Zone grid assembly particularly for high resolution radioactivity distribution detection systems

Claim 2

A position identifying device comprising: a. a base formed with a plurality of bores arranged in a pattern; b. a spherical contacting member retained in each said bore, the diameter of each said contacting member being less than the diameter of each said bore, the depth of each said bore greater than the diameter of each said contacting member, each said contacting member slidable between first and second positions; c. a printed circuit board formed with a plurality of holes, arcuate conductor pairs and elongated conductors, said holes arranged in a pattern corresponding to said pattern of bores, said printed circuit board mounted on said base in face to face relationship, said bores and said holes in axial relationship, the diameter of each said hole being less than the diameter of each said contacting member, one of each said arcuate conductor pairs disposed about the periphery of one of each said holes, each said arcuate conductor pair defining first and second conductors, each said contacting member operative to engage and disengage said conductor pair, said contacting members in engagement with said conductor pair when in said first position and disengaged from said conductor pair when in said second position, said first conductor electrically isolated from said second conductor when said conducting member associated therewith is in Said second position, an electrical path established between said first and second conductors through said associated contacting member in said first position, one end of certain ones of said elongated conductors connected to selected ones of said first conductors, one end of certain others of said elongated conductors connected to selected other ones of said second conductors, the other ends of said elongated conductors defining a plurality of terminal means, a pair of said terminal means uniquely associated with each said hole; and d. means for selectively actuating said contacting members into said first position, a pair of said terminal means uniquely identifying the position of said actuated contacting member.

Claim 3

The position identifying device as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said contacting members and actuating means includes a member composed of a magnetic responsive material and the other of said contacting members and actuating means includes a member composed of a magnetic material.

Claim 4

The position identifying device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of each said contacting member is composed of a magnetic responsive material and at least a portion of each said actuating means is composed of a magnetic material.

Claim 5

A position identifying device comprising: a. a base having upper and lower faces; b. a retaining member mounted to said base, said retaining member having upper and lower faces, said retaining member lower face in juxtaposition with said base upper face, said retaining member formed with a plurality of bores arranged in a pattern; c. a spherical contacting member in each said bore, the diameter of each said contacting member being less than the diameter of each said bore, the depth of each said bore greater than the diameter of each said contacting member, each said contacting member slidable between first and second positions; d. printed circuit board means having upper and lower faces, said printed circuit board formed with a plurality of holes disposed in a pattern corresponding to said pattern of bores, said printed circuit board means including a plurality of arcuate conductor pairs and elongated conductors disposed on said lower face thereof, said printed circuit board means mounted to said retaining member, said printed circuit board means lower face in juxtaposition with said retaining member upper face, said bores and said holes in axial relationship, the diameter of each said hole less than the diameter of each said contacting member, one of each arcuate conductor pairs disposed about the periphery of one of each said holes, each said arcuate conductor pair defining first and second conductors, said first conductor electrically isolated from said second conductor when said conducting member associated therewith is in said first position, an electrical path established between said first conductor and said second conductor through said contacting member when said contacting member is in said second position, one end of certain ones of said elongated conductors connected to selected ones of said first conductors, one end of certain other ones of said elongated conductors connected to selected ones of said second conductors, the other ends of said elongated conductors defining a plurality of terminal means, a pair of said terminal means uniquely associated with each said hole; e. zone grid means mounted on said upper face of said circuit board means; and f. stylus means for actuating said contacting members into said second position, a pair of said terminal means uniquely identifying the position of said actuated contacting member.

Claim 6

A position identifying device comprising: a. a base having upper and lower faces; b. a retaining member mounted to said base, said retaining member having upper and lower faces, said retaining member lower face in juxtaposition with said base upper face, said retaining member formed with a plurality of bores arranged in a pattern; c. a spherical contacting member in each said bore, the diameter of each said contacting member being less than the diameter of each said bore, the depth of each said bore greater than the diameter of each said contacting member, each said contacting member slidable between first and second positions; d. printed circuit board means having upper and lower faces, said printed circuit board formed with a plurality of holes disposed in a pattern corresponding to said pattern of bores, said printed circuit board means including a plurality of arcuate conductor pairs and elongated conductors disposed on said lower face thereof, said printed circuit board means mounted to said retaining member, said printed circuit board means lower face in juxtaposition with said retaining member upper face, said bores and said holes in axial relationship, the diameter of each said hole less than the diameter of each said contacting member, one of each arcuate conductor pairs disposed about the periphery of one of each said holes, each said arcuate conductor pair defining first and second conductors, said first conductor electrically isolated from said second conductor when said conducting member associated therewith is in said first position, an electrical path established between said first conductor and said second conductor through said contacting member when said contacting member is in said second position, one end of certain ones of said elongated conductors connected to selected ones of said first conductors, one end of certain other ones of said elongated conductors connected to selected ones of said second conductors, the other ends of said elongated conductors defining a plurality of terminal means, a pair of said terminal means uniquely associated with each said hole; e. zone grid means mounted on said upper face of said circuit board means; and f. stylus means for actuating said contacting members into said second position, a pair of said terminal means uniquely identifying the position of said actuated contacting member.

Claim 7

The position identifying device as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least a portion of one of said contacting members and said stylus means is composed of a magnetic responsive material and at least a portion of the other of said contacting members and said stylus is composed of a magnetic material.

Claim 8

The position identifying device as claimed in clAim 4 wherein at least a portion of said contacting member is composed of a magnetic responsive material and at least a portion of each said stylus means is composed of a magnetic material.

Claim 9

The position identifying device as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said contacting member includes a central portion in the form of a ball having a plated outer shell, said central portion composed of a magnetic responsive material and said plated outer shell is composed of a conducting material.

Claim 10

The position identifying device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said central portion is composed of steel.

Claim 11

The position identifying device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said plated outer sheel is composed of gold.