Abstract: A line is extended along a virtual optical axis of an objective lens. The line extends between a transparent plate, which is attached to the lens, and another transparent plate which is secured to a planar surface. The objective lens is part of an optical measuring instrument. An angle indicator is secured to the planar surface. The angle indicator is rotatable so that where the line touches the angle indicator, the angle between the planar surface and the virtual optical axis may be read with respect to azimuth and elevation.

Abstract: An angle indicating instrument for indicating an angle to be used in the cutting and subsequent joining of pieces of material is disclosed. A first arm and a second arm of the angle indicating instrument are positioned so as to engage the angle indicating instrument in an engaged angle, which is the angle between the two pieces of material to be joined. The indicated angle is a calculated angle and is calculated based on the engaged angle.

Abstract: A device to accurately define the angle relationship between a peripheral grinding wheel and it's tool rest in the vertical plane. The device uses the wheel periphery and tool rest surface to control the angle between the two. It is an 400 accessory to existing grinders. It is a separate device from the grinder enabling it to be used on several machines. It is not required structure for the grinding operation.

Abstract: A system for measuring an inputting range of motion data to a computer comprises a goniometer for measuring range of motion and for producing a range of motion signal from those measurements. A plurality of switches are carried by the goniometer for producing control signals. An interface device receives the range of motion signal and digitizes that signal to produce range of motion data. The interface device also receives the control signals which are used to control the input of the range of motion data to the computer.

Abstract: A depth calculating device is provided wherein the exact depth of a fisherman's bait presentation is calculated while that fisherman is trolling. The invention utilizes an electronic sensing device which determines the deflection of the fishing line away from the line formed between the tip of the fishing pole and the water's bottom. An additional electronic sensing device measures the length of line played out from the reel. Both measurements are processed by a central processing unit which in conjunction with the cosine function stored in the memory of the central processing unit then calculates and displays the exact depth of the bait presentation at any given moment.

Abstract: A shaft is supported rotatably within a tubular aluminum extrusion and is rotated by a motor, with at least a portion of the length of the shaft comprising a lead screw along which a nut is displaced during rotation of the shaft, with a member projecting from the nut radially of the shaft and through a slot in the extrusion. The projecting member provides a linearly movable indicator for measurement and/or control of the direction and amount of rotation of the shaft. For measurement purposes, a simple scale or more elaborate linear encoder may be situated at the slot for cooperation with the moveable member. For control purposes, proximity switches are adjustably repositionable along the slot so as to establish limits by and in response to which a controller may control the rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the length, lie and loft of a golf club includes a base having a flat top surface and a pivot plate which is pivotally mounted relative to the base for pivoting movement about a pivot axis which lies in the plane of the flat top surface of the base. The shaft of the club is held by the pivot plate so that the centerline of the shaft is perpendicular to the pivot axis and passes through the pivot axis.

Abstract: An asbolute position-measuring transducer system for an industrial robot having a plurality of axes of movement comprises an individual position transducer in the form of a resolver for each one of the axes, with the operating range of each axis corresponding to a plurality of revolutions of its resolver, a revolution counter connected to the output of the resolver of at least one of the axes for receiving the output signals from the resolver and counting the accumulated number of resolver revolutions, a back-up battery adapted for supplying the resolver and the revolution counter during the power failure, and a device for effecting the intermittent operation and reading-off of the resolver during the battery back-up operation, whereby a single resolver is used for position measuring during the normal operation and for counting revolutions during the battery back-up operation.

Abstract: A combined vernier gauge and protractor includes a primary rule having thereon a regular scale, a secondary piece slidable on the primary rule, and a protractor having a straight side pivotally mounted on and alongside the secondary piece. Such a device is provided in order that it can both provide the functions of a vernier gauge and a protractor. The secondary piece includes a vernier scale capable of cooperating with the regular scale to enable the present device to have a more accurate measurement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the position of a cursor on a surface in first and second different directions. The cursor is mounted on a member such as a gantry, and the gantry is guided for movement in the first direction on a carriage. The carriage is mounted for movement in the second direction on a member such as a rail. Radiation reflection strips extending and an acute angle with respect to one another are mounted on the gantry, and adapted to reflect light from a linear light source on said rail and extending in the second direction. Reflected light is sensed by a linear detector on said rail, for producing signals corresponding to the locations from which light was reflected. The coordinates of the cursor are determined by triangulation from these signals.

Abstract: A rudder position indicator attachable to the steering wheel of a boat for rotation with the wheel, in which a ball, held in a substantially constant position by gravity, rolls in a spiral groove as the wheel and the indicator are turned. The ball is seen against indicia in the groove, the indicia locations being indicative of the position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An angular micro-positioning system cable of readily accessing any angle within 360.degree. and thereafter precisely addressing an angular position within one ten-thousandth of a degree. The device is suitable for use in test equipment or any equipment requiring extremely precise angular positioning. The device includes a rotary motor which is mounted to a secondary frame which is pivotally mounted to a flexibly mounted main frame. The drive shaft of the rotary motor is biased in to engagement with the output wheel. A linear micro-positioner is mounted to the main frame and its drive shaft is coupled to the rotary motor frame to pivot same. The rotary motor is first rotated with the linear micro-positioner locked in place to provide coarse angle positioning. Thereafter, the drive shaft of the rotary motor is locked and the motor frame is pivoted by the linear micro-positioner which provides extremely fine angular adjustment.

Abstract: A graphic calculator (10) for use in technical drawing has means for selectively displaying one of a plurality of sets of division markers wherein each set corresponds to a set of scaled division markers of a particular scale rule. Such a calculator effectively provides a scale rule whose divisions may be altered as desired.Also disclosed is an electronic protractor having a transparent cross-hair viewer for accurately locating the protractor over the lines forming the angle to be measured and means for recording the point at which at least one of said lines extends from under a measuring edge of said protractor.

Abstract: A goniometric device for measuring an angle such as the angle of rotation of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle is useful for providing a backlash-free reduction ratio of the angular movement to be measured. For this purpose an elastic torque rod is used to one end of which the angular movement is applied and the other end of which is rigidly fixed. The angular movement of a tap is taken off at a tap location between the two ends. The reduction ratio depends on the ratio between the two distances from the tap to both ends of the torque rod.

Abstract: In order to provide an protractor with an electronic, digital display instead of a vernier angle scale, each section (6 and 10, and 8) of the capacitive element of a measuring device is connected to one of the arms (1, 3). Since the parts of this capacitive element must not be pressed against one another by the pressing together of the arms (1, 3) of the protractor, a clamping element (20) is required which can form a mechanical connection between the two arms (1, 3) through central bores (6a, 10a, 21a-c) in these parts when said arms (1, 3) are locked together in such a way that they cannot rotate relative to one another, by means of tightening a locking nut (4) on a central shaft (12).

Abstract: A hand held instrument for determining the degree of angular deviation of a line between selected points on a subject from a gravity-dependent reference, including a transparent base through which the selected points may be viewed and a gravity-dependent indicator mounted on the base for free rotation under the influence of gravity. The base includes indicia complementary with the gravity-dependent indicator to provide an indication of the degree of deviation between the gravity-dependent indicator and the line between selected points on the subject when the instrument is held in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A motion sensor which includes, in a basic embodiment, two sensing elements of any type disposed so as to detect the relative passing thereby of perturbations. The sensing elements are disposed so that they are offset with respect to the perturbations, such that the sensing elements cannot both be activated simultaneously. When one sensing element is activated, thus indicating motion, timing means starts counting and, if the other sensing element is activated within a predetermined length of time, the sensor infers that purposeful motion has been detected and may, for example, activate a power steering assist unit. The spacing of the perturbations determines the minimum degree of motion required for the motion sensor to provide an output and the timing mechanism determines how rapidly that degree of motion must occur for the motion sensor to provide the output. Thus, the spacing and time parameters may be set so that purposeful motion may be discriminated from random motion such as vibration.

