GB1568664A - Gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements - Google Patents

Abstract

The measuring-movement transmitting device comprises parts (10, 11) which move in the longitudinal direction in relation to one another, onto which measuring elements and fixing devices (21, 42) to attach the bracket on a support (46) can be mounted individually and independently, lying on a flat support surface on a rod-shaped device (13). The two parts (10, 11) can be shifted in relation to one another by means of linear ball bearings (12). <IMAGE>

Description

(54) GAUGE SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR USE IN MAKING OR CHECKING MEASUREMENTS (7) I, LARS ÖSTEN FORSMAN, a citizen of Sweden. of Rorogatan 18, S-253 72 Helsingborg, Sweden, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - This invention relates to a gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements.

In the process of mechanical manufacture, the quality of a product or details included therein is to a high degree related to the accuracy of measurement. Therefore, one tries to achieve in modern production an optimum quality by means of a subsequent check on predetermined tolerances and general quality control in all stages of manufacture.

Increased volume of production and increased demands for accuracy in measurement have created a greater need for gauge supports than previously. A reason which has contributed substantially to this increased need of gauge supports is also that it is desired to control the quality to a pre determined level during manufacture.

Therefore, the checking and supervising operations have also to a continuously higher degree been removed from the check ing or the measuring room to th workshop, where the operator, who supervises and influences the manufacture, also shall have the possibility to check continuously that the measurement requirements are fulfilled. As a rule this must take place during machining, which is disadvantageous as far as time is concerned. Generally, gauge supports are built for simultaneous indication of all dimensions of interest, since it is often necessary to make several measurements under said conditions and still maintain a high degree of measurement accuracy.

Such a gauge support always has to be specifically shaped and designed according to the form, size and weight of the product to be measured as well as the number of measuring points and according to different measurement requirements. However, it occurs rarely today that a gauge support is specially made only for one object to be measured, since small changes in the supervising condition are apt to involve expensive rebuilding or even reconstruction and remanufacture of the entire fixture. Gauge supports which are built up by ready-made standardized components therefore have become increasingly prevalent.

A gauge support which has been built up according to one system should easily be changeable to other dimensions and adapted to new shapes. It is also of importance with such supoprts that the components are reusable in new supports for checking measured objects under entirely different conditions, after having been demounted from a first support. A good deal of construction and manufacture also will be avoided, since the measurement transmitting components are available as standard elements. It is possible to provide without difficulties, combinations for multiple-type outside measurement of rotationally symmetrical objects which are in general located between centres, on a mandrel or in V-blocks, by means of most of the brands of standardized components for gauge supports.As a rule gauge supports for each object may be assembled without any reference to drawings. It is considerably more difficult td achieve a solution by means of standard components for measuring objects having an irregular shape or for measuring small objects at closely spaced measuring points.

There is, however, in the market a system which could be considered as flexible, wherein individual elements are interconnected to a device which transmits the measuring motion, the so-called gauging frame, but also in this case adaptation is required in difficult cases. Thus the gauging frame senses the dimension of the measured object and supplies it to the indicator, for instance a gauge or an electronic q pneumatic transmitter. When several gauging frames interact on an object to be measured and where the measurements are independent of each other, it is particularly important to provide for the individual gauging frame a correctly located measuring stop or indicator holder, in order to allow the gauging frame, when mounted, to cooperate with one or several other gauging frames.In this connection the designer must also determine the location of frame fasteners. A gauging frame has in general two frame fasteners, and the mutual location thereof is dependent of the necessary location of possible measuring stops, indicator holders and spring fasteners, since they are generally located on a common base.

The frame fasteners shall keep the gauging frame fixed in the measuring fixture by means of a mounting plate and therefore the location of the frame fasteners determines the location of the screw holes in the mounting plate.

A form of a gauging frame which is common today is the type which comprises two parallel shafts which are generally inter- connected at one end and the other of the shafts by means of two leaf spring links or so called frame bridges. In such a. device one shaft will be permanently connected to the mounting plate and the other can move in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.

The movement can be guided in one direction or the other by an alternative mounting of helical springs. The movement can also be limited by an adjustable stop in order to allow control of the movement range of the measuring arm which is mounted on the movable shaft of the gauging frame.

A measuring frame is always given an individual shape and, therefore, it has to be mounted with the standard components in a predetermined order, since the frame bridges close the parallelogram. If any of the components should be erroneously mounted on one or the other of the shafts, one of the frame bridges and maybe also one or more of the other components always have to be demounted and then remounted in a different order for a correct mounting.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements, which can easily be mounted when the apparatus is built up or rearranged.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus wherein an individal element can be rearranged or adjusted independently of other elements.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved appara- tus wherein the mounting of elements is independent of the order of such elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements which provides an increased flexibility and facilitates the construction and design of a measuring apparatus.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be Iearned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements and comprising: two elements at least one of which is a bar element comprising two rails which each have wall means defining a channel therein, the channels facing one another; spacing means between the rails; means for clamping the rails to one another with the spacing means therebetween; and bar element having at least one planar outside surface extending therealong; connecting means for connecting the two elements to one another in spaced, substantially parallel relationship, the connecting means being arranged to permit relative longitudinal movement of the two elements; abutment means to limit relative movement of the two elements; resilient means to bias said bar element to a predetermined position relative to the other of the two elements; mounting means for mounting said other element on a base support for the apparatus; and means for detachably mounting a measuring component against said planar outside surface of said one element in a position determined by an object to be measured.

The present invention also provides a gauge support apparatus comprising: two bar elements each. including two rails which each have wall means defining a channel therein, the channels- facing one another; spacing means between the channels; means for clamping the rails to one another with the spacing means therebetween; one of the bar elements having at least one planar outside surface extending therealong; connecting means for connecting the bar elements to one another in spaced, substantially parallel relationship, the connecting means being arranged to permit relative longitudinal movement of the bar elements; abutment means to limit relative movement of the bar elements; resilient means to bias the bar elements to predetermined positions relative to one another; mounting- means for mounting the other of the bar elements on a base support for the apparatus; and means for detachably mounting a measuring component against said planar outside surface of said one bar element in a position determined by an object to be measured.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reférérice to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a gauge support apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view, partly a sectional view, of the embodiment according to Fig.

1 also disclosing a modified fastener for the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view e@ the connection between the bar elements e@ the apparatus at one end of the appara @@s, and of the fastener of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connecting means; Fig. 5 is a perspective view corresponding te Figure 1, of another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1, of still another embodiment of the invention.

Reforence will now be made in detail to me present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The gauge support apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises two mutually parallel bar elements 10 and 11, which are intercon dented at their ends by means of connecting devices 12, which admit a limited axial movement of the elements in relation to one another against spring loading. Each of the elements 10 and 11 consists of two rails 13, see also Fig. 2, each of which has an undereut groove 14 which extends along the rail at one side thereof. Thereby each rail has a U-shaped or channelled cross-sectional form. It has in its web two elongated slots 15 having substantially the same width as the distance between the two limbs or flanges of the channel.The two rails 13, which are included in each of the two elements 10 and 11, are interconnected by means of two spacing elements, each of which comprises a socket-like shaft 16, Figs. 3 and 4, having rectangular crosssectional form externally, and a head 17 which is integral with the shaft. This head is provided with two ribs 18 inclined surfaces of which engage corresponding in dined surfaces 19 of rails 13, as can be seen from Fig. 4. In spacing element 16, 17 there is inserted a screw 20 having a countersunk head which is received in head 17, and by means of this screw which is screwed into element 12 and a block 21, Fig: 3, respectively, the two rails 13 are pressed against shaft 16 by cam-like action between the inclined surfaces at 19.Shafts 16 are so dimensioned that the rails will be rautually spaced at a distance determined b shafts 16, which distance corresponds to the width of slots 15 and the distance be t**n the flanges of rail 13. Elements 10 and 11 thus have mutually- perpendicular and similar through-slots in the longitudinal direction thereof for the insertion of tools, such as screwdrivers and pin spanners, when a gauge support is being mounted and for the insertion and the fastening of components which are to be included in the apparatus.

Each of connecting devices 12 comprises two blocks 22a and 22b the surfaces of which, facing each other, are formed with two substantially V-shaped grooves 23.

These grooves extend parallel to each other and are located opposite to each other, and in each pair of grooves there are received two balls 24 which are located by means of a ball holder 25 which comprises a plate having holes for receiving the balls with clearance. In the plate there is also an elongated hole 26, Fig. 3, through which passes a screw 27, the head 28 of which, being cylindrical and having a hexagonal socket, is received in a recess 29 in the block 22a, a spring washer 30 being located between head 28 and the bottom of recess 29. Screw 27 extends wtih clearance through blocks 22a and 22b and is screwed into a nut washer 31, a number of balls 32 being arranged between this nut washer and block 22b. The balls are located by means of a ball holder 33, in which the balls are received with clearance in holes.

A slot 34 is provided for screw 27 in block 22b, said slot admitting movement of this block in relation to screw 27 in the transverse direction thereof. A helically wound pressure spring 36 is engaged between a plug 35 which has been screwed into block 22b, and screw 27, the spring being guided on a peg 37 on plug 35 and engaging the shaft of screw 27. By means of spring 36 the screw is pressed into engagement with a peg 38 located on a plug 39 which has been screwed into block 22b. By screwing this plug the position of peg 37 can be changed.

Thus block 22a can be displaced in relation to block 22b over a limited distance against the action of spring 36, this distance being determined by the length of slot 34 and the position of peg 38. This displacement can be realized practically without any friction, since all movements take place by means of the linear anti-friction bearings formed by balls 24 and 32.

Each of the blocks 22a and 22b, respectively, has in its external surface a groove 40 for the reception of shaft 16, as well as two threaded holes 41 for engagement with screws 20, as shown in Fig. 3.

It can be seen that the two elements ]0 and 11, each comprising two rails 13 in the manner described above, are axially dis place' able in relation to each other over a limited distance against the action of spring 36 in each of connecting means 12. The two elements thereby form a gauge support together with means 12, a so-called parallelogram, for the mounting of measuring arms, measuring stops, indicator holders or similar components in a measuring fixture in a manner which will be described later on.

For the mounting of this gauging frame on a base, element 11 is provided with block 21 previously mentioned and with a further block 42, which are fastened onto this element by means of members 16, 17 and screws 20, which are screwed into through threaded bores 43 extending perpendicularly in relation to the surface of blocks 21 and 42, respectively, engaging the rails 13.

These blocks are provided with a groove 40 in the surface engaging the rails 13 for receiving shaft 16 in the same way as in each of blocks 22a and 22b. Besides, blocks 21 and 42 each have a further through threaded bore 44, Fig. 3, which is parallel with bore 43, as well as a threaded bore 45 which is perpendicular to these bores. Bore 44 may serve the purpose of fastening the gauge support onto a plate 46, which is an integral part of the base, by means of a screw 47, as shown concerning block 42 in Fig. 2, but the fastening can also take place by means of a hook 48, as shown concerning block 21 in Figs. 2 and 3. For interaction with these hooks 48, plate 46 can be formed with a number of grooves 49 crossing each other in the manner which can be seen from Fig. 1.These grooves extend obliquely into the plate, as can be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, and hook 48 is pressed against a sloping surface 50 of the groove by means of a screw 51 screwed into bore 45. Thereby a sloping surface 52 of the hook engages sloping surface 50, and since this sloping surface 52 has a greater inclination than sloping surface 50 a component force is obtained when hook 48 is pressed against surface 50, thus forcing block 21 against plate 46.

For the use of two such hooks for mounting the gauge support on the plate, the plate has for this purpose grooves which are sloping in opposite directions as will be seen from Fig. 1. The width of hooks 48 should be greater than the width of grooves 49, so that a hook can be located also in the crossing point between two grooves. Thereby one can position the gauge support at any desired location on plate 46 over the entire length thereof.

In Fig. 5, one single connecting means 12' is substituted for two connecting means 12. Said single connecting means may be made in the same way as has been described concerning means 12, but it has a greater length in the longitudinal direction of elements 10, 11 in order to provide the neces svy guiding and stabilization of the ele mehiwon relative movement thereof. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5, one of the blocks of connecting means 12' is fastened in a desired displaced position relative to element 11 by means of screws 53 and associated nuts, which engage for instance a T-groove 54 in this element 11.

Thus, in this case element 11 may have a more simple design than element 11 in Fig.

1. Furthermore, element 11 in Fig. 5 is made integral with a block 42 which is formed with screw bores for two hooks, one being shown at 48, which serve the purpose of fastening element 11 to base plate 46, as has been described previously, the hooks being engaged from opposite directions with the plate each in one groove.

As a rule, it is only necessary to loosen one hook and then retighten it for displacement of element 11 in relation to the plate and fastening of the same in a new position. In the embodiment according to Fig.

5 there are great possibilities of locating element 10 in a desired displaced position, since one can choose desired grooves for hooks 48 and one can infinitely vary the fastening of the connecting means 12' in a desired displacement position on element 11 and, furthermore, it is possible to fasten element 10 in a desired displacement position on connecting means 12'. Fig. 5 also shows how the previously mentioned measuring components, such as measuring arms, measuring stops and indicator holders, can be mounted on the gauge support. Thus, Fig. 5 shows a measuring arm 55 which is fixedly mounted on element 10 by means of a screw 56 and a nut which is received inside element 10 and may be of the same shape as head 17.Furthermore, Fig. 5 shows a measuring arm 57 which is mounted on a connecting means 12" of a design which is also similar to the connecting means 12 described with reference to Fig. 3. This connecting means 12" is fixedly screwed on the one hand to element 10 by means of screw 20 and head 17 and, on the other hand, to arm 57 by means of screw 57'.

Thus, arm 57 is movable in relation to element 10 to a limited extent against spring action in connecting means 12", and a measuring point 59 of a measuring indicator 58 contacts the movable block in connecting means 12", this indicator being supported by a holder 60, which is fixed to element 10 by means of a screw 56 and an associated nut.

In order to measure the diameter of a cylindrical object 61, this object is into duced betwen measuring arms 55 and 57 by guiding means in a way which is known per se regarding measuring fixtures, measuring arm 55 forming a fixed reference and measuring arm 57 moving in relation to measuring arm 55 and actuating measuring indicator 58. However, measuring 4rum 55 is flóatingly mounted, by means of Connecting means 12', in relationr tó the fiNed reference which is. formed by the base plate 46. This principle including floating measuring points is well-known per se in the art.Measuring arms, measuring stops, indicator holders or similar means can be connected with the gauging frame in a great variation of combinations for measuring different dimensions. Such means may also be" mounted in slots 15.

Fig. 6 shows another manner of using the apparatus according to the invention. In this case a base rod 62 carries a clamping element 63, which is secured about the rod by means of a clamp screw 64 and in turn supports element 20 by means of connect ing means 12. Element 63 has for this purpose a T-groove 54. A holder 65 for a measuring indicator 58 is mounted on ele ment 63 while a measuring arm 67 is moun ted on element 10, the element 10 being vertically and freely displaceable in relation ta holder 65. Measuring arm 57 thus mea sures a, machine element 61 in relation to support 62, and transmits motion directly to indicator 58.

,The advantages obtained by the gauge support apparatus according to the inven tion and as described above, can be, sum maerized according to the following: 1. The basis for a wide range of combina tions of measuring arms, measuring stops, indicator holders or similar components is a completely mounted parallelogram with associated fastening means. This means that relatively few components are in volved, since the parallelogram having fastening means is a complete operative unit. Corresponding mounting and de mounting work can be reduced or elimina ted In prior art systems which are based on the parallelogram, two shafts first have to be fixed to flexible links (bridges), while all other means to be used are removably mounted on the respective shafts and in a correct order in relation to each other.

They are given the final position during the final mounting step in the fixtures. Before the tightening of the bridges against the shafts these, as- a rule, have to be placed on two transverse rulers which are set in one plane in relation to each other, in. order to prevent the parallelogram from being de formed. This preparation work with each measuring unit can be disposed of as well as the risk of slanting because of erroneous mounting. In other words the parallelo gram is ready to be mounted directly to the fixture. After a rough adjustment of the position of the parallelogram in relation to the grooves available on the mounting plate the other components can be moun ted in a suitable order and independently of each other.

2. The new form of a parallelogram admits in principle a doubled mounting space for components on the respective bar elements. In comparison with a known parallelogram, where each component occupies a corresponding part of the shaft length each component of the new parallel gram occupies only a corresponding part of one half of the bar, since it is possible to mount components on opposite sides of each element 10 and 11, respectively. Thus, there is achieved an available space for each component at the same length of the bars, which space is twice the size and which provides increased flexibility.

3. It is possible to mount and demount measuring components on the bar elements of the parallelogram independently of the order of location in relation to each other. Although the gauge supports are located closely beside each other, it is possible for instance to move or adjust a measuring arm since this can be made from the front side through the slot between rails 13 which are connected together. In previously known system the screw for each measuring arm is placed inwardly, and if the gauging frames are mounted in juxtaposition, it is difficult to reach since, moreover, a tension spring is engaged between the frame shafts.

4. The support can be mounted on and demounted from the base or mounting plate from principally two directions and always to the front side of the plate. In a vertical mounting, one screw at the frame fastener is always available. In a horizon tal mounting, both screws are often available. In corresponding known systems of components the screw head is available on the rear of the mounting plate, since the frame fasteners are located by a throughscrew. If the mounting plate is placed as a fitting in a certain - type of known fixtures the plate has to be demounted before the screw for the frame fastener can be available. Hence, the mounting work is made more simple.

5. A gauge support has alternatives for attachment in groves or by a through screw.

If -no premanufactured mounting plate having grooves is available, the support can still be fixed to the plate in a conventional manner.

6. Gauge supports can be mounted in two directions and on the desired place by means of a premanufactured vertically or horizontally mounted mounting plate having cross groove systems. By moving the sup port axially at least about one third of the length of the support in both directions in relation to the support fastener and by the support fastener having alternative grooves a measuring point mounted on the sup port can reach any spot within the surface area of the mounting plate and in certain cases even outside it. The support can also be mounted in the centre of a crossing groove, owing to the fact that the hooks of the clamp fastener are considerably wider than the groove. For this reason there are no "dead" surfaces. Furthermore, the grooves reach the edges of the mounting plate.

7. In order to demount and to mount a clamp on the mounting plate, respectively, it is only necessary to actuate one of the screws of the locking hooks in the embodiment according to Fig. 5.

8. The new parallelogram, having rails, can be built up either by means of a known leaf spring link or by means of a linear ball guide.

(a) The leaf spring link is a less expensive alternative, but it has several drawbacks. There should always be two link mechanisms, preferably having the largest possible base, i.e. at the ends of the bars.

In such a case there will also be a screw tension spring which will occupy the space between the bars Provided with leaf spring links the flexible shaft will not move absolutely rectilinear, and this might be a drawback in exacting cases. A support having leaf spring links is not sufficiently stabilized in the lateral direction. The measuring point will for instance be affected by a side force by internal measuring of the measured object under rotation such side force being transmitted by means of the measuring arm to the leaf spring links. A vibration occurs, and this affects the repeat accuracy. Therefore, the use of the leaf spring link should be avoided in cases where there are narrow tolerances.

(b) The linear ball guide has none of the above mentioned technical drawbacks. It is easy to move and free from clearance and it repeats its own movement very accurately. It can receive side forces of the magnitude is presented by normal measuring forces. Each ball guide can have both a pressure spring and a contacting screw which limit the movement of the movable bar and thereby the movement of the movable bar and thereby the movement of the fixed measuring ann which is mounted to the bar. If it is desired to reverse the measuring force, it is either possible to allow the pressure spring and the contacting screw to change places or to turn the entire pause support by 1800. This will probably be faster since there is only a need for moving the screw of one of the locking hooks on the support fastener.In order to reverse the' direction of the measuring force in a conventional parallelogram having leaf iflg" bfl,'l:s it is also possible in such a c t6' - tum. the entire parallelogram by 18'r complications follow, however, owing to the fact that the measuring arm and the measuring stop have to change places, and in such case one of the leaf spring links has to be demounted; in other words the gauge support has to be remounted from the start.

9. The new design of the bar elements of the parallelogram in this case provided with rails means inter alia that the fixed reference if needed can be moved by means of the movable bar to the front side, where a gauge could most conveniently be fitted.

In known systems the corresponding measure have to be taken either at one side of or above the gauging frame. This is, however, possible also by means of the new system. The rails imply other advantages especially from a mounting point of view.

Most of the components, like measuring arms, measuring stops, indicator holders can be mounted from the front side, which is particularly valuable when several gauge supports are juxtapositioned in a fixture.

It is also possible to reach the fastening screw on a component which is mounted on the interior element 11 by simply inserting for instance a hexagonal tap spanner through the slot between rails 13 of the outer element 10.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations in addition to those mentioned above could be made in the apparatus of the invention without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: - 1. A gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements and comprising: two elements at least one of which is a bar element comprising two rails which each have wall means defining a channel therein, the channels facing one another; spacing means between the rails; means for clamping the rails to one another with the spacing means therebetween; said bar element having at least one planar outside surface extending therealong; connecting means for connecting the two elements to one another in spaced, substantially parallel relationship, the connecting means being arranged to permit relative longitudinal movement of the two elements; abutment means to limit relative movement of the two elements; resilient means to bias said bar element to a predetermined position relative to the other of the two elements; mounting means for mounting said other element on a base support for the apparatus; and means for detachably mounting a measuring component against said p1anar outside surface of said bar element in a position determined by an object to be measured.

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

Claims (1)

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

   area of the mounting plate and in certain cases even outside it. The support can also be mounted in the centre of a crossing groove, owing to the fact that the hooks of the clamp fastener are considerably wider than the groove. For this reason there are no "dead" surfaces. Furthermore, the grooves reach the edges of the mounting plate.

   7. In order to demount and to mount a clamp on the mounting plate, respectively, it is only necessary to actuate one of the screws of the locking hooks in the embodiment according to Fig. 5.

   8. The new parallelogram, having rails, can be built up either by means of a known leaf spring link or by means of a linear ball guide.

   (a) The leaf spring link is a less expensive alternative, but it has several drawbacks. There should always be two link mechanisms, preferably having the largest possible base, i.e. at the ends of the bars.

   In such a case there will also be a screw tension spring which will occupy the space between the bars Provided with leaf spring links the flexible shaft will not move absolutely rectilinear, and this might be a drawback in exacting cases. A support having leaf spring links is not sufficiently stabilized in the lateral direction. The measuring point will for instance be affected by a side force by internal measuring of the measured object under rotation such side force being transmitted by means of the measuring arm to the leaf spring links. A vibration occurs, and this affects the repeat accuracy. Therefore, the use of the leaf spring link should be avoided in cases where there are narrow tolerances.

