Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A process for predicting the tool wear characteristics of metal sheet consisting essentially of: providing a test sample of metal sheet; applying a lubricant to a test surface of sheet sample; contacting said test surface with a hardened steel ball secured in a holder and mounted for reciprocation on a guided plate means; applying a given load to said ball holder; rotating said sample at a given speed about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the metal sheet for a given period of time, while substantially simultaneously reciprocating said ball holder back and forth on said guided plate means with a given stroke at a given speed in a substantially linear direction across said test surface for a given period of time; and determining the degree of wear on the metal ball after said rotating and reciprocating step has been completed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A process for predicting the tool wear characteristics of metal sheet consisting essentially of: providing a test sample of metal sheet; applying a lubricant to a test surface of sheet sample; contacting said test surface with a hardened steel ball secured in a holder and mounted for reciprocation on a guided plate means; applying a given load to said ball holder; rotating said sample at a given speed about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the metal sheet for a given period of time, while substantially simultaneously reciprocating said ball holder back and forth on said guided plate means with a given stroke at a given speed in a substantially linear direction across said test surface for a given period of time; and determining the degree of wear on the metal ball after said rotating and reciprocating step has been completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein said metal sheet comprises copper or a copper base alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process as in claim 2 wherein said given period of time is from about 5 seconds to about 100, wherein the speed at which said ball is reciprocated is from about 0.1 to about 25 seconds per back and forth cycle, wherein said load is from about 100 to about 1,500 grams, wherein said sample is rotated at from about 100 to about 1,200 rpm and wherein about one to about five drops of lubricant are applied to said test surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process as in claim 3 wherein said sample has a circular periphery and is from about 1 to about 3 inches in diameter, wherein said test ball is from about 1/16 to about 1/2 inch in diameter, and wherein said stroke is from about 1/2 to about 2- 1/2 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as in claim 4 wherein said lubricant comprises a high quality lard oil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as in claim 5 wherein said measuring step comprises observing said test ball under a microscope to determine if polishing or abrasion of its surface has occurred.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
A process as in claim 6 wherein said period of time is about 20 seconds, wherein said speed of reciprocation is about 8 seconds per cycle, wherein said load is about 900 grams, wherein said sample is about 1- 1/2 inches in diameter, wherein said test ball is about 1/8 inch in diameter, wherein said stroke is about 1 inch, wherein said speed of rotation is about 200 rpm and wherein one drop of said lubricant is applied.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for testing the tool wear characteristics of metal sheet comprising: first support means for supporting a test sample of metal sheet having a lubricated test surface; a hardened steel test ball mounted in a slidable holder and contacting said test surface; a second support means for supporting said ball both in and out of contact with said test surface and for guiding said slidable holder in a reciprocatory manner; means connected to said second support means for applying a given load to said ball; means connected to said first support means for rotating said first support means and said sample at a given speed about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the metal sheet for a given period of time; and means connected to said second support means for reciprocating said ball support means back and forth A given stroke at a given speed in a substantially linear direction across said test surface for a given period of time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus for testing the tool wear characteristics of metal sheet comprising: first support means for supporting a test sample of metal sheet having a lubricated test surface; a hardened steel test ball mounted in a slidable holder and contacting said test surface; a second support means for supporting said ball both in and out of contact with said test surface and for guiding said slidable holder in a reciprocatory manner; means connected to said second support means for applying a given load to said ball; means connected to said first support means for rotating said first support means and said sample at a given speed about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the metal sheet for a given period of time; and means connected to said second support means for reciprocating said ball support means back and forth A given stroke at a given speed in a substantially linear direction across said test surface for a given period of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said test ball has a hardness of at least Rockwell C-scale 50.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said test ball comprises a Rockwell Hardness ball penetrator having a diameter of from about 1/8 inch to about 1/2 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
An apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said second support means comprises a base plate; a pair of spaced apart parallel guide members secured to said base plate, each guide member having a slide groove in a side surface with the groove in one guide member facing the groove in the other guide member; a carriage plate supported by said guide members and adapted to slide back and forth within said grooves; a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart guide rods secured to said plate; a test ball carrying frame in sliding engagement with said rods and adapted to move said test ball in and out of contact with said surface; and a ball chuck for holding said ball, said chuck being secured to said ball carrying frame, said ball chuck being adapted to hold said test ball in contacting relationship with said test surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said means for applying a load to said test ball comprises one or more weights attached to said ball carrying frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said means for supporting said test sample comprises a sample holder comprising a substantially cylindrical member having a tapered bore extending in from one end and a threaded portion of reduced diameter adjacent the opposing end of the member, said member having a face at its threaded end adapted to receive and support said test sample, said test sample being held in place by a retaining nut which is secured about the threaded portion of said member, said retaining nut having an annular shoulder which is adapted to clamp said test sample to said face of said member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said means for rotating said support means comprises a variable speed motor having a tapered spindle whereby the tapered bore of said sample holder is adapted to engage said tapered spindle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said means for reciprocating said test ball back and forth comprises a reciprocating motor connected to said carriage plate whereby said carriage plate slides back and forth within the grooves of said guide members.