US3732608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a precision positioning apparatus
Assignee: Warner and Swasey Co
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Filing: 1971-02-22
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A positioning apparatus, and method of making same are disclosed, the apparatus including two relatively movable threaded nut and screw members with one of the members having detectable means thereon at intervals about the thread crests and the other having reading head means capable of detecting the detectable means wherein such apparatus is capable of precisely relatively moving its members by relative rotation therebetween and indicating both the magnitude and direction of movement of one member with respect to the other by detection of the detectable means. In the method of making the apparatus, the reading head means is also capable of being energized to place the detectable means about the thread crest and the method includes the steps of relatively rotating the nut and screw member, measuring intervals of relative axial movement as a result thereof, and energizing the reading head means at such intervals, so that detectable means are placed at positions precisely corresponding to said axial intervals.
Inventors
- 👤 G Knopf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:33
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/19; G05B19/21; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37178; G05B2219/37193; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49764; Y10T29/49771; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53039; Y10T29/53061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of making a precision positioning apparatus having integral means for determining relative movement between a driven member and a driving member comprising said apparatus, said method comprising the steps of, operatively associating said driving member and said driven member to enable movement of said driven member, attaching head means on one of said members, said head means being capable of placing detectable means on the other of said memBers, operating said driving member to move said driven member predetermined precise increments as determined by independent measuring means associating with said driven member, and placing detectable means on said other member by energizing said head means after each precise increment of movement of said driven member, said detectable means being placed so that the spacing between any pair of selected detectable means represents a known precise dimension which may be subsequently detected by a reading head and utilized to provide a precise determination of said relative movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of making a precision positioning apparatus having integral means for determining relative movement between a driven member and a driving member comprising said apparatus, said method comprising the steps of, operatively associating said driving member and said driven member to enable movement of said driven member, attaching head means on one of said members, said head means being capable of placing detectable means on the other of said memBers, operating said driving member to move said driven member predetermined precise increments as determined by independent measuring means associating with said driven member, and placing detectable means on said other member by energizing said head means after each precise increment of movement of said driven member, said detectable means being placed so that the spacing between any pair of selected detectable means represents a known precise dimension which may be subsequently detected by a reading head and utilized to provide a precise determination of said relative movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which said attaching step comprises attaching said head means on said driven member to enable placing said detectable means on said driving member which may detected by said reading head carried by said driven member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 and comprising the further step of erasing said detectable means to enable reapplication thereof for any desired purpose.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
123 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 in which said driving member comprises a drive screw, said driven member comprises a cooperating nut, said step of operatively associating said members comprises threading said nut on one end of said screw, and said placing step comprises the further steps of holding said nut against rotation while allowing rectilinear movement thereof along said screw and rotating said screw with its opposite ends held at fixed positions to thereby move said nut through said precise increments of movement in the form of axial increments along said screw, whereby the total length of the spiral path defined by the threads of said screw provides a track of maximum length on which to apply a detectable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 in which said attaching step comprises attaching head means in the form of a read-write head which has a portion capable of placing said detectable means on said driving member and another portion defining said reading head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 in which said attaching step comprises attaching said head means having a magnetic writing head and said energizing step comprises energizing said magnetic writing head to place said detectable means in the form of magnetized marks on said driving member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 and comprising the initial steps of supporting said driving member with one end thereof coinciding with a fixed reference position of a machine, supporting said driven member on a movable support of said machine while allowing said operative association of members in an unobstructed manner so that said detectable means may be placed on said driving member with said members installed on their associated machine, whereby inherent errors made in manufacturing and assembling said members and their associated components are automatically compensated for during the application of said detectable means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |