Abstract: A window drop test apparatus includes a support protruding in a first direction from the prop, and a guide portion that defines a drop space together with the support, where a drop test is performed through the drop space.

Abstract: A method for dynamic adjustment of interactive game play includes identifying a game session for a game played between first and second players, with the first and second players being connected from geographic locations having first and second elevations, respectively. The method also includes determining an objective in the game that the first and second players are predicted to achieve, and identifying a first path to be traversed by the first player to reach the objective in the game and identifying a second path to be traversed by the second player to reach the objective in the game. Each of the first and second paths includes a respective plurality of game actions to be accomplished by the first and second players. The method further includes adjusting a physical activity rating of select ones of the respective plurality of game actions based on a difference between the first and second elevations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for examining eggs, in particular for determining eggshell characteristics of eggs, the method comprising, positioning the eggs to be examined, with a deformer, deforming a part of such an egg at least once, at least determining deformation contact time, and determining the shell stiffness and/or the eggshell strength of such an egg. Such a manner of detection can be suitably applied to sorting machines for eggs. With this methodology, in a short time, for a very large number of products, such as eggs in the present case, a quality parameter such as the strength and/or stiffness can be determined. With such determinations, in an advantageous manner, high requirements set in many fields of technology and industry can be met.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring for measuring coefficient of restitution which is capable of reducing a mass effect and performing tests in free directions, is disclosed. The apparatus for measuring coefficient of restitution includes a holder for holding a spherical indenter, an ejection mechanism configured to eject the indenter held by the holder from the holder to a specimen, a speed measuring unit configured to measure an impact speed that is a speed of the indenter before the indenter impacts against the specimen, and a rebound speed that is a speed of the indenter after the indenter is rebounded from the specimen; and an arithmetic unit configured to calculate a coefficient of restitution that is a ratio of the rebound speed to the impact speed.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus and method are for sorting objects based on the objects' rebound from a surface. An automatic sorting apparatus based on objects' rebound from a surface, comprising: a cylinder disposed on top of the apparatus to hold and drop an object vertically downside with a force of gravity; a rebound impact surface disposed vertically downside of the cylinder; a rebound height sorting sensor configured to measure an apex of the rebounded object; a light source; a projection screen; and a sorter configured to sort the object based on the apex of the rebounded object, wherein the light source projects the object on the projection screen, and the rebound height sorting sensor detects the apex of the rebounded object based on positions of a shadow of the object on the projection screen.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an actuator (23) that can be pushed from an extended position to a depressed position. When doing so, the actuator (23) first releases an impact body (32) to impinge against the sample (2), and then a catcher (40, 42) to be moved to the released impact body (32) for bringing it back. The passage of the impact body (32) is detected by a reed switch (28), which wakes up the processing circuitry and switches the same between two modes of operation. In the first mode, the circuitry displays a device status, and in the second mode a measuring result.

Abstract: A hardness tester of a relatively large “cantilevering” and/or designed for permitting application of relatively large loads to the indenter may be constructed in a much slander and lighter manner by employing a loading mechanism based on the use of a second or auxiliary loading arm pivotally anchored to the frame of the tester and therefore completely independent of the stress structure of reference contained in the frame of the tester, which mechanical connects the anvil, on which the test object is placed, to the indenter. The load, applied to said second auxiliary arm is transmitted to the indenter carrying arm of the reference stress structure of the tester by unrestrained abutment of a rolling bearing solidly mounted on one of the two arms on a surface of the other arm. Along the trajectory of movement of the tip of the indenter toward the anvil.

Abstract: Accurate simulation of sport to quantify and train performance constructs by employing sensing electronics for determining, in essentially real time, the player's three dimensional positional changes in three or more degrees of freedom (three dimensions); and computer controlled sport specific cuing that evokes or prompts sport specific responses from the player that are measured to provide meaningful indicia of performance. The sport specific cuing is characterized as a virtual opponent that is responsive to, and interactive with, the player in real time. The virtual opponent continually delivers and/or responds to stimuli to create realistic movement challenges for the player.

Abstract: A hardness testing device includes an elongated guiding tube, a test member, an impact actuator, and a transducer. The elongated guiding member has a bottom impact opening for contacting with the work piece surface and a coil seat integrally provided on an outer circumferential surface of the guiding tube at a position close to the impact opening. The impact actuator is provided on an upper portion of the guiding tube for applying an impact force against the test member which is then driven to travel within the guiding tube at an impinging velocity and a rebound velocity. The transducer includes an electric coil coaxially wound on the coil seat, and is adapted to electromagnetically communicate with the test member for detecting the impinging velocity and the rebound velocity when the test member slidably passes through the coil seat so as to determine a hardness of the work piece surface.

