US3840993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coordinate measuring machine
Assignee: Shelton Metrology Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-25
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1989-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A measuring machine has a probe which is movable in any of three mutually perpendicular directions. A pedestal for the probe is supported by air bearings and is guided by a guide bar which lies on a flat reference surface. An air bearing on the pedestal acts against one vertical face of the guide bar and a roller of a measuring device is resiliently biased against an opposite face of the guide bar to preload the air bearing. The pedestal includes a bridge having a pair of legs and a horizontal beam which supports a horizontally movable carriage. The probe is on a support member which is vertically movable within air bearings on the carriage. A pneumatic cylinder exerts an upward force on the vertically movable probe support member to counteract gravitational forces. Air bearings act on opposite vertical faces of the vertically movable portion of the probe support member, and means are provided for shutting off only the air bearing acting on one side thereof in order to exert a frictional braking force to hold the vertically movable support in a fixed position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Shelton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/004; G01B5/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
Coordinate measuring apparatus comprising a planar surface, a probe supporting member movable parallel to the planar surface, and a probe supported on the probe supporting member by a pair of interfitting telescopic members, one of said telescopic members being attached to the probe and the other of said telescopic members being attached to the carriage, a substantially closed chamber formed between the telescopic members, said one telescopic member having a downwardly facing area within the chamber which exceeds its upwardly facing area if any within the chamber, means for controlling the pressure within the chamber thereby to control the upward force exerted on the one telescopic member by fluid in the chamber, said probe being directly connected to an element which is parallel to and laterally spaced from the one telescopic member, means connecting the element and the one telescopic member, hydrostatic bearings for maintaining the axis of said element in a fixed orientation, said hydrostatic bearings being operable upon opposite sides of said element, and means for deactivating the bearing means on only one side of said element, thereby effecting a frictional braking action on the one side of the element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
Coordinate measuring apparatus comprising a planar surface, a probe supporting member movable parallel to the planar surface, and a probe supported on the probe supporting member by a pair of interfitting telescopic members, one of said telescopic members being attached to the probe and the other of said telescopic members being attached to the carriage, a substantially closed chamber formed between the telescopic members, said one telescopic member having a downwardly facing area within the chamber which exceeds its upwardly facing area if any within the chamber, means for controlling the pressure within the chamber thereby to control the upward force exerted on the one telescopic member by fluid in the chamber, said probe being directly connected to an element which is parallel to and laterally spaced from the one telescopic member, means connecting the element and the one telescopic member, hydrostatic bearings for maintaining the axis of said element in a fixed orientation, said hydrostatic bearings being operable upon opposite sides of said element, and means for deactivating the bearing means on only one side of said element, thereby effecting a frictional braking action on the one side of the element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
Measuring apparatus comprising a vertically movable element, a probe connected to and movable with said element, hydrostatic bearing means acting against opposite sides of the element to guide the element for vertical linear movement, and means for deactivating the bearing means on only one side of said element, thereby producing a frictional braking action against the one side of the element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
Measuring apparatus comprising a vertically movable element, a probe connected to and movable with said element, hydrostatic bearing means acting against opposite sides of the element to guide the element for vertical linear movement, and means for deactivating the bearing means on only one side of said element, thereby producing a frictional braking action against the one side of the element.
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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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |