| US 7,578,069 B2 | ||
| Automated robotic measuring system | ||
| Homer Eaton, Carlsbad, Calif. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Hexagon Metrology, Inc., Norcross, Ga. (US) | ||
| Filed on Dec. 21, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/614,874. | ||
| Application 11/614874 is a continuation of application No. 10/758697, filed on Jan. 14, 2004, granted, now 7,152,456. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0163134 A1, Jul. 19, 2007 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. G01B 5/004 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 33—503 [33/1 M; 73/1.73; 74/490.05] | 11 Claims |
| 1. A positioning system comprising:
an articulated supporting arm comprising a plurality of jointedly interconnected support arm segments moveable about a plurality
of axes;
a plurality of compliant members positioned on said supporting arm; and
an articulated measuring arm comprising a plurality of jointedly interconnected measuring arm segments capable of a plurality
of degrees of freedom of movement and supported by said compliant members,
wherein said compliant members provide a yielding characteristic that resists a degree of compressibility of each compliant
member when a force is applied to one of the articulated supporting arm and the articulated measuring arm, and
wherein at least one support arm segment at least partially encloses at least one measuring arm segment and at least one of
said compliant members is positioned between said at least one support arm segment and said at least one measuring arm segment.
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