Abstract: Angle transducer unit of the multiturn measuring type for absolute measurement of the angular position of a rotatable shaft. A first transducer (10) of the absolute angular measurement type with a drive shaft (3) is non-rotatably mounted on the rotatable shaft. A second angle transducer (11) of the absolute angular measurement type has a driven shaft (4). There are gear wheels (1,2) mounted on the drive and driven shafts, these gear wheels being mutually in mesh to form a gear for up or down gearing of the rotational rate of the drive shaft. The two angle transducers, e.g. resolvers, are intended for being conventionally connected to an apparatus for measuring the differential angular position of the shafts. Novel to the angle transducer unit is that the gear wheels include an internally toothed gear wheel (2) and an externally toothed gear wheel (1).

Abstract: Device for indicating the angular position between a first part and a part which is rotatable relative to the first part. Each of these parts exhibits a grating (15, 16) consisting of a pattern which, in each grating, comprises opaque lines separated by interspaces, the gratings together being arranged to provide an easily readable moire pattern which indicates whether the opaque lines in the one grating are at a certain position relative to the opaque lines of the other grating. The interspaces of each grating (15, 16) exhibit mutually differing widths, with a width which gradually increases over the height of the one grating (15) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the interspaces and a width which gradually decreases over the height of the other grating (16) transverse to the longitudinal direction of the interspaces and in the same direction.

Abstract: A rotary displacement transducer comprises a shaft rotatably supported in a housing, and to which the rotary displacement to be sensed is applied. The shaft is axially fixed in the housing, and has a precision screw thread formed over part of its length. An internally threaded sleeve coaxially surrounds the shaft in threaded engagement with the precision screw thread, the sleeve carrying a collar having two diametrically opposed radial projections. The first projection carries a roller which engages in a slot in the housing to prevent the collar and sleeve rotating as the shaft is rotated, so that rotation of the shaft causes the sleeve and collar to move axially of the shaft by an amount dependent on the rotary displacement to be sensed. The axial movement of the collar is sensed by a linear displacement transducer of the LVDT type coupled to the other radial projection on the collar.

Abstract: A developer roll adjustment indicator device for use in association with a xerographic printer has an indicator plate with a collar that is removably secured to the end of the print drum shaft. A pointer made of a material having a magnetic attraction to the magnetic brushes in the developer roll is attached to the collar to permit the distal end of the pointer to freely rotate with respect to the axis of the print drum in response to the relative angular position of the magnetic brushes. The indicator plate has a number of visual indicia to measure the angular relationship of the pointer with respect to the axis of the print drum. Proper angular orientation of the indicator plate on the print drum shaft during installation is verified by means of a bubble level which provides a fixed point of reference for angular measurements.

Abstract: A position measuring device including an adjusting device for a sensing device of a graduation. The sensing device is adjustable relative to the graduation by the adjusting device. For the adjustment, the sensing device has three oblong holes whose longitudinal axes extend perpendicularly to each other. A cylindrical pin fixed in the adjusting device engages in one of the oblong holes. Two adjusting screws which have eccentric portions and engage in the oblong holes are used for adjusting the adjusting device in radial and tangential directions, so that the sensing device can be adjusted exactly relative to the graduation of the position measuring device.

Abstract: A digital inclinometer for detecting the angular orientation of a structure includes a rotatable encoding disk on which is mounted a horizontal tilt sensor. The inclinometer electronically measures, by angular indices on the encoding disk, the difference between the angular orientation of the device and a horizontal orientation. In another embodiment, the encoding disk is rotated by a stepper motor and the number of steps are electronically counted to determine the angular orientation. The inclinometer has a digital display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining the inclination of a plane with respect to a theoretical horizontal plane, including a box-like body defining a base plane. An inclination detector element is rotatably associated with the box-like body; light detectors determine the position of the detector element with respect to the base plane; a display indicates the inclination of the base plane relatively to a theoretical horizontal plane. The light detector and the display are powered by batteries and operated by a switch.

Abstract: A hole angularity gauge is disclosed which is small, durable and easily calibrated. The gauge includes a probe which is sized to fit the hole to be measured. The probe is coupled to a lever, both of which are pivotal about a first pivot point whereby the lever is angularly displaced in response to any angular displacement of the probe. The gauge further includes a linkage asembly that amplifies the angular displacement of the lever. The linkage assembly includes a pointer which is adapted to pivot about a second pivot point. The pointer is coupled to the lever at a point that is displaced from the second pivot point such that the pointer is angularly displaced in response to any angular displacement of the lever whereby the angle that the pointer is displaced is a multiple of the angle that the lever is displaced. The probe further includes apparatus for indicating the angular displacement of the probe and, accordingly, indicating the angularity of the hole.

Abstract: A method and device for inspecting the internal cross-sectional shape of pipes, and particularly of sewer pipes. A mandrel is inserted into the pipe. The mandrel may include an elastomeric member providing a fluid seal engaging the internal pipe surface. The mandrel also has a retrieval chord attached thereto and trailing therebehind. A plug member is provided behind the mandrel, which may be inflatably expanded to define a second fluid seal with the pipe. The space between the pipe and the two fluid seals is pressurized, such as with compressed air, causing the mandrel to advance along the pipe, pulling the retrieval chord as it advances. The mandrel's advancement will be stopped by a sufficiently large deformation. Thereafter, the mandrel is retrieved by pulling on the retrieval chord.

Abstract: The tester for measuring the loft and lie of a matched set of irons includes a pair of holding units having jaws which mount each club of the set on a fixed common axis. The fixed axis is used as a reference axis in order to measure the lie and loft of a mounted club. The face progression of each club may also be obtained at the time that the loft and lie of the club is obtained.

Abstract: A position sensing device and method for setting it particularly adapted for use in determining the trim position in a marine outboard drive. The position sensing device includes a sensor that is adjustably mounted and which has a control circuit that incorporates a device for sensing if the initial position of the sensing device is within a predetermined range and if so amplifying the output signal from the device for fine adjustment by use of an external meter.

Abstract: The four components of the deviations of a rotary table from an ideal axis of rotation can be obtained by a single measuring method wherein a test body (4) having a plurality of well-defined measurement points is placed on the rotary table (1) and the positions of said measuring points are then determined by means of a coordinate-measuring instrument (3), for each of various angular positions of the rotary table, there being thus a set of ascertained measurement-point coordinates for each of the angular positions of the rotary table. From the sets of measurement-point coordinates, the travel deviations f.sub.a, f.sub.r and f.sub.t of the axis of rotation, and the angle-position deviation p.sub.w are then determined by calculation.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus primarily for use during the purchase of golf clubs for indicating angle modifications between head and shaft needed to assure zero angle between the sole and the underlying surface for a particular golfer. The apparatus comprises a club simulation member having a shaft and grip of a conventional golf club but terminating at its non-grip end in a yoke member. The yoke member is attached to a hinge bracket which is, in turn, attached to a pointer positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the axis of the shaft. The pointer is positioned within a housing preferably covered by a face of which at least a portion is transparent to permit observation of the angular position of the pointer when the golfer grasps the club simulation member in a ball addressing configuration. The face may also advantageously provide indicia to permit convenient observation of the angle of the pointer which may easily be calibrated to correspond to the angle between the shaft and the underlying surface.

Abstract: A production planning system for use in providing color-separated films to a litho platemaker. The system utilizes a programmed computer for gathering and storing information relative to various images of a particular production job. A computer/digital table/rotating arm structure allows for calculation of scaling and angling factors of the original image transparency relative to the size and orientation of the image within the final layout.

Abstract: An angle guide device has a pair of arm members which are adjustable through a range of angles to engage adjacent edges at the corner of a piece of mat board. The device is adapted for mounting upon a triangular guide member in a mat cutting machine, and to be secured in each of a multiplicity of positions along the length of the guide member.

Abstract: A biplane goniometer including a platform having a first planar surface thereon. An indicia mark on the side of the platform is disposed in plane parallel to the first planar surface. A flexible, stable arm is pivotally attached to the platform and the stable arm is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first planar surface. The stable arm has a reference line disposed longitudinally thereon. Measuring data, including calibrated numbers, is disposed on the stable arm in an arc about the axis for measuring the arc between the indicia mark on the platform and the reference line on the stable arm.

Abstract: A unique and novel goniometer is set forth to orient a sample in an X-ray beam, for example, to better than 0.001.degree. without introducing translation. This structure is infinitely adjustable and stable.

Abstract: A hanger adapter utilized in hanging fixtures on an inclined ceiling in conjunction with a hanger assembly and a fixture attachment assembly. The hanger adapter provides for the attachment of the hanger and fixture attachment assemblies to same at a position laterally offset from each other so as to effect a substantial alignment of the center of gravity of the fixture and the main axis of the hanger assembly with respect to vertical in an installed position. The hanger adapter has a plate with position indicators, each of which corresponds to a particular selectable, predetermined lateral offset which effects such a substantial alignment for its corresponding preselected angle of ceiling incline and the configuration of the hanger and fixture attachment assemblies utilized.

Abstract: A device for measuring the shape of a three-dimensional object comprises a movable arm composed of a plurality of movable arm members and a probe coupled to a forward end of the movable arm by a universal joint. At each of the movable arm members and probe, there is provided an angle-of-rotation encoder for detecting the angle of rotation. In order to measure the shape of the three-dimensional object with a lesser number of measuring times, the probe has a flat surface portion at its forward end which contacts the object. A calculating section calculates the direction of the flat surface portion of the probe in contact with the object, on the basis of the information from the angle-of-rotation encoders and the known information on dimensions of the movable arm, to thereby determine a tangent plane of the object at a contact point between the flat surface portion and the object, and determines the shape of the object from a plurality of tangent planes at the contact points.

Abstract: Disclosed is a counter-balanced sheave assembly for supporting a cable comprising a plurality of sheaves mounted in an arcuate path on a support frame; counter-balancing weights positioned above the support frame and rigidly connected thereto; and a suspension arrangement, connected at the center of the assembly, for providing rotation of the assembly about two perpendicular axes of rotation; and sensors are provided for determining downward force on the sheave assembly and the angle of the cable by monitoring the number of pulleys rotating.

Abstract: A system to move an object in space. The system includes a structural mechanism having interconnected structural beams for applying translational forces and movements to position an object held by the structural mechanism. The system has a measuring mechanism to determine, with precision, the actual position and orientation of each structural beam with respect to its attached neighboring structural beam. The structural mechanism includes at least one structural beam and an associated measuring beam. The measuring beam is in contact only with its associated structural beam, the contact being effected through support devices that provide the only physical contact between the structural beam and the associated measuring beam.

Abstract: A moire simulator comprises a moire detecting pattern constituted by grating patterns having equal grating constants and equal grating shapes, and an angle scale. The moire detecting pattern and the angle scale are positioned on at least one transparent plate. The moire simulator is superposed on an original and rotated thereon to read a rotation angle with respect to the original, at which the extent of generation of a moire pattern is the lowest, by using the angle scale. A setting angle of a screen during screening at which the extent of generation of a moire pattern is the lowest is then calculated before a screening process is started.

Abstract: The angle gauge employs pivoted, straight edge arms having indicia therealong to determine length of the arms of bent or angled material as measured from the virtual apex of the angle of bend regardless of the radius of bend. Angle indicia is also provided at the pivot for determining the angle of bend.

Abstract: A coupling device for connecting a standard incremental angular motion transducer with two objects to be measured wherein the transducer is of the type comprising a measuring scale with at least one reference mark and a scanning unit operative to scan the measuring scale. The coupling device enables the transducer to be calibrated while the two objects are stationary. The calibration process is performed using a motor which engages and rotates a gear wheel connected to the measuring scale. The rotation of the measuring scale is conducted against the force of a spiral spring until the reference mark is scanned by the scanning unit and a reference pulse generated. The measuring scale is then returned to its momentary position under the influence of the spiral spring and the motor disengaged.

Abstract: Improvements in hole angularity gauges. Known gauges require a plug to fit precisely into the hole, or have limited accuracy and/or require multiple readings. The gauge (10) of the invention provides a tapered plug (16) that will fit snugly into holes having diameters varying from a standard within reasonable tolerances. An indicator member (42) is slidably and pivotably attached to a slider member (56) carried by member (12, 14) of which plug (16) is a part. Spring (80) biases member (42) into contact with an object (2) around the hole being tested when plug (16) is wedged into such hole. Member (42) has two spaced legs (46) having rounded bottom ends (48) that contact object (2), and an indicator arm (52) which extends up through a sleeve portion (14) of member (12, 14). When the head (54) of arm (52) protrudes from a radial slot (36) in sleeve (14), the hole being tested deviates from normal to the surface of the object (2) by more than the permissible amount.

Abstract: A graphics protractor (10) for placement on a computer display screen (52) to determine direction changes for graphics commands has a circular ring (12) bearing indicia (14) representing relative angles with respect to a point (16) of origin on the ring (12). First and second sheets (18,20) through which display screen (52) is visible are rotatable with respect to the ring (12). The sheets (18,20) each have a straight line (44) movable into and out of registration with respect to the straight line (44) of the other sheet (20,18) by rotation of the sheets (18,20) within the ring (12). The sheets (18,20) have a graphics symbol (28) centrally located with respect to the ring (12), which is placed over a corresponding graphics symbol (50) on the computer display screen (52) to use the protractor (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a rotation of, for example, an automotive steering wheel has comprises a rotary plate fixed to a shaft and rotatable in accordance with a rotation of the steering wheel, an electric circuit for detecting a rotation of the rotary plate; a rotary member rotatable in accordance with a rotation of the shaft; a first opening for detecting a reference position signal provided in the rotary plate, a second opening for detecting a reference position signal provided in the rotary member, a reduction gear mechanism for reducing the rotational speed of the rotary member such as to allow the first and second signal detecting openings to be aligned with each other once in a plurality of rotations of the shaft, and photo electro transducers for detecting a reference position disposed in a line passing through the first and second signal detecting openings.

Abstract: A row crop cultivator for use in farming which includes a pair of weeding disks associated with each cultivator unit of which a plurality is ganged together in series. Each weeding disk is bearingly supported by a vertical shaft which is received by a cross bar in a manner which permits the shaft associated with the weeding disk to be adjusted as to depth and angular orientation. Such changes in the vertical shaft for the weeding disks are directly transferred to the weeding disk itself. Disposed adjacent the uppermost point of the shaft is a degree gauge plate and adjacent thereto is a depth gauge structured out of angle iron. The vertex edge of the depth gauge serves as a pointer for the graduations on the degree gauge plate, while the top surface of the degree guage plate serves as a pointer or alignment marker for the graduations on the depth gauge.

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising a generator coil driven by an oscillator to provide an alternating magnetic field which is symmetrical about an axis, an annular rotor of electrically-conductive or magnetic material such that it distorts the magnetic field around it and arranged so that it is asymmetrical about its axis of rotation and lies outside the equatorial plane of the magnetic field and two sensing coils disposed within the magnetic field. As the rotor 16 rotates about its axis the emfs induced in the sensing coils vary in dependence upon the angular position of the rotor relative to the axis of the undistorted magnetic field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absolute position measurement for numerically controlled machines is provided. The invention produces a unique measurement signal for all locations within the range of a movable machine member using two measuring devices. Each measuring device produces a unique measurement signal within a portion of the range of motion that cyclically repeats over the entire range of motion. The measuring devices are so arranged that the measurement signal of one completes no more than one more cycle over the range of motion than the measurement signal of the other. The difference between the two measurement signals is unique for all locations and is used to produce an absolute position signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the internal circumference of a marked compliant ring using a cylinder of known circumference having a fiducial mark aligned with a pointer on a device for measuring an angle of rotation to which the cylinder is affixed. Rotation of the cylinder until the mark on the compliant ring is realigned with the pointer determines an angle of rotation from which can be calculated the internal circumference of the compliant ring relative to the circumference of the cylinder.

Abstract: A measuring device for oblique angle which is wide in the range of measurement and is high in measuring accuracy, wherein an oblique table is controlled in such a way that the oblique table static-pressure supported is subjected to servo-control so that a detection signal of an oblique angle detector is zero, and an oblique angle is measured by the control signal.

Abstract: An angle-measuring instrument which includes two arms, which are interconnected in such a way that they can be pivoted about a common shaft, and an indicator for the angle of spread of the two arms. The shaft is rigidly connected with one of the arms, and drives the drive gear of a transmission gearing which is arranged in the at least partially hollow second arm. As a function of the angular position of the two arms relative to one another, the transmission gearing moves the indicator, which is also disposed in the hollow second arm, and in the indicating region of which a viewing window is arranged in the hollow second arm.