US3686766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital micrometer
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-09
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-06-09
Abstract
Abstract Digital micrometer having an encoder rotor and an encoder stator. The encoder stator is fixedly secured to the micrometer which the encoded rotor is rotatably mounted in the micrometer but is prevented from moving axially so as to cooperate with the stator. The rotation of the rotor is correlated to the axial movement of a lead screw for the measurement through a thimble so that the measured value is obtained by the cooperation of the rotor with the stator.
Inventors
- 👤 Sakuzo Matumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A digital micrometer having a stationary main barrel, a measuring lead screw movably located coaxially in said barrel, a cap-shaped thimble for actuating said screw, an encoder rotor mounted on said barrel non-shiftably and rotatably coaxially with respect to said barrel and having a code disc provided with a plurality of indicia distributed in a circular array coaxially with said rotor, and an encoder stator including detecting means for detecting the movement of said indicia relative to said detecting means, said screw being provided with a portion which is axially movable but non-rotatably fitted in said barrel so that said screw is moved axially while the rotation of said screw is prevented and said encoder stator is fixedly secured coaxially to said barrel with an axial clearance being provided therebetween, said encoder rotor being rotatably supported by said barrel and said stator within said clearance with the outer peripheral portion of said rotor projecting beyond the outer periphery of said stator thereby preventing said encoder rotor from moving axially, said thimble being fixedly secured to said encoder rotor at the outer peripheral portion thereof for the rotation therewith while said thimble is threadedly engaged with said lead screw so that said screw is moved axially as said encoder rotor is rotated by said thimble.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A digital micrometer having a stationary main barrel, a measuring lead screw movably located coaxially in said barrel, a cap-shaped thimble for actuating said screw, an encoder rotor mounted on said barrel non-shiftably and rotatably coaxially with respect to said barrel and having a code disc provided with a plurality of indicia distributed in a circular array coaxially with said rotor, and an encoder stator including detecting means for detecting the movement of said indicia relative to said detecting means, said screw being provided with a portion which is axially movable but non-rotatably fitted in said barrel so that said screw is moved axially while the rotation of said screw is prevented and said encoder stator is fixedly secured coaxially to said barrel with an axial clearance being provided therebetween, said encoder rotor being rotatably supported by said barrel and said stator within said clearance with the outer peripheral portion of said rotor projecting beyond the outer periphery of said stator thereby preventing said encoder rotor from moving axially, said thimble being fixedly secured to said encoder rotor at the outer peripheral portion thereof for the rotation therewith while said thimble is threadedly engaged with said lead screw so that said screw is moved axially as said encoder rotor is rotated by said thimble.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A digital micrometer according to claim 1, wherein said thimble is formed with an opening coaxial with said screw and having a diameter larger than that of said screw so that the range of measurement can be varied by replacing said screw by another lead screw having a desired length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A digital micrometer according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises at least a photoelectric transducer and said indicia are transparent slots formed in said code disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
A digital micrometer having a main barrel, a measurinG lead screw threadedly engaged coaxially with said barrel, a cap-shaped thimble fixedly secured to said screw for the rotation and axial movement therewith, an encoder rotor rotatable coaxially with respect to said barrel and having a code disc provided with a plurality of indicia distributed in a circular array coaxially with said rotor, and an encoder stator including detecting means for detecting the movement of said indicia relative to said detecting means, wherein the improvement comprises the fact that said encoder stator is fixedly secured to said barrel with an axial clearance being provided therebetween, said encoder rotor being rotatably supported by said barrel and sad stator within said clearance thereby preventing said rotor from moving axially said encoder rotor being formed with a recess in the outer peripheral portion thereof, an axially extending guide pin fixedly secured to said thimble slidably engaging with said recess thereby permitting said encoder rotor to be rotated by said thimble together with said screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
A digital micrometer having a main barrel, a measurinG lead screw threadedly engaged coaxially with said barrel, a cap-shaped thimble fixedly secured to said screw for the rotation and axial movement therewith, an encoder rotor rotatable coaxially with respect to said barrel and having a code disc provided with a plurality of indicia distributed in a circular array coaxially with said rotor, and an encoder stator including detecting means for detecting the movement of said indicia relative to said detecting means, wherein the improvement comprises the fact that said encoder stator is fixedly secured to said barrel with an axial clearance being provided therebetween, said encoder rotor being rotatably supported by said barrel and sad stator within said clearance thereby preventing said rotor from moving axially said encoder rotor being formed with a recess in the outer peripheral portion thereof, an axially extending guide pin fixedly secured to said thimble slidably engaging with said recess thereby permitting said encoder rotor to be rotated by said thimble together with said screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A digital micrometer according to claim 4, wherein said detecting means comprises at least a photoelectric transducer and said indicia are transparent slots formed in said code disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
A digital micrometer comprising: a stationary barrel; an encoder stator secured to said stationary barrel fixedly and coaxially with an axial clearance therebetween; a measuring lead-screw coaxially located within said barrel and having a portion axially moveable non-rotatably fitted within said barrel; an encoder rotor mounted on said barrel non-shiftably and coaxially rotatably supported by said barrel and said stator within said clearance and with its outer periphery projecting beyond the outer periphery of said stator; a cap shaped thimble with means engaging it threadedly with said lead screw for actuation thereof, fixedly secured to said encoder rotor at the outer periphery thereof for rotation therewith; whereby said spindle rotates only when coupled with said rotor, thereby ensuring a high accuracy of operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
A digital micrometer comprising: a stationary barrel; an encoder stator secured to said stationary barrel fixedly and coaxially with an axial clearance therebetween; a measuring lead-screw coaxially located within said barrel and having a portion axially moveable non-rotatably fitted within said barrel; an encoder rotor mounted on said barrel non-shiftably and coaxially rotatably supported by said barrel and said stator within said clearance and with its outer periphery projecting beyond the outer periphery of said stator; a cap shaped thimble with means engaging it threadedly with said lead screw for actuation thereof, fixedly secured to said encoder rotor at the outer periphery thereof for rotation therewith; whereby said spindle rotates only when coupled with said rotor, thereby ensuring a high accuracy of operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |