Dial indicators with interchangeable movement
AssigneeB. C. Ames Company
InventorRoger C. Milette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various sizes of dial indicators are assembled from different size casings and a single size, interchangeable gear train sub-assembly. The sub-assembly includes a gear train mounted to one face of a single size plate which, in turn, is mountable to a gauge casing of any one of a number of different sizes. In a smaller size casing the sub-assembly is mounted directly to the casing while in larger sizes an adapter ring is provided. The use of a single-size, interchangeable gear train sub-assembly reduces inventory requirements, provides uniformity of parts and facilitates servicing of the instruments by mounting the train on one face of a single plate. Adustable stop means are provided for the spindle to limit its return and thereby allow the same spindle to be used with indicators having different operating ranges.
Claims14
A dial indicator, comprising
- a. a generally cylindrical casing formed with an internal cavity and at least one opening in the walls thereof,
- b. a gear train sub-assembly mountable to said casing through said opening,
- c. said sub-assembly including a substantially flat circular plate continuous to said casing and a gear movement mounted to one face only of said plate,
- d. means mounting said plate to said casing across said opening with said movement disposed within said cavity,
- e. a graduated circular dial having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said casing mounted to the other face of said plate,
- f. an indicator needle rotatably mounted to said other face and in driving engagement with said gear movement, and
- g. a spindle formed with rack teeth mounted in said casing for reciprocating motion relative thereto and in driving engagement with said gear train, said spindle having at least one end thereof projecting through said casing.
A dial indicator comprising
- a. a casing formed with an internal cavity and at least one opening in the walls thereof,
- b. a gear train sub-assembly mountable to said casing through said opening,
- c. said sub-assembly including a plate and a gear movement mounted to one face only of said plate,
- d. means mounting said plate to said casing across said opening with said movement disposed within said cavity,
- e. a graduated dial mounted to the other face of said plate,
- f. an indicator needle rotatably mounted to said other face and in driving engagement with said gear movement, and,
- g. a spindle formed with rack teeth mounted to said casing for reciprocating motion relative thereto and in driving engagement with said gear train, said spindle having at least one end thereof projecting through said casing,
- h. said mounting means including an annulus formed with a central opening conforming to the outline of said plate for assembly therewith,
- i. said plate being formed with an outer peripheral flange and said annulus being formed with a cooperating annular groove adjacent the central opening and in the outer face thereof for mating engagement with said flange,
- j. said annulus being thicker than said plate, said plate being formed with a plurality of tapped holes adjacent the periphery of said plate, a screw mounted in each of said holes and a washer mounted to each of said screws and spanning the joint between said annulus and said plate in clamping engagement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.