Abstract: A hardness testing device of the type adapted to measure the hardness of workpieces by indentation of the surface stratum thereof by an indenter or penetrating device. The depth of penetration of the workpiece under a prescribed load applied to the penetrating device is proportional to the hardness of the workpiece, which in turn is visually and/or audibly communicated by a variable fluid flow sensing system associated with the penetrating means. The testing device is readily adapted for automatic operation to test individual workpieces at commercial production rates to assure they are within prescribed quality and/or hardness limits.

Abstract: A method for testing cooked beef rounds to determine their tenderness by pressing a pointed probe into that portion of the Semimembranosus muscle of a cooked round which is proximal to the rump roast, and measuring the force required to penetrate the muscle to a predetermined depth.

Abstract: A method of measuring surface hardness combining the techniques of Brinell Hardness testing and air-gauging by providing a hard penetrator member having in it a passage and apertures through which air under pressure is passed. The hardness of a work piece is measured by measuring the effect on air pressure caused by occlusion of the apertures as the penetrator is pressed into a specimen of which the hardness is to be measured.

Abstract: A frame body has a base portion for supporting a specimen and an integrally extending arm portion above the base portion for guiding a penetrating probe. Force is applied to the probe to urge it against the specimen. A portion of the frame body is in the form of a leg extending horizontally in spaced relationship to the base portion of the frame to terminate adjacent to the specimen. Reaction of the frame to applied forces causes relative movement between the base portion and the horizontally extending leg indicative of "springing" of the frame. A first electrical circuit provides a first signal proportional to the load applied to the penetrating probe. A second electrical circuit provides a second signal responsive to relative movement of the penetrating probe and supporting arm and a third electrical circuit provides a third signal responsive to relative movement between the base portion of the frame and the extending leg.

Abstract: A hand-operable durometer has a connection allowing a limited universal pivoting movement between an outer casing and an inner shell in order to facilitate the manual application of a truly axial thrust to a penetrator tip disposed largely within the shell.

Abstract: A hardness tester for measuring hardness of a material by pressing an indenter attached to the lower end of a load application shaft into the test specimen. A reference cylinder is coaxially and slidably fitted around the load application shaft, and a datum plane, to be in contact with the specimen, is formed at the lower end of the reference cylinder, so as to limit the penetration depth of the indenter into the specimen to a predetermined constant depth. A stop device is provided for regulating the descending of the load application shaft relative to the reference cylinder. A load detector for hardness measurement is interposed on the load application shaft, to measure the hardness of the specimen by measuring the force applied to produce an indentation of a predetermined size on it.

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: The point, lower-end region, and shaft of a penetrometer tube set are respectively connected to lower, intermediate, and upper members of a sensor head. A cap member which slidably receives the upper member is struck by the penetrometer anvil to drive the tube set into the ground. The lower and intermediate members are respectively slidable in the intermediate and upper members, and upper, intermediate, and lower strain gauges are provided between the members to produce outputs corresponding to the forces exerted by them on each other. A group of pawls can lock the upper member onto the shaft of the tube set and the intermediate member is limitedly axially displaceable in the cap member so that the intermediate strain gauge is compressed on pulling-out of the tube set.

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: A fabric is tested for its sewability -- its likelihood of suffering seam damage during making-up into garments or other textile articles -- by an instrument which effects or attempts needle penetration simulating a machine sewing operation and indicates the incidence of excessive penetration forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lacquer hardness testing apparatus comprising a wheel formed around its outer periphery with a sharp central edge and a weight exerting its pressure on said wheel. The apparatus comprises a horizontal shaft rotatably supporting said wheel at one forked end and having its other end operatively connected to a vertical lever through means permitting an angular movement between the two members. The vertical lever is connected in the same manner to one end of another horizontal lever carrying said weight at its opposite end, said weight thus exerting a constant force on said wheel irrespective of the position of the lacquered surface to be tested. This apparatus is intended more particularly for testing the degree of curing of lacquered surfaces of the bodies of motor vehicles.

Abstract: The mechanical properties within a part are determined as a function of depth in a non-destructive manner by punching the body with a series of punches having different radii of curvature. Using a plastic criterion with the data obtained the elastic limit of the body as a function of depth is determined as well as the residual self-stresses that exist in the part.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring and indicating the hardness of such compressible materials as plastic foam compositions, including a frame adapted to be conveniently manipulated by the user, an indentor movably mounted in the frame and resiliently biased downwardly relative to the frame, the indentor having a downwardly directed thin elongated convex marking edge projecting through an elongated slot formed in a lower plate of the frame. The plate has a lower contour matingly congruent with the contour of the sample to be tested, and its relatively large area serves to limit downward movement of the frame toward the sample; thus, the length of the line of penetration of the indentor marking edge into the sample becomes a measure of the density of the sample.

Abstract: Surface properties, such as, hardness, of a test piece are determined by holding a mechanical resonator, for example, in the form of a sensor rod against a surface of the test piece with a static force sufficient to maintain steady contact with the test piece surface at a contact surface on the sensor rod shaped to provide an increasing area of contact with increasing plastic and/or elastic indentation or deformation of the test piece surface, exciting the test piece into vibration with a frequency which is varied so that the vibrations transmitted from the test piece to the sensor rod will cause the latter to attain a state of resonance, for example, as indicated when a maximum amplitude of the vibration of the sensor rod is sensed, measuring the amplitude of vibration of the excited test piece at a region of the latter which is adjacent to, but outside of the area of contact of the test piece with the contact surface on the sensor rod, for example, by means of an auxiliary sensor, and further varying the fr

Abstract: A system for measuring the tenderness of meat includes a probe equipped with a force transducer which generates an electrical signal having an instantaneous amplitude representative of the penetration resistance force encountered by the probe during insertion to a predetermined depth. The transducer is connected in a bridge circuit which is energized by a storage battery coupled to the bridge through a regulating network to insure a constant supply voltage for the resistive transducer. An amplifier receives the force signal and couples it to a memory circuit which includes a capacitor fed by a unidirectional current-carrying circuit. The capacitor stores a charge proportional to incremental increases in the transducer signal; and since it does not discharge except by operator reset, the charge stored after the probe comes to rest is representative of the peak penetration resistance force and, thus, a measure of the tenderness of the meat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a portable apparatus for testing the hardness of thin film plastics. The basic apparatus comprises a base stand including a platform for the sample to be tested, an indenter consisting of a pointed shaft in conjunction with a weight, and a dial gauge.

Abstract: The tester comprises basically a four wheeled carriage, a scale arm containing graduations attached to the carriage in a counterpoised condition about a pivot axis, and a rolling, round fluted cutting tool coupled to the carriage and to the scale arm. The cutting tool, as the carriage is drawn across a test surface, leaves an indented track of the cutting flutes. The width of the track marks is a function of the coating hardness and applied load.

Abstract: Hardness testing apparatus including a workpiece penetrator, a stop for interrupting movement of the penetrator after it has penetrated the workpiece to a predetermined depth, and mechanism for individually measuring the load on the penetrator when it has penetrated the workpiece to the predetermined depth.

Abstract: A device for determining the degree of skin sensitivity on the basis of the persistance of a streak. At least one element is provided which is to be compressed against the action of an elastic system or a spring. The outer end of this pressure element is provided with a surface which is contacted with the skin to enable a standardized pressure to be applied thereto.