Abstract: Accurate simulation of sport to quantify and train performance constructs by employing sensing electronics for determining, in essentially real time, the player's three dimensional positional changes in three or more degrees of freedom (three dimensions); and computer controlled sport specific cuing that evokes or prompts sport specific responses from the player that are measured to provide meaningful indicia of performance. The sport specific cuing is characterized as a virtual opponent that is responsive to, and interactive with, the player in real time. The virtual opponent continually delivers and/or responds to stimuli to create realistic movement challenges for the player.

Abstract: A rebound-type hardness tester comprises a tubular member and an indenter hammer for undergoing axial movement therein in forward and rearward directions and for impacting a specimen and rebounding therefrom. A first detecting device detects the indenter hammer during movement thereof in the forward and rearward directions. A second detecting device detects the indenter hammer after detection thereof by the first detection device during movement of the indenter hammer in the forward direction, and detects the indenter hammer before detection thereof by the first detection device during movement of the indenter hammer in the rearward direction. A measuring device measures first and second timing values corresponding to different times elapsed from the detection of the indenter hammer by the first and second detection devices.

Abstract: A measurement cylinder having a passage for an indenter hammer to go forward and backward formed therein is provided with two light receiving holes a distance S apart. The times required for the indenter hammer to go past the light receiving holes are measured and, in accordance with the required times measured and the distance S, the impacting velocity and the rebounding velocity of the indenter hammer are detected, whereby it is made possible to greatly improve the detecting accuracy of both the velocitys.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of testing the hardness of workpieces (22), wherein an impact body (20) is moved onto the workpiece (22) to be tested such that it impinges thereon (along a forward path) and rebounds thereof (along a return path). On both the return and the forward paths, a movement value of the impact body (20) is detected by a contactlessly operating device and a measure of the hardness of the workpiece (22) is obtained from the difference between the forward and return path movement values. The movement value is detected at at least two points on the forward path and at at least two points on the return path. Corresponding to each movement value detection point on the forward path is a point on the return path at a substantially similar distance from the point of impact.

Abstract: An impacting velocity v.sub.1 and a rebounding velocity v.sub.1 ' of the hammer at a second hammer velocity measurement point 12 a distance x.sub.1 apart from a first hammer velocity measurement point 11 in the system of movement of the hammer are measured and the hardness H of the specimen is calculated in accordance with Equation 1, ##EQU1## where x.sub.2 denotes the distance between the first hammer velocity measurement point 11 and the specimen 2 and .alpha. denotes the acceleration acting on said hammer. Thereby, a hardness test in a rebound type hardness tester can be performed without measuring the velocities of the hammer immediately before impacting against the specimen and immediately after the impaction.

Abstract: A portable test hammer apparatus that produces repeatable and adjustable impacts to make traditional "tap testing" more reliable and quantified. The apparatus includes an impactor head device having a housing sized to be held in a human hand and engageable with the structural member, a plurality of adaptor bases, each readily mounted on the housing, an impactor head disposed within the housing for reciprocating movement therein, and a fluid piston assembly for moving the impactor head from a retracted position within the housing to a projected position in which the impactor head impacts the structural member. Impactor devices can be rapidly slid across test surfaces on non-marring feet, vacuum adhered to the test surface, or both. The apparatus further includes a rugged acoustic transducer for generating and transmitting an electrical signal based on the acoustic signature of the strike of the impactor head against the structural member.

Abstract: Apparatus to test for the impact strength of a game racket comprising a base plate having an upper surface; a support post extending upwardly from the upper surface of the base plate; a pivot arm having a first end and a second end with clamping components adjacent to the first end adapted to releasably secure the racket to be tested with at least a portion thereof extending beyond the first end; a pivot pin rotatably coupling the second end of the pivot arm to the support post adjacent to its upper end; a pointer coupled to the second end of the pivot arm; an indicator plate with indicia thereon cooperable with the pointer to indicate the angle of the pointer, pivot arm and racket supported thereon with respect to the vertical; and an impact place secured to the upper surface of the base plate, the impact plate having a striking surface with a central extent at a location to be in point contact with the frame of a racket to be tested when supported by the swing arm when in a vertical orientation whereby the

Abstract: A drop test apparatus (10) for testing the resiliency of playground surfaces (12) includes a drop module (14) and a release mechanism (16) for holding the drop module (14) at an elevated reference height and releasing the drop module (14) to fall to the surface (12). Vertically-extending guide elements (18) guide and maintain the drop module (14) in a constant attitude from release until surface (12) impact. A support structure (24) extends between the guide element's upper (20) and lower (22) ends and holds the guide element (18) in a generally vertical orientation above the surface (12). Both the guide element (18) and support structure (24) comprise a plurality of interconnecting collapsible and disassemblable parts allowing a single person to rapidly convert the support structure (24) and the guide element (18) between the operational surface-testing configuration and a compact configuration for convenient transport.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for testing the hardness of paper rolls. The apparatus includes a tester that is selectively moveable across a roll of paper. The tester includes an impact anvil which strikes the paper at a selected frequency and which determines the hardness of the paper roll based on forces encountered by the impact anvil. The tester further includes an encoder wheel for identifying relative positions on the paper roll at which each test is performed. The impact anvil and the encoder wheel are operatively connected to a computer which receives signals and calculates hardness at each of the plurality of positions tested. The computer provides output of data on the most recent traversal of a paper roll and on plural sequentially tested rolls to assess trends in the hardness of paper rolls produced by a particular machine.

Abstract: A testing device and method for determining the coefficient of restitution of a rebounding object, such as a ball, by comparison of the bounce periods of successive bounces of the ball. The ball is dropped onto the reaction plate from which it is permitted to rebound at least three times. A transducer such as a microphone is mounted near the reaction plate to detect the impacts on the reaction plate. An electronic circuit times the interval or bounce period between impacts, stores the bounce periods for comparison. The coefficient of restitution for the rebounded object is determined by comparing a subsequent bounce interval to a preceding bounce period as a ratio. The coefficient of restitution so determined is displayed on an LCD display.

Abstract: A portable basketball rim rebound testing device 10 is illustrated in two preferred embodiments for testing the rebound or energy absorption characteristics of a basketball rim 12 and its accompanying support to determine likely rebound or energy absorption charcteristics of the system. The apparatus 10 includes a depending frame 28 having a C-clamp 36 for releasably rigidly connecting the frame to the basketball rim 12. A glide weight 60 is mounted on a guide rod 52 permitting the weight 60 to be dropped against a calibrated spring 56 held on an abutment surface on the rod to generate for deflecting the basketball rim and then rebounding the weight upwardly. A photosensor 66 is mounted on the depending frame 28 to sense passage of reflective surfaces 75 on the weight to thereby obtain sufficient data to enable a processing means 26 to calculate the rebound velocity and relate it to an energy absorption percentage rate of the rim system 12. A readout is provided to display the energy absorption percentage.

Abstract: A ball falls freely onto an eyelid-covered cornea, and the kinetic energy of the ball is conversed into a force causing deformation of the cornea. The amount of the ball rebound varies depending on the amount of intraocular pressure and the latter is judged against the amount of the ball rebound.An ocular tonometer has a tubular housing, wherein provision is made for a free falling of the ball kept by a special holder at one of the ends of the housing. The opposite end of the housing is placed on the eyelid so that the falling ball interacts with the cornea through the eyelid. The amount of the ball rebound characteristic of the amount of intraocular pressure, is registered either with the aid of a scale or by a special measuring instrument.

Abstract: A ball falls freely onto an eyelid-covered cornea, and the kinetic energy of the ball is conversed into a force causing deformation of the cornea. The amount of the ball rebound varies depending on the amount of intraocular pressure and the latter is judged against the amount of the ball rebound.An ocular tonometer has a tubular housing, wherein provision is made for a free falling of the ball kept by a special holder at one of the ends of the housing. The opposite end of the housing is placed on the eyelid so that the falling ball interacts with the cornea through the eyelid. The amount of the ball rebound characteristic of the amount of intraocular pressure, is registered either with the aid of a scale or by a special measuring instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the surface hardness of building materials, having a housing comprising a test hammer, a driving spring and an impact pin, said test hammer being moveable by means of said driving spring along a path in said housing to be brought to impact against said impact pin, which for measurement is placed on the surface to be measured, and further having measuring device for measuring a rebound height of said test hammer wherein said test hammer is provided with an optical pattern extending over at least part of its length and wherein said measuring device comprises an optical detection unit arranged adjacently to said path of the test hammer and provided for detecting said optical pattern of the test hammer, and wherein said measuring device further comprises an evaluation circuit connected to said optical detection unit to determine the maximum height of the rebounding hammer at the upper end of its path after impact.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring pressure within an eye, includes an air chamber having a deformable wall portion, the air chamber being operatively coupled to a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure within the air chamber, a member interposable between a surface of the eye and the deformable wall portion, the member having a rear end arranged and adapted to inwardly deform the deformable wall portion and a front end arranged and adapted to inwardly deform the eye surface when the member is interposed between the eye surface and the deformable wall surface and the air chamber is moved relative to the eye surface in a direction that shortens the distance between the eye and the air chamber.

Abstract: A tester for testing hardness of a tablet formed from a compact of pharmaceutical powders. The tester has a spherical indenter suspended from a wire to impact the tablet to evaluate the hardness thereof. The tablet is contained in a split die holder which can regulate the die wall pressure. The indenter is supported against an electromagnet and, when released, swings through a controlled arc and impacts the tablet. The indenter passes three photocells in its downward arc toward the tablet, and the last photocell activates both a timing device connected to the first two photocells and a shutter plate to prevent reimpact of the indenter with the tablet face. After impact with the tablet face, the indenter is timed as it rebounds past the first two photocells. Since the distance between the first two photocells is known, the time it takes the indenter to travel between the first two photocells is sent to a computer and the velocity is calculated.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure probe is disclosed which provides rapid and accurate measurement of fluid pressure in an organ across a membrane but without pressurizing the organ itself. The pneumatic pressure probe includes a sensor head movably mounted by means of a hollow shaft to a handle that defines a pressure chamber. The sensor head defines a venting chamber within which is situated a thrust nozzle that communicates with the pressure chamber through the hollow shaft. Gas discharging from the thrust nozzle pressurizes the venting chamber and applies minimal force to an area of the epithelium across which the fluid pressure is determined. The pressure in the venting chamber is transmitted to the pressure chamber through the thrust nozzle and is monitored by means of a pressure transducer.

Abstract: A tonometer which is used to measure the tension of eyeballs has a first testing device with a first outwardly bulging deformable wall which can be pressed against the eyeball (either directly or by way of the eyelid) and a second flexible wall which is deformable by the flexible or rigid wall member of a second testing device. The housing of the first testing device is filled with a gaseous or liquid fluid whose pressure is monitored by one or more gauges or risers, and a further instrument is provided on or in the second testing device to indicate the position of the wall member. The scale of the further instrument is calibrated in units of pressure in such a way that the tension of the eyeball can be read directly off the scale when the gauges or risers indicate that the deforming work upon one of the flexible walls is the same as that upon the other flexible wall.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for testing the resilience of a game ball. The device comprises a tubular member having an opening at one end for receiving a game gall to be tested. A striking surface on the other end of the tubular member and calibrated markings along the length of the tubular member indicate the degree of resiliency of the game ball by virtue of the distance the game ball rebounds from the striking surface when the ball is dropped from the opening.

Abstract: A hardness testing device which includes a guiding member having an elongated passage with a hammer or striker freely movable therein is a taught. The hammer is held in a desired position and is released to strike the material whose hardness is to be tested. The rebound height indicates the hardness of the material and this rebound height is measured by correlating the time between sound waves emitted by the striker on its first impact and second impact on the material to be tested.

Abstract: A hardness tester comprising a tubular element mounted in an upright position, a ball, and a retaining mechanism for the ball. A passage extends from the retaining mechanism through the tubular element and terminates in an opening adapted to be positioned over a surface of a test specimen. The tubular element has a wall through which the passage is visible from the exterior of the tubular element and indicia on the wall. The ball has a lesser cross-sectional area than the passage and a lesser cross-sectional area than the opening.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, testing the hardness of a material by means of an impact device wherein an impact body having a test tip or point which is either integrated, e.g., connected with, or separate from, the impact body is brought to impact against the material to be tested. There is determined the velocity of the impact body and/or the test tip both directly before and after impact, and there is then formed a characteristic value from both velocities which is utilized as criterion for the hardness of the material.

Abstract: A performance method and apparatus for evaluating the bouncing or rebounding characteristics of objects such as balls used in games, and for evaluating the energy-absorbing and surface characteristics of playing surfaces of games.