US3703674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Line following
Assignee: BOC Group Ltd
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract In a method of following a line or silhouette pattern photoelectrically, in order to control associated cutting or other equipment corners or crossovers which are unable to be traced accurately in one pass are traced in two or more passes with the aid of masks positioned in succession over the pattern. Each mask has on it additional paths or blanking portions or both to convert each corner or crossover on the pattern into an unambiguous path of curvature small enough to be followed accurately. The associated equipment is inhibited as the additional paths are followed.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Cecil Doxey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:30
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q35/00; B23Q35/04; B23Q35/08; B23Q35/12; B23Q35/127; B23Q35/128; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/12; B23K9/127; B23K9/1272; B23Q33/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of enabling photoelectrically-controlled line followers to trace out unambiguously 9 courses foundation block $1,800.00 a path containing one or more crossovers or sharp corners or both, including using as the path to be followed a drawing or other representation of the complete path desired; superposing on the drawing in succession two or more masks of which each blanks out potentially-confusing portions of the drawing so that the follower is presented with an unambiguous path which is a fraction of the complete path, and tracing each of the fractional paths in succession whereby the follower follows the complete path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of enabling photoelectrically-controlled line followers to trace out unambiguously 9 courses foundation block $1,800.00 a path containing one or more crossovers or sharp corners or both, including using as the path to be followed a drawing or other representation of the complete path desired; superposing on the drawing in succession two or more masks of which each blanks out potentially-confusing portions of the drawing so that the follower is presented with an unambiguous path which is a fraction of the complete path, and tracing each of the fractional paths in succession whereby the follower follows the complete path.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of enabling photoelectrically-controlled line followers to trace out unambiguously 9 courses foundation block $1,800.00 a path containing one or more crossovers or sharp corners or both, including using as the path to be followed a drawing or other representation of the complete path desired; superposing on the drawing in succession two or more masks of which each blanks out potentially-confusing portions of the drawing so that the follower is presented with an unambiguous path which is a fraction of the complete path, and tracing each of the fractional paths in succession whereby the follower follows the complete path.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of enabling photoelectrically-controlled line followers to trace out unambiguously 9 courses foundation block $1,800.00 a path containing one or more crossovers or sharp corners or both, including using as the path to be followed a drawing or other representation of the complete path desired; superposing on the drawing in succession two or more masks of which each blanks out potentially-confusing portions of the drawing so that the follower is presented with an unambiguous path which is a fraction of the complete path, and tracing each of the fractional paths in succession whereby the follower follows the complete path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A line-following method as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the masks is provided with at least one auxiliary path portion linking two parts of the complete path and nowhere having a radius of curvature less than that which the follower can follow accurately.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A line-following method as claimed in claim 2, in which each of the said auxiliary path portions is of significantly-greater width than that of the complete path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3401589A
Cited
US3423589A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |