Beam measuring device

Abstract

For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance is disclosed.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance, the beam measuring device comprising:
 a frame, the frame comprising
 a generally horizontal frame portion, the generally horizontal frame portion having an upper roller adapted to supportingly engage the upper surface of the guide beam, and 
 first and second, laterally spaced, generally vertical frame portions depending from the generally horizontal frame portion, the first and second vertical frame portions each including a first side roller adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam; and 
   a first side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion and a second side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion and aligned with the first side distance measuring device, the first and second side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance; and   a marking device for marking a location on the guide beam measured to be outside of a desired range of widths.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance, the beam measuring device comprising:
 a frame, the frame comprising
 a generally horizontal frame portion, the generally horizontal frame portion having an upper roller adapted to supportingly engage the upper surface of the guide beam, and 
 first and second, laterally spaced, generally vertical frame portions depending from the generally horizontal frame portion, the first and second vertical frame portions each including a first side roller adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam; and 
   a first side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion and a second side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion and aligned with the first side distance measuring device, the first and second side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance, wherein the guide beam has a guide wheel path, and the first and second distance measuring devices are positioned to measure the width of the guide beam along the guide wheel path; and   a third side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion spaced from the first side measuring device, and a fourth side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion spaced from the second side distance measuring device, the third side distance measuring devices aligned with the fourth side distance measuring device, the third and fourth side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance, wherein the guide beam has a stabilizing wheel path, and the third and fourth side distance measuring devices are positioned to measure the width of the guide beam along the stabilizing wheel path.   
     
     
         8 . For a monorail guide beam adapted to support a monorail car traveling a distance along the monorail guide beam, the guide beam having a generally horizontal upper surface and two opposed, generally vertical side surfaces, the guide beam having a preferred width between the side surfaces along the distance, a beam measuring device for measuring an actual width between the side surfaces of the monorail guide beam along the distance, the beam measuring device comprising:
 a frame, the frame comprising
 a generally horizontal frame portion, the generally horizontal frame portion having an upper roller adapted to supportingly engage the upper surface of the guide beam, and 
 first and second, laterally spaced, generally vertical frame portions depending from the generally horizontal frame portion, the first and second vertical frame portions each including a first side roller adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam; and 
   a first side distance measuring device disposed on the first vertical frame portion and a second side distance measuring device disposed on the second vertical frame portion and aligned with the first side distance measuring device, the first and second side distance measuring devices adapted to measure the width of the guide beam therebetween, as the beam measuring device traverses along the guide beam distance; and   an inclinometer disposed on the generally horizontal frame portion for measuring the inclination of the upper surface of the guide beam.   
     
     
         9 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The beam measuring device of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second verticle frame portions include a second side roller, longitudinally spaced from the respective first side roller, and adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam. 
     
     
         23 . The beam measuring device of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second verticle frame portions include a second side roller, longitudinally spaced from the respective first side roller, and adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam. 
     
     
         24 . The beam measuring device of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second verticle frame portions include a second side roller, longitudinally spaced from the respective first side roller, and adapted to engage respective opposing ones of the side surfaces of the guide beam.