US4245496A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable material hardness tester
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-07-13
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1999-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A portable hardness tester including a surface sensing member yieldably mounted for engagement with the surface of material to be tested and a penetrator yieldably mounted adjacent the sensing member for joint contact with the surface; manually applied means for applying minor and major penetrating forces on the penetrator; and electronic means for sensing the differential movement between the penetrator and surface sensing member and translating such differential movement into a hardness indication.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred Napetschnig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/40; G01N3/42; G01N3/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A portable material hardness tester comprising: a surface sensing member yieldably mounted for engagement with the surface of material to be tested; a penetrator yieldably mounted adjacent said member for joint contact with said surface; said member being positioned as a protective shield for said penetrator and being mounted for joint and differential displacement therewith when pressed against said surface; said member including a sleeve surrounding said penetrator and having a distal, surface-engaging, end; said penetrator having a surface-engaging tip; means for placing a first predetermined surface penetrating force on said penetrator; means placing a second and larger predetermined surface penetrating force on said penetrator; means sensing with respect to said member the differential movement of said penetrator in response to said first and second forces; said member being mounted for displacement by said surface for engagement of said tip with said surface, and said member being mounted to maintain a reference contact with said surface upon subsequent displacements of said penetrator into said surface in response to said first and second forces; a housing having a face engageable with said surface, with said member and penetrator being mounted for reciprocation in said housing and normally projecting from said face; and means translating said differential movement into a hardness indication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A portable material hardness tester comprising: a surface sensing member yieldably mounted for engagement with the surface of material to be tested; a penetrator yieldably mounted adjacent said member for joint contact with said surface; said member being positioned as a protective shield for said penetrator and being mounted for joint and differential displacement therewith when pressed against said surface; said member including a sleeve surrounding said penetrator and having a distal, surface-engaging, end; said penetrator having a surface-engaging tip; means for placing a first predetermined surface penetrating force on said penetrator; means placing a second and larger predetermined surface penetrating force on said penetrator; means sensing with respect to said member the differential movement of said penetrator in response to said first and second forces; said member being mounted for displacement by said surface for engagement of said tip with said surface, and said member being mounted to maintain a reference contact with said surface upon subsequent displacements of said penetrator into said surface in response to said first and second forces; a housing having a face engageable with said surface, with said member and penetrator being mounted for reciprocation in said housing and normally projecting from said face; and means translating said differential movement into a hardness indication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The device of claim 1, and a second protective sleeve mounted in said housing for reciprocation through and substantially normal to said face and in surrounding relation to said first-named sleeve and having an end engageable with said surface, said second sleeve being movable between a retracted position locating said end thereof at said face for joint engagement with said surface and an extended position projecting normally beyond said first-named sleeve end; and means biasing said second sleeve to its extended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 2, said second sleeve end being formed with diametrically opposed recesses for locating and holding a curved surface for engagement by said penetrator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1, a shaft mounted for reciprocation in said housing and mounting said penetrator at an end thereof; said sleeve being mounted for reciprocation on said shaft; and an electric strain gauge mounted between said shaft and sleeve to bow in response to differential movement therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device of claim 4, said shaft providing a shoulder in confronting relation to the internal end of said sleeve opposite said distal, surface engaging end thereof; a mount supported on said internal end for rotation about said shaft; a pair of elongated bowable strain gauges having their opposite ends supported for endwise displacement on said shoulder and mount and changing in bow curvature in response to differential movement between said sleeve and shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device of claim 1, said first-named means comprising a first spring mounted to provide the aforementioned yieldable mount for said penetrator; said second-named means comprising a second spring and first manually operable means for storing energy therein; and second manually operable means for transferring energy stored in said second spring to said first spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 6, said differential movement sensing means generating a first electric signal as a function of a first penetration by said first force and a second electric signal as a function of a second penetration by said second force; and means providing an operator signal upon completion of generation of said first signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 1, said first-named means comprising a first spring mounted to and between said shaft and housing to provide