Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
In combination with an apparatus for measuring coordinates on a part, said apparatus being of the type having a base; a carriage mounted to the base for horizontal movement with respect to said base; a probe for engaging the part for measuring its coordinates, said probe including a portion extending vertically and mounted to said carriage to allow vertical movement of the probe with respect to said carriage, and means for counterbalancing said vertically mounted probe, the improvement wherein said apparatus additionally includes: a braking member movably mounted to the carriage and positioned adjacent to the probe, said braking member including an inclined braking surface adapted to engage the probe in an interfering position when the braking member is moved; means for sensing a failure of the counterbalance system and generating a signal in response to the failure; and means coupled to said braking member and responsive to the sensing means for moving the braking member toward the probe in response to the sensing means, whereby when a failure of the counterbalance is sensed by the sensing means which moves the braking member into an interfering position with respect to the probe to stop the downward movement of the probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In combination with an apparatus for measuring coordinates on a part, said apparatus being of the type having a base; a carriage mounted to the base for horizontal movement with respect to said base; a probe for engaging the part for measuring its coordinates, said probe including a portion extending vertically and mounted to said carriage to allow vertical movement of the probe with respect to said carriage, and means for counterbalancing said vertically mounted probe, the improvement wherein said apparatus additionally includes: a braking member movably mounted to the carriage and positioned adjacent to the probe, said braking member including an inclined braking surface adapted to engage the probe in an interfering position when the braking member is moved; means for sensing a failure of the counterbalance system and generating a signal in response to the failure; and means coupled to said braking member and responsive to the sensing means for moving the braking member toward the probe in response to the sensing means, whereby when a failure of the counterbalance is sensed by the sensing means which moves the braking member into an interfering position with respect to the probe to stop the downward movement of the probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A measuring apparatus of the type described in claim 1 wherein the counterbalancing means includes a source of pressurized fluid exerting a force which is coupled to the probe to support the probe, and said sensing means includes means for sensing a low fluid pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A measuring apparatus of the type described in claim 2 wherein the means for sensing a low fluid pressure is a fluid cylinder which is coupled to the pressurized fluid and which, when the fluid pressure is below a predetermined level, causes the braking member to be engaged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A measuring apparatus of the type described in claim 2 wherein the pressurized fluid is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A measuring apparatus of the type described in claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a second braking member positioned adjacent to the probe and on the opposite side of the probe from the other braking member, said second braking member movable mounted to the carriage and having an inclined braking surface adapted to engage the probe when the member is moved, with said second braking member also being coupled to the moving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A measuring apparatus of the type described in claim 1 wherein the braking member is mounted to the carriage with the inclined braking surface positioned to engage the probe with a progressively greater force as the member is moved further and the moving means is adapted to move the member progressively further until the downward movement of the probe is stopped.