Movement indicator
OwnerMichael J. Taylor, John P. Isleyinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a device for indicating a preset amount of relative movement between two points, an indicator sleeve axially movable in a cylindrical bore in a housing fixed to one of the points remains flush with the housing until the preset amount of movement is reached at which point the sleeve pops up to give a positive, easily identifiable indication of the movement. An actuating rod which bears against and follows the second point is axially slidable in the sleeve and operates a ball bearing mechanism which locks the indicator sleeve in the retracted position. The amount of movement required to generate the discrete indication is easily variable and monitoring of the actual displacement is always available.
Claims10
A device for detecting a predetermined discrete movement between first and second displaced points comprising:
- a housing having a cylindrical bore therethrough and secured to one point;
- an elongated slidable actuating rod having a first end bearing against the second point and a second end of said actuating rod slidably inserted into a first end of the cylindrical bore in said housing;
- a cylindrical indicator sleeve inserted into a second end of the cylindrical bore in said housing and axially slidable between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position wherein a portion of said sleeve extends beyond the second end of the cylindrical bore in said housing;
- means biasing the indicator sleeve to the extended position;
- and
- locking means operated by said actuating rod securing said indicator sleeve in the retracted position until the actuating rod moves a predetermined distance inside the housing in response to a corresponding change in the distance between the first and second points to release the indicator sleeve and permit the biasing means to urge said sleeve to the extended position thus presenting a discrete, mechanical indication of said predetermined change in distance between the first and second points.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.