Gaging finger for precision measuring instruments
AssigneeMoore Products Co.
InventorsRalph E. Karanian, Stephen R. Noonan, John M. Vecchitto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Spherical workpiece contact elements on a gaging finger of a linear measurement interferometer are positioned and supported by the establishment of four points of contact therewith. The spherical contact elements are located in a V-shaped groove, which defines two of the contact points, and are accessible for replacement by removal of a cap which establishes a third contact point with each spherical contact element. The fourth point of contact defines the position along the length of the V-groove of the contact elements and thus defines the degree of protrusion of the contact elements beyond the periphery of the supporting portion of the gaging finger.
Claims16
A contact member for a precision measuring instrument comprising:
- at least a first spherical contact element;
- support means for each said contact element, said support means engaging each said contact element at a plurality of discrete contact points, at least a first of said contact points being disposed diametrically oppositely with respect to the point on the spherical contact element where contact with an object to be measured is to be established, each said contact element being supported so as to extend outwardly beyond the periphery of said support means;
- and
- means removably attached to said support means for maintaining said discrete point contacts between said contact element and said support means, said removable contact maintaining means engaging each said contact element at a further discrete point of contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.