US4041615A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small-motion test device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-03
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Granted: 1977-08-16
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Expires: 1996-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A small-motion test device especially useful as a welding aptitude test and primary training device comprises a target movable along a linear track, and switch means for defining a multi-dimensional envelope of freedom of movement of said target. A wand held by the test subject must affirmatively position the target within the envelope, and maintain it there throughout the time of the test while the target moves along the track at a preprogrammed rate. Success of the test is indicated and accounted for as a function of the percentage of the total test time that the target remains within the test envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Whitehill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:11
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/24; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A small-motion test device for testing the hand-eye coordination, correction reflex, and small-motion muscle control of a test subject comprising a target means for moving said target along a path at a predetermined rate, switch means coupled to said target for defining boundaries of a multi-dimensional envelope of freedom of movement of said target, a wand controlled by said test subject to affirmatively position said target within the boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement during travel of said target along said path, and means responsive to said switch means for indicating the location of said target within said envelope of freedom of movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A small-motion test device for testing the hand-eye coordination, correction reflex, and small-motion muscle control of a test subject comprising a target means for moving said target along a path at a predetermined rate, switch means coupled to said target for defining boundaries of a multi-dimensional envelope of freedom of movement of said target, a wand controlled by said test subject to affirmatively position said target within the boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement during travel of said target along said path, and means responsive to said switch means for indicating the location of said target within said envelope of freedom of movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A test device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a collar surrounding said target, said target being movable by said wand to contact said collar, said target and said collar comprising a first pair of related contact elements included in said switch means for establishing a signal indication to said indicating means, whereby said collar defines the boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement in one of said dimensions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A test device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said collar is movable with, but normally out of contact with said target along said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
A test device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a support for said target, at least a portion of said support being movable with said target in one of said dimensions, a first element of said switch means being carried by said support, a second element of said switch means being located relative to said first element so that movement of said target moves said first and second elements in and out of contact to thereby provide corresponding signal indications of the movement of said target within said boundaries to said indicating means, said second element thereby establishing the boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement in a second one of said dimensions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A test device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicating means comprises a counter, and means for supplying driving signals to said counter at a predetermined rate related to the rate of movement of said target along said path said switch means being interposed between said driving means and said counter, said switch means controlling the supply of said driving signals to said counter as a function of the location of said target within the boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A test device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said test device comprises a welding training simulation device, said target simulating a molten weld puddle, said wand simulating an electrode said predetermined rate of movement of the target simulating the rate at which a real weld bead is made said boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement of said target establishing the limits of movement of a tip of said electrode within which a successful simulated weld is accomplished.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A training device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said indicating means further includes audible and visible indicators responsive to said switch means for indicating the location of said target within said envelope of freedom of movement, said audible indicator portion simulating the sound of said welding.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a tip of said wand distal from a portion of said wand held by said test subject is in physical contact with said target to control the location thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of testing the small-motion muscle control, hand-eye coordination, and correction reflex of a test subject comprising moving a target along a path at a predetermined rate, defining the boundaries of a multidimensional envelope of freedom of movement of said target by electro-mechanical switch means, providing a wand to said test subject, said wand being used by said test subject to controllably position said target within said boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement through movement of said target along said track, the location of said target within said envelope being indicated by indicating means responsive to said switch means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of testing the small-motion muscle control, hand-eye coordination, and correction reflex of a test subject comprising moving a target along a path at a predetermined rate, defining the boundaries of a multidimensional envelope of freedom of movement of said target by electro-mechanical switch means, providing a wand to said test subject, said wand being used by said test subject to controllably position said target within said boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement through movement of said target along said track, the location of said target within said envelope being indicated by indicating means responsive to said switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A test device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said test device comprises a welding training simulation device, said target simulating a molten weld puddle, said wand simulating a welding electrode, said boundaries of said envelope of freedom of movement of said target establishing the limits of movement of a tip of said electrode within which a successful simulated weld is accomplished.
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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) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |