Abstract: The invention refers to a procedure and a device for measuring the degree of compaction attained when compacting a foundation by means of a vibrating compaction tool. The movement of that part of the compaction tool which rests on the foundation is sensed and analyzed. The time interval elapsing between successive passages of the movement signal through the zero point or other reference level is measured. Alternatively, the ratio between the absolute values of the extreme positive and extreme negative values of the motion in relation to the said level is also measured. By means of the relative magnitudes of these time intervals and amplitude relationships respectively a quantity is formed which comprises a measure of the degree of compaction of the foundation.

Abstract: To determine the force acting on a test piece and the resultant change in parameters, the test piece is subjected to linearly increasing force. The resultant change in parameters and the force needed for this purpose are measured continuously and compared with predetermined reference values for these two variables. As soon as equality is determined between at least one measured value and its associated reference value, the value pair under consideration, force/change in parameters, is detected. This process can be used for the measurement of various mechanical variables.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a flat surface on a metallic member may comprise: a frame assembly including a clamping device on which a metallic member may be placed for clamping the metallic member in a firmly fixed position; a broach frame mounted on the frame assembly for movement between a first position engageable by and against which the metallic member may be firmly clamped by the clamping device and a second position away from and not engageable by the metallic member when on the clamping device; a broach blade having cutting surfaces thereon carried by the broach frame for reciprocal movement, when the broach frame is in the first position, between a first terminal and a second terminal position for cutting a flat surface on the metallic member when clamped against the broach frame; and a power device mounted on the frame assembly and attached to the broach blade between the first and second terminal positions.

Abstract: A method of verifying the stress rolling of a metallic rim includes the steps of taking a first hardness reading of the surface that is to have been stress rolled, taking a second hardness reading of a reference surface that has not been stress rolled and comparing the readings so that the first hardness reading will be significantly higher than the second only if the surface has been stress rolled.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus senses the extent of actual wear of a grinding wheel at an area where the wear will be the greatest during the grinding of a workpiece. The grinding wheel is dressed by removing material from the grinding wheel to an extent which is a function of the extent of sensed wear at the location where the wear is the greatest. The apparatus includes a probe member which is movable toward the circular working surface or side of the grinding wheel from a retracted position and a detector assembly which detects when the probe member initially engages the circular side of the grinding wheel. In some embodiments of the invention, the probe member is moved toward the grinding wheel in incremental steps with sufficient time between the steps to enable the grinding wheel to rotate through slightly more than one complete revolution. In one embodiment of the invention the detector assembly includes a mass which is connected with a probe member.

Abstract: A novel automatic test measuring apparatus of the pendulum variety for readily and easily determining film and the like hardness is adapted to automate all the operations necessarily preceding the commencement of a measurement stage using, in connection therewith, a recording unit or printer to supply the operator with the numerical results of all the measurements without personal manipulation(s). In making a measurement, the necessary time count for passing from amplitude .alpha. to amplitude .beta. is effected by means of a photo-electric cell. This records the passage of a pendulum arm having a predetermined period during the time that the oscillation amplitude is higher than .beta.. The involved count gives the measured time necessary for the measurement. The automatic apparatus advantageously reduces error relating to each measurement and increases the number of measurements to be effected on one and the same test film to yield a vastly more reliable mean statistical value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting the resilience of a hollow ball having an internal pressure. A ball, particularly a tennis ball, is held in a confined position. A mixture of inflating medium and sealant material is injected from an aerosol container into the tennis ball. A ball test gauge is incorporated within a ball holder to enable the player to continuously and simultaneously determine the necessity for increasing or decreasing the internal pressure of the tennis ball in order to achieve the desired resilience. The frame structure is provided for fixing the storage canister or aerosol container in a stationary relationship with respect to the ball holder. A combination of elements is then provided for adjusting the internal pressure within the tennis ball.

Abstract: A system for measuring or testing the firmness of a resilient object such as a mattress. A pressure applying platen or the like is driven by a motor into the object, and the pressure applied is measured through the utilization of a pressure sensitive transducer or the like. This generates electrical power proportional to the pressure, and a recorder displays information to provide a reading of the power generated. The generating means is also connected to control means for the motor, and a threshold circuit or the like is adapted to shut off and reverse the motor when the power generated reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting the resilience of a hollow ball having an internal pressure. A ball, particularly a tennis ball, is held in a confined position. A mixture of inflating medium and sealant material is injected from an aerosol container into the tennis ball. A ball test gauge is incorporated within a ball holder to enable the player to continuously and simultaneously determine the necessity for increasing or decreasing the internal pressure of the tennis ball in order to achieve the desired resilience. The frame structure is provided for fixing the storage canister or aerosol container in a stationary relationship with respect to the ball holder. A combination of elements is then provided for adjusting the internal pressure within the tennis ball.

Abstract: Hardness testing apparatus is provided having a pair of anvil elements adapted to receive and hold a test object which may then be subjected to increasing pressures by application of an increasing force to one of the anvil elements while holding the other anvil in a fixed position. The increasing force is applied through a pivotally mounted element, one end of which operatively engages the anvil and which is provided with a weight which is movable toward its other end. Drive means for moving the weight along the pivotally mounted element are provided as well as means for stopping such movement and indicating the applied force when the test object fractures. Means are also provided for reversing the direction of motion of the weight at the time of fracture of the test object and to return the weight to a position where it is in equilibrium with the anvil.

Abstract: A punch and die test cell device for use in combination with a compression orce measuring instrument in the testing of food products to determine their textural qualities, such as toughness or tenderness. Also, a method of evaluating the textural qualities of a food product by determining the value of at least one of three parameters which characterize the food. These parameters are determined by punching a cylindrically-shaped plug from a slice of the food and obtaining certain force and deformation measurements during the punching. Thereafter, calculations are made of the value of said at least one parameter and this value is compared with a standard value found to be characteristic of desirable samples of the food product.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the dynamic complex hardness of resilient roll coverings including a portable housing for positioning directly on the resilient roll covering to be tested. The portable housing includes an adjustable probe coupled to force and displacement transducers. The adjustable probe is placed in contact with the resilient roll covering and vibrated. The transducers produce output signals in accordance with the force encountered by and displacement of the probe during displacement of the surface of the resilient roll covering. The output signals from the transducers are coupled to dynamic hardness and loss angle circuitry for providing direct measurements of the magnitude and phase angle of the dynamic complex hardness.

Abstract: Apparatus for the non-destructive hardness testing of an article such as a cigarette. The article is placed in an elastic sleeve and surrounded by a liquid, the level of which may be determined through a gauge tube. The interior of the article is then subjected to two different reduced pressures and the resulting volumetric change of the article is determined from the gauge tube at each reduced pressure. The hardness of the article is then calculated by means of a suitable formula.

Abstract: A method of testing the hardness of a circular tablet is presented and comprises holding the tablet on edge between two members respectively on opposite sides of the tablet, transmitting a controlled pressure to the tablet through one of the members, transmitting from said tablet through the other of said members to a pressure gauge and recording the maximum pressure on the gauge up to the moment that the tablet breaks. Apparatus is presented including a frame holding a source of pressure fluid, communicating said fluid to a pressure cylinder mounted beneath a tablet to be tested which is supported in a vertical position on edge, having the fluid pressure cylinder beneath the tablet and having a plunger in contact with the upper side of the tablet and connected with a load cell and pressure transmitting means with a pressure indicating gauge, all of this above the tablet.

Abstract: A hand held tool for testing the sharpness of edges to determine the presence or absence of a safety hazard in which a rotatable mandrel is driven by a torque spring at a specified velocity for a single rotation, the mandrel carrying a covering of testing material which is engaged with an edge to be tested, and having means for automatically driving the mandrel in the presence of predetermined contact force or pressure between the test material and the test edge. Means are also included for adjustably regulating the mandrel speed of rotation and the contacting pressure requisite to effect its testing operation.

Abstract: A device for detecting the degree of firmness of cigarette ends comprising a rotating drum moving laterally one after the other to a position to be tested, yieldable feeler means with indicator means positioned according to the firmness of a cigarette end being tested and transducer means for providing a signal depending upon the position of the indicator means. The foregoing can be combined with pneumatic means for testing for integrity of the wrappers of cigarettes.