the aforementioned yieldable mount for said penetrator; said second-named means comprising a second spring and manually operable means for storing energy therein; and second manually operable means for transferring energy stored in said second spring to said first spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 8, said sensing means comprising a pair of elongated bowable strain gauges having their opposite ends supported for endwise displacement on said shaft and sleeve and changing in bow curvature in response to differential movement between said sleeve and shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The device of claim 8, said springs being of helical form and mounted end-to-end for interacting tandem operation; a second member mounted between and providing spring rests for confronting ends of said springs; and means releasably securing said second member to said housing and being formed and connected to said second manually operable means for actuation thereby to release said second member for movement relative to said housing permitting transfer of energy between said springs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 10, said second-named means comprising a handle mounted for reciprocation on said housing coaxially of said springs and connected to the end of said second spring opposite to said confronting ends, and functioning on manual displacement relative to said housing to compress said second spring on said second member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 10, said last-named means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced balls carried by said housing in surrounding relation to and in position locking the movement of said second member; and said second manually operable means being formed and functioning to simultaneously release said balls for movement away from their interlocking position with said second member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 12, a free-floating ring surrounding and retaining said balls in locking position; a second sleeve mounted at the outside of said housing for manual engagement and reciprocation relative to said housing and being formed with an enlarged annular chamber for receiving said balls; and said sleeve being connected to said ring and being movable to a position simultaneously displacing said ring to release said balls and to register said chamber and balls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
The device of claim 10, said differential movement sensing means generating a first electric signal as a function of a first penetration by said first force and a second electric signal as a function of a second penetration by said second force; said translating means comprising an electric circuit and readout for converting said signals into a hardness indication at said readout; and an electric switch connected for actuation by said last-named means upon release of said second members and connected to said circuit enabling the operation thereof by said second signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
A material hardness tester comprising: a surface sensing member yieldably mounted for engagement with the surface of material to be tested; a penetrator movably mounted adjacent said member for engagement with said surface for joint contact with said surface; a first spring connected to said penetrator and providing a first predetermined surface penetrating force thereon; a second spring and means storing energy therein connected to place a second and larger predetermined surface penetrating force on said penetrator; means sensing with respect to said member the differential movement of said penetrator in response to said first and second forces and generating a first electric signal as a function of said differential movement; means sensing a variation from norm of the magnitude of said first force and generating a second electric signal; and means translating said first and second electric signals into a force compensated hardness indication.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
145 words
A material hardness tester comprising: a surface sensing member yieldably mounted for engagement with the surface of material to be tested; a penetrator movably mounted adjacent said member for engagement with said surface for joint contact with said surface; a first spring connected to said penetrator and providing a first predetermined surface penetrating force thereon; a second spring and means storing energy therein connected to place a second and larger predetermined surface penetrating force on said penetrator; means sensing with respect to said member the differential movement of said penetrator in response to said first and second forces and generating a first electric signal as a function of said differential movement; means sensing a variation from norm of the magnitude of said first force and generating a second electric signal; and means translating said first and second electric signals into a force compensated hardness indication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 15, said second- and third-named means comprising electric strain gauges.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
171 words
The device of claim 16, said member comprising a sleeve surrounding said penetrator and having a distal, surface engaging end; said penetrator having a surface engaging tip normally recessed within said member end; said member being mounted for displacement by said surface for engagement of said tip with said surface, and said member being mounted to maintain a reference contact with said surface upon subsequent displacement of said penetrator into said surface in response to said first and second forces; a housing having a face engageable with said surface, said member and penetrator being mounted for reciprocation in said housing and normally projecting from said face; a shaft mounted for reciprocation in said housing and supporting said penetrator at an end thereof; said sleeve being mounted for reciprocation on said shaft; one of said strain gauges being mounted between said shaft and sleeve to bow in response to differential movement therebetween; and the other of said strain gauges being mounted between said sleeve and housing and sensing the relative positions thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |