Patent · US Expired

Touch probe

US5505005A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
27References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 11, 1994
Grant dateApr 9, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 11, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B7/012
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A touch probe includes a stylus module (54) and a sensing module (52) to which the stylus module is releasably securable by a magnetic coupling. The sensing module comprises a strain sensitive load cell on which the stylus module is supported, and which senses strain in the stylus on contact with a surface. The stylus module provides for overtravel of the probe; a stylus-supporting member being biased into a kinematic rest position with respect to the casing of the stylus module. The biasing force in the stylus module is chosen with regard to the length and configuration of stylus. This modular system enables automated stylus changing without the need to adjust the biasing force on the stylus-supporting member when different lengths of styli are employed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.