Strip-shaped resiliently flexible measuring tape for length--or angle-measuring devices

• US 5,979,238 A
• Filed: 11/05/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dr Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
• Original Assignee: CARL Zeiss JENA GmbH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Inventors: Freitag, Hans-Joachim, Boege, Ludwig
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US08/945,833
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 73/490, 33/700, 33/732, 33/755, 33/758
• US Class Current: 73/490
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/02 Rulers with scales or marks for direct reading measuring tapes G01B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/34707 Scales; Discs, e.g. fixation, fabrication, compensation

Abstract

A strip-shaped, elastically flexible measurement strip for length measuring devices or angle measuring devices having a measurement scale is formed of two elastically flexible stripes which adhere to one another via a viscous intermediate film, the measurement scale being applied to one of these stripes.

Claims

1. An elastically flexible measurement strip for length measuring devices or angle measuring devices, comprising:

two elastically flexible stripes separated from each other by a viscous intermediate film adapted to prevent any adhesive friction between said stripes, said viscous intermediate film holding said stripes by capillary action; and

a measurement scale being applied to one of said stripes.

2. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the stripe not carrying the measurement scale comprises, in turn, two strips adhering to one another by a viscous intermediate film.

3. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the viscous intermediate film comprises silicone oil.

4. The measurement strip according to claim 3, wherein the viscous intermediate film has a thickness of 1 μ

m to 5 μ

m.

5. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the viscous intermediate film comprises silicone grease.

6. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the intermediate film ranges from 3,000 mm² /s to 50,000 mm² /s.

7. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the stripe not carrying the scale is wider than the stripe carrying the measurement scale.

8. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the stripes are formed of steel strips with a ground or polished surface.

9. The measurement strip according to claim 8, wherein the two stripes are made of spring steel with a thickness of 250 μ

m.

10. The measurement strip according to claim 8, wherein a surface layer having better reflecting characteristics than the surface of the steel strip is applied to the surface of the steel strip carrying the measurement scale.

11. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the two stripes are made of materials having different thermal expansion coefficients.

12. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein the two stripes are fixedly connected with one another at one location.

13. The measurement strip according to claim 12, wherein the location of the fixed connection is located at one of the two ends of the measurement strip.

14. The measurement strip according to claim 12, wherein the location of the fixed connection is approximately in the center of the measurement strip.

15. The measurement strip according to claim 1, wherein, for constructing an angle measuring device, it is arranged around the outer circumference of a cylindrical base body, and wherein the stripe not carrying the measurement scale contacts the base body.

16. The measurement strip according to claim 15, wherein the stripe not carrying the measurement scale is connected with the base body in a frictional and/or positive engagement.

17. The measurement strip according to claim 15, wherein the stripe not carrying the measurement scale has lateral guide elements for the stripe carrying the measurement scale.

18. The measurement strip according to claim 15, wherein the stripe carrying the measurement scale is subjected to tensile stress in the installed state.

19. The measurement strip according to claim 18, wherein the ends of the stripe carrying the measurement scale are connected with one another by tension locks.

20. The measurement strip according to claim 15, wherein the stripe carrying the measurement scale does not extend entirely along the circumference of the base body.

21. The measurement strip according to claim 15, wherein the stripe carrying the measurement scale is fixedly connected with the base body in at least one location.

22. The measurement strip according to claim 2, wherein the strip not carrying the measurement scale comprises, in turn, two strips adhering to one another by an elastic intermediate film.