Means Limiting Swing Patents (Class 33/402)
  • Patent number: 11754364
    Abstract: An arrow rest mounting system is disclosed. The system, in an embodiment, comprises a main body configured to be coupled to an archery bow and an arm extending along an arm axis and configured to be supported by the main body. The arm comprises one or more main body engagement surfaces configured to engage the main body to at least partially surround the arm on the main body. The arm further comprises an arrow rest support configured to support an arrow rest. The arm is configured to be adjustably slid relative to the main body along the arm axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel A. Summers
  • Patent number: 7543391
    Abstract: In a leveling, plumbing, and angular calibration instrument a swinging suspended vertical body (4) is provided, which carries groups (5, 6) of light elements and/or lenses and optionally a beam splitter and/or beam converging element provided to create and emit laser light. A clamping element (7) is allocated to the vertical body (4) to block a swinging motion in an exactly central position, if necessary, which is formed from two clamping shoes (8, 9) arranged opposite each other, which can be synchronously displaced in reference to the clamping section (10) of the vertical body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Bögel
  • Patent number: 7395605
    Abstract: A magnetically damped inclinometer has a shaft with attached pendulum that rotates. The rotation causes an index member to rotate past one or a set of magnets or electromagnets that are connected to the load. The magnet or electromagnet may be mounted directly the load or it may be in the form of an off center ring. Another embodiment uses a spring to bias two magnets apart. A cam is attached to the shaft such that, as the pendulum and shaft rotate, a roller connected with the load or spreader bar allows the spring to push the magnets farther apart. The damped inclinometers are used to determine and provide information to respond to the initial sway of a load prior to bringing the load to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Larry A. Voecks
  • Patent number: 7121012
    Abstract: A magnetically damped inclinometer has a shaft with attached pendulum that rotates. The rotation causes an index member to rotate past one or a set of magnets or electromagnets that are connected to the load. The magnet or electromagnet may be mounted directly the load or it may be in the form of an off center ring. Another embodiment uses a spring to bias two magnets apart. A cam is attached to the shaft such that, as the pendulum and shaft rotate, a roller connected with the load or spreader bar allows the spring to push the magnets farther apart. The damped inclinometers are used to determine and provide information to respond to the initial sway of a load prior to bringing the load to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Larry A. Voecks
  • Patent number: 7073269
    Abstract: A self-leveling laser alignment tool and method thereof which provides a laser beam in a substantially truly level or plumb orientation are disclosed. Magnetic attraction is used to compensate for leveling errors of an approximately or partially leveled pendulum platform that is suspended from a flexible suspension element having a predetermined material stiffness. The material stiffness of the suspension element is compensated by using a magnet which pulls the pendulum platform into an orientation that is substantially truly level and plumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Robin McCarty
  • Patent number: 7017701
    Abstract: An inclination-measuring apparatus for use with a motor vehicle includes a rotary sensor connected to the motor vehicle, the rotary sensor selected from one of a rotary position sensor and a rotary angle sensor, a pendulum and a controller. The pendulum has a pendulous mass being oriented to hang substantially aligned with the earth's gravitational forces. The movement of the pendulum providing an input to the rotary sensor to generate a signal to ascertain the inclination of the vehicle relative to the earth's gravitational forces. The signal is processed by the controller that is operatively connected to control one of an electric park brake, a chassis leveling device while parked, a lateral inclination device while the vehicle is operational and a longitudinal inclination device while the vehicle is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Flynn, Casimir R. Kiczek
  • Patent number: 5201129
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical indicator unit for measurement comprising placing a float in a vessel filled with a liquid, supporting the vessel with an external supporting frame, securing a doughnut-like magnet integrally with the outside of the lower end portion of the float, connecting a vertical supporting rod to a hinge contact point at the lower end of the external supporting frame, securing a separate funnel-like doughnut magnet to the upper end head portion of the vertical supporting rod, reversely polarizing both the magnets for diamagnetically repulsively maintaining both the magnets from each other at a certain air space, inserting the head portion of the vertical supporting rod into the inner space of the upper vessel, and vertically maintaining the vertical supporting rod with respect to a predetermined position of the lower portion of the supporting frame by diamagnetism of the doughnut-like magnet of the float and the funnel-like magnet provided in the head portion of the vertical supporti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kito Koei
    Inventor: Fukujiro Ukawa
  • Patent number: 5174035
    Abstract: An attitude sensing apparatus for detecting a tilt angle and an azimuth angle of the tilt of a structure includes a pair of detecting devices disposed on the structure at right angles to each other. Each of the detecting devices consists of a rotary shaft rotatably supported from a structure to be measured, a sensor support integrally held by the rotary shaft and biased in the vertical direction by gravity, a tilt angle sensor supported by the sensor support for detecting a tilt angle of the sensor support within a plane containing the axis of the rotary shaft, and a controller for controlling rotation of the rotary shaft with respect to the structure. The apparatus also includes a calculator which calculates a maximum tilt angle and an azimuth angle thereof of the structure on the basis of tilt angles detected by the two tilt angle sensors. This calculation is simply and rapidly effected according to approximating formulae, and yet at a good precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Shigemi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 4771546
    Abstract: A device for ascertaining the camber and caster positions of vehicle front wheels including a base frame having a depending plate freely pivotal on an axis normal to the base frame and a depending pointer freely pivoted to the plate on an axis normal to the first axis. A scale is adjustably mounted on the lower end of the plate and a lock is provided on the base frame for securing the plate from pivotal movement while not in use. The outer ends of the base frame are provided with extension plates for engaging the side of relatively small wheels, and flange members are removably mounted on the extension plates for engaging a wheel rim of relatively large wheels. A handle is connected to the base frame so that the device may be manually placed against the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Gregorio Cavazos
  • Patent number: 4700479
    Abstract: The present invention is a cant angle sensor assembly which senses the amount of tilt of an object in the longitudinal, transverse and oblique directions and which effectively exhibits a damper action in all directions by a single magnetic damper means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Saito, Akio Noji, Yonehiro Kakuta, Koichi Takigawa
  • Patent number: 4627172
    Abstract: An inclinometer, adapted to be rigidly secured to an object, for detecting the amount and direction of the inclination of the object in any direction with respect to a horizontal or other reference plane. The inclinometer comprises a fiber optic rod rigidly mounted at one of its ends and having a weight secured to its free end. The free end of the rod has two degrees of freedom of motion with respect to its rigidly mounted end. Light is supplied to the rod's mounted end and light emitted from the rod's free end falls on a continuous two dimensional optical detection surface area of an optical detector which uniquely detects the position of the spot of light falling anywhere on its surface area, regardless of the direction in which the spot of light moves on its surface area. From the position of the spot of light on the surface area, the amount and direction of inclination of the object can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Innovation Associates
    Inventor: Martin A. Afromowitz
  • Patent number: 4592147
    Abstract: A chamber filled with an oscillation damping liquid has a non-magnetic plumb bob suspended from an upper portion of the chamber and a radiated beam path traverses the chamber below the suspension point of the freely suspended plumb bob. The beam path and plumb bob are arranged in a desired relationship whereby in order for the suspending member of the plumb bob to completely block the beam path the chamber, or the body on which it is mounted, must be in a desired predetermined position, such as a true horizontal or a true vertical position. An electric power source and circuitry is provided to operate in response to blocking of the beam path to provide a desired electrical output indicating the desired predetermined position has been achieved and is being maintained. The electrical output may be used to operate visual or aural indication emitting device to notify the user when the desired position is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Inventor: Robert D. Herman
  • Patent number: 4584778
    Abstract: An angle change detector which can also be used as an inclination angle detector comprises a pair of opposing magnets, a sector-shaped pendulum made of an electroconductive non-magnetic material and swingable past a spacing between the opposing magnets, and a pair of photosensors disposed on both side edges of the pendulum. Each photosensor comprises a light emitting diode and a phototransistor disposed on both sides of the pendulum. Output signals of the phototransistors are compared with a reference signal for producing an output signal corresponding to the degree of swinging of the pendulum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Jeco Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Komasaku, Hiroshi Iiyama, Noboru Watanabe, Osamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4571844
    Abstract: An angle change detector which can also be used as an inclination angle detector comprises a pair of opposing magnets, a sector-shaped pendulum made of an electroconductive non-magnetic material and swingable past a spacing between the opposing magnets, and a pair of photosensors disposed on both side edges of the pendulum. Each photosensor comprises a light emitting diode and a phototransistor disposed on both sides of the pendulum. Output signals of the phototransistors are compared with a reference signal for producing an output signal corresponding to the degree of swinging of the pendulum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Jeco Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Komasaku, Hiroshi Iiyama, Noboru Watanabe, Osamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4565010
    Abstract: An angular orientation detector and indicator has a plumb bob suspended in a vertically extending chamber of a housing. A beam of radiation is emitted across the chamber from a beam emitter to a beam receiver and the plumb bob is swingable through a beam path extending between the emitter and receiver. When the housing of the detector is positioned in a preselected angular orientation the plumb bob comes to rest blocking the beam path to substantially reduce or prevent the radiated beam from being received by the receiver. An electrically actuated signal, such as an audible or visual signal, or both, is thereby actuated to indicate that the detector is at a preselected angular orientation. Such detectors may be mounted on builder's levels to indicate when the level is in a preselected angular orientation, such as a horizontal or vertical orientation. Other embodiments and useful applications of such detectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Inventor: Robert D. Herman
  • Patent number: 4517749
    Abstract: A viscous dampened sensitive pendulum carries a generally upwardly directed light source for indicating the gravity vertical. The sensitive pendulum is carried for two degrees of pivotal freedom by flexural pivots which are biased for operation at an error free or hysteresis free zero spring rate for small pivotal deflections. A drive pendulum coupled through the flexural pivots to the sensitive pendulum maintains a small pivotal deflection so that error free, zero spring rate, operation is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Dominick P. Scotto
  • Patent number: 4484186
    Abstract: A novelty for apparently indicating earthquakes, including a circular base marked with concentric circles on its upper side defining different earthquake intensities, a frame upon the base supporting a freely depending electrical contact through a supported circular contact so that in case the device is tilted, the contacts touch and thus close a circuit to a warning alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Wood, George Spector
  • Patent number: 4467526
    Abstract: Inclination measurement apparatus having a housing, a reference pendulum mounted for swinging about one axis of the housing to respond to deviation of the housing means about such axis, an inclination indicator responsive to the inclination of such housing about another axis, and connected to such reference pendulum, whereby to adopt a predetermined reference position relative to such first axis, a movable locking device operable to restrain movement of such inclination indicator about such transverse axis and being releaseable to permit such movement, the locking device being movable into and out of engagement with the indicator device to secure such indicator device against movement about such transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Techdel International Inc.
    Inventor: Hubert J. Otte
  • Patent number: 4375727
    Abstract: A cant angle sensor comprises a conductive, nonmagnetic pendulum suspended from the shaft of a resolver for limited angular travel in the slot of a C-shaped magnet. When the angle of the sensor changes, the pendulum seeks a new vertical null, and the C-shaped magnet exerts a viscous hystersis damping force causing the pendulum to quickly come to rest without oscillation. The rotor magnet wire of the resolver is connected directly to output terminals to avoid friction due to brush contact on the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh P. McAdams, Jr., Albert C. Paulovitz
  • Patent number: 4370813
    Abstract: A self-leveling instrument mount comprises an instrument table pivotally mounted above a stationary frame on first, second and third vertical support arms. The first support arm is a fixed length member connected to the frame through a ball and socket joint. The second and third support arms are formed of screws extending between the table and frame having effective lengths that are controlled, respectively, by first and second servo motors in response to a pendulum switch to maintain the table parallel to a horizontal reference plane. The pendulum is magnetically damped during operation of the servo motors for stabilization. A mercury switch on the table disables the servo motors when the tilt of the table is too large to be leveled by the support screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Inventor: Edward W. Burniski
  • Patent number: 4265027
    Abstract: A self-leveling instrument mount comprises an instrument table pivotally mounted above a stationary frame on first, second and third vertical support arms. The first support arm is a fixed length member connected to the frame through a ball and socket joint. The second and third support arms are formed of screws extending between the table and frame having effective lengths that are controlled, respectively, by first and second servo motors in response to a pendulum switch to maintain the table parallel to a horizontal reference plane. The pendulum is magnetically damped during operation of the servo motors for stabilization. A mercury switch on the table disables the servo motors when the tilt of the table is too large to be leveled by the support screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Inventor: Edward W. Burniski
  • Patent number: 4132004
    Abstract: A sensing system for measuring the angle of aim of an adjustable remote lighting fixture comprising a pendulum adapted to be mounted on the remote fixture, a potentiometer coupled to the pendulum, and a battery-powered measuring circuit connectable by means of a cable to the potentiometer to thereby form a resistance bridge circuit. During operation, a microammeter connected in the bridge circuit provides a read out proportional to the angle formed between the suspended pendulum and a predetermined reference surface of the remote fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: GTE Sylvania Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles E. Deschenes, Jeffrey D. Ingalls