US3879982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing hardness of specimens
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-08
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1994-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of testing specimens for hardness using a movable striking member and a specimen contacting probe which is moved by the striking member to contact the specimen and also using an electrical chronometer which is connected between the probe and the striking member, comprises placing the probe directly adjacent the specimen and moving the striking member to hit the probe to cause it to move away from the striking member and to start the electrical chronometer and to penetrate the specimen, and thereafter permitting the probe to move backwardly into contact with the striking member after rebound from the specimen to stop the chronometer. The time which is indicated by the chronometer is a measurement of the hardness. An apparatus for this method comprises an impact tool which has a housing with a striking member therein which is movable through a path intercepting an impact probe which is capable of moving out of the end of the housing to strike the specimen. The apparatus includes means for exposing the striking member so that it may be accelerated rapidly such as by the blow of a hammer or by the falling of a weight or by the release of a spring and an electrical chronometer is arranged so that its circuit has contacts which are connected when the striking member first contacts the probe and are stopped after the striking member hits the specimen and rebounds into a second contact with the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/40; G01N3/48; G01N2203/00; G01N2203/02; G01N2203/06; G01N2203/0617; G01N2203/0623
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of testing specimens for hardness using a movable striking member and a specimen contacting probe which is moved by the striking member to contact the specimen and using an electrical chronometer which is connected between the probe and the striking member, comprising placing the probe directly adjacent the specimen and moving the striking member to hit the probe to cause it to move away from the striking member to start the electrical chronometer and to penetrate the specimen, and permitting the probe to move backwardly into contact with the striking member after rebound from the specimen to stop the chronometer whereby the time indicated by the chronometer is a measure of the hardness of the specimen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of testing specimens for hardness using a movable striking member and a specimen contacting probe which is moved by the striking member to contact the specimen and using an electrical chronometer which is connected between the probe and the striking member, comprising placing the probe directly adjacent the specimen and moving the striking member to hit the probe to cause it to move away from the striking member to start the electrical chronometer and to penetrate the specimen, and permitting the probe to move backwardly into contact with the striking member after rebound from the specimen to stop the chronometer whereby the time indicated by the chronometer is a measure of the hardness of the specimen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1, including biasing the striking member toward engagement with the probe and initially tensioning the biasing means by moving the striking member in a direction away from the probe and thereafter permitting the biasing means to move the striking member against the probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method according to claim 1, wherein the probe employed comprises a flat plate which is positioned directly on the specimen and including lifting the striking member a predetermined height above the flat plate probe and permitting it to drop by gravity into contact with the probe to effect the striking force.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for testing hardness of specimens, comprising an impact tool having a housing with a striking member movable therein, an impact probe held elastically in said housing in the path of movement of said striking member and being movable thereby out of said housing to contact the specimen, means for engaging said striking member to move said striking member to hit said impact probe and to move said probe to strike against the specimen, said striking member having a mass greater than or equal to the mass of said probe, electrical circuit means connected between said striking member and said probe including an electrical timer having a switching means connected to said striking member and said impact probe which are closable by a first contact of said striking member with said probe to start the timer and which are closable to stop The said timer by a following contact of said striking member with said probe upon rebound from the specimen, whereby the time indicated by said timer provides an indication of the hardness of the specimen.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for testing hardness of specimens, comprising an impact tool having a housing with a striking member movable therein, an impact probe held elastically in said housing in the path of movement of said striking member and being movable thereby out of said housing to contact the specimen, means for engaging said striking member to move said striking member to hit said impact probe and to move said probe to strike against the specimen, said striking member having a mass greater than or equal to the mass of said probe, electrical circuit means connected between said striking member and said probe including an electrical timer having a switching means connected to said striking member and said impact probe which are closable by a first contact of said striking member with said probe to start the timer and which are closable to stop The said timer by a following contact of said striking member with said probe upon rebound from the specimen, whereby the time indicated by said timer provides an indication of the hardness of the specimen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said housing comprises an elongated tube having an end through which said probe extends with an outwardly extending portion, said means for engaging said striking member comprising a handle slidable back and forth along said housing and having a portion which is engageable with said striking member to move said striking member in said housing, and spring means biasing said striking member toward engagement with said probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said housing comprises an elongated tubular member having an end with an opening therein through which said probe extends, an opposite end of said housing having an actuating member thereon said actuating member being movable in said housing, biasing means engageable between said impact member and the end of said housing through which said probe extends urging said impact member toward engagement with said probe, latching means carried in said housing for latching said impact member at a spaced location from said probe when said biasing means is extended, said movable member being movable to engage said latching means to release said impact member to cause said spring to move it against said probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said probe includes a flattened probe member having a surface adapted to bear against the specimen, said striking member comprising a weight, a rod engaged with said probe extending upwardly therefrom, said striking member weight being movable along said rod, means on said rod for latching said weight at a location spaced above said probe, said means being releasable to drop said weight on said probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A hardness testing device comprising an elongated tubular housing having a widened base portion with an insulated forwardly extending tip adapted to rest against a specimen, said base portion having an opening therethrough, a probe having a portion extending outwardly from said opening adapted to engage the spec imen at its forward end, a striking member located in said housing above said probe, a handle slidable along said housing having a lower end portion engageable below said probe and being raisable in said housing to lift said probe, spring means in said housing biasing said striking member in a direction toward engagement with said probe, said striking member having a mass greater than or equal to the mass of said probe, and an electrical chronometer connected between said probe and said striking member being actuable by contact of said probe with said striking member to begin a timing indication and to terminate the timing indication upon a subsequent reconnection of said probe with said striking member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A hardness testing device comprising an elongated tubular housing having a widened base portion with an insulated forwardly extending tip adapted to rest against a specimen, said base portion having an opening therethrough, a probe having a portion extending outwardly from said opening adapted to engage the spec imen at its forward end, a striking member located in said housing above said probe, a handle slidable along said housing having a lower end portion engageable below said probe and being raisable in said housing to lift said probe, spring means in said housing biasing said striking member in a direction toward engagement with said probe, said striking member having a mass greater than or equal to the mass of said probe, and an electrical chronometer connected between said probe and said striking member being actuable by contact of said probe with said striking member to begin a timing indication and to terminate the timing indication upon a subsequent reconnection of said probe with said striking member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A hardness testing device comprising a flat plate probe, a rod connected to one side of said probe and extending upwardly therefrom, a weight having a bore therethrough engageable over said rod and being slidable upwardly and downwardly on said rod, latching means on said rod for latching said weight in a raised position above said probe and electrical chronometer means connected between said weight and said probe for measuring the time elapsed between a first contact of said probe with said weight and a subsequent contact of said probe with said weight said weight having a mass greater than or equal to the mass of said probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
A hardness testing device comprising a flat plate probe, a rod connected to one side of said probe and extending upwardly therefrom, a weight having a bore therethrough engageable over said rod and being slidable upwardly and downwardly on said rod, latching means on said rod for latching said weight in a raised position above said probe and electrical chronometer means connected between said weight and said probe for measuring the time elapsed between a first contact of said probe with said weight and a subsequent contact of said probe with said weight said weight having a mass greater than or equal to the mass of said probe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2664743A
Cited
US3333461A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |