US4375723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact-sensing probe
Assignee: Renishaw PLC
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Filing: 1981-06-23
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Granted: 1983-03-08
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Expires: 2001-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A contact-sensing probe has a movable member including a stylus and is supported on a fixed member at two spaced-apart locations. At each location a spherical element on the one member is situated between convergent surfaces of the other member. A spring urges the movable member into engagement with the fixed member so that at each location the element slides on the convergent surfaces and by virtue of the convergence thereof attains a positive rest position therebetween. The movable member is displaceable from the rest position against the force of the spring when a force is applied to the stylus and is returnable into the rest position by the spring. The elements and surfaces may be electrical contacts, displacement of the stylus being sensed by any one of the contacts being broken. Alternatively displacement is sensed by a proximity sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. McMurtry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01B7/008; G01B7/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
304 words
A device for mounting a stylus in position-determining apparatus wherein said device and an object are movable relative to each other for providing a signal when said stylus engages said object thereby indicating the position thereof, said device comprising: a fixed member; a movable member to which said stylus is connectable and which is supportable on said fixed member at three locations arranged in a plane and at the three corners of a triangle, said members respectively defining at each said location, a supported element and a supporting element confronting the supported element in a direction perpedincular to said plane, at a first said location one of said elements having surface means defining an axisymmetric recess covergent in said direction and the other element being engageable with said recess; at a second said location one of said elements having second surface means defining a pair of surfaces convergent in said direction and the other element being engageable with said pair of surfaces; one of the second surface means and the element engageable therewith being shaped to define an axis extending in a direction including the first and second locations; at the third said location one of the elements having third surface means defining a flat surface parallel to said plane and the other element being engageable with said flat surface, bias means for urging the movable member into contact with the fixed member; and said first, second and third surface means co-operating under the force of the bias means to locate the movable member in a positive rest position on the fixed member, the movable member being removable from the rest position in opposition to the bias means when a force is applied to said stylus and being retrunable to the rest position by said means and surface means on cessation of said force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
304 words
A device for mounting a stylus in position-determining apparatus wherein said device and an object are movable relative to each other for providing a signal when said stylus engages said object thereby indicating the position thereof, said device comprising: a fixed member; a movable member to which said stylus is connectable and which is supportable on said fixed member at three locations arranged in a plane and at the three corners of a triangle, said members respectively defining at each said location, a supported element and a supporting element confronting the supported element in a direction perpedincular to said plane, at a first said location one of said elements having surface means defining an axisymmetric recess covergent in said direction and the other element being engageable with said recess; at a second said location one of said elements having second surface means defining a pair of surfaces convergent in said direction and the other element being engageable with said pair of surfaces; one of the second surface means and the element engageable therewith being shaped to define an axis extending in a direction including the first and second locations; at the third said location one of the elements having third surface means defining a flat surface parallel to said plane and the other element being engageable with said flat surface, bias means for urging the movable member into contact with the fixed member; and said first, second and third surface means co-operating under the force of the bias means to locate the movable member in a positive rest position on the fixed member, the movable member being removable from the rest position in opposition to the bias means when a force is applied to said stylus and being retrunable to the rest position by said means and surface means on cessation of said force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said stylus extends in a direction parallel to said plane.
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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) | 1986-03-07 | 1986-09-06 | 1987-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-07 | 1990-09-06 | 1991-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-07 | 1994-09-06 | 1995-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |