Patent ID: 6158137
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
A center locator tool for locating the center of a workpiece, comprising:a) a rectangular case having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls;b) a pair of flat, rectangular arms slidable through said case, each arm having an edge and a rack defined in the edge, the rack being recessed in the edge of the arm, and having a first end and a second end, the first end having a raised stop extending transversely across the arm for preventing the arm from sliding through said case, each arm further having a bottom surface and a guide slot defined in the bottom surface extending longitudinally for the length of the arm;c) work engaging means disposed at the second end of each of said arms for engaging a workpiece;d) a center post having a bore defined therein attached to the center of the bottom wall of said case and extending between the bottom wall and the top wall of the case, the center post being internally threaded and externally threaded about an upper portion;e) a spur gear rotatably disposed about said center post, the spur gear engaging the racks defined in said pair of arms, said arms being disposed in parallel spaced relation on opposite sides of the spur gear, so that when one of said arms is slidably extended through said case, the other said arm is slidably extended through said case in the opposite direction for an equal distance; andf) a thumbwheel having a bore defined axially therein, the thumbwheel being internally threaded and threadably engaging said center post, the bore defined in the thumbwheel being axially aligned with the bore defined in said center post, the thumbwheel being adapted for locking said pair of arms in a fixed position; andg) a pair of guide ridges projecting from the bottom wall of said case and extending transversely across the width of said case in parallel spaced relation on opposite sides of said center post, the guide ridges slidably engaging the guide slots in order to ensure said arms move rectilinearly without also moving laterally when they are extended through said case.