Abstract A precision positioning device may be mounted on each of two or more carriages which are movable relative to one another. Such movable carriages are positioned for movement along a track or similar device and a notched bar is fixedly mounted in position relative to the track. Each notch in the bar is situated at a carefully defined, predetermined location. Each positioning device comprises a sub-carriage assembly upon which is pivotally mounted a dial indicator which is actuated by a position indicator pin. An engagement pin is also attached to the dial indicator for selective engagement with notches in the notched bar when the dial indicator is properly positioned relative thereto. A cover is provided which, when closed, causes the dial indicator and engagement pin to be pivoted so as to prevent contact between the engagement pin and the notched bar. When the cover is opened, a biasing spring causes the engagement pin to enter into engagement with the selected notch. The sub-assembly is limited to a predetermined amount of lateral movement when the engagement pin is engaged in a notch and the dial indicator describes the precise position of the carriage relative to the selected notch.
Apparatus for precisely locating a movable carriage along a track at a predetermined position relative thereto comprising positioning means for establishing a series of spaced indexing positions fixedly located relative to said track at precisely predetermined locations therealong, means fixedly associated with said positioning means for marking the relative locations of said indexing positions, means fixed on said carriage and cooperating with said marking means for indicating the appropriate position of said carriage along said track, support means fixed on said carriage, pivot means fixedly mounted on said support means, relative precise position readout means mounted on said pivot means for pivotal movement between a first and a second position and for movement parallel to said track relative to said support means between limits determined by said support means and said readout means including actuating means for transmitting a force to said readout means in response to relative axial movement between said support means and said precise position readout means, means for locating said readout means relative to any selected one of said indexing positions, disengaged from said positioning means when said readout means is in said first position and operatively engaged therewith when said readout means is in said second position, and means for moving said carriage along said track to align said approximate position indicating means with a predetermined location on said marking means at which point said readout means may be pivoted from said first to said second position whereupon continued movement of said carriage will be indicated on said relatively precise position readout means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for precisely locating a movable carriage along a track at a predetermined position relative thereto comprising positioning means for establishing a series of spaced indexing positions fixedly located relative to said track at precisely predetermined locations therealong, means fixedly associated with said positioning means for marking the relative locations of said indexing positions, means fixed on said carriage and cooperating with said marking means for indicating the appropriate position of said carriage along said track, support means fixed on said carriage, pivot means fixedly mounted on said support means, relative precise position readout means mounted on said pivot means for pivotal movement between a first and a second position and for movement parallel to said track relative to said support means between limits determined by said support means and said readout means including actuating means for transmitting a force to said readout means in response to relative axial movement between said support means and said precise position readout means, means for locating said readout means relative to any selected one of said indexing positions, disengaged from said positioning means when said readout means is in said first position and operatively engaged therewith when said readout means is in said second position, and means for moving said carriage along said track to align said approximate position indicating means with a predetermined location on said marking means at which point said readout means may be pivoted from said first to said second position whereupon continued movement of said carriage will be indicated on said relatively precise position readout means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including movable means for covering said readout means and operable to move said readout means toward said first position as said movable means is moved to cover said readout means, and means for urging said readout means toward said second position when said covering means is operated to uncover said readout means.