Electronic gap measuring tool

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to an electronic gap measuring tool which is inserted into a gap being measured, and more particularly pertains to an electronic gap measuring tool which produces an instantaneous digital readout of the measurement on a digital gage.

#2. Discussion of the Prior Art

#The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention for an electronic gap measuring tool may be more readily understood by one skilled in the art with reference being had to the following detailed description of several preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views, and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first exemplary embodiment of an electronic gap measuring tool constructed pursuant to the teachings of the present invention wherein a digital depth gage is mounted on one side of the tool body;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the electronic gap measuring tool shown in FIG. 1;

#Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic gap measuring tool 10 for measuring a gap 12 between the exterior of an aircraft skin 14 and a master contour board 16 of an assembly tool. One current method of constructing an aircraft ensures that the contour of the skin 14 of the aircraft is proper by comparing the contour of the skin with the contour of a master contour board 16 of an assembly tool. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the master contour board 16 is spaced from the aircraft skin 14, and the gap 12 therebetween is measured in a sequence of gap measurements to ensure that the contour of the aircraft skin matches and precisely follows the contour of the master contour board of the assembly tool.

#The electronic gap measuring tool 10 includes a main tool body 18 which has a generally square cross-sectional shape, as indicated by the bottom plan view of FIG. 5. A bottom piece 20 has a projecting tab or toe 22, the top surface 24 of which contacts a first upper side of the gap being measured, as illustrated generally in FIG. 1. A spring loaded roller 26 contacts a second lower side of the gap being measured. The roller 26 is mounted at the lower end of a central shaft 28, FIG. 3, which is biased downwardly by an internal spring 30. The central shaft 28 is mounted within several low friction ball bushings 32 for longitudinal movement within the housing. A lever 34 is attached to the central shaft 28 for longitudinal movement therewith and also with roller 26. Thus, roller 26 is biased by spring 30 against the second lower side of the gap being measured, and any longitudinal movements of roller 26 are translated by shaft 28 to be longitudinal movements of the lever 34.

#In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a commercially available digital depth gage 36 is mounted to the side of the main tool body 18 by a bracket 38 and screws 40. The gage 36 has a longitudinally displaceable measuring probe 42 biased against lever 34 to measure any displacements of lever 34, which also measure any displacements of roller 26, and result in a measurement of the width of the gap being measured. The measuring probe 42 contacts the end of an adjustment screw 44 which is threadedly engaged in lever 34. The adjustment screw 44 is locked in place relative to the lever 34 by a lock nut 46.