Bridge type coordinate measuring machine

Abstract

A bridge type coordinate measuring machine characterized by a bridge (20) that has a closed loop configuration encircling the measuring machine base (10). The bridge (20) includes two uprights (21, 22), an upper member (23) connecting the uprights together and at least one lower member (24) connecting the uprights together below the upper surface (11) of the base (10). Bearings (41) for the bridge are offset inwardly from the vertical axes of the uprights of the bridge and a guideway (12, 13), along which the bearings travel, is located on each side of the base. The bearings (41) operate upwardly, downwardly and sidewardly against the surfaces of the guideways (12, 13) located on the sides of the base (10). This arrangement both stiffens and raises the resonant frequency of the bridge, thereby improving the measuring accuracy and repeatability of the coordinate measuring machines performance.

I claim: 
     
       1. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a work piece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting the uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to the first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) said closed loop configuration formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and below the means (12, 13) for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10).   
     
     
       2. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a work piece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting the uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to the first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) said closed loop configuration formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10); and by   the means for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10) includes a pair of guideways (12, 13), one of said guideways (12) located on one side of said base (10) and the other of said guideways (13) located on the opposite side of said base (10), said guideways (12, 13) coacting with bearings (41) in a respective channel (25) in each of said uprights (21, 22) of said bridge (20) to facilitate movement of said bridge (20) on said base, said second member (24) connecting the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) together located below said guideways (12, 13).   
     
     
       3. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a work piece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting the uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to the first member (23) of said bride (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) said closed loop configuration formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10); and by   guideways (12, 13) along which said bridge (20) is .[.moveable.]. .Iadd.movable .Iaddend.and   a third member (29) connecting the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) together below the surface (11) of said base (10) and above said guideways (12, 13), said second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) located below said guideways (12, 13).   
     
     
       4. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 3 wherein the height of each of the two uprights (21, 22) is greater than one meter. 
     
     
       5. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a work piece to be measured, a bridge (20) having a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) said closed loop configuration formed by two uprights (21, 22), a first member (23) connecting the uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), and a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to the first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), the means for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10) characterized by: a pair of guideways (12, 13), located below the upper surface (11) of the base (10), one of said guideways (12) located on one side of said base (10) and the other of said guideways (13) located on the opposite side of said base (10), each of said guideways (12, 13) coacting with respective bearings (41) located in a respective channel (25) formed between said second member (24), and an inwardly extending portion of each of said uprights (21, 22).   
     
     
       6. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 5 wherein said bearings (41) include bearings that coact against upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of a respective guideway (12, 13). 
     
     
       7. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 6 wherein said bearings (41) include bearings that coact against a side of each of the guideways (12, 13). 
     
     
       8. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 6 including a third member (29) connecting the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) together below the surface (11) of said base (10) and above said guideways (12, 13). 
     
     
       9. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 5, wherein the bearings (41) are located between the vertical axes of the uprights (21, 22). 
     
     
       10. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 6 wherein the bearings (41) are located between the vertical axes of the uprights (21, 22). 
     
     
       11. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 7 wherein the bearings (41) are located between the vertical axes of the uprights (21, 22). 
     
     
       12. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 6 wherein the bearings (41) coacting upwardly and downwardly are located beneath the upper surface (11) of the base (10). 
     
     
       13. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 7 wherein the bearings (41) coacting upwardly and downwardly are located beneath the upper surface (11) of the base (10). 
     
     
       14. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 8 wherein the bearings (41) coacting upwardly and downwardly are located beneath the upper surface (11) of the base (10). 
     
     
       15. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 10 wherein the bearings (41) coacting upwardly and downwardly are located beneath the upper surface (11) of the base (10). 
     
     
       16. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 11 wherein the bearings (41) coacting upwardly and downwardly are located beneath the upper surface (11) of the base (10). 
     
     
       17. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 5 wherein the second member (24) is located below the bearings. 
     
     
       18. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 17 including a third member (29) connecting the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge together below the surface (11) of the base (10) and above the guideways (12, 13). 
     
     
       19. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a work piece to be measured, a bridge (20) having a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) said closed loop configuration formed by two uprights (21, 22), a first member (23) connecting the uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), and a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to the first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), the means for .[.moveably.]. .Iadd.movably .Iaddend.mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10) characterized by: a pair of guideways (12, 13), each of said guideways (12, 13) coacting with a respective plurality of bearings (41), said guideways and bearings located directly below the upper surface (11) of the base (10), one of said guideways (12) and its respective bearings (41) located at one side of said base (10) and the other of said guideways (13) and its respective bearings (41) located at the opposite side of said base (10).   
     
     
       20. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 19 wherein said bearings (41) coact against upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of a respective guideway (12, 13). 
     
     
       21. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 20 wherein said bearings (41) also coact against a side of each of the guideways (12, 13). 
     
     
       22. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 19 wherein said bearings (41) are located between the vertical axes of the uprights (21, 22). .Iadd. 
     
     
       23.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10) , means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (2) to said base (10) , a probe (30) , and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to a first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10) , characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) , said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and below the means (12, 13) for movably mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10) , and   the means (12, 13, 14) for movably mounting the bridge to the base (10) includes a plurality of bearings (41) positioned to transmit force between said bridge (2) and said base (10) at least vertically and horizontally. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       24.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 23, wherein said bearings (41) include air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 23, wherein said bearings (41) include at least a first pair of laterally spaced bearings respectively acting in a vertical direction against a pair of surfaces of said bridge (20). .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 25, wherein said pair of surfaces of said bridge (20) against which said spaced bearings respectively act are respectively defined within a pair of channels (25) in said bridge (20). .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 26, wherein each of 
     
     
        said channels (25) is essentially U-shaped. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 27, wherein said channels open inwardly toward each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 26, wherein a portion of each of said channels (25) is defined by said second member (24). .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 28, wherein a portion of each of said channels (25) is defined by said second member (24). .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 25, wherein said first pair of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 26, wherein said pair of bearings and said surfaces are disposed within said closed loop so as to be surrounded by said bridge (20). .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 32, wherein said pair of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 25, wherein said pair of bearings is wholly disposed above said second member (24). .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 23, wherein: said bearings (41) includes at least a first pair of laterally spaced bearings respectively acting in a vertical direction against a pair of surfaces of said bridge (20),   said pair of bearings and said surfaces are disposed within said closed loop so as to be surrounded by said bridge (20) , and   the entirety of said second member (24) is spaced below said pair of   
     
     
        bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 35, wherein said bridge (20) includes a pair of laterally spaced channels (25) opening toward each other, and said pair of surfaces are 
     
     
        respectively defined within said channels (25). .Iadd.37.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 36, wherein said pair of surfaces extend parallel to said second member (24). .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 25, wherein said bearings (41) include a second pair of laterally spaced bearings respectively acting in a vertical direction against a pair of surfaces carried by said base (10), said first and second pairs of bearings acting to transmit force in opposite directions respectively upwardly and downwardly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 38, wherein said bearings (41) include a third pair of laterally spaced bearings acting in a horizontal direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 23, wherein said bearings (41) include first and second sets of bearings respectively 
     
     
        acting in two directions perpendicular to each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means for mounting said probe (30) on said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), characterized in that: said means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge to said base (10) includes at least a first pair of laterally spaced bearings (41); and   said bridge has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and said first pair of bearings, said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting together said uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface   
     
     
        (11) of said base (10). .Iaddend. .Iadd.42.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 41, wherein said first pair of bearings transmit force vertically. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 42, wherein each of said uprights (21, 22) carries a horizontal surface disposed within said closed loop, and said pair of bearings respectively bear against said horizontal surfaces of said uprights (21, 22). .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 43, wherein each of said bearings is an air bearing. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 41, wherein said bridge (20) includes a pair of channels (25) therein, said channels (25) opening toward each other within said closed loop, and said pair of bearings are respectively disposed within said channels (25). .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 45, wherein each of said channels (25) includes a horizontal surface against which a corresponding one of said bearings bears. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd. 7.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 41, wherein: a bridge (2) includes first and second vertically spaced pairs of horizontal surfaces,   said means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10) includes a second pair of bearings,   said first pair of bearings respectively bear upwardly against said first pair of horizontal surfaces, and   said second pair of bearings respectively bear downwardly against said   
     
     
        second pair of horizontal surfaces. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 47, wherein said closed loop configuration encircles said second pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 47, wherein said means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10) includes a third pair of bearings acting in opposite horizontal directions, and said third pair of bearings is vertically spaced below said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 49, wherein said third pair of bearings is vertically positioned between said first and second pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 47, wherein the bearings in said first pair thereof are respectively spaced inwardly toward each other from the corresponding axes of said 
     
     
        uprights (21, 22). .Iaddend. .Iadd.52.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to a first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper (11) of said base (10), said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and below the means (12, 13) for movably mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10); and   the means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting the bridge the base (10) includes a first, second and third pairs of bearings positioned to transmit force between said bridge (20) and said base (10), said first pair operating in a vertical direction, said second pair operating in a horizontal direction, said bearings in said second pair operating in opposing directions, and said third pair of bearings operating in a vertical direction opposite the direction of a respective bearing of said   
     
     
        first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 52, wherein said first, second and third 
     
     
        pairs of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 52, wherein said bearings are air 
     
     
        bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 52, wherein said closed loop configuration encircles said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 54, wherein said closed loop configuration encircles said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to a first member (23) of said workpiece (20) for movement relative to said workpiece and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10), said closed loop configuration being formed by means (29) for connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10), said uprights (21, 22) respectively carrying horizontal surfaces; and   the means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting the bridge to the base (10) includes a first and second pair of bearings, said first pair having a first bearing vertically coacting with the base and the horizontal surface of one upright (21) and a second bearing vertically coacting with the base and the horizontal surface of the other upright (22), said second pair of bearings located between the uprights below at least a portion of the means (29) for connecting together the uprights (21, 22) and operating in a horizontal direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 57, wherein said first and second pairs of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 57, wherein said first and second pairs of bearings are   
     
     
        air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.60.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 57, wherein said connecting means includes at least a first connecting member (24), and said closed loop configuration encircles said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 60, wherein said connecting means includes a second connecting member (29) vertically spaced from said first connecting member (24), and wherein said second pair of bearings is positioned between said first connecting member (24) and said second connecting member (29). .Iaddend. .Iadd.62. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 60, wherein said first and second pairs of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.63. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine according to claim 57 including a third pair of bearings coacting with the base and the bridge (20), said third pair of bearings operating in a direction perpendicular to the direction of operation of said second pair of bearings and in a direction opposite said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.64. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 61, wherein said first and second pairs of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.65. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 63, wherein said third pair of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.66. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 60, including a third pair of bearings coacting with the base and the bridge (20), said third pair of bearings operating in a direction perpendicular to the direction of operation of said second pair of bearings and in a 
     
     
        direction opposite said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.67.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface (11) of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to a first member (23) of said workpiece (20) for movement relative to said bridge and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration that encircles the upper surface (11) of said base (10), said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and below the means (12, 13) for movably mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10); and   the means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting the bridge (20) to the base (10) includes a first pair of bearings applying forces in opposite directions to each other in a vertical plane, a second pair of bearings applying forces in opposite directions to each other in a horizontal plane, a third pair of bearings applying forces in opposite directions to each other in a vertical plane spaced from the vertical plane of said first pair of bearings, all of said bearings positioned to transmit forces   
     
     
        between said bridge (20) and said base (10). .Iaddend. .Iadd.68.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 67, wherein said first, 
     
     
        second and third pair of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.69.  A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 67, wherein all of said first, second and third bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.70. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 67, wherein said closed loop configuration encircles said first pair of bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.71. A coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 68, wherein said closed loop configuration encircles said first pair of bearings, and 
     
     
        said first pair of bearings are air bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.72.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to said first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge (20) and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration encircling the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and at least a portion of the means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting   
     
     
        together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20). .Iaddend. .Iadd.73.  A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 72, wherein said mounting means (12, 13, 41) includes first and second bearings each transmitting force in a vertical direction and second end and third bearings each transmitting force in a horizontal direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.74. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 73, wherein said portion of said mounting means (12, 13, 41) includes said first and second bearings. .Iaddend. .Iadd.75. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 74, wherein said first and second 
     
     
        bearings are laterally spaced apart. .Iaddend. .Iadd.76.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20 ) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to said first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge (20) and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration defined by a first loop encircling the upper surface (11) of said base (10) and a second loop   
     
     
        below said first loop. .Iaddend. .Iadd.77.  A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 76, wherein at least a portion of said mounting means is encircled by said second loop. .Iaddend. .Iadd.78. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 77, wherein said portion of said mounting means includes first and second bearings transmitting force in a horizontal direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.79. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 78, wherein said first and second bearings are respectively inboard of said uprights (21, 22). .Iaddend. .Iadd.80. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 76, wherein said first loop is formed by a second member (29) connecting together said uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) below the upper surface (11) of said base (10). .Iaddend. .Iadd.81. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 80, wherein said second loop is formed by said second member (29) and a 
     
     
        third member (24) below said second member (29). .Iaddend. .Iadd.82.  A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 81, wherein said mounting means (12, 13, 41) includes first and second bearings disposed between said first and second members (29, 24) and each 
     
     
        transmitting force in a horizontal direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.83.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to said first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge (20) and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration encircling the upper surface (11) of said base (10), said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) of the bridge (20) at the lower ends of said uprights (21, 22). .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.84.  A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 83, wherein at least a portion of said mounting means (12, 13, 41) includes bearings (41) disposed inboard of said uprights (21, 22). 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.85.  In combination, a bridge type coordinate measuring machine of the type having a base (10) having an upper surface (11) for supporting a workpiece to be measured, a bridge (20) having two uprights (21, 22) and a first member (23) connecting said uprights (21, 22) together above the upper surface of said base (10), means (12, 13, 41) for movably mounting said bridge (20) to said base (10), a probe (30), and means (50, 31) for mounting said probe (30) to said first member (23) of said bridge (20) for movement relative to said bridge (20) and to said base (10), characterized in that: the bridge (20) has a closed loop configuration encircling the upper surface (11) of said base (10), said closed loop configuration being formed by a second member (24) connecting together the uprights (21, 22) at a position below the upper surface (11) of said base (10), and   the mounting means (12, 13, 41) includes a pair of laterally spaced bearing means, each of the bearing means acting in at least vertical and horizontal directions, said pair of bearing means being arranged such that the forces transmitted by said pair of bearing means are symmetrically balanced with respect to the center of the bridge (20). .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.     A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 85, wherein each of said bearing means includes a bearing acting vertically upward, and a bearing acting horizontally. .Iaddend. .Iadd.87. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 86, wherein said horizontally acting bearing acts outwardly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.88. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 86, wherein each of said bearing means includes a bearing acting vertically downward. .Iaddend. .Iadd.89. A bridge type coordinate measuring machine as described in claim 88, wherein said horizontally acting bearing acts outwardly. .Iaddend.