Patent US3918167A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3918167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for sensing relative movement of a work table and tool
Assignee: Gerber Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-01
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A high precision apparatus for sensing or measuring the relative movements of a work table and a tool head employs graduated scales and encoders cooperating with the graduations on the scales. A graduated scale for measuring movement in one coordinate direction is mounted in bearings on the frame supporting the tool and work table and is urged into engagement with an optically flat surface of a reference plate extending along one edge of the work table. The encoder cooperating with the graduations on the graduated scale is fixed in a stationary fashion to the frame adjacent the graduated scale and produces a pulsed output as graduations on the scale pass by the encoder. One graduated scale and encoder is utilized for each coordinate axis in which relative movement takes place. The scales are mounted as close as possible to the work plane on the table and also are positioned as close as possible to and preferably coaxially of the coordinate axes of motion intersecting the axis of the tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Joseph Gerber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/004; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q17/00; B23Q17/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/30868; Y10T409/308736; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/654
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
In combination in a tool system having a tool head and a work table mounted on a supporting frame for movement of the table and head relative to one another, the tool head having a tool axis extending perpendicular to a work surface of the work table, the improvement comprising: a first graduated scale extending adjacent and parallel to the work surface and through a first reference station on the tool head and to second reference station at the edge of the table, the scale also being aligned with a first coordinate direction defined by a coordinate axis intersecting the tool axis; a bearing mounted on the tool head at the first reference station and supporting the graduated scale of movement relative to the head in the first coordinate direction; a first encoder mounted adjacent the scale at the first reference station on the tool head and cooperating with the graduations of the scale for detecting relative movement of the scale and encoder; and means connected to the edge of the work table at the second reference station for moving the scale and the encoder relative to one another in accordance with the relative motions of the table and tool in the first coordinate direction, and said means for moving the scale includes a reference member attached to said edge of the work table and having an optically flat surface contacted by one end of said first graduated scale, the flat surface being perpendicular to and intersected by said first coordinate axis at said second reference station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
In combination in a tool system having a tool head and a work table mounted on a supporting frame for movement of the table and head relative to one another, the tool head having a tool axis extending perpendicular to a work surface of the work table, the improvement comprising: a first graduated scale extending adjacent and parallel to the work surface and through a first reference station on the tool head and to second reference station at the edge of the table, the scale also being aligned with a first coordinate direction defined by a coordinate axis intersecting the tool axis; a bearing mounted on the tool head at the first reference station and supporting the graduated scale of movement relative to the head in the first coordinate direction; a first encoder mounted adjacent the scale at the first reference station on the tool head and cooperating with the graduations of the scale for detecting relative movement of the scale and encoder; and means connected to the edge of the work table at the second reference station for moving the scale and the encoder relative to one another in accordance with the relative motions of the table and tool in the first coordinate direction, and said means for moving the scale includes a reference member attached to said edge of the work table and having an optically flat surface contacted by one end of said first graduated scale, the flat surface being perpendicular to and intersected by said first coordinate axis at said second reference station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus for sensing relative movement as defined in claim 1 wherein the graduated scale is a glass scale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for sensing relative movement as defined in claim 1 wherein the optically flat surface on the reference member faces inwardly of the work table toward the tool axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for sensing relative movement as defined in claim 1 further including means for urging the one end of the supported scale toward abutment with the optically flat surface of the reference member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for sensing relative movement as defined in claim 4 further including another bearing interposed between the optically flat surface of the reference member and the abutting end of the graduated scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus for sensing relative movement as defined in claim 4 wherein: the means for urging comprises a spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |