Abstract A tensile testing apparatus includes an intermittently driven conveyor containing cradles of predetermined positioning shoulder configuration at one end shaped to receive a sample to be tested and to orient the sample transversely to the conveyor feed direction. The conveyor includes a straight line portion for arranging the samples in order before the testing apparatus with their identity tags visible. The sample is passed through apparatus for applying two bench mark stripes in predetermined spaced orientation and subsequently into a position for alignment with the probe of a thickness gauge and thereafter into alignment with a pair of clamping jaws of a tensile stressing device which engage opposite ends of the sample in directions transverse to the conveyor feeding direction. The bench mark stripers apply a pair of side-by-side contrasting bench marks (white and black stripes) in an arrangement for photoscanning irrespective of the color of the material being tested. The clamping jaw mechanism includes means for the controlled outward movement of one of the clamping jaws along with the movement of two photoscanners which are oriented to track the respective bench marks. The stress and strain conditions sensed by the photoscanners and the movable jaws are transmitted to recording means such as a computer along with the measurement of the thickness. The mechanism includes means for removing the tested material from the clamping jaws such as by an air blast and for returning the clamping jaws to an original position along with the resetting of the photoscanners to put the parts in a condition for operation on the next sample moved forward by the conveyors.
A cradle device for holding a sample having widened end portions and an intermediate neck portion, of which said end portions are to be engaged by grippers of a tensile testing apparatus, comprising a cradle member adapted to be incorporated as an element of a conveyor chain for movement therewith and having a flat top sample receiving face extending transversely to the intended direction of movement with two spaced-apart laterally oriented shoulders at each end for receiving the respective widened end portion of the sample therebetween, and the two shoulders at one end of said cradle member forming a recess of a size and shape to receive one widened end portion of a sample and flaring outwardly from an inwardmost narrowest opening for accommodating said neck portion of a sample at the juncture thereof with said one widened end portion to an outwardmost widest opening, the length of said cradle member being such that when a sample is received thereon said widened end portions of the sample extend beyond the ends of said cradle member for engagement by the grippers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A cradle device for holding a sample having widened end portions and an intermediate neck portion, of which said end portions are to be engaged by grippers of a tensile testing apparatus, comprising a cradle member adapted to be incorporated as an element of a conveyor chain for movement therewith and having a flat top sample receiving face extending transversely to the intended direction of movement with two spaced-apart laterally oriented shoulders at each end for receiving the respective widened end portion of the sample therebetween, and the two shoulders at one end of said cradle member forming a recess of a size and shape to receive one widened end portion of a sample and flaring outwardly from an inwardmost narrowest opening for accommodating said neck portion of a sample at the juncture thereof with said one widened end portion to an outwardmost widest opening, the length of said cradle member being such that when a sample is received thereon said widened end portions of the sample extend beyond the ends of said cradle member for engagement by the grippers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cradle device for holding a sample for tensile testing, according to claim 3, wherein said shoulders at said one end of said cradle member are raised projections on said top sample receiving face and have inner curved edges engageable with the lateral edges of the sample from the region of transition between said intermediate neck portion and said one widened end portion to the proximate end of said cradle member.