Patent US3855708A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3855708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-actuated digital location sensor
Assignee: Candid Logic Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-16
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A probe used to measure the distance of a test point from a reference point employs an elongated housing fixed with respect to the reference location and a probe rod having one end slidably supported within the housing and the other end projecting out of the housing for motion toward and away from the test point. A piston slidable within the housing is fixed to the rod and pressurized air is admitted into the housing to move the piston and the rod in an extending direction against a biasing spring until the far end of the rod contacts the test surface. Brushes carried by the rod move along a multi-segment commutator during motion of the rod, making contact with different elements of the commutator. The brushes may make contact with a plurality of commutator elements at the same time. Contacts between the brushes and the commutator segments energize one of a plurality of lights to indicate the position of the rod relative to the housing. Electronic logic circuitry conditions the signals to insure a single unique output indication independent of the direction of motion of the brushes relative to the commutator.
Inventors
- 👤 L Tann
- 👤 R Carroll
- 👤 D Lipke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A probe including: an elongated housing, a rod having one end slidably supported within the housing and the other end projecting from the housing; means for producing a force on said rod so as to cause it to move within said housing; a commutator including a plurality of segments which extend transversely to the direction of motion of the rod; a brush movable on said commutator, one of said commutator and said brush being supported for motion with said rod and the other being fixed relative to said housing; indicator means; and electrical circuitry connected to said transversely extending commutator segments, to said brush, and to said indicator means and operative to cause said indicator means to provide an output which is a function of the position of the rod relative to the housing, said circuitry means including elements connected between each adjacent pair of commutator segments operative to cause said indicator means to assume a first state when the brush contacts a first segment of said adjacent pair but not the second segment thereof, and a second state when the brush contacts a second segment of the pair, either alone, or in combination with the first segment of the pair, independently of the direction of motion of the brush in reaching such position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A probe including: an elongated housing, a rod having one end slidably supported within the housing and the other end projecting from the housing; means for producing a force on said rod so as to cause it to move within said housing; a commutator including a plurality of segments which extend transversely to the direction of motion of the rod; a brush movable on said commutator, one of said commutator and said brush being supported for motion with said rod and the other being fixed relative to said housing; indicator means; and electrical circuitry connected to said transversely extending commutator segments, to said brush, and to said indicator means and operative to cause said indicator means to provide an output which is a function of the position of the rod relative to the housing, said circuitry means including elements connected between each adjacent pair of commutator segments operative to cause said indicator means to assume a first state when the brush contacts a first segment of said adjacent pair but not the second segment thereof, and a second state when the brush contacts a second segment of the pair, either alone, or in combination with the first segment of the pair, independently of the direction of motion of the brush in reaching such position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein said transversely extending commutator segments are so spaced relative to one another and the dimensions of the brush are such that the brush contacts a second, adjacent commutator segment before separating from a first commutator segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of claim 2 wherein said indicator means includes a plurality of output devices, one associated with each transversely extending commutator segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
The probe of claim 3 including a two state device connected in said circuitry with each commutator segment and its associated output device in such a manner that the device normally changes state, causing its associated output device to be energized, when its associated commutator segment is contacted by said brush, and is prevented from changing state, when its associated commutator segment is contacted by the brush, when the two state device associated with the adjacent commutator segment in a direction common to all sets of adjacent commutator segments, is at that time contacted by the brush.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
221 words
A probe, including: an elongated housing; a rod having one end slidably supported within the housing and the other end projecting from the housing; means for producing a force on the rod to cause it to move within said housing; a commutator including a plurality of segments extending transversely to the direction of motion of the rod and a common segment extending parallel to the direction of motion of the rod; a brush supported for motion with respect to the commutator and including an element operative to bridge said common segment with one or more of said transversely extending segments, depending upon the position of the rod within said housing, one of said commutator and said brush being supported for motion with said rod and the other being fixed relative to said housing, the spacing between the transversely extending commutator segments and the dimensions of the brush being such that the brush moving relative to the commutator contacts a second, adjacent commutator segment before separating from a first commutator segment; indicator means and electronic circuitry connected to said commutator and said indicator means operative to cause said indicator means to assume a unique stage for each position of the brush relative to the commutator, independent of the direction of motion of the brush relative to the Commutator in reaching such position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
221 words
A probe, including: an elongated housing; a rod having one end slidably supported within the housing and the other end projecting from the housing; means for producing a force on the rod to cause it to move within said housing; a commutator including a plurality of segments extending transversely to the direction of motion of the rod and a common segment extending parallel to the direction of motion of the rod; a brush supported for motion with respect to the commutator and including an element operative to bridge said common segment with one or more of said transversely extending segments, depending upon the position of the rod within said housing, one of said commutator and said brush being supported for motion with said rod and the other being fixed relative to said housing, the spacing between the transversely extending commutator segments and the dimensions of the brush being such that the brush moving relative to the commutator contacts a second, adjacent commutator segment before separating from a first commutator segment; indicator means and electronic circuitry connected to said commutator and said indicator means operative to cause said indicator means to assume a unique stage for each position of the brush relative to the commutator, independent of the direction of motion of the brush relative to the Commutator in reaching such position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
The probe of claim 5 wherein said circuitry includes elements connected between each pair of adjacent transversely extending commutator segments which cause said indicator means to assume either a first state when the brush is in contact with a first member of a segment pair and not the second member, or a second state when the brush is in contact with the second member of the pair, either alone or in combination with the first segment of the pair.
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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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |