Support jig with improved support grips

A method for loading a test specimen in a test machine having a first test specimen holder and a second test specimen holder, the method comprising:

• providing a support jig remote from the test machine, the support jig having a frame with a first support spaced apart from a second support;
• mounting the first test specimen holder to the first support and the second test specimen holder to the second support so that heads, configured to hold ends of the test specimen, face each other and ends of the test specimen holders, securable to the test machine, face in opposite directions, the test specimen holders being aligned with each other and located on a common alignment axis;
• mounting the test specimen to a test specimen support, the test specimen support being joined to the frame between the spaced apart first and second supports, the test specimen support having an end configured to hold the test specimen on the alignment axis;
• securing the heads of the first and second test specimen holders to first and second ends, respectively, of the test specimen;
• and
• mounting the first test specimen holder and the second test specimen holder in the test machine wherein the support jig holds the first test specimen holder and the second test specimen holder on the alignment axis and in a fixed spatial relationship relative to each other.

A test specimen holder comprising;

• a head body having a first inclined body surface and a second inclined body surface facing each other;
• a first and second wedge located in the head body, the first wedge having a first inclined wedge surface in sliding contact with the first inclined body surface and the second wedge having a second inclined wedge surface in sliding contact with the second inclined body surface
• a support shaft having a first end connectable to a portion of a test machine and a second end supporting the first and second wedges;
• a drive supported by the support shaft, the drive located between the second end and the first end;
• and
• a spring connected to the head body at a first end and to the drive at a second end.

A test specimen holder comprising;

• a head body having a first inclined body surface and a second inclined body surface facing each other;
• a first and second wedge located in the head body, the first wedge having a first inclined wedge surface in sliding contact with the first inclined body surface and the second wedge having a second inclined wedge surface in sliding contact with the second inclined body surface;
• a mount joined to the head body at a first end and having a bore;
• a support shaft disposed in the bore and having a first end supporting the first and second wedges;
• and
• a spring urging the support shaft toward the head body.