US3733704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining contours of objects, especially of glass
Assignee: PPG Industries Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-23
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1990-07-23
Abstract
Abstract Contours of objects are determined by using equipment comprising a frame, generally conforming to a predetermined contour, a plurality of infinite-resolution linear potentiometers (preferably cermet) connected to the frame, a histogram-type visual-display device, a plurality of trimming potentiometers operatively associated such that there is one for each of said linear potentiometers and the outputs of the trimming potentiometers are connected to the visual-display device, and preferably also a checking tool. Desirably but not necessarily, there are also provided a strip-chart recorder, and a multiplexscan and filter circuit leading from the inputs to the visualdisplay device and to the strip-chart recorder, whereby there may be produced a series of traces indicative of the contour of the piece tested. The equipment disclosed will check contours of pieces shaped from flat glass, such as backlights, to an accuracy of about 0.001 inch at high production rates (above five pieces per minute), yet the equipment is simple, does not require calibration against a perfect master, is readily set up, and is readily adapted for use with a different frame to permit inspection of lights of glass of different size and/or shape.
Inventors
- 👤 A Farabaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/28; G01B7/287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for inspecting the contour of an object, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of position-sensing means mounted on said support, each of said position-sensing means being adapted to generate a first signal when in a preselected shape-sensing posiTion relative to a portion of said object and a second signal when in other than said preselected shape-sensing position relative to said portion of said object, said second signal when compared to said first signal being indicative of the deviation of the contour of said portion of said object from a preselected shape of said portion of said object in the vicinity of said position-sensing means, a plurality of trim potentiometers for increasing or decreasing the values of said first signals to produce a corresponding plurality of signals of predetermined adjusted value, and display means responsive to respective ones of said first and said second signals for indicating their magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for inspecting the contour of an object, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a support, a plurality of position-sensing means mounted on said support, each of said position-sensing means being adapted to generate a first signal when in a preselected shape-sensing posiTion relative to a portion of said object and a second signal when in other than said preselected shape-sensing position relative to said portion of said object, said second signal when compared to said first signal being indicative of the deviation of the contour of said portion of said object from a preselected shape of said portion of said object in the vicinity of said position-sensing means, a plurality of trim potentiometers for increasing or decreasing the values of said first signals to produce a corresponding plurality of signals of predetermined adjusted value, and display means responsive to respective ones of said first and said second signals for indicating their magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said support comprises a frame having in one portion thereof a preselected contour of said object to be inspected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises means for adjustably positioning said position-sensing means relative to said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of position-sensing means comprises a plurality of internally spring-loaded linear potentiometers of the non-wound type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, characterized in that said means for adjustably positioning said position-sensing means relative to said frame comprises a plurality of corresponding brackets secured to said frame and containing sleeve members that register with openings in said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, characterized in that said display means comprises a video tube and means for causing respective ones of said first and said second signals to be displayed thereon in the form of a histogram indicating their respective magnitudes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a multiplex device responsive to respective ones of said first and said second signals and a strip-chart recorder for recording their respective magnitudes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a tool means for contacting said frame and said position-sensing means and having a dimension corresponding to a preselected spacing between said frame and said object and further dimensions corresponding to the upper and lower tolerance limits of spacing of said object with respect to said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said display means comprises a video tube and means for causing respective ones of said first and said second signals to be displayed thereon in the form of a histogram indicating their respective magnitudes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a multiplex device responsive to respective ones of said first and said second signals and a strip-chart recorder for recording their respective magnitudes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a multiplex device responsive to respective ones of said first and said second signals and a strip-chart recorder for recording their respective magnitudes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises means for setting said preselected shape-sensing position of said position-sensing means and the upper and lower tolerance limits of movement of said position-sensing means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of inspecting for their respective contour a plurality of objects, said method comprising the steps of positioning an object to be inspected in engagement with a plurality of position-sensing means mounted on a support, prior to positioning said object, adjusting by appropriate means the value of a first signal generated by said position-sensing means when in a preselected shape-sensing position, to produce a corresponding plurality of signals of predetermIned adjusted value, generating by engagement of said object with said position-sensing means said first signal when said position-sensing means is in said preselected shape-sensing position relative to a portion of said object and a second signal when in other than said preselected shape-sensing position relative to said portion of said object, the magnitude of said second signal when compared to the magnitude of said first signal being indicative of the deviation of the contour of said portion of said object from a preselected shape of said portion of said object in the vicinity of said positioned-sensing means, transmitting respective ones of said first and said second signals to a display means for indicating their magnitudes, and displaying the respective magnitudes of said signals on said display means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of inspecting for their respective contour a plurality of objects, said method comprising the steps of positioning an object to be inspected in engagement with a plurality of position-sensing means mounted on a support, prior to positioning said object, adjusting by appropriate means the value of a first signal generated by said position-sensing means when in a preselected shape-sensing position, to produce a corresponding plurality of signals of predetermIned adjusted value, generating by engagement of said object with said position-sensing means said first signal when said position-sensing means is in said preselected shape-sensing position relative to a portion of said object and a second signal when in other than said preselected shape-sensing position relative to said portion of said object, the magnitude of said second signal when compared to the magnitude of said first signal being indicative of the deviation of the contour of said portion of said object from a preselected shape of said portion of said object in the vicinity of said positioned-sensing means, transmitting respective ones of said first and said second signals to a display means for indicating their magnitudes, and displaying the respective magnitudes of said signals on said display means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 13, characterized in that said method comprises the further step of sensing the magnitudes of each of said respective ones of said first and said second signals, one after another in preselected order, and displaying the values as sensed on a strip-chart recorder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 14, characterized in that the scan time for said strip-chart recorder for about 25 points is about 1 to 4 seconds.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 15, characterized in that the scan time of said strip-chart recorder for about 25 points is about 7 to 9 seconds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 13, characterized in that said method comprises the further step of sensing the magnitudes of each of said respective ones of said first and said second signals, and displaying the value as sensed on a video tube.
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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) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |