Gage set for measuring inside and outside diameters of ring shaped parts

• US 6,634,114 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bidwell Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bidwell Corporation
• Inventors: Bidwell, Steven T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Madeline
• Application Number:
  US09/834,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 335/49, 335/50, 335/51, 335/52, 335/53, 335/54, 335/55, 335/551, 335/42, 335/43
• US Class Current: 33/542
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/0004 Supports G01B5/025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/025 Measuring of circumference; Measuring length of ring-shaped articles G01B5/0035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/08 for measuring diameters G01B5/0035 takes precedence; measuring radius of curvature G01B5/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/201 for measuring roundness

Abstract

An adjustable gage comprises a centerline hub and a swing gage. The hub includes a body with position jaws adjustably attached thereto, and a central post. The gage comprises a pair of parallel slide bars and front and rear blocks slidable along the slide bars. A movable, spring-biased probe is slidably connected to the front block via a rail and carriage bearing apparatus. The probe is operably connected to a probe-movement indicator. The rear block has a fixed probe. Both probes have end roller bearings. In use, the part to be measured is placed within the position jaws, previously adjusted to the approximate inner or outer diameter of the part. Then, the gage is placed over the post, with the roller bearings coming into contact with the part, and the gage is rotated. The probes track along the part, with any variances in part diameter showing up on the indicator.

Claims

1. A gage set for measuring a characteristic of a part, said gage set comprising:

a. a centerline hub comprising;

(i) a body having a generally flat top surface;

(ii) a post protruding up vertically from the top surface; and

(iii) a plurality of positioning elements adjustably attachable to the top surface around the post and between the post and an edge of the top surface, wherein said positioning elements can be positioned around the post and attached to the top surface to hold the part by either an outer surface of the part or by an inner surface of the part and such that a center of the part is substantially aligned with a center of the post; and

b. a gage comprising;

(i) a support apparatus configured to straddle the post;

(ii) a first block adjustably positionable along said support apparatus and having attached thereto an indicator with a spring-biased probe for contacting the part; and

(iii) a second block adjustably positionable along said support apparatus and having a second probe for contacting the part;

whereby when the positioning elements are appropriately adjusted to hold the part, and the first and second blocks are appropriately positioned and the gage is placed over the part and straddling the post, the second probe contacts the part and the spring-biased probe is biased against the part, such that when the gage is rotated the probes track along the part with the indicator indicating any movement of the spring-biased probe caused by variations in the part.

2. The gage set of claim 1 wherein the spring-loaded probe is laterally movably connected to the first block by way of a rail and carriage bearing assembly.

3. The gage set of claim 1 wherein the spring-biased probe and the second probe are each provided with a roller bearing for contacting the part, whereby scoring of the part by virtue of the probes contacting the part is substantially eliminated.

4. The gage set of claim 1 wherein the spring-biased probe and the second probe are respectively adjustably slidable through the first and second blocks such that the distance between the first block and an end of the spring-biased probe that contacts the part, and the distance between the second block and an end of the second probe that contacts the part, can both be adjusted.

5. A gage set for measuring a characteristic of a part, said gage set comprising:

a. a centerline hub comprising;

(i) a body having a generally flat top surface;

(ii) a post protruding up vertically from the top surface; and

(iii) a plurality of positioning elements adjustably attachable to the top surface around the post and between the post and an edge of the top surface, wherein said positioning elements can be positioned around the post and attached to the top surface to hold the part by either an outer surface of the part or by an inner surface of the part and such that a center of the part is substantially aligned with a center of the post; and

b. a gage comprising;

(i) a support apparatus configured to straddle the post;

(ii) a first probe assembly comprising;

a first block adjustably positionable along said support apparatus;

an indicator attached to the first block; and

a first probe operably interfaced with the indicator and laterally moveably connected to the first block via a rail and carriage bearing assembly and biased away from the first block via a spring, and said first probe having a first roller bearing attached thereto for contacting the part; and

(iii) a second probe assembly comprising;

a second block adjustably positionable along said support apparatus; and

a second probe attached to the second block, wherein the second probe has a second roller bearing attached thereto for contacting the part;

whereby when the positioning elements are appropriately adjusted to hold the part, and the first and second blocks are appropriately positioned and the gage is placed over the part and straddling the post, the second probe contacts the part and the first probe is biased against the part, such that when the gage is rotated the probes track along the part with the indicator indicating any movement of the first probe caused by variations in the part.

6. A gage for measuring a dimensional characteristic of a part, said gage comprising:

a. a support apparatus;

b. a first block adjustably positionable along said support apparatus and having an indicator mounted thereto, wherein a first probe for contacting the part is laterally movably connected to the first block via a rail and carriage bearing assembly and is operably interfaced with the indicator; and

c. a second block adjustably positionable along said support apparatus and having a second probe attached thereto for contacting the part.

7. The gage of claim 6 wherein the first and second probes are each provided with a roller bearing for contacting the part, whereby scoring of the part by virtue of the probes contacting the part is substantially eliminated.

8. The gage of claim 7 wherein the second probe is supported by a probe support attached to the second block.

9. The gage of claim 6 wherein the second probe is supported by a probe support attached to the second block.

10. The gage of claim 6 wherein a support means for supporting the second probe is attached to the second block.

11. The gage of claim 6 wherein the second probe is adjustably slidable through the second block, and the first probe is adjustably slidable through the rail and carriage bearing assembly, such that the distance between the first block and an end of the first probe that contacts the part when the gage is used, and the distance between the second block and an end of the second probe that contacts the part when the gage is used, can both be adjusted.

12. The gage of claim 6 wherein the support apparatus is a pair of parallel slide bars with a space there between.

13. A gage for measuring a dimensional characteristic of a part, said gage comprising:

a. a support apparatus;

b. a first block adjustably slidable along said support apparatus and having an indicator mounted thereto and a first probe operably connected to the indicator, wherein the first probe is provided with a first roller bearing for contacting the part when the gage is used, whereby scoring of the part by virtue of the first probe contacting the part is substantially eliminated; and

c. a second block adjustably slidable along said support apparatus and having a second robe for contacting art wherein the second robe is provided with a second roller bearing for contacting the part when the gage is used, and wherein the second probe is supported by a probe support attached to the second block.

14. A gage for measuring a dimensional characteristic of a part, said gage comprising:

a. a pair of parallel slide bars defining a space there between;

b. a first probe assembly comprising;

(i) a first block adjustably slidable along said pair of slide bars;

(ii) an indicator attached to the first block; and

(iii) a first probe operably interfaced with the indicator and laterally moveably connected to the first block via a rail and carriage bearing assembly, and said first probe having a first roller bearing attached thereto for contacting the part when the gage is used; and

c. a second probe assembly comprising a second block adjustably slidable along said pair of slide bars and a second probe attached to the second block, said second probe having a second roller bearing attached thereto for contacting the part when the gage is used.

15. A centerline hub for use with a gage for measuring a dimensional characteristic of a part, said centerline hub comprising:

a. a body having a generally flat top surface;

b. a post protruding up vertically from the top surface; and

c. at least three groupings of tapped holes disposed in the top surface of the body, each of said groupings of holes comprising a linear array of holes extending generally radially away from the center of the body, and each grouping of holes having a positioning element associated therewith, said positioning elements each having an elongated clearance slot disposed there through for allowing the passage of a connector configured to mate with the tapped holes for removably securing the positioning elements to the body, whereby the positioning elements can be positioned to hold the part either by an outer surface of the part or an inner surface of the part and such that a center of the part is substantially aligned with a center of the post.