The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 19, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 30, 1999
John J. Merck, Jr., Medfield, MA (US);
Richard Conti, Foxboro, MA (US);
Joerg Meissner, Medfield, MA (US);
Patrick Micozzi, Acton, MA (US);
Instron Corporation, Canton, MA (US);
Abstract
A hardness tester having a frame and a rotatable turret movably supported on the frame is provided. A plurality of load cells are fixedly mountable on the turret, and a plurality of indenters are fixedly attachable to the load cells, respectively. A user interface selectively provides signals to a motor to move the turret into contact with a test specimen via one of the indenters to thereby apply a load on the test specimen. The indenters are fixed with respect to the turret and do not move in relation to the turret when the turret is brought down to bear on the test specimen. The load cells measure the load applied to the test specimen. A closed loop control system receives load measurement signals from the load cells and controls movement of the turret, preventing the motor from applying load in excess of a predetermined selectable load amount input by a user via the user interface. The invention preferably includes a plurality of indenter adapters, each attached to respective undersides of the load cells. Each indenter adapter includes a slot into which the indenter is fittable, and least one set screw for adjusting a horizontal location of the indenter.