GB1566027A

GB1566027A - Apparatus for gauging a workpiece

Info

Publication number: GB1566027A
Application number: GB574477A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Current assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date: 1976-02-05
Filing date: 1977-02-11
Publication date: 1980-04-30

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR GAUGING A WORKPIECE (71) We, BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AEETIENGESELLSCHAFT, a German Body Corporate, of BMW-Haus, Petuelring 130, 8000 München 40, German Federal Republic, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to apparatus for gauging a workpiece, comprising a base unit, a slide movable longitudinally of the base unit and carrying a feeler or other such member, and means for measuring or indicating the longtiudinal position of the slide on the base unit.

The precise measurement of the dimensions of a workpiece in more than one coordinate direction is most conveniently done on a gauge plate with the aid of a measuring machine. However, at best, the lengths that can thus be measured correspond roughly to the length of the gauge plate. Very bulky stationary components are often gauged with the aid of jigs, patterns and so forth. Since the production of these aids naturally involves a consider- able amount of labour and cost, mobile measuring apparatus has been developed.

The present invention has as its aim the provision of mobile measuring apparatus which permits objects of greater length to be gauged in a simple and economical manner.

To achieve this aim, the base unit is adapted to be connected end-to-end with at least one identical or similar base unit and has locating means at an end thereof arranged to co-operate with corresponding locating means at an end of the said identical or similar base unit, the locating means serving to ensure correct alignment of the base units.

Normally the base unit will be provided with locating means at both ends.

The advantage given by the invention consists primarily in that such a base unit can be connected to additional identical or similar base units to build up rapidly and with precision an assembly of base units forming a single row which can be traversed by a gauge mounted on the assembly for measuring a considerable length.

An example of apparatus in accordance with the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a single base unit carrying a surface gauge; and Figure 2 shows, diagrammatically, several base units connected together endto-end to form a rigid assembly that can be placed alongside a workpiece.

Referring to Figure 1, a base unit 1 shown therein is provided at each end with locating means which, at one end, consist of locating elements 7 fitted firmly into the endplate 5 of the base unit 1, and at the other end of openings 8 in the opposite endplate 6. These locating means permit at least two such base units 1 to be correctly aligned end to end with their respective endplates 5 and 6 abutting and the locating elements 7 engaging and entering the openings 8. This permits any desired number of units to be interconnected simply by "plugging" them together end to end as shown in Figure 2. The abutting endplates 5 and 6 of the units 1 are then rigidly connected together by bolts, clamps or the like to create a rigid assembly upon which a gauge 11 for gauging a workpiece a can be longitudinally movably mounted.

The composite base assembly 1' shown in Figure 2 is thus composed of a plurality of units 1 detachably connected end-to-end.

The single base unit 1 shown in Figure 1 has a bottom plate 2 and an upper plate 3 connected by two vertical webs 4. The base unit 1 may be a cast or welded struc ture. The locating elements 7 fitted into the first endplate 5 are axially aligned with the openings 8 provided in the other end plate 6. The openings 8 are so de signed that a locating element of the same dimensions as 7 is insertable into each opening 8 in a precise sliding fit. The locating elements 7 may be locating pins, locating screws, or locating keys. Near each of the locating elements 7 and the openings 8 there are two holes 9 which are also in exact alignment and which are intended for bolting (not shown) the abut ting endplates 5 and 6 rigidly together.

The top of the upper plate 3 carries a slideway 10 provided with a measuring scale and extending substantially from end to end of the unit 1. The scale comprises means for measuring or indicating the longitudinal position of a slide 12 on the base unit. The slide 12 carrying a surface gauge 11 is formed with corresponding ways 13 recessed into its underside and designed to slide on the slideway 10. The gauge 11 comprises an upright holder 14 fitted into the top of the slide 12 and an adjustable fitting 15 for the longitudinally sliding reception of an afm 16 which, at its free end, carries a gauge head 17. The latter is Fitted with a feeler 18 or the like.

The slide 12 is provided with two yokes 20 which extend substantially across the full width of the upper plate 3 and which embrace both edges of the plate and en gage the latter from underneath along its margins by end sections 21. This prevents the gauge 11 from tipping when the equi librium position of the transverse arm 16 is changed. In order to ensure that the yoke ends at 21 can travel across the joint be tween endplates 5 and 6 when several base units have been fitted together, the ends of the upper edge of each endplate are provided with a recess 22. Naturally the illustrated yokes 20 could be replaced by fastenings, such as screws or the like, fixed in the base unit 1.

In order to facilitate levelling of the base unit 1, the latter is fitted at the top with spirit levels 23 which permit the base to be levelled longitudinally as well as in the crosswise direction.

The bottom plate 2 of the base unit 1 is equipped with means permitting ele vational adjustment, for instance in the form of jacking screws 24. Further, for ease of handling a heavy base unit 1, the latter may be fitted on its underside with rollers 25.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to fit the gauge head with some alternative tool, such as a scribing needle or the like.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for gauging a workpiece, comprising a base unit, a slide movable longitudinally of the base unit and carrying a feeler or other such member, and means for measuring or indicating the longitudinal position of the slide on the base unit, in which the base unit is adapted to be connected end-to-end with at least one identical or similar base unit and has locating means at an end thereof arranged to co-operate with corresponding locating means at an end of the said identical or similar base unit, the locating means serving to ensure correct alignment of the base units.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the base unit is provided with locating means at both ends.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the base unit is an oblong box-shaped structure having, at each end, an endplate provided with the locating means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the endplate has holes for the passage of bolts which are to be used for rigidly connecting together base units located in an aligned end-to-end position.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the locating means comprise two locating elements projecting from an end of the base unit so as to enter matching openings in an end of the said identical or similar base unit.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the slide is provided with two yokes which extend across the full width of an upper plate of the base unit and embrace the two longitudinal edges of the plate, the two end sections of the yokes engaging the underside of the upper plate at its marginal portions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 when appendant to claim 3, in which the base unit has two endplates provided at each end of their upper edges with a recess for the passage therethrough of the yoke end sections.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the underside of the base unit is fitted with rollers.

9. Apparatus for gauging a workpiece substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

base unit 1 may be a cast or welded struc ture. The locating elements 7 fitted into the first endplate 5 are axially aligned with the openings 8 provided in the other end plate 6. The openings 8 are so de signed that a locating element of the same dimensions as 7 is insertable into each opening 8 in a precise sliding fit. The locating elements 7 may be locating pins, locating screws, or locating keys. Near each of the locating elements 7 and the openings 8 there are two holes 9 which are also in exact alignment and which are intended for bolting (not shown) the abut ting endplates 5 and 6 rigidly together.

The top of the upper plate 3 carries a slideway 10 provided with a measuring scale and extending substantially from end to end of the unit 1. The scale comprises means for measuring or indicating the longitudinal position of a slide 12 on the base unit. The slide 12 carrying a surface gauge 11 is formed with corresponding ways 13 recessed into its underside and designed to slide on the slideway 10. The gauge 11 comprises an upright holder 14 fitted into the top of the slide 12 and an adjustable fitting 15 for the longitudinally sliding reception of an afm 16 which, at its free end, carries a gauge head 17. The latter is Fitted with a feeler 18 or the like.

The slide 12 is provided with two yokes

20 which extend substantially across the full width of the upper plate 3 and which embrace both edges of the plate and en gage the latter from underneath along its margins by end sections 21. This prevents the gauge 11 from tipping when the equi librium position of the transverse arm 16 is changed. In order to ensure that the yoke ends at 21 can travel across the joint be tween endplates 5 and 6 when several base units have been fitted together, the ends of the upper edge of each endplate are provided with a recess 22. Naturally the illustrated yokes 20 could be replaced by fastenings, such as screws or the like, fixed in the base unit 1.

In order to facilitate levelling of the base unit 1, the latter is fitted at the top with spirit levels 23 which permit the base to be levelled longitudinally as well as in the crosswise direction.

The bottom plate 2 of the base unit 1 is equipped with means permitting ele vational adjustment, for instance in the form of jacking screws 24. Further, for ease of handling a heavy base unit 1, the latter may be fitted on its underside with rollers 25.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to fit the gauge head with some alternative tool, such as a scribing needle or the like.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for gauging a workpiece, comprising a base unit, a slide movable longitudinally of the base unit and carrying a feeler or other such member, and means for measuring or indicating the longitudinal position of the slide on the base unit, in which the base unit is adapted to be connected end-to-end with at least one identical or similar base unit and has locating means at an end thereof arranged to co-operate with corresponding locating means at an end of the said identical or similar base unit, the locating means serving to ensure correct alignment of the base units.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the base unit is provided with locating means at both ends.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the base unit is an oblong box-shaped structure having, at each end, an endplate provided with the locating means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the endplate has holes for the passage of bolts which are to be used for rigidly connecting together base units located in an aligned end-to-end position.
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the locating means comprise two locating elements projecting from an end of the base unit so as to enter matching openings in an end of the said identical or similar base unit.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the slide is provided with two yokes which extend across the full width of an upper plate of the base unit and embrace the two longitudinal edges of the plate, the two end sections of the yokes engaging the underside of the upper plate at its marginal portions.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 when appendant to claim 3, in which the base unit has two endplates provided at each end of their upper edges with a recess for the passage therethrough of the yoke end sections.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the underside of the base unit is fitted with rollers.
9. Apparatus for gauging a workpiece substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.