US4784359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable support for optical device
Assignee: Recognition International Inc
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Filing: 1987-03-26
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Granted: 1988-11-15
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Expires: 2007-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A support for an optical device such as an optical read head, permits the optical device to be positionable along a linear path. The support includes a precision bar and two gibs, with first and second adjustable means for securing the gibs to one another and slideably to the bar.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight G. Westover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
Linearly positionable apparatus, comprising in combination: a bar having a longitudinal dimension, first and second flat side surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension, and first and second edge surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension between said first and second side surfaces; and a clamping device including a first clamp member having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said first edge surface, a second clamp member having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said second edge surface, first adjustable means for securing said clamp members to one another with said bar being retained by said channels and for controlling the drag force between said clamp members and said edge surfaces when said bar is retained by said secured clamp members and said secured clamp members are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, and second adjustable means carried by said clamp members and said side surfaces for controlling the drag force between said clamp members and said side surfaces when said bar is retained by said secured clamp members and said secured clamp members are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, said first adjustable means being adjustable to secure said clamp members to one another with said bar retained by said channels independently of adjustment of said second adjustable means, and said first adjustable means and said second adjustable means being adjustable independently of one another for separately controlling the drag forces respectively controlled thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
Linearly positionable apparatus, comprising in combination: a bar having a longitudinal dimension, first and second flat side surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension, and first and second edge surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension between said first and second side surfaces; and a clamping device including a first clamp member having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said first edge surface, a second clamp member having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said second edge surface, first adjustable means for securing said clamp members to one another with said bar being retained by said channels and for controlling the drag force between said clamp members and said edge surfaces when said bar is retained by said secured clamp members and said secured clamp members are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, and second adjustable means carried by said clamp members and said side surfaces for controlling the drag force between said clamp members and said side surfaces when said bar is retained by said secured clamp members and said secured clamp members are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, said first adjustable means being adjustable to secure said clamp members to one another with said bar retained by said channels independently of adjustment of said second adjustable means, and said first adjustable means and said second adjustable means being adjustable independently of one another for separately controlling the drag forces respectively controlled thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said first adjustable means includes means cooperating with said clamp members for adjustably urging said clamp members against said portions of said edge surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said first adjustable means includes means for pivoting said clamp members toward one another and said edge surfaces when said clamp members are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said first adjustable means includes: pivot surfaces on each of said clamp members, said pivot surfaces facing and in contact with each other and forming a pivot line parallel to said longitudinal dimension of said bar when said clamp members are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby, and means for urging said clamp members to pivot toward one another about said pivot line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said channels include respective flange surfaces facing said first side surface of said bar when said clamp members are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby, and wherein said second adjustable means includes means for adjustably urging said flange surfaces against said first side surface of said bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein: said channels include respective flange surfaces facing said first side surface of said bar when said clamp members are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby; and said second adjustable means includes low friction means contacting said second side surface of said bar and means carried by said clamp members for adjustably urging said low friction means against said second side surface such that said flange surfaces are urged against said first side surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said bar is adapted for being supported such that said longitudinal dimension is parallel to a predetermined plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein at least one of said clamp members is adapted for mounting an additional device thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, further including an optical device mounted to one of said clamp members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said bar is of rectangular cross-section and said apparatus further includes: means for supporting said bar such that said edge surfaces are parallel to a predetermined plane; and an optical device mounted to one of said clamp members such that the focal distance between said optical device and the predetermined plane remains substantially constant as said secured clamp members are slideably repositioned along said bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein a one of said edge surfaces includes scale indicia therealong, and said channel of said clamp member for receiving said one of said edge surfaces includes a web surface having a recess for precluding contact of said scale indicia by said clamp members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
239 words
Linearly positionable optical apparatus, comprising in combination: a precision bar having a longitudinal dimension, first and second flat side surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension, and first and second edge surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension between said first and second side surfaces; means for supporting said bar such that said longitudinal dimension is parallel to a predetermined plane; a clamping device including a first gib having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said first edge surface, a second gib having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said second edge surface, first adjustable means securing said gibs to one another with said bar being retained by said channels and for controlling the drag force between said gibs and said edge surfaces when said secured gibs are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, and second adjustable means carried by said gibs for controlling the drag force between said gibs and said side surfaces when said secured members are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, said first adjustable means being adjustable to secure said gibs to one another with said bar retained by said channels independently of adjustment of said second adjustable means, and said first adjustable means and said second adjustable means being adjustable independently of one another for separately controlling the drag forces respectively controlled thereby; and an optical device mounted to said secured gibs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
239 words
Linearly positionable optical apparatus, comprising in combination: a precision bar having a longitudinal dimension, first and second flat side surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension, and first and second edge surfaces extending along said longitudinal dimension between said first and second side surfaces; means for supporting said bar such that said longitudinal dimension is parallel to a predetermined plane; a clamping device including a first gib having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said first edge surface, a second gib having a channel for receiving a portion of said bar including a portion of said second edge surface, first adjustable means securing said gibs to one another with said bar being retained by said channels and for controlling the drag force between said gibs and said edge surfaces when said secured gibs are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, and second adjustable means carried by said gibs for controlling the drag force between said gibs and said side surfaces when said secured members are slideably urged longitudinally along said bar, said first adjustable means being adjustable to secure said gibs to one another with said bar retained by said channels independently of adjustment of said second adjustable means, and said first adjustable means and said second adjustable means being adjustable independently of one another for separately controlling the drag forces respectively controlled thereby; and an optical device mounted to said secured gibs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Optical apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein said bar is of rectangular cross-section and said bar is supported by said means for supporting such that said edge surfaces are parallel to the predetermined plane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
Optical apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein said first adjustable means includes means cooperating with said gibs for adjustably urging said gibs against said portions of said edge surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein said first adjustable means includes means for pivoting said gibs toward one another and toward said edge surfaces when said gibs are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
Optical apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein said first adjustable means includes: pivot surfaces on each of said members, said surfaces facing and in contact with each other and forming a pivot line parallel to said longitudinal dimension of said bar when said gibs are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby: and means for urging said gibs to pivot toward one another about said pivot line.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
Optical apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein said channels include respective flange surfaces facing said first side surface of said bar when said gibs are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby, and wherein said second adjustable means includes means for adjustably urging said flange surfaces against said first side surface of said bar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein: said channels include respective flange surfaces facing said first side surface of said bar when said gibs are secured to one another and said bar is retained thereby; and said second adjustable means includes low friction means contacting said second side surface of said bar and means carried by said gibs for adjustably urging said low friction means against said second side surface such that said flange surfaces are urged against said first side surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, above, wherein a one of said edge surfaces includes scale indicia therealong, and said channel of said gib for receiving said one of said edge surfaces includes a web surface having a recess for precluding contact of said scale indicia by said gibs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
Optical apparatus according to claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, above, wherein said optical device is an optical read head and the predetermined plane is adapted for receiving optical indicia to be read.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
Optical apparatus according to claims 12, 13, 14, 15. 16, 17, 18 or 19, above, wherein said optical device is an optical character recognition read head and the predetermined plane is adapted for receiving optical characters to be read.
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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) | 1991-11-15 | 1992-05-16 | 1992-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-15 | 1996-05-16 | 1996-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-05-16 | 2000-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |