2. Description of the Related Art The existing devices and methods of checking parts for straightness, roundness, squareness and concentricity are known to be inaccurate, unrepeatable and frustrating for many companies around the world. These devices and methods of checking are not accurate or repeatable for high precision applications, where tolerance requirements are within the millionths (or microns). The traditional method of checking round parts uses a V-block and dial test indicator. This method requires the inspector to manually turn each article to be tested while the article rests in the V-block. The problem with this method is that no two people will turn the article exactly the same way, at the same speed, or with the same amount of pressure each time. This results in inconsistent readings for the same article even with the same inspector, and certainly, among various individuals. In addition, longer or heavier

parts must be held in place by hand or by a clamping device, which can result in incorrect readings due to uneven pressures and flexing (or bending) of the article.

The problem of using inaccurate testing methods has led many companies to seek out new devices and methods of checking for straightness, roundness, and concentricity. Other gauges and inspection devices on the market have similar problems or require that the article be placed so precisely in the checking device that the time to set up to check a single piece can take several minutes to several hours. Many companies have spent thousands of dollars on inspection equipment with no success in solving the problem and a lot of frustration in using the equipment obtained.

Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide devices, apparatuses, and methods for improving the way in which an article is rotated for dimensional testing with the advantage (s) of being more accurate, having a higher degree of repeatability, being easier to use or perform, and/or being faster to use or perform.

Another advantage being sought by the present invention is the provision of devices, apparatuses, and methods relating to rotating an article to be dimensionally tested in a hands-free manner. Yet another advantage being sought by the present invention is the provision of devices, apparatuses, and methods for improving the way in which an article is rotated for dimensional testing which devices, apparatuses, and methods are suitable for heavy or large articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is a connecting device for connecting a rotating device including a rotatable shaft to an article to be rotated and dimensionally tested. The connecting device includes a coupling member having a proximal end and a distal end, a first attaching means on the proximal end of the coupling member for attaching the coupling member to one end of the article, and a second attaching means on the coupling member for attaching the coupling member to the rotatabie shaft. The second attaching means includes limiting means for limiting the insertion of the shaft into the coupling member. The two attaching means are such that when the coupling member is attached to the article and the rotating device, the coupling member may be caused to be rotated by the rotating device and, in turn, t cause the article to rotate.

The first attaching means may be a magnet attached at the proximal end of the coupling member to magnetically attach the article thereto. Alternatively, the first attaching means may be a centered recess, such as a cylindrical recess or a conical recess, in the proximal end of the coupling member sized and shaped for one end of the article to be press-fitted therein.

The second attaching means may be structured such that the coupling member and the rotatable shaft are attached in a non- rotatable manner so that the coupling member and the shaft are not rotatable relative to each other. The second attaching means may be a centered recess in the distal end of the coupling member which is sized

and shaped for the end of the shaft to be fitted therein. To be relative non-rotatable, the centered recess may have from three to six sides which are longitudinal with the connecting device which corresponds to three to six sides on the end of a rotatable shaft. The three to six sides render the rotatable shaft and the connecting device to be non-rotatable relative to each other. The limiting means of the centered recess may be a wall located at the proximal end of the centered recess which limits the insertion of the shaft into the connecting device.

Alternatively, the second attaching means includes gear teeth along a surface of the connecting device which are sized to mesh with teeth on a rotatable gear.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a holding ! device for holding a magnetic article for rotation and testing. The holding device includes a block having a base at the bottom thereof, an upper surface, a proximal end, a distal end, two sides, and a longitudinal V-shaped trench for holding the article wherein the apex of the trench is at the base of the block and the opening of the trench is at the upper surface of the block. The block including a magnet as part thereof to assist in the holding of the magnetic article.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for rotating an article to be dimensionally tested. The apparatus includes means for imparting rotation; a rotatable shaft connected to the rotation means; and a coupling member as described hereinabove. The apparatus for rotating an article may include a

universal joint attached to the rotatable shaft. Alternatively, the rotatable shaft may be formed of a material and to such dimensions to be manually-bendable so that it can translate rotation from one axis to another.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for holding an article to be rotated and dimensionally tested.

