Digital measurement system

• US 20050005468A1
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barry Wixey
• Original Assignee: Barry Wixey
• Inventors: Wixey, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 7,207,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/613
• CPC Class Codes: B27C 1/14 Other details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/061 height gauges

Abstract

A digital measurement system is provided for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface. The measurement system includes an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of the reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part. A digital reader head is attachable to the second part. The reader head is operable is operably engaged with and moveable along the reference element for measuring relative movement of the reader head along the reference element. The readout further includes a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of the reader head along the reference element.

Claims

1. A digital measurement system for an apparatus including first and second parts that are positionally adjustable relative to one another, the first part having a base surface and the second part being selectively adjustable toward and away from the base surface, said system comprising:

an elongate reference element mounted for longitudinal movement on the first part such that a first end of said reference element is positionable to be substantially even with the base surface of the first part; and

a digital readout device including a digital reader head attachable to the second part, said reader head being operably interengaged with and moveable along said reference element for measuring relative movement of said reader head along said reference element, said readout further including a digital display for indicating a measurement corresponding to the relative movement of said reader head along said reference element.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said reference element includes a linear scale.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a stop that is mountable to the first part of the machine and positionable substantially even with the base surface of the first part.

4. The system of claim 1 further including a bracket for attaching to the first part, said reference element being longitudinally slidably movable within said bracket.

5. The system of claim 4 in which said bracket includes a stop for engaging said first end of said reference element and limiting movement of said reference element through said bracket in a first direction, said stop being locatable substantially even with the base surface.

6. The system of claim 5 in which said first and of said reference element includes a convex edge.

7. The system of claim 5 in which a second end of said reference element carries a tab for pulling said reference element longitudinally through said bracket such that said first end is spaced apart from said stop, said system for receiving a component of unknown thickness between said stop and said first end of said reference element whereby that component can be measured by said system.

8. The system of claim 5 further including a spring connected between said bracket and said reference element for urging said reference element through said bracket such that said first end of said reference element engages said stop, said spring allowing said reference element to move in a opposite direction through said bracket to disengage said first end of said flexible element from said stop.

9. The system of claim 1 in which said reader head includes means for calibrating said reader head at a selected reference position along said reference element.

10. The system of claim 9 in which said readout includes an absolute mode wherein the distance the reader head moves along the reference element from the selected reference position is measured by said reader head and indicated by said display.

11. The system of claim 10 in which said readout includes an incremental mode wherein said reader head and said display are reset to a measurement of “

zero”

with said reader head at a selected position on said reference element and wherein subsequent movement of said reader head relative to said reference element is measured by said reader head, which measurement is indicated by said display.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said readout includes display modes that indicate the measured relative movement decimally and fractionally.

13. A digital measurement system comprising a digital reader head that is operably engagable with a reference element for determining measurements of relative movement between the reader head and the reference element according to a predetermined decimal resolution;

means for displaying corresponding decimal measurements according to a predetermined decimal display resolution; and

means for converting said measurements within discrete predetermined decimal ranges to corresponding fractional measurements and displaying said corresponding fractional measurements according to a predetermined fractional display resolution and adjacent to said corresponding decimal measurements;

said decimal range being smaller than said predetermined fractional display resolution.

14. The system of claim 13 in which said system includes an LCD display.