Patent · US Expired

Measuring probe

US5634280A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 17, 1995
Grant dateJun 3, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 17, 2015

Classification

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

Abstract

A measuring probe has a stylus carrier supported on a fixed member in a rest position when no force acts on the stylus, the stylus carrier being deflected from its rest position to produce a signal when an external force is applied to the stylus. The support for the stylus carrier comprises two concentric rings of ball bearings of different pitch circle diameters and arranged that each ball on one of the members contacts two adjacent balls on the other member. An additional annular surface is provided on one of the members and is contacted by each of the balls on the other member. The arrangement provides that the force required to deflect the stylus is substantially equal in all directions of the force, and that the movable member is properly guided during its deflection to the point where a signal is produced.

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