Multifunction thread gage

Claim 2

In a thread gage for measuring the characteristics of a threaded member, the combination comprising: a frame; a support on the frame for receiving a threaded member with its axis fixedly orientated with respect to the frame; a gage tip adapted to be placed in the groove of a thread upon the threaded member; a floating structure connected to the gage tip for movement therewith in a first direction, defined by the axis of the threaded member, and in a second direction, transverse to the axis of the threaded member, as the threaded member is rotated with the gage tip in the groove; a first reed, having a flexible central portion, fixedly connected to the frame at two locations thereupon such that the flexible central portion is disposed between the two locations and may flex in the first direction; a second reed, having a flexible central portion, fixedly connected to the frame at two locations thereupon in parallel spaced relationship to the first reed such that the flexible central portion of the second reed is disposed between the second mentioned two locations and may flex in the first direction, the floating structure being disposed between the first and second reeds; a third reed, having a flexible central portion, transverse to the first and second reeds and disposed therebetween, the third reed being connected to the floating structure at the flexible central portion thereof; a fourth reed, having a flexible central portion, disposed between the first and second reeds in parallel spaced relationship to the third reed, the fourth reed being connected to the floating structure at the flexible central portion thereof; and means interconnecting the flexible central portions of the first and second reeds and the third and fourth reeds to transmit displacements of the structure in the first direction to the flexible central portions of the first and second reeds for producing a corresponding flexing thereof and to allow displacements of the structure in the second direction to produce a corresponding flexing of the flexible central portions of the third and fourth reeds.

Claim 3

The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the support comprises: an anvil secured to the frame; a fixed roll on the anvil to be received in the groove of the thread; a floating roll on the anvil in parallel spaced relationship to the fixed roll, the floating roll being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll; and a backstop secured to the frame adjacent the anvil, the backstop being adapted to contact the periphery of the threaded member

Claim 4

The combination, as defined in claim 2, further including: first means to adjust the position of the anvil; and second means to adjust the position of the backstop such that threaded members of varying diameters may be accommodated.

Claim 5

The combination, as defined in claim 3, wherein the first means comprises: an elongated slot in the frame, extending in the first direction; and wherein the second means comprises: a row of apertures in the frame, the row extending in the second direction.

Claim 6

The combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein the interconnecting means comprises: first and second reed mounts respectively secured to the inboard surfaces of the flexible central portions of the first and second reeds and respectively secured to the third and fourth reeds at locations spaced from the flexible central portions thereof such that the floating structure is disposed between the first and second reed mounts.

Claim 7

The combination, as defined in claim 1, further including: a first indicator bracket fixedly secured to the frame adjacent the first reed for carrying a gage head to measure the flexing of the flexible central portion of the first reed; and a second indicator bracket mounted upon the interconnecting means to move with the floating structure and the third and fourth reeds in the first direction for carrying a gage head to measure the flexing of the flexible central portion of the third reed.

Claim 8

The combination, as defined in claim 5, wherein the reed mounts have respective cavities and the floating structure is partially received within the cavities for movement therein, and wherein there is further provided: means in the cavities to urge the floating structure toward the threaded member to insure that the gage tip is firmly seated in the groove.

Claim 9

In a thread gage, the combination of: a frame; a support on the frame to receive a threaded member with the axis thereof fixedly orientated with respect to the frame; a gage tip having a ridge thereupon, the ridge being adapted to be received within the groove of the thread on the threaded member; a floating structure connected to the gage tip to follow the movements thereof in the direction of the member''s axis and in the direction transverse to the member''s axis; first and second spaced reeds, having flexible central portions, secured to the frame such that the reeds are transverse to the axis of the threaded member, the floating structure being disposed between the first and second reeds; reed mounting means connected to the inboard surfaces of the flexible central portions of the first and second reeds; third and fourth spaced reeds, having flexible central portions, disposed between the first and second reeds parallel to the axis of the threaded member, the inboard surfaces of the flexible central portions of the third and fourth reeds connected to the floating structure and the inboard surfaces of the third and fourth reeds connected to the mounting means at locations spaced from the flexible central portions thereof such that a movement of the floating structure in the direction of the threaded member''s axis produces a corresponding movement of the mounting means and the third and fourth reeds together with a consequential flexing of the first and second reeds and such that a movement of the floating structure in the direction transverse to the threaded member''s axis produces a corresponding flexing of the third and fourth reeds.

Claim 10

In a thread gage, the combination of: a frame; a support on the frame to receive a threaded member with the axis thereof fixedly orientated with respect to the frame; a gage tip having a ridge thereupon, the ridge being adapted to be received within the groove of the thread on the threaded member; a floating structure connected to the gage tip to follow the movements thereof in the direction of the member''s axis and in the direction transverse to the member''s axis; first and second spaced reeds, having flexible central portions, secured to the frame such that the reeds are transverse to the axis of the threaded member, the floating structure being disposed between the first and second reeds; reed mounting means connected to the inboard surfaces of the flexible central portions of the first and second reeds; third and fourth spaced reeds, having flexible central portions, disposed between the first and second reeds parallel to the axis of the threaded member, the inboard surfaces of the flexible central portions of the third and fourth reeds connected to the floating structure and the inboard surfaces of the third and fourth reeds connected to the mounting means at locations spaced from the flexible central portions thereof such that a movement of the floating structure in the direction of the threaded member''s axis produces a corresponding movement of the mounting means and the third and fourth reeds together with a consequential flexing of the first and second reeds and such that a movement of the floating structure in the direction transverse to the threaded member''s axis produces a corresponding flexing of the third and fourth reeds.

Claim 11

The combination, as defined in claim 8, wherein the frame comprises: a post; a mounting plate carried by the post; a pair of spaced mounting brackets attached to the plate, the inboard surfaces of each of the first and second reeds in contact with both of the mounting brackets.

Claim 12

The combination, as defined in claim 9, further including: a first indicator bracket fixedly secured to both mounting brackets adjacent the first reed for securing the first reed to the mounting brackets and for carrying a first indicator; a second indicator bracket fixedly secured to the reed mounting means for securing the third reed thereto and for carrying a second indicator.

Claim 13

The combination, as defined in claim 8, wherein the reed mounting means includes two reed mounts comprising respective cavities, and wherein the floating structure is shaped as a cross and has two cavities respectively located in the outboard portions thereof, the outboard portions of the floating structure being received within the respective cavities of the reed mounts, and wherein there is further provided: a pair of compression springs located in the cavities of the floating structure and in contact with the reed mounts for biasing the ridge of the gage tip into the groove of the thread.

Claim 14

The combinaTion, as defined in claim 8, wherein the support comprises: an anvil; a fixed roll secured to the anvil for reception in the groove of the thread; a floating roll secured to the anvil in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll, the floating roll being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll.

Claim 15

The combination, as defined in claim 12, wherein the support further comprises: a backstop, having a recess, secured to the frame adjacent the anvil, the backstop being adapted to engage the periphery of the threaded member.

Claim 16

A thread gage for measuring the pitch diameter, ovality and drunkenness of a threaded member comprising: a post; a pair of spaced mounting brackets; means securing the mounting brackets to the post; first and second spaced parallel reeds, each reed having a flexible central portion, and each reed being secured to both of the mounting brackets such that the flexible central portion is disposed therebetween; a pair of spaced reed mounts respectively secured to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the first and second reeds, the reed mounts having cavities therein; third and fourth spaced parallel reeds having flexible central portions, each of the third and fourth reeds being secured to both of the reed mounts such that the respective flexible central portions thereof are disposed therebetween and such that the third and fourth reeds are disposed between the first and second reeds and extend transversely thereof; a cross-shaped floating reed mount, having two cavities in the outboard portions thereof, connected to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the third and fourth reeds such that the outboard portions of the floating reed mount are received for movement in the respective cavities of the reed mounts; a pair of springs respectively located in the cavities of the floating reed mount in contact with the reed mounts for biasing the floating reed mount toward the fourth reed; an anvil secured to the post; a fixed roll secured to the anvil; a floating roll secured to the anvil in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll, the fixed and floating rolls being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member; a backstop secured to the post adjacent the anvil for engaging the periphery of the threaded member; a gage tip, having a ridge thereupon, depending perpendicularly from the fourth reed and connected to the floating reed mount in such a manner that displacements of the gage tip are transmitted thereto, whereby axial displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the third and fourth reeds, and lateral displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the first and second reeds; means to measure the flexing of the first and second reeds for indicating drunkenness and; means to measure the flexing of the third and fourth reeds for indicating pitch diameter.

Claim 17

A thread gage for measuring the pitch diameter, ovality and drunkenness of a threaded member comprising: a post; a pair of spaced mounting brackets; means securing the mounting brackets to the post; first and second spaced parallel reeds, each reed having a flexible central portion, and each reed being secured to both of the mounting brackets such that the flexible central portion is disposed therebetween; a pair of spaced reed mounts respectively secured to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the first and second reeds, the reed mounts having cavities therein; third and fourth spaced parallel reeds having flexible central portions, each of the third and fourth reeds being secured to both of the reed mounts such that the respective flexible central portions thereof are disposed therebetween and such that the third and fourth reeds are disposed between the first and second reeds and extend transversely thereof; a cross-shaped floating reed mount, having two cavities in the outboard portions thereof, connected to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the third and fourth reeds such that the outboard portions of the floating reed mount are received for movement in the respective cavities of the reed mounts; a pair of springs respectively located in the cavities of the floating reed mount in contact with the reed mounts for biasing the floating reed mount toward the fourth reed; an anvil secured to the post; a fixed roll secured to the anvil; a floating roll secured to the anvil in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll, the fixed and floating rolls being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member; a backstop secured to the post adjacent the anvil for engaging the periphery of the threaded member; a gage tip, having a ridge thereupon, depending perpendicularly from the fourth reed and connected to the floating reed mount in such a manner that displacements of the gage tip are transmitted thereto, whereby axial displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the third and fourth reeds, and lateral displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the first and second reeds; means to measure the flexing of the first and second reeds for indicating drunkenness and; means to measure the flexing of the third and fourth reeds for indicating pitch diameter.

Claim 18

The combination, as defined in claim 14, wherein each reed comprises: a flat metallic plate having two parallel slots to define the flexible central portion.

Claim 19

In a thread gage, the combination comprising: a frame; a structure mounted upon the frame for simultaneous movement in two perpendicular directions; a support secured to the frame for receiving a threaded member in fixed orientation to the frame; a fixed roll on the support for reception in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member; a floating roll on the support in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll, the floating roll being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll; and a gage tip connected to the structure, the gage tip having a ridge thereupon for insertion into the groove of the thread.

Claim 20

In a thread gage, the combination comprising: a frame; a structure mounted upon the frame for simultaneous movement in two perpendicular directions; a support secured to the frame for receiving a threaded member in fixed orientation to the frame; a fixed roll on the support for reception in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member; a floating roll on the support in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll, the floating roll being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll; and a gage tip connected to the structure, the gage tip having a ridge thereupon for insertion into the groove of the thread.

Claim 21

The combination, as deFined in claim 16, wherein the fixed and floating rolls each comprise measuring wires.

Claim 22

In a thread gage for measuring the pitch diameter, ovality and drunkenness of a threaded member, the combination comprising: a frame including a pair of spaced mounting brackets; first and second spaced parallel reeds, each reed having a flexible central portion, and each reed being secured to both of the mounting brackets such that the central portion thereof is disposed therebetween; a pair of spaced reed mounts respectively secured to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the first and second reeds; third and fourth spaced parallel reeds having flexible central portions, each of the third and fourth reeds being secured to both of the reed mounts such that the respective flexible central portions thereof are disposed therebetween and such that the third and fourth reeds are disposed between the first and second reeds and extend transversely thereof; a floating structure connected to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the third and fourth reeds such that it is disposed between the reed mounts; a gage tip, having a ridge thereupon, depending perpendicularly from the central portion of the fourth reed and connected to the floating structure in such a manner that displacements of the gage tip are transmitted thereto, whereby axial displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the third and fourth reeds, and lateral displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the first and second reeds together with a corresponding movement of the floating structure, the third and fourth reeds and the reed mounts; an anvil secured to the frame; a fixed roll secured to the anvil; a floating roll secured to the anvil in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll, the fixed and floating rolls adapted to be received in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member and the ridge of the gage tip being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member on the opposite side thereof for duplicating the three wire method of measuring pitch diameter.

Claim 23

In a thread gage for measuring the pitch diameter, ovality and drunkenness of a threaded member, the combination comprising: a frame including a pair of spaced mounting brackets; first and second spaced parallel reeds, each reed having a flexible central portion, and each reed being secured to both of the mounting brackets such that the central portion thereof is disposed therebetween; a pair of spaced reed mounts respectively secured to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the first and second reeds; third and fourth spaced parallel reeds having flexible central portions, each of the third and fourth reeds being secured to both of the reed mounts such that the respective flexible central portions thereof are disposed therebetween and such that the third and fourth reeds are disposed between the first and second reeds and extend transversely thereof; a floating structure connected to the inboard surfaces of the central portions of the third and fourth reeds such that it is disposed between the reed mounts; a gage tip, having a ridge thereupon, depending perpendicularly from the central portion of the fourth reed and connected to the floating structure in such a manner that displacements of the gage tip are transmitted thereto, whereby axial displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the third and fourth reeds, and lateral displacements of the gage tip produce a corresponding flexing of the first and second reeds together with a corresponding movement of the floating structure, the third and fourth reeds and the reed mounts; an anvil secured to the frame; a fixed roll secured to the anvil; a floating roll secured to the anvil in spaced parallel relationship to the fixed roll and displaceable toward and away from the fixed roll, the fixed and floating rolls adapted to be received in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member and the ridge of the gage tip being adapted to be received in the groove of the thread upon the threaded member on the opposite side thereof for duplicating the three wire method of measuring pitch diameter.

Claim 24

A thread gage, as defined in claim 18, further including: a first contact element secured to the outboard surface of the central portion of the first reed; a second contact element secured to the outboard surface of the central portion of the third reed; a first gage head, having a probe, carried by the frame such that the tip of the probe engages the first contact element; a second gage head, having a probe, carried by the reed mounts for movement therewith such that the tip of the second mentioned probe engages the second contact element and remains in fixed relationship thereto during lateral displacements of the gage tip, thereby to avoid sliding contact therebetween.

Claim 25

A thread gage, as defined in claim 19, further including: a first indicator bracket fixedly secured to both mounting brackets for securing the first reed to the mounting brackets and for carrying the first gage head: a second indicator bracket fixedly secured to the reed mounts for securing the third reed thereto and for carrying the second gage head.