# US 2014/0150564 A1 · Compression measurement device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0150564 A1
- Document ID: US20140150564A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/173,045
- Filed: 2014-02-05
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-29
- Inventors: Richard A. BRANDT
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150564A1

## CPC

- G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence)
- G01N 3/42: by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid (G01N3/54 takes precedence)
- G01N 3/40: Investigating hardness or rebound hardness
- G01N 3/48: by performing impressions under impulsive load by indentors, e.g. falling ball (G01N3/54 takes precedence)
- G01N 2203/0019: Compressive
- G01N 2203/008: Residual indentation measurement
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

Performance of an article of sporting equipment, such as a ball bat, is measured by applying a force through a spring of known elastic properties to compress the article of sporting equipment. Compliance of the article of sporting equipment to a known standard is based on the compression of the article of sporting equipment.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-27. (canceled)

### Claim 28

A method of measuring the compression of an article of sporting equipment whose elasticity is restricted by a known standard comprising:
supporting the article of sporting equipment on a support;
applying a force through a spring of known elastic properties to compress the supported article of sporting equipment; and,
indicating compliance of the article of sporting equipment to the known standard based on the compression of the article of sporting equipment,
wherein the applying step comprises applying the force to the article of sporting equipment to compress the article of sporting equipment between the support and a compression plate.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein the support comprises a cradle thereon for receiving the article of sporting equipment.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein the applying step comprises applying a pre-load to the article of sporting equipment through an elastic member arranged in series with the spring.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein the elastic member is arranged to center the force applied to the article of sporting equipment.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the elastic member is located between the compression plate and a spring plate, and wherein said applying step comprises transmitting the force to the spring, which in turn applies force to the spring plate, the elastic member, the compression plate, and to the article of sporting equipment.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32, wherein said support, compression plate, and spring plate are in vertical alignment.

### Claim 34 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein the support and the opposing plate are connected to a plurality of vertical rods that hold said support and said opposing plate in vertical alignment.