Patent ID: 7078719

Claim:
Apparatus for measuring an object ( 4 ) having at least one essentially rectilinear outline or edge ( 4 a , 4 b ), parallel to a given direction (y), the apparatus comprising: a laser source ( 1 ) capable of emitting radiation ( 2 , 2 a ) which impinges on the at least one edge or outline ( 4 a , 4 b ); first converging lens means ( 5 ) disposed downstream of the object ( 4 ) and comprising at least one cylindrical lens ( 5 ) with its directrices parallel to the given direction (y), spatial filter means ( 6 ) disposed in the focal plane (A) of the first converging lens means ( 5 ); second converging lens means ( 7 ) disposed downstream of the spatial filter means ( 6 ); photosensitive means ( 8 ) disposed in the focal plane (F) of the second converging lens means ( 7 ); characterised in that the spatial filter means ( 6 ) comprise an element essentially in the form of a wire or bar elongated in a direction parallel to the said given direction (y).