# US 2022/0091001 A1 · Apparatus and method for material testing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0091001 A1 - Document ID: US20220091001A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/482,110 - Filed: 2021-09-22 - Published: 2022-03-24 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-24 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Andrew KIRBY; Audrey BRIODEAU-LINE; Edward DEMPSEY; Graham MEAD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220091001A1 ## CPC - G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence) - G01N 3/22: by applying steady torsional forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence) - G01N 3/04: Chucks - G01N 3/062: {with mechanical indicating or recording means} - G01N 2203/0435: modifying the type of the force applied, e.g. the chuck transforms a compressive machine for applying a bending test - G01N 2203/0452: Cushioning layer between test piece and grip - 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 An example material testing apparatus includes: guide means; sample holding means for holding