexible deflection tube which is connected to sensors, for example strain gauges, located 90.degree. offset with respect to each other, which, upon bending of the tube, indicating misalignment of the elements, cause feed operation of a cross slide until the bending tube is straight, thus indicating alignment of the two elements. The bending tube holds the conical element in alignment with its point.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for rapidly and accurately analyzing the movements of a barbell or other weight. The object is positioned in a suitable holder, which is connected by means of a pair of strands to the periphery of a first disc secured to a torsion-biased shaft. The strands extend, intermediate their ends, through opposed ends of the crosspiece of a T-shaped pendulum whose central arm is secured at its free end to a second disc, such second disc being in turn secured to a splined front end of the shaft. A pair of internally toothed racks are carried by the second disc for toothed engagement with the splined end of the shaft, with the racks being confined for movement in mutually perpendicular directions to resolve the motion of the holder and thereby of the object into orthogonal planes. Facilities are provided for recording the separate movements of the first and second racks along a common first coordinate of a recording medium as the medium is advanced along the other coordinate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of aligning a plurality of probes to a plurality of contacts, the contacts being arragned in a pattern on a substrate. The method includes the steps of powering one of a selected pattern of probes or a like pattern of selected contacts such that upon the selected patterns being in coincidence, the plurality of probes will be in contact with predetermined contacts on the substrate. This is accomplished by providing a circuit path through all of the other probes or contacts which are not powered and then bringing the plurality of probes into contact at random with the contacts of the substrate and then moving one of the substrate and probes until the selected patterns coincide as by indication of a completed circuit path between selected patterns.

Abstract: A system incorporating a photosensitive device and associated circuitry for scanning a line to be traced.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning table includes a generally channel-shaped base member having a bottom web element and a pair of laterally spaced side wall elements projecting upwardly therefrom. At least one of the side wall elements is pre-tensioned so as to possess a spring force tending to deflect such side wall element inwardly towards the other of the side wall elements. A V-shaped notch is formed in the inner face of each side wall at a location above the bottom web element and in vertical alignment with each other. Each such notch extends lengthwise of the side wall, desirably to be coextensive therewith, and is heat-treated to a hardness greater than that of the adjacent surfaces of the side wall. The positioning table includes a carriage member carried by the base for reciprocatory movement between the side walls thereof.

Abstract: An arrangement for applying a constant load on the probe of a coordinate measurement machine to eliminate errors caused by operator hand pressure when the probe is manually moved into engagement with a part being measured. In coordinate measurement machines, a carriage movable in the Y axis direction bridges the part being measured. A probe on the carriage is movable in the X axis direction thereby permitting probe movement in any quadrant in X-Y axis directions. To eliminate measurement errors in the Y axis direction, a constant load is applied to the probe by a pair of spring motors mounted on opposite ends of the machine. These spring motors are connected by spring motor cables to the carriage. When the back cable is attached to the carriage, the applied force urges it in the +Y axis direction, and the front cable when attached, urges the probe in the -Y axis direction. To apply a constant load on the probe in the X axis direction, spring motors are mounted on opposite ends of the carriage.

Abstract: A measuring machine pick-up, for measuring e.g. watch movements, has measuring means mounted on a measuring head for movement in two or three orthogonal directions. The measuring means are plural, so that plural measurements may be effected without changing the parts.

Abstract: A digitizer comprising electromechanical and optical components arranged to provide a precision metrology aid for sensing, displaying, recording, and ultimately "playing back" the coordinate values of selected features or locations of all or parts of two dimensional contours taken from drawings, pictures, and other two dimensional media. Data pertaining to a third dimension may also be entered into the digitizer. Precision is achieved from a combination of factors including the inherent rigidness of the structure, built-in mechanical force control, and the inclusion of apparatus for the elimination of input vantage point parallex.

Abstract: A device for measuring distances is provided wherein, after calibration of the device, a cursor mounted on an elongate movable wand is moved to the point whose distance from a datum point is to be determined. A resistor extends along the length of the wand and an electrical contact on the cursor makes point contact with the resistor. The contact and resistor form a potentiometer whose output varies directly with the position of the cursor. A digital voltmeter connected to the output of the potentiometer provides an indication of the distance measured.

Abstract: A microfiche reader has a carrier which includes means for transporting a microfiche film with a rectilinear movement. The carrier has two plates of glass for receiving a microfiche between them. As the carrier moves to one extremity of its rectilinear movement, the cover glass automatically opens to enable manual access to the microfiche between the glass. At another extremity of its movement, the carrier moves one or more image lenses out of contact with the cover glass while precluding any chipping of the edge of the glass.

Abstract: A locking device for the scanning mechanism of a laser scriber of the type having a stationary laser head comprises an actuator operable in association with the table drive mechanism and a presser element operable under the action of the actuator to move one of the scanning tables against the guide structure provided for the table to prevent oscillatory or other displacement of the table in its guided direction during the scanning movement of the other table. As a result, a practically true straight line of scan is obtained, thereby eliminating the danger of the laser beam incising the work sheet beyond a definite range of allowance.

Abstract: A pick-up head for the manipulation of workpieces comprised of tacky material includes a rocker foot capable of four degrees of motion. The pick-up head is mounted on a horizontally movable carriage and includes controllable apparatus for causing the rocker foot to rotate, reciprocate vertically with respect to a table on which the workpieces are positioned and to translate with respect to the remainder of the pick-up head. Horizontal movement of the pick-up head subsequent to establishment of initial contact between the curved rocker foot and a workpiece results in the area of contact between the workpiece and foot increasing and the workpiece may thus be "peeled" from the table or other supporting medium.

Abstract: For accurate measurement of the linear movement of a traveller relatively to a low-torque rotary transducer, a cylindrical pulley on the transducer is driven by a wire which extends between this pulley and an idler pulley to embrace both; the free ends of the wire are fastened to the traveller to form a taut loop of length exceeding the maximum stroke of the traveller. A box-section cover enclosing the driving system (except for a lengthwise slot for passage of the traveller) is closed at one end by the transducer casing and at the other end by a box carrying the idler pulley; slotted holes for screws fastening the cover to the transducer allow the wire loop to be pulled taut. The wire loop passes through slits in cleaning plates adjacent to each pulley. Plates on the traveller locate it in the cover after initial assembly and until the device is set up for use.

Abstract: A digitizing graphic system including a digitizing area, first and second coordinate arms extendable over the area, first and second magnetostrictive elements each positioned respectively in the first and second coordinate arms. A positionable device is movable with respect to the first and second arms on the area, each of the magnetostrictive elements having associated therewith a sending device and a receiving device. An energizing system is coupled to each of the sending devices for inducing magnetostrictively a strain wave longitudinally propagating along the magnetostrictive element to the respective receiving means. A digitizing system is coupled to each of the sending and receiving devices for digitizing the time duration of the strain wave propagation, the positionable device coupled to each of the coordinate arms for varying the propagating distance along each of the magnetostrictive elements in accordance with the position of the positionable device.

Abstract: A microfiche reader includes first and second plates, with a plurality of light sources disposed with the first plate in an array of rows and columns, and a plurality of lens disposed with the second plate in a row-column array, each lens corresponding to one of the light sources. Means are provided for movably positioning a film having information thereon between the plates, and for moving the film with respect to the plates.

Abstract: An accessory for a track type drafting machine mounted for motion over the surface of a drawing board. The drafting machine accessory includes a set of endless graduated tapes running between rollers mounted at the ends of horizontal and vertical tracks. A set of indicators move along the tapes. One of the indicators is mounted on the drafting machine head carriage and moves along the length of the vertical track, so as to move along the vertical tape. The other indicator is mounted on the vertical track carriage and is moveable along the horizontal tape. A set of right-angled, common origin scales is fitted to the drafting machine head. The graduated tapes are each provided with a zero point from which positive numbers progress in one direction and negative numbers progress in the other. Means are provided for rotating each tape about its respective rollers to adjust the position thereof. Finally, means are provided to lock the tapes in their adjusted positions.

Abstract: Measurement of a vector inn space is accomplished by an articulated five axis probe carrying a working head that can be moved into a measuring position that has a known angular relation to an object to be measured. A plurality of pivotally interconnected links include a first link pivotally mounted to a work table and an end link that fixedly carries a working head having a V-groove defined by four mutually spaced electrically conductive contact elements. For measurements made upon a tube having a number of bends, the working head is successively positioned in contact with the several straight portions of the bent tube and the angles of the several links relative to adjacent links and relative to the work table are read out for each contact. When the working head is properly oriented with respect to the tube, the electrical contacts enable read out of the several angles. These collectively define both the direction of the working head and its coordinate position with respect to a reference coordinate system.