Abstract:
A method and apparatus for obtaining an actual measurement in feet and inches of the distance between two points which appear on a scaled drawing by adjusting a first and second indicator to locate on the drawing a first and second point, and generating a voltage signal corresponding to the distance between the two points. A converter then converts the voltage signal to a frequency signal which is received by a first counter which generates a first binary count in response thereto. Logic gates couple the first counter to a second counter which generates a second binary count which is incremented by the first counter when the first counter reaches twelve. The first and second binary counts represent the feet and inches, respectively, portion of the measurement, and the actual measurement in feet and inches is displayed on liquid crystal displays mounted in the housing of the apparatus.
Abstract:
A novel method and apparatus for improving the overall accuracy and repeatability of an optical photoplotter which is characterized by a controller which determines an image position error from interferometric feedback signals and position command signals and subsequently provides displacement of the image in dependence thereon.
Abstract:
A rigid link is provided between a plot medium (14) and a position transducer (50) so that accurate plot medium advance measurement can be attained. The device (30) comprises a movable carriage (42) and an arm-like extension (38) that juts out from the carriage to the plot medium. A friction hold is made between the extension arm and the plot medium by applying a force to the extension arm normal to the plot medium by means of an electromagnet (33) which includes a coil (34), the extension arm serving as the armature. The electromagnet is located beneath the platen (12) which supports the medium on a base (32) which also supports the carriage.With the electromagnet activated, the extension arm is held against the plot medium. As the plot medium is advanced by a plot medium drive system (20), the extension arm and carriage are pulled along. Plot medium advance is stopped when the proper advance distance has been sensed by the position transducer. The electromagnet is then deactivated and the extension arm and carriage are retracted by a return spring (48) to their original position. The process can then be repeated for the next plot medium advance. The length of a single move is short but sufficient for a scanning type plotter or printer.
Abstract:
An activity kit for drawing, painting, sewing or the like, comprising a rigid case providing a flat activity surface and a cavity within the case for receiving a roll of medium, such as paper on which the activity is to be carried out. Medium from the roll is fed between medium guide positioned on the activity surface adjacent in the direction of dispensing of the medium. A medium dispensing control may be provided to restrict the medium which can be pulled at one time to only so much as would cover the activity surface. The kit according to the present invention provides a portable, compact activity center for young children in which the wastage of medium, such as drawing paper may be minimized through use of the medium dispensing control.
Abstract:
A graphic machine or plotter comprising a feed roll (30) for continuously supplying a print medium such as paper (20), driving means (24) for driving the paper supplied by the feed roll to produce a drawing on the paper, and a take-up roll (40) for receiving the paper after the drawing is produced. The feed roll (30) and the take-up roll (40) are linked together in such a way that the rotation of the feed roll (30) in a forward direction for which the paper is payed out from the feed roll drives the take-up roll (40) to wind up the paper but the rotation of the take-up roll (40) in the reverse direction does not drive the feed roll (30).
Abstract:
A lettering device having a writing arm (4) that is movable between a position of repose and a writing position and that receives a stylus that has a Bowden control (29) for moving the writing arm (4) between the position of repose and the writing position. The Bowden control is guided via an actuating lever (42) that is pivotably secured to a guide bearing (8), so that it is guided over two application zones (43, 44) displaced on opposite sides of the pivot axis (41) of the actuating lever (42) and spaced apart from one another. By tensing the Bowden cable control (21), one section (42') of the pivoting actuating lever (42) lifts the writing arm (41).
Abstract:
An adjustable carpenter's square is formed by having a main beam with a head secured to an upper portion of the main beam with a slide secured to the upper end of the main beam. The head and the slide are partially rotatablely secured to the main beam. The head and the slide are slideably and adjustably connected to each other also in addition to being connected to the head.
Abstract:
An automated drawing system has an automatic drawing machine which receives input data from a central control unit for making a drawing on a roll of drawing paper in accordance with the input data. At the time of making the drawing, the automatic drawing machine also encodes the drawing paper with a bar code pattern representative of the lengthwise and widthwise size of the drawing. The drawing paper is then advanced to a paper cutter system which includes a bar code reader for reading and decoding the bar code pattern and for producing therefrom control signals indicative of the desired lengthwise and widthwise size of the drawing. These control signals are fed to a Y-axis or widthwise cutter and an X-axis or lengthwise cutter which accordingly cut the drawing paper in lengthwise and widthwise directions to obtain a cut piece of drawing paper containing thereon the drawing and having a size determined by the bar code pattern.
Abstract:
A tire building machine for marking the centerline of a continuous piece of plystock is described as having, (I) a carriage which is movable along a trackway which is normal to the direction of travel of the piece of plystock being marked, (II) a pair of sensors carried by the carriage for monitoring the opposing marginal edges of the piece of plystock, (III) a device centrally disposed on the carriage between the sensors for marking the centerline of the plystock, (IV) a mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the sensors when the width of the plystock varies, and (V) a mechanism for moving the carriage and attached sensors, in unison, along the trackway, when the piece of plystock wanders from the pathway which the sensors are initially set to monitor. Also disclosed, is a mechanism for covering each of the marginal edges of the piece of plystock with a pair of unvulcanized rubbery gum strips, and a mechanism for monitoring movement of the strips into contact with the piece of material and adjusting such movement when required.
Abstract:
A line following system comprising a matrix generating optical scanning device which produces a matrix representing a portion of a line being followed and a computer which locates points on said line from said matrixes and directs the optical scanning device to proceed along the line based on a course indicated by vectors between previously located points.