   (b) The linear ball guide has none of the above mentioned technical drawbacks. It is easy to move and free from clearance and it repeats its own movement very accurately. It can receive side forces of the magnitude is presented by normal measuring forces. Each ball guide can have both a pressure spring and a contacting screw which limit the movement of the movable bar and thereby the movement of the movable bar and thereby the movement of the fixed measuring ann which is mounted to the bar. If it is desired to reverse the measuring force, it is either possible to allow the pressure spring and the contacting screw to change places or to turn the entire pause support by 1800. This will probably be faster since there is only a need for moving the screw of one of the locking hooks on the support fastener.In order to reverse the' direction of the measuring force in a conventional parallelogram having leaf iflg" bfl,'l:s it is also possible in such a c t6' - tum. the entire parallelogram by 18'r complications follow, however, owing to the fact that the measuring arm and the measuring stop have to change places, and in such case one of the leaf spring links has to be demounted; in other words the gauge support has to be remounted from the start.

   9. The new design of the bar elements of the parallelogram in this case provided with rails means inter alia that the fixed reference if needed can be moved by means of the movable bar to the front side, where a gauge could most conveniently be fitted.

   In known systems the corresponding measure have to be taken either at one side of or above the gauging frame. This is, however, possible also by means of the new system. The rails imply other advantages especially from a mounting point of view.

   Most of the components, like measuring arms, measuring stops, indicator holders can be mounted from the front side, which is particularly valuable when several gauge supports are juxtapositioned in a fixture.

   It is also possible to reach the fastening screw on a component which is mounted on the interior element 11 by simply inserting for instance a hexagonal tap spanner through the slot between rails 13 of the outer element 10.

   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations in addition to those mentioned above could be made in the apparatus of the invention without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

   WHAT I CLAIM IS: -

   1. A gauge support apparatus for use in making or checking measurements and comprising: two elements at least one of which is a bar element comprising two rails which each have wall means defining a channel therein, the channels facing one another; spacing means between the rails; means for clamping the rails to one another with the spacing means therebetween; said bar element having at least one planar outside surface extending therealong; connecting means for connecting the two elements to one another in spaced, substantially parallel relationship, the connecting means being arranged to permit relative longitudinal movement of the two elements; abutment means to limit relative movement of the two elements; resilient means to bias said bar element to a predetermined position relative to the other of the two elements; mounting means for mounting said other element on a base support for the apparatus; and means for detachably mounting a measuring component against said p1anar outside surface of said bar element in a position determined by an object to be measured.

   2. A gauge support apparatus for use in

   making or checking measurements and comprising: two bar elements each inoluding two rails which each have wall means defining a channel therein, the channels facing one another; spacing means between the channels; means for clamping the rails to one another with the spacing means therebetween; one of the bar elements having at least one planar outside surface extending therealong; connecting means for connecting the bar elements to one another in spaced, substantially parallel relationship, the connecting means being arranged to permit relative longitudinal movement of the bar elements; abutment means to limit relative movement of the bar elements; resilient means to bias the bar elements to predetermined positions relative to one another; mounting means for mounting the other of the bar elements on a base support for the apparatus; and means for detachably mounting a measuring component against said planar outside surface of said one bar element in a position deter mined by an object to be measured.

   3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each of said bar elements includes substantially parallel, oppositelyfacing surfaces, one of said surfaces of one of said bar elements forming said planar outside surface, and wherein said means for detachably mounting the measuring component comprises means for clamping the measuring component against said planar outside surface.

   4. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein said clamping means and said wall means defining said channels include cooperating cam surfaces, and said clamping means further comprise screw means for pressing said clamping means and said wall means against one another at said cam surfaces for clamping said rails against said spacing means.

   5. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein said means for detachably mounting said measuring component includes linear anti-friction bearing means.

   6. An apparatus according to either Claim 5 or 6, wherein said anti-friction bearing means includes a bearing having a width at least as large as the width of said bar elements.

   7. An apparatus for transmitting measuring movements substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.