The apparatus includes a holder capable of holding the article to be tested while allowing the article to be rotated and a pressure rolling device for exerting pressure on the article to be tested to help hold the article in place in the holder. At least a part of the pressure rolling device is capable of rolling on the article to be tested to allow the article to be rotated.

The pressure rolling device may include a base, a pivoting member attached to the base, and a bearing on one end of the pivoting member. When included, the bearing is the part of the pressure rolling device which is capable of rolling while exerting pressure on the article.

A further embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for holding an article to be rotated along a vertical axis and dimensionally tested. The apparatus includes a coupling member including a rotatable base having a bottom surface and a top surface upon which the article to be tested may rest and a vertical guide pin having a tip at the top thereof. The bottom surface of the rotatable base includes a central notch therein, and the tip of the guide pin is for insertion into the central notch in the rotatable base. The tip and the notch are structured to allow rotation between the rotatable base and

the guide pin. This apparatus may optionally include a slidable plate upon which the vertical guide pin rests. The rotatable base may bear teeth on a surface thereof which would be sized to mesh with gear teeth on a rotatable gear.

Yet a further embodiment of the present invention is a hands-free method for rotating an article to be dimensionally tested. The method includes (a) connecting one end of a coupling member to one end of the article in a manner such that the coupling member and the article are not rotatable relative to each other; (b) connecting the other end of the coupling member to a rotatable shaft which is connected to means for imparting rotation to the rotatable shaft; and (c) causing the rotation means to rotate the rotatable shaft, thereby rotating the coupling member and the article to be tested.

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the appendant drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of an article to be tested in place in an apparatus for rotating and dimensionally testing the article, the apparatus including devices and apparatuses according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 B is a perspective view of an article to be tested in place in another apparatus for rotating and dimensionally testing the article, the apparatus including devices and apparatuses according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus and article shown in FIG. 1 B.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of an apparatus according to the present invention and an article to be tested, the view showing a rotatable shaft and a device for connecting the article to be tested to the rotatable shaft.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of an article to be tested and another connecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an end view of the connecting device of FIG. 5A, the view seen in the direction of arrows 5B of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of an article to be tested and yet another apparatus for testing the article, the apparatus including devices and apparatuses according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an article to be tested and still another apparatus for testing the article, the apparatus including devices and apparatuses according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S) The present invention generally entails devices, apparatuses, and methods relating to rotating an article to be dimensionally tested.

The article to be tested is typically the type that is round on at least part of its exterior such that it may be rolled. The article to be tested may be smooth on the exterior surface or not smooth, e. g., the article may have teeth, longitudinal or lateral, cut therein. The present invention is especially suited for articles which have a cylindrical portion and for articles which have tolerances that are within microns. The articles may be formed of any type of material, for example, ceramics, metals, metal alloys, and ceramic/metal alloys.

Various dimensions of an article may require testing. For example, the straightness, roundness, squareness, concentricity, flute heights, diameters, and uniformity are examples where there may be dimensional requirements of an article. The devices, apparatuses, and methods of this invention assist in accurately testing the dimensions of an article.

Referring first to Figure 1A, apparatus 10 for rotating and testing article 12 is shown with article 12 in place for testing. Article 12 is a cylindrical body of varying diameters and having proximal end 13 and distal end 13'. Apparatus 10 includes V-block 14 for horizontally

holding article 12, frame 16 for holding V-block 14, motor 18 (shown in a box-like housing), shaft 20, coupling member in the form of connecting cap 22, dimensional tester 24, and support plate 26 which supports the above-listed parts of apparatus 10.

Figure 1 B shows apparatus 11 which is a similar apparatus to apparatus 10, with the only difference being that, in place of motor 18, a hand-cranked rotational device 19 is used instead. Alternatively, other types of rotational devices may be used. Any automated rotational device may be interfaced with a computer for computerized control.

Support plate 26 is typically a secure plate formed of, e. g., granite, which is preferably calibrated and certifiably flat. Typically, support plate 26 is heavy enough so as not to move during any of the testing operations.

Frame 16, which is secured to support plate 26, includes parallel rails 28 and cross rails 30,32, and 34. Frame 16 may be formed of any rigid material, such as metal. Motor 18 is positioned between cross rails 32 and 34 of frame 16. Parallel rails 28 of frame 16 are positioned a distance apart which coincides with the width of V- block 14 so that V-block 14 may be secured between parallel rails 28 and may be slid along the rails to vary the V-block's position to accommodate articles having various lengths.

Although V-blocks are known in the testing industry, V- block 14 will be described here in some detail. V-block 14 includes two ends 36, base 38 at the bottom thereof, transverse support walls 40

extending upwardly from base 38, upper surface 42, and, sides 44. V- block 14 also includes V-shaped trench 46 such that the apex of the"V" is at base 38 and the open end of the"V"is at upper surface 42 of V- block 14. Typical angles of the apex of the"V"are from about 60° to about 90°. Due to the presence of V-shaped trench 46, an inverted"V" is cut out of each transverse support wall 40.

V-block 14 is typically formed of a rigid material, such as aluminum, stainless steel or carbide, or any other non-magnetic material.

The holding surface (the inside surface of the"V") may be treated with a hard-coat plating which would provide improved wear resistance, along with anti-rust and anti-corrosion properties. When the V-blocks are formed of aluminum or other"softer"materials, the V-blocks may be fitted with wear pads formed of wear-resistant material such as carbide } or ceramic. The wear pads would be fitted onto the holding surface of the V-blocks where the articles contact and roll. The V-blocks are made in a number of sizes and angles to accommodate articles having a wide variety of lengths and diameters, e. g. to accommodate diameters of from about 1/16"to about 3". V-block 14 is useful for supporting article 12 which is usually held in place by its own weight. When an article has sections of different diameters, the article rests on the V-block at its wider diameter and hovers over the V-block at its narrower diameter. V- blocks could also be made which have varying depths of"V"trenches to accommodate articles having varying diameters.

As shown in Figure 2, one embodiment of the present invention is V-block 14 which includes magnets 45 secured below the apex of the"V"in base 38. Magnets 45 assist in the holding of article

12 when article 12 is magnetic. Magnets 45 are not limited to the location shown in Figure 2, but may be, e. g., any part of base 38 of V- block 14 or may be part of support walls 40 near the apex of the"V".

When the article to be tested is formed of a non-magnetic material, a ferrous slide ring (not shown) having a complementary shape of the outer dimensions of the non-magnetic article could be slid over the article so that the magnets in the V-block can be effective. The ferrous slide ring would be positioned between any two of the transverse support walls 40 of V-block 14.

Dimensional tester 24, known in the testing industry, is shown in Figure 1A and 1B to include adjustable stand 46 which is shown attached to support plate 26 (although it may be freestanding), dial test/indicator 48, indicator arm 50, and probe 52. Dimensional > tester 24 is usually used by adjusting the tester in position so that probe 52 rests on the surface of article 12 to be tested. Then, as article 12 is rotated, probe 52 rides along the rotating surface and the relative location of the surface is transferred to the dial test indicator for reading.

In the present invention, instead of having a person manually rotating the article to be tested, the article is rotated either by use of a motor (as shown in Figure 1A) or by a hand-cranked rotational device (as shown in Figure 1B), each of which have shaft 20 extending therefrom. Using a motor to generate rotation has the advantage of rotating the shaft at a smooth, consistent rate. If a hand crank is used, attempts should be made to rotate at a smooth, consistent rate.

In Figures 1A-3, article 12 is connected to shaft 20 via connecting cap 22 which is best seen in Figure 3 which shows a portion of article 12, connecting cap 22, shaft 20, universal joint 54, and shaft 56. Connecting cap 22 is a cylindrical body having proximal end 58 and distal end 60 and includes a centered cylindrical recess 62 in proximal end 58 which is sized to frictionally press fit onto distal end 13'of article 12. The dimensions of recess 62 and annular wall 63 encircling recess 62 are determined by the diameter of article 12. It is preferred that the dimensions of connecting cap 22 be such that annular wall 63 is thin relative to the diameter of cylindrical recess 62, e. g., the thickness of wall 63 is preferably less than 25%, more preferably, less than 10%, of the diameter of recess 62. Connecting cap 22 also has centered cylindrical recess 64 in distal end 60 and socket member 65 is secured in centered cylindrical recess 64, e. g., by press fitting. Socket member ) 65 has centered hexagonal socket 67 in distal end 69.

Shaft 20 includes rigid rod 66 having proximal end 68 and distal end 70 and hexagonal ball driver head 72 on proximal end 68.

Hexagonal ball driver head 72 and hexagonal socket 67 are sized so that head 72 may be press-fitted into socket 67. The six sides of head 72 and of socket 67 help to insure that there is no rotation between shaft 20 and connecting cap 22. Alternatively, other shapes of head 72 and socket 67 would suffice to limit rotation between the two members and these shapes would be easily determined by those skilled in the art. For example, a socket or recess having from three to six sides which are longitudinal with the connecting cap and a corresponding shaft head

would limit rotation between the two members. Wall 71 of hexagonal socket 67 is present to limit the insertion of ball driver head 72 into connecting cap 22.

Universal joint 54 is connected on one end to distal end 70 of shaft 20 and on the other end to shaft 56. Universal joint 54 is present so that if the axis of rotation of shaft 56 is different than that desired by connecting cap 22, universal joint 54 will smoothly transmit rotation from one shaft to the other even though they the two shafts are not collinear.

Alternative to using universal joint 54, the shaft, extending from the motor to connecting cap 22 or a part thereof, may be formed of a flexible material that flexes as needed to transmit rotation from one axis to another, yet is rigid enough longitudinally so that it continues to transmit the rotation and has high strength to last through many rotations. A suitable level of flexibility is one which is manually- bendable. One such material is a nickel-titanium alloy, which is commercially available under the tradename"NITINOL", from the... company, city, state.

Another alternative of transmitting rotation from one axis to another is through the use of a bellows/drive shaft or flexible flushing/drive shaft combination (both not shown).

Other connecting caps which may be used in place of connecting cap 22 are shown in Figures 4 and 5A and 5B. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of connecting cap 74 which is essentially

a cone-shaped body having proximal end 76 and distal end 78. Proximal end 76 has conical recess 80 therein into which an end of an article to be tested may be press-fitted. Distal end 78 of connecting cap 74 has central cylindrical recess 82 therein sized for press fit insertion of socket member 83 therein. Socket member 83 has central hexagonal socket 85 in distal end 87 which is sized for hexagonal ball driver head 72 discussed above.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate connecting cap 84. Figure 5A shows a side view of connecting cap 84 attached to article 12 having proximal end 13 and distal end 13'. In this figure, article 12 is ferrous.

Connecting cap 84 is a cylindrical body having proximal end 86 and distal end 88. Attached to proximal end 86 are a plurality of magnets 90 which are in a position suitable to attract and hold distal end 13'of article 12. Distal end 88 of cap 84 has central hexagonal socket 92 therein, similar to hexagonal socket 67 of cap 22.

Figure 5B shows the distal end view of connecting cap 84 (i. e., as seen in the direction of arrows 5B of Figure 5A). Magnets 90 are placed in symmetrical locations on proximal end 86 equidistant from the center of cap 84, although different magnet orientations would also work in the invention, such as an annular magnet, a horseshoe-shaped magnet, or a disk-shaped magnet.

Magnets 90 on connecting cap 84 and magnets 45 of V- block 14 may be the typical ferromagnetic type magnets or the rare earth oxide supermagnets, or they may be electromagnetic magnets which are connected to an electrical source so that they may be activated,

deactivated, or adjusted to have more or less magnetic force, depending on the size and weight of the article to be tested. Electromagnetic magnets would be activated when it is desired for the article to be attached to connecting cap 84 and held by V-block 14.

All of the connecting caps of the present invention may be formed of plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers thereof or rubber or a combination thereof so long as the press-fitting connecting caps exhibit enough flexibility to allow the article to be inserted into the recess (if present), yet exhibit memory to return to its original shape to hold the article. The socket members may be formed of any rigid material, such as plastic, metal or ceramic.

Alternative to the connecting caps described above, other ) camping or chucking devices, such as a keyless chuck, may be used to couple the rotating shaft to the article to be tested. The camping or chucking devices may lend themselves especially suitable for coupling large or odd-shaped articles to the rotating shaft.

The devices and apparatuses shown in Figures 1-5B, allow for a hands-free method for rotating an article to be dimensionally tested, which is also an embodiment of the present invention. The method allows for the rotation of an article without manually touching the article during rotation. The method includes a) connecting one end of a coupling member to one end of the article in a manner such that the coupling member and the article are not rotatable relative to each other; b) connecting the other end of the coupling member to a rotatable shaft

which is connected to means for imparting rotation to the rotatable shaft; and c) causing the rotation means to rotate the rotatable shaft, thereby rotating the coupling member and the article to be tested.

In the step of connecting one end of the coupling member to one end of the article, the coupling member may be one of the connecting caps shown in Figures 1-5B. In the case of the press-fitted caps, the cap is merely slid on the end of the article. In the case of the magnetic cap, the magnetic cap is merely attached to the end of the magnetic article.

The step of connecting the other end of the coupling member to a rotatable shaft may be performed before or after the step of connecting the coupling member to the article. To connect the other end of the connecting caps shown in Figure 4-5B to a rotatable shaft, the ball driver head of the rotatable shaft is inserted into the hexagonal socket of the connecting cap. The rotatable shaft may be a rigid shaft, a rigid shaft/universal joint combination, a flexible yet torqueable shaft, or any of other imaginable rotatable shafts. The shaft is then rotated by a rotational device to which it is connected.

The hands-free method of rotating an article may be automated. For example, a robotic arm may be designed to transfer a finished article from a station, e. g., a grinding, milling, or turning station, onto a connecting cap which is already connected to a rotatable shaft.

If the robotic arm is electromagnetic and the articles are electromagnetically attractable, the electromagnetic robotic arm may be activated to pick up an article, attach the article to a connecting cap

(which may also be electromagnetic), and then the robotic arm may be deactivated to be released from the article. An electromagnet in the V- block may then be activated to better hold the article in the V-block.

The article may then be tested dimensionally by electronic testers which could send the test data to a computer and the number and quality of each manufactured article could be recorded. After dimensional testing of the article, the robotic arm may be returned to remove the article from the connecting cap and place it in a box for shipping.

Figure 6 shows an apparatus for holding article 12 to be dimensionally tested along with some testing apparatus. Support plate 26, V-block 14, dial test indicator 48, and probe 52 are the same as F those shown in Figures 1A and 1B. The new device in Figure 6 is pressure rolling device 94 which includes base 96, T-shaped pivoting member 98, bearing 100, release handle 102, and tension device 104.

T-shaped pivoting member 98 has leg 106 having bottom end 108 and arm 110 having end 111 and arm 112 having end 113. T-shaped pivoting member 98 is pivotally attached to base 96 at bottom end 108.

Bearing 100, which could be a ball bearing or other suitable rotatable device, is mounted on end 111 of arm 110 and release handle 102 is mounted on end 113 of arm 112. Tension device 104, which may be an adjustable tension spring, is attached to arm 110. The main parts of pressure rolling device 94 may be formed of any sturdy, rigid material, such as metal, plastic, or ceramic.

The purpose of pressure rolling device 94 is to apply some pressure on article 12 to keep article 12 in place on V-block 14 while allowing article 12 to rotate. Optionally, bearing 100 may be installed such that its outer surface contacts the article at an angle, such as from about 5° to about 10° so that, as bearing 100 rotates, it causes the article to move along the V-block so that the testing can be done along the length of the article. The devices for rotating article 12 are not shown in Figure 6, but may be the same as those shown in Figures 1A and 1B. Release handle 102 is present to allow a person, by pulling down on the release handle, to remove bearing 100 from article 12.

Although Figure 6 shows pressure rolling device 94 used in an apparatus testing a horizontally-positioned article, the pressure rolling device may be easily adapted or designed to be used in testing vertically-positioned articles as well to help hold the article against a V-block or against a t guide pin (a guide pin is discussed below with respect to Figure 7).

To use pressure rolling device 94, release handle 102 is pulled down to release bearing 100 from the testing area. Then, article 12 is placed on V-block 14 and attached to a connecting cap (not shown) and rotational device (not shown), and release handle 102 is released and bearing 100 is allowed to rest on article 12. The tension of tension device 104 may be adjusted as desired. As article 12 is rotated, bearing 100 assists in holding article 12 in place and rotates along with it.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 7 which includes an apparatus for holding an article to be rotated along a vertical axis. In this figure, article 12'is being tested for

squareness of one of its ends in relation to the sides. Article 12'is mounted in rotatable base 114 (shown partially in cross section) which may be rotated by gear 115. Rotatable base 114 is rotatably mounted on conical tip 116 of vertical guide pin 118, which rests in annular magnet 120, which is mounted on sliding base plate 122, which is slidably inserted in channel 124 of frame 126. Article 12'is also supported vertically by V-block 14 which is the same as that shown in the previous figures, but it is turned to rest on its distal end. It is advantageous if V-block 14 has magnets embedded therein to help hold article 12'when article 12'is magnetic.

Rotatable base 114 is a cylindrical body having top surface 128 and bottom surface 130. Top surface 128 has central cylindrical recess 131 therein into which the bottom end of article 12'press fits.

Inside rotatable base 114 is shown annular magnet 132 which is present to attract article 12'if article 12'is formed of magnetic material. On bottom surface 130 are gear teeth 134 which are sized to mesh with gear teeth 136 of gear 115 which is rotated by rotational device 138.

Alternatively, the gear teeth on rotatable base 114 may be on the sides of rotatable base 114 and some adjusting of the positions of gear 115 and rotational device 138 could arrange to have teeth of gear 115 mesh with side teeth on the rotatable base.

Rotatable base 114 also has central notch 140 in bottom surface 130 which is sized to allow conical tip 116 of vertical guide pin 118 to be rotatably positioned therein. Article 12'may also have a dimple in the center of the bottom end thereof which may assist in the positioning of conical tip 116. Below conical tip 116 of vertical guide

pin 118, vertical guide pin 118 has middle cylindrical region 142, and conical bottom end 144 wherein the wide diameter of conical bottom 144 is at the bottom end of vertical guide pin 118. Vertical guide pin 118 is shown mounted in the center of annular magnet 120 which is secured to sliding base plate 122 by adhesive or other suitable way of securement. Annular magnet 120 is also present to help hold article 12' in position if article 12'is formed of magnetic material. Alternatively, annular magnet 120 could be an annular disk formed of any material.

Sliding base plate 122 is present to allow the accommodation of various diameters of articles to be tested.

To use the apparatus shown in Figure 7, rotatable base 114 is attached to one end of article 12'by press-fitting rotatable base 114 thereon. Then vertical guide pin 118 is placed in disk 120 on sliding ) base plate 122, and sliding base plate 122 is slid to adjust its position for article 12'. Then article 12'and rotatable base 114 are placed on tip 116 of vertical guide pin 118 so that teeth 136 of gear 115 mesh with teeth 134 of rotatable base 114. V-block 14 is placed vertically against article 12'to help support the article, and probe 52 is rested on article 12', ready to perform testing. Gear 115 is then caused to rotate which causes rotatable base 114 to rotate and, in turn, causes article 12'to rotate.

Any of the above testing apparatus may be combined with computer interface equipment, statistical process control connection, laser test indicator set-ups, electronic amplifiers, and other things known in the art.

The industrial applicability of the present invention includes the dimensional testing of articles, especially those which have high tolerance requirements. The devices, apparatuses, and methods of the present invention improve the way in which an article is rotated for dimensional testing resulting in improved accuracy, improved repeatability, increased ease in performing, and increased speed in performing which increases productivity and reduces the costs of inspecting parts. The devices, apparatuses, and methods of the present invention provide a way of rotating an article to be dimensionally tested in a hands-free manner and are suitable for heavy or large articles.