Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the angular displacement of two objects relative to each other. The apparatus includes a graduated plate which is attached to a rotatable shaft which is rigidly secured to a first object to be measured. The annular displacement of the graduated plate is measured by a scanning unit. The scanning unit and graduated plate are enclosed within a housing which is rigidly secured to a second object. The scanning unit is supported upon the rotatable shaft and secured by a coupling system to the housing so that it will not rotate with the shaft. The coupling system allows translational movements of the scanning unit with respect to the housing in planes perpendicular to the axis of the shaft without impairing the measurement accuracy of the scanning unit.

Abstract: A vernier device of the digital display type for a universal parallel ruler is disclosed comprising a slit protractor having slits arranged at the same visually readable protractor and a intervals as those intervals for the protractor graduations, the slit protractor being provided on one of a stationary portion and a rotatable portion of a scale operating head. A slit vernier protractor having slits at other intervals for vernier graduations is provided, the slit vernier protractor being provided on the other of the two portions of the operating head. An encoder consisting of photoconductive elements and corresponding light-emitting elements is provided with the slit protractor graduations and the slit vernier graduations interposed therebetween wherein a fine vernier angle is digitally displayed for reading on the basis of a signal representing a coincidence between a slit vernier graduation and a corresponding slit protractor graduation.

Abstract: A drafting tool for use in drafting or work layout is made of a pocket-sized piece of flat, transparent, rectangular material. The opposite edges are marked with full-scale and half-scale rulers and a center line is marked connecting the mid points of these rulers. This center line is perpendicular to both reference edges, and at least one of the rulers is marked with units in increasing dimension toward both ends of the reference edge starting with zero at the center line. The base line of a protractor is spaced inwardly from one of the reference edges and is parallel to that reference edge. The protractor itself is layed out in the form of a trapezoid, the top of which is parallel to the base line and the two sides of which slope inwardly from the base line toward the top at forty-five degree angles. The connections of these sides with the top is at an angle of sixty degrees with the base line measured at the origin on opposite sides of the center line.

Abstract: A measuring device for use with hi-jump standards to aid jumpers in determining their in-run starting points approaching the high jump in practice or in competition. The device includes a base member having a 0 to 180 degree scale, whose end points are parallel with the cross-bar, together with a swivable arm that can be set at the desired angle. The arm includes a measuring tape attachment point so that once the angle is set, a measuring tape can be used to determine the exact starting point. The device can be integrally formed with a standard or be separately attachable to a standard.

Abstract: A vehicle body side mirror assembly includes indicia arranged to facilitate resetting of the vehicle mirror to a previously determined position. The mirror assembly includes indicia such that the mirror assembly may be mounted on either the passenger or drivers side of a vehicle without modifications. Further, the indicia are arranged such that the mirror assembly may be readily reset to a previously determined position from outside of the vehicle as well as from inside of the vehicle. A support arm is pivotably attached or mounted to a base having circumferentially arranged indicia thereupon. The support arm is generally L-shaped and includes a lower portion having two indicia adapted for alignment with the circumferentially arranged indicia on the base, whereas a top portion of the support arm likewise includes two indicia for resetting a pivotably mounted mirror housing with respect to the support arm.

Abstract: A method for drawing a plat from a metes and bounds property description includes the steps of providing a first page presenting a compass rose and a grid pattern. A plurality of lines are then created on the first page, each beginning at a center point on the compass rose and extending in a direction of a respective call of the metes and bounds measurements. Each of the plurality of lines are then numbered to correspond to the order of the respective calls. A second page is also provided having a grid pattern thereon which is aligned with the grid pattern of the first page. A first line corresponding to a first call of the metes and bounds description is then traced from the first page onto the second page, and the line is scaled an amount corresponding to a magnitude of the first call.

Abstract: A drafting tool functioning as a variable angle straight edge comprises an elongated rectangular main body portion made of transparent material. The lower edge of this main body portion has a first straight edge extending a major portion of the length of the main body portion from one end toward the other end to terminate at a point between the two ends. This edge is spaced a first distance from the top edge of the tool. A second straight edge parallel to the top edge and the first straight edge extends from the other end of the tool toward the termination point and is spaced a greater distance from the top edge than is the spacing between the top edge and the first straight edge. The two edges are interconnected by an offset forming a notch to receive the point of a drafting instrument at the junction of the offset and the first straight edge.

Abstract: An acute dihedral angle is measured by determining the slope of one plane relative to the other. A base member is disposed on one plane and has a threaded bore which axially extends perpendicular to the one plane. A screw member threadedly engages the base member bore and has a peripheral diameter D. An annular collar member threadedly engages the screw member between the base member and the second plane and has a peripheral diameter D'. The slope between the planes is measured by rotating the screw in the base member and the collar about the screw until the peripheries of both the screw and collar contact the second plane. The tangent of the acute angle between the planes can then be computed as (y'-y)/(D'-D) (1/2), where y' and y are the distances from the first plane to the points of contact at the second plane of the screw and collar, respectively.

Abstract: A two-part navigational measurement device comprising a transparent circular disc having a coordinate grid thereon. An annular ring is coaxially positioned about the circular disc, the circular disc being rotatable within the annular ring. The annular ring has gradations around at least half of its circumference. A tangent ruler is fixed to the annular ring, the tangent ruler having a tangent edge which is tangent to the annular ring at the mid-point of the gradations. Means, such as a set screw may be provided for locking the disc and the annular ring against rotation relative to each other after the course to be adhered to has been determined.

Abstract: A electro-mechanical device for measuring the angle made by two rotatably joined members comprising a pair of rotatably connected elongated arms and electrical circuit means mounted on one of the arms and associated with the rotatable pin connector of the arms. The circuit, powered by a battery, encodes the angle of the pin preferably via a potentiometer and transmits the information to a decoding device, preferably a voltmeter, and then to a digital display device also mounted on one of the arms.

Abstract: A method for determining the bias angle of the oblique metal reinforcing elements in annular belt layers located in crown areas of pneumatic tires that includes cutting a transverse tire section and preparing the cut edges so that the individual elements are clearly defined, securing a strip of paper, co-extensive with the tread portion on the peripheral surface thereof, locating and marking radial centerlines on the cut edges and connecting same so as to form a longitudinal centerline on the paper strip; applying one probe end of an electrical conductivity meter to one end of a selected element on one of the cut edges and locating the corresponding end of this element on the other cut edge via the other probe end, drawing lines, parallel to the radial centerlines to the edges of the paper strip and connecting same with an oblique line across the noted longitudinal centerline thus permitting measuring of the bias angle therebetween.

Abstract: Line indicating apparatus is provided which is capable of suspending an elongated line indicator whereby it is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to its linear axis, and is rotatable around a second axis which is angularly disposed with respect to the linear axis and the said direction of movement. A plurality of the basic apparatus may be arranged in a superimposed relationship, and the resultant plurality of superimposed line indicators may be individually moved and/or rotated to positions wherein they are angularly disposed with respect to each other. Preferably, the line indicators are movable and rotatable in closely adjacent fixed planes so that a substantially distortion-free image thereof may be produced and visually displayed.The line indicating apparatus is especially useful in navigational charting or plotting, and in navigational devices pertaining thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the amount of phase shift between first and second rotating shafts (16,19) and/or the amount of limited movement of a third shaft (41) from a reference position. First and second magnetically sensible members (47,53) move through circular paths at speeds proportional to the speeds of the first and second shafts (11,12), respectively, and first and second signals (71,72) are generated by first and second magnetic sensors fixed adjacent the respective paths of the sensible members. A third signal (73) is generated by a third magnetic sensor (62), which is movable along the path of the second sensible member (53) in response to movement of the third shaft (41). Clock pulses from clock (76) are counted between successive second and first signals (72,71) and are counted between successive second and third signals (72,73) to provide digital information proportional to the phase shift between the first and second shafts (16,19) and movement of the third shaft (41).

Abstract: A drafting machine head in accordance with this invention is provided with a rotatable drawing ruler carrier whose angular position on a graduated circle is incrementally detected by means of scanning elements and is converted into displayable angular valves by an up/down counter, and with one or several electronic data stores, characterized in that it contains an electrically actuable locking unit (10, 11) for the rotary movement of the drawing ruler carrier (13), which unit is active in any angular position and is connected through an electronic comparator (25) to the data store or stores (23) in such a way that the valves detected on the graduated circle (12) and the valves contained in the data store (23) trigger the locking if they are in coincidence.By this means a drafting machine head is provided which can be set to a higher degree of accuracy and is less subject to wear than is known from the prior art.

Abstract: A protractor consisting of a flat base having two straight edges and a degree scale, a measuring arm mounted on the base for rotation about a pivot point and having straight edges for cooperating with the straight edges of the base to form angles corresponding to angles to be measured, an indicator arm mounted on the measuring arm for rotation about the pivot point, and having an indicator mark, and locking means for fixing the indicator arm in plurality of predetermined positions on the measuring arm so that, in each position, the angle indicated by the mark on the scale coincides with the angle formed between one of the straight edges of the base and one of the straight edges of the measuring arm.

Abstract: Compact and portable apparatus particularly useful in aligning the axles of trailers comprises an instrument case connected by an elongated spring-loaded cable to the trailer kingpin and connected by a pair of cables to clips releasably fastened at spaced locations to the trailer axle. The case contains a sector gear which is connected to the kingpin cable and which meshes with a pinion gear coupled to a pointer adapted to register with an array of graduations to provide a readout of the misalignment which is readily readable by a workman stationed at the location adjacent the trailer axle adjustment mechanism. If desired, the case may include a lamp which is connected to a self-contained power supply and which is illuminated when the axle is properly aligned with respect to the trailer frame. In one modified embodiment, a potentiometer is coupled to the input lever and is operable to provide an analog signal corresponding to the misalignment of the axle.

Abstract: A direct reading map plotter for converting grid values to magnetic values and vice versa without having to perform arithmetic calculations. The plotter includes a transparent base having a recess formed therein in which is rotatably supported a transparent disc. A compass rose having its center located at the center of rotation of the disc is imprinted upon the base about the periphery of the recess. A heading line representing magnetic north is also imprinted in the base with the line passing through the center of the rose and being arranged to point at the zero mark on the rose. A second diametrical line representing grid north is imprinted upon the disc so that it is caused to turn therewith. A declination scale is provided on the disc which extends to either side of the grid north line whereby the grid north line can be accurately positioned in relation to the magnetic north line.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of determining and recording an indeterminate sequence of distance/direction coordinates in a manner that permits the user or some other person to subsequently retrace the coordinates. Apparatus is disclosed to enable the user to record and retrace the coordinates with a high degree of precision.

Abstract: A composite indicator for use with overlay process color screen tints in offset color printing comprised of a composite screen made of relatively angled color screens. The respective dot patterns of the color screens have the word of the process color associated with that angle worked in by an out-of-phase dot pattern with respect to that screen background dot pattern. An overlaying color screen, when properly angled, causes, by out-of-phase moire pattern effect, the name of that color to be visually readable as a relatively lighter or darker pattern on a contrasting background.

Abstract: An optical device for measuring the angles formed between a line-of-sight and the normal to a planar surface intersected thereby. A solid piece of optically transparent material having a relatively large index of refraction is geometrically shaped to have a planar base surface, with a reference mark theron, and a curvilinear viewing surface with scale marks to designate angular orientations. The exterior surfaces are optically polished to create mirrored surfaces for internal reflection. To accentuate contrast, the planar surface containing the reference mark is coated with a layer of contrasting opaque material. Angles are measured by placing the planar base surface of the device on the planar surface intersected by the line-of-sight and aligning the reference mark with the point of intersection. When viewed from the observation point defining the line-of-sight, an image of the reference mark appears on the scaled surface at a location representing the line-of-sight angle.

Abstract: The device has a semi-circular housing 10 defined by a linear wall 14 and an arcuate wall 12, with an inturned edge 13, 15 on one side of the housing. Beta light strips 18 are located in the recess beneath the edges 13, 15 so that graduations on the internal walls of the housing can be viewed at night through an opening 16 in the housing.

Abstract: A flat sheet annular ring has a first exterior circular perimeter and a concentric interior circular perimeter. The annular ring has the 360 circular degree compass scale indicia disposed thereon, at least adjacent to the ring interior circular perimeter, with appropriate compass one degree (1.degree.) intervals. A single flat sheet circular inner disc, having a second exterior perimeter, is disposed inside the interior circular perimeter of the ring, having a snug rotatable fit in the ring. The single disc has at least one set of multiple narrow width linear parallel slots disposed through the thickness of the disc. The at least one set of multiple parallel slots are disposed symmetrically about the center of the single inner disc. A center aperture marks the disc center, sized to accept an indicia marker tip.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring the departures from a straight line of discrete track sections of a track along a coal face in a mine employing a vehicle having a pair of spaced wheel assemblies which align with the track. A reference arm pivotally connects between the wheel assemblies, and there is indicating means for measuring the angle of pivot between the arm and each of the wheel assemblies. The length of the device is less than the length of a track section, and thus when one of the wheel assemblies is on one track section and one is on an adjoining track section, the sum of the indicated angles will be indicative of the angle between track sections. Thus, from the length of a track section and angle, the departure of each track section from the line may be calculated.

Abstract: A universal parallel ruler device has a head supported shiftably with its fixed posture being maintained in a desired direction along the surface of a drafting board, a straightedge mounted swivelably in a plane parallel to the surface of the drafting board, an A-D converter for converting the angular position of the straightedge relative to the base line set to any given digital amount, a detector for detecting polarity of the straightedge relative to the base line, i.e. whether the straightedge relative is inclined to the clockwise rotation side of the base line or is inclined to the counterclockwise rotation side, and a display device for displaying the digital angular position of the straightedge and the polarity relative to the base line on the basis of the signal from the A-D converter.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring taper on mechanical workpieces having a tapered surface, including first and second reference bodies for cooperating with the tapered surface along relevant circumferences of different diameters, a measuring transducer for providing indications responsive to the position of the first and second reference bodies, a support for the first and second reference bodies and first and second connectors connecting the first and second reference bodies, respectively, to the support. The first and second reference bodies define a first revolutionary surface and a second revolutionary surface, the revolutionary surfaces being coaxial between each other and adapted to be arranged tangent to the tapered surface and passing, respectively, through a relevant circumference of the tapered surface.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring the die rotation error of coins, which error occurs during the process of coining money, are disclosed. Die rotation error is one factor which determines the worth of coins to coin collectors, and this invention provides rapid and accurate means for determining such errors.

Abstract: A robot arm, comprising a pair of arm elements interconnected by a pivotal joint, includes a hand for supporting an article. Two additional linking elements of known lengths, interconnected by a free-floating pivotal joint, are pivotally coupled, at the free end of one linking element to the hand of the robot arm, and at the free end of the other linking element to a known position. Sensing devices at the free-floating pivotal joint and at the known position monitor, respectively, the angle between the linking elements and the attitude of such other linking element at the known position, in order to determine the location of the hand and, thus, of an article supported therein. Since the linking elements are not load-bearing, the determination is independent of any load on the hand such as may deform the arm elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in rapdily and accurately obtaining correct measurements for golf clubs best suited to a particular golfer, so that clubs can be customed made to those measurements or for selecting clubs which correspond to the measurements obtained from the apparatus.

Abstract: A transparent plastic marine navigational protractor (chart overlay) which provides position from crossed bearings, new course to destination, course correction for drift, computation of estimated time of arrival, direct reading (conversion without reference to separate tables) of magnetic and steering compass equivalents of true geographic directions, continuous readout of dead reckoning and estimated positions, along with solutions to other relative motion problems, all without drawing any lines or resorting to the use of separate computer or scratch pad, and by using only one hand.

Abstract: The indicator includes rotationally movable indicator means for indicating a selected reference angle and pendulum actuator means for maintaining the angular position of the indicator means substantially constant with respect to vertical. The indicator is particularly suited for use in the correlated preparation of multiple teeth for application of one piece multiple crown castings by forming corresponding inclined teeth surfaces parallel.

Abstract: An angle measuring device including two discs pivoted together at their common center for relative rotation, each disc having a slit extending from its center to its periphery and arranged so that, on relative rotation of the discs, a scale provided on the device indicates the amount of relative rotation.

Abstract: A circular disk protractor made of a transparent plate material and having a peripheral circumference of 400 mm has a length scale graduated in millimeters around the circumferential edge thereof from an origin, an angle scale graduated in degrees of angle around a circle concentric with the disk from an origin angularly coincident with the origin of the length scale, and a polar distance scale comprising a plurality of concentric radially spaced apart circles which are concentric with the disk and constitute graduations to indicate distances in millimeters from the center of the disk.

Abstract: A device for measuring and indicating the angle between two lines includes a housing having two wheels rotatably mounted therein. The wheels are spaced from each other at a distance predeterminedly related to the radii of the wheels. In one embodiment, a shaft is affixed at a first end to the first wheel. The second end of the shaft extends through the second wheel and is secured to a pointer disposed adjacent to the second wheel. The second wheel is calibrated with indicia indicating the relative rotation of the first and second wheels in degrees so that the position of the pointer relative to the indicia indicates the angle measured by the device. One of the wheels may also include a toothed wheel for transmitting the rotation of the wheel to a linear distance indiating device for measuring the total linear distance traveled by the device. Also disclosed is an embodiment employing electrical components for electrically measuring the angle and providing an indication of the measured angle.

Abstract: A tilt detector is provided especially for use in operating sub-sea drilling equipment including a tool stack at the ocean floor. One such detector is carried by the stack to produce a first output; another detector is carried by a riser pipe near a ball joint interconnecting the stack and pipe to produce a second output, and the outputs are processed to facilitate maneuvering of a drilling vesssel. The detector includes:A. a container,B. liquid in the container having an upper surface tending to remain generally horizontal as the container tilts, andC. sensors having independently movable members engaging the liquid at spaced locations to sense the relative levels of the liquid surface at said locations and relative to the container during said tilting.

Abstract: An attache-type case combined with a specially designed plotting board as an integral part thereof and incorporating a new and highly simplified position and course-finding instrument, all of which provides in one convenient, compact, and portable kit all equipment needed to guide a small craft through pilot waters, with all operations in time of emergency requiring the use of only one hand.

Abstract: Device for measuring an angle defined by two adjacent planes. The invention defines a pair of independent parallelogram units each hinged at their respective corners and each carrying an angle sensing unit at a first respective end thereof. The second respective ends of said parallelogram units are connected to an indicating device for responding to the relative position of said parallelogram units. One of the parallelogram units is secured to an angle sensing unit and an indicating device through spherical pivot bearings. Thus, the angle between said sensing units is reflected in and indicated by said indicator regardless of translational position changes between the two planes in the orthogonally related z and x directions.

Abstract: A drawing instrument having a template which can be moved linearly or rotated. The template is circular in configuration and is held at its periphery by bearings mounted on a support under the template so that the template can be rotated without lateral movements.

Abstract: An instrument for indicating or checking the angular position of an object. A movable part is mounted on a stationary part; said parts have a pattern of equally wide parallel lines separated by interspaces. When the parts overlap in use of the instrument the line patterns form a moire pattern to indicate the angular position of the object.

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.