US3757423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring apparatus
Assignee: Warner and Swasey Co
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Filing: 1970-10-19
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A machine for and method of providing dimensional measurements are provided and such machine has a carrier which is freely movable substantially in one plane and the carrier supports an elongated support for movement transverse such plane. The elongated support carries a gaging device at its lower end which enables rapid positioning of the carrier and support upon engagement thereof against an associated workpiece. The device has an outer housing and a shaft which is supported for precisely controlled telescoping movement within such housing and the shaft is provided with a gaging probe at its outer end. The shaft and gaging probe have a mass and combined length which is small compared to the mass and length of the elongated support enabling rapid retraction of the gaging probe against an associated stop using inexpensive retractable means comprising such device. The small mass of the shaft and probe also assure that the probe may be yieldingly urged by associated urging means against an associated workpiece with a precisely controlled force to thereby assure such workpiece will not be damaged.
Inventors
- 👤 H Wieg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:05
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/19; G05B19/39; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/004; G01B5/008; G01B5/012; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36417; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37199; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
335 words
A machine for providing dimensional measurements of a workpiece comprising a base having an upstanding portion provided with horizontal ways, a carriage assembly which is supported on said horizontal ways for free movement along a horizontal axis, a beam supported by said carriage assembly, a carrier, means supporting said carrier for free movement on said beam along another horizontal axis which extends transverse to said firstnamed axis, said carriage assembly and supporting means supporting said carrier so that an arbitrary point on said carrier moves in a horizontal plane, an elongated support carried by said carrier, a gaging device having a housing detachably fastened to said elongated support with said housing having a free lower end, a shaft supported within said housing for telescoping vertical movement and having an outer end arranged outwardly of said free end, said shaft having a gaging probe provided at said outer end, said shaft with said probe having a combined mass and axial length which is a small fractional part of the mass and axial length of said support, means for urging said gaging probe with a controlled force outwardly of said free end against a surface of said workpiece which is to be measured, sensing means operatively associated with said gaging device for sensing the exact position of said probe and hence said surface, indicating means connected to said sensing means for indicating said exact position and means for retracting said shaft and probe against a stop within said housing, said carrier with said probe retracted being adapted to be roughly positioned over said surface and said probe urged outwardly of said free end against said surface with said controlled force and in a non-yielding manner, said small mass and axial length assuring said probe is urged by said urging means against said surface with said precisely controlled force which is sufficient to enable said carrier and probe to be automatically moved due to the action of said surface against said probe yet without damage to said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
335 words
A machine for providing dimensional measurements of a workpiece comprising a base having an upstanding portion provided with horizontal ways, a carriage assembly which is supported on said horizontal ways for free movement along a horizontal axis, a beam supported by said carriage assembly, a carrier, means supporting said carrier for free movement on said beam along another horizontal axis which extends transverse to said firstnamed axis, said carriage assembly and supporting means supporting said carrier so that an arbitrary point on said carrier moves in a horizontal plane, an elongated support carried by said carrier, a gaging device having a housing detachably fastened to said elongated support with said housing having a free lower end, a shaft supported within said housing for telescoping vertical movement and having an outer end arranged outwardly of said free end, said shaft having a gaging probe provided at said outer end, said shaft with said probe having a combined mass and axial length which is a small fractional part of the mass and axial length of said support, means for urging said gaging probe with a controlled force outwardly of said free end against a surface of said workpiece which is to be measured, sensing means operatively associated with said gaging device for sensing the exact position of said probe and hence said surface, indicating means connected to said sensing means for indicating said exact position and means for retracting said shaft and probe against a stop within said housing, said carrier with said probe retracted being adapted to be roughly positioned over said surface and said probe urged outwardly of said free end against said surface with said controlled force and in a non-yielding manner, said small mass and axial length assuring said probe is urged by said urging means against said surface with said precisely controlled force which is sufficient to enable said carrier and probe to be automatically moved due to the action of said surface against said probe yet without damage to said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an antifriction bearing assembly supporting said shaft for precise longitudinal vertical movements while assuring said shaft does not move in a direction transverse its longitudinal axis and means for detachably fastening said gaging probe to the terminal outer end of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearing assembly comprises a preloaded ball bushing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said urging means comprises a mechanical compression spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retracting means comprises an electric solenoid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft has a lightening hole provided therein to further reduce its mass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said urging means comprises a fluid operated piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as set forth in claim 7 in which said retracting means comprises a mechanical compression spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said retracting means comprises a mechanical compression spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 and further Comprising a piston fixed to said shaft and being slidably received in a cooperating bore in said housing, said retracting means comprising first conduit means supplying air under pressure to one side of said piston and said urging means comprising second conduit means supplying air under pressure to the opposite side of said piston to override the force exerted on said piston by air supplied through said first conduit 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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |