COORDINATE MEASUREMENT MACHINES WITH REMOVABLE ACCESSORIES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
- a base;
a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion being rotationally coupled to the base, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal;
a measurement device coupled to the first end;
an electronic circuit which receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device;
a probe end disposed between the measurement device and the first end, the probe end having a fastener and a first connector; and
a device removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the device having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. The probe end has a fastener and a first connector. A device is removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the accessory having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
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a base; a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion being rotationally coupled to the base, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal; a measurement device coupled to the first end; an electronic circuit which receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device; a probe end disposed between the measurement device and the first end, the probe end having a fastener and a first connector; and a device removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the device having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
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a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal; a measurement device coupled to the first end; an electronic circuit which receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device; a housing disposed between the first end and the measurement device; a first controller disposed within the housing; a first coupler arranged on one side of the housing; and a device removably coupled to the housing and having a handle portion, the device having a second coupler on one end arranged to engage the first coupler, thereby securing the device to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operating a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
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providing a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal; providing a probe end for measuring the object, the probe end having a first controller, the probe end having a first electrical connector electrically coupled to the first controller and a fastener, the probe end being coupled to the first end; providing a measurement device operably coupled to probe end; receiving at an electronic circuit the position signals from the transducers; determining data corresponding to a position of the measurement device with the electronic circuit; providing a device having a second controller, the device having a second electrical connector electrically coupled to the second controller and a coupler; mechanically coupling the device to the probe end with the coupler and the fastener; electrically coupling the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector; and transmitting a first signal from the second controller to the first controller. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space, comprising:
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a base; a manually positionable arm portion having an opposed first end and second end, the arm portion being rotationally coupled to the base, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal; a probe end coupled to the first end; an electronic circuit which receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer and provides data corresponding to a position of the probe end; and a first projector is removably coupled to the probe end, the first projector being operable to project a first information onto a first projection surface, the projected first information being indicative of a presence and location of one or more features associated with the first projection surface. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54)
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47. A removable accessory for portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space, the AACMM having a probe end coupled to an end of the AACMM, the probe end having a first mechanical coupler and a first electrical connector, the removable accessory comprising:
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a second mechanical coupler removably coupled to the first mechanical coupler; a handle portion coupled to the second mechanical coupler. - View Dependent Claims (49, 51, 53)
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Specification