# US 4,397,093 A · Probe for use in measuring apparatus

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- Number: US 4,397,093 A
- Document ID: US4397093A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/414,502
- Filed: 1982-09-02
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1976-12-24
- Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc; Renishaw Electrical Limited
- Inventors: David R. McMurtry
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397093A

## CPC

- G01B 7/012: Contact-making feeler heads therefor
- G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS

## Abstract

A probe for use in measuring apparatus has a base member including a two-dimensional seat for an intermediate member which, in turn, includes a two-dimensional seat for a stylus holder. The two seats face in opposite directions so that the stylus holder can be displaced from the seated position in either of two opposite directions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for mounting a stylus in position-determining apparatus wherein said device and an object are movable relative to each other for engaging the stylus with the object and by such engagement sense the position thereof, said device comprising:
a fixed member having an axis,
a movable member to which a stylus is connectable,
first surface means provided on said fixed member and arranged around said axis in a plane transverse therto,
second surface means provided on said movable member and confronting said first surface means,
bias means for urging said movable member into engagement with said fixed member at said first and second surface means thereby to locate said movable member on said fixed member in an axial rest position thereon,
a centering member connected between said fixed and said movable member,
said centering member being made of sheet material having a mean sheet plane extending transversely to said axis when said movable member is at said rest position,
said sheet material being rigid against deformation in said sheet plane but being otherwise flexible and said centering member thereby cooperating to prevent displacement of said stylus relative to said fixed member rotationally about said axis and translationally in any direction transverse to said axis when said movable member is at said rest position but to permit displacement of said movable member from said rest position translationally in the direction of said axis and angularly in any plane through said axis when a force is applied to said movable member,
and said bias means cooperating to return said movable member to said rest position when said force ceases.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1 wherein said centering member comprises a plurality of limbs extending between said movable and said fixed member in spaced apart relationship around said axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second surface means comprises three distinct surface elements adapted to provide a three-point support for said movable member in said rest position thereof on said fixed member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A device according to claim 1 wherein said centering member comprises three limbs extending between said movable and said fixed member in spaced-apart relationship around said axis, and at least one of said first and second surface means comprises three distinct surface elements adapted to provide a three-point support for said movable member in said rest position thereof on said fixed member, said surface elements are situated in spaced apart relationship around said axis, and any one of said surface element is situated between two said limbs when seen in the direction of said axis.