US5369490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contour measuring apparatus
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-23
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2013-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A contour measuring apparatus comprises a laser measurement unit, a mount table for mounting an object, a motor for rotating the mount table around an axis, an altering jig for supporting the mount table and the motor and altering a direction of the axis with respect to the laser measurement unit, and a drive table for supporting the altering jig and driving the altering jig to alter a position of the mount table with respect to the laser measurement unit. A method for measuring contour comprises the steps of measuring a top plane contour of the object by the above contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system, measuring a side plane contour of the object by the contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system, and making the top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with the top plane contour data and the side plane contour data.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaharu Kawai
- 👤 Katsuya Miyoshi
- 👤 Masami Baba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; A; A61; A61C; A61C9/00; A61C9/004; A61C9/0046; A61C9/0053; A61C9/0093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A contour measuring apparatus comprising: a laser measurement unit; hold means for holding an object; rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis; altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit; and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said altering means can take a first position in which said predetermined axis is parallel to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit and a second position in which said predetermined axis is perpendicular to the laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A contour measuring apparatus comprising: a laser measurement unit; hold means for holding an object; rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis; altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit; and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said altering means can take a first position in which said predetermined axis is parallel to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit and a second position in which said predetermined axis is perpendicular to the laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A contour measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said altering means includes a support member for supporting said hold means and said rotation means, and fixing means for fixing said support member to said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contour measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means steps perpendicularly to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contour measuring apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rotation means includes a motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A contour measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hold means holds a tooth.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding a tooth, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of a tooth with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the tooth with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the tooth in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding a tooth, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of a tooth with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the tooth with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the tooth in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said altering means can take a first position in which said predetermined axis is parallel to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit and a second position in which said predetermined axis is perpendicular to the laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said altering means can take a first position in which said predetermined axis is parallel to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit and a second position in which said predetermined axis is perpendicular to the laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said altering means includes a support member for supporting said hold means and said rotation means, and fixing means for fixing said support member to said drive means; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said altering means includes a support member for supporting said hold means and said rotation means, and fixing means for fixing said support member to said drive means; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said drive means steps perpendicularly to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said drive means steps perpendicularly to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said rotation means includes a motor; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: providing a contour measuring apparatus including a laser measurement unit, hold means for holding an object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said hold means with respect to said laser measurement unit, wherein said rotation means includes a motor; measuring a top plane contour of an object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain top plane contour data relating to a top plane measurement coordinate system; measuring a side plane contour of the object with said contour measuring apparatus to obtain side plane contour data relating to a side plane measurement coordinate system; and making said top plane and side plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said top plane contour data and said side plane contour data.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: a) providing a laser measurement unit in a predetermined position; b) rotating an object around a predetermined axis extending in a first direction while measuring a first plane contour of the object with said laser measurement unit to obtain first plane contour data relating to a first plane measurement coordinate system; c) shifting the object in a linear direction transverse to said first direction and repeating step b); d) altering the direction of said predetermined axis to a second direction transverse to said first direction; e) rotating the object around said predetermined axis extending in said second direction while measuring a second plane contour of the object with said laser measurement unit to obtain second plane contour data relating to a second plane measurement coordinate system; f) shifting the object in a linear direction transverse to said first direction and repeating step e); and g) making said first plane and second plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said first plane contour data and said second plane contour data.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for measuring contour comprising the steps of: a) providing a laser measurement unit in a predetermined position; b) rotating an object around a predetermined axis extending in a first direction while measuring a first plane contour of the object with said laser measurement unit to obtain first plane contour data relating to a first plane measurement coordinate system; c) shifting the object in a linear direction transverse to said first direction and repeating step b); d) altering the direction of said predetermined axis to a second direction transverse to said first direction; e) rotating the object around said predetermined axis extending in said second direction while measuring a second plane contour of the object with said laser measurement unit to obtain second plane contour data relating to a second plane measurement coordinate system; f) shifting the object in a linear direction transverse to said first direction and repeating step e); and g) making said first plane and second plane measurement coordinate systems coincident to obtain overall contour data of the object in accordance with said first plane contour data and said second plane contour data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 12, wherein, in each of said shifting steps, the object is shifted in said second direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 13, wherein said first direction and said second direction are perpendicular.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 14, wherein said first direction is parallel to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
112 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 12, wherein said laser measurement unit constitutes part of a contour measuring apparatus including hold means for holding the object, rotation means for rotating said hold means around said predetermined axis, altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering the direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit to correspond with said first direction and said second direction, and drive means for supporting said altering means and driving said altering means to alter the position of said holding means with respect to said laser measurement unit to effect the shifting of steps c) and f).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 16, wherein, in each of said shifting steps, the object is shifted in said second direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 17, wherein said first direction and said second direction are perpendicular.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 18, wherein said first direction is parallel to a laser beam emitted from said laser measurement unit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 12, wherein the object is a tooth.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
101 words
A contour measuring apparatus comprising: a laser measurement unit; hold means for holding an object; rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis; altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit; and drive means for supporting said altering means and shifting said altering means in a linear direction transverse to a direction of a laser beam emitted by said laser measurement unit and thereby shifting said hold means in said linear direction transverse to the direction of said laser beam.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
101 words
A contour measuring apparatus comprising: a laser measurement unit; hold means for holding an object; rotation means for rotating said hold means around a predetermined axis; altering means for supporting said hold means and said rotation means and altering a direction of said predetermined axis with respect to said laser measurement unit; and drive means for supporting said altering means and shifting said altering means in a linear direction transverse to a direction of a laser beam emitted by said laser measurement unit and thereby shifting said hold means in said linear direction transverse to the direction of said laser beam.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 21, wherein said altering means includes a support member for supporting said hold means and said rotation means, and fixing means for fixing said support member to said drive means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 21, wherein said shifting direction is perpendicular to the direction of said laser beam.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method for measuring contour according to claim 21, wherein said hold means holds a tooth.
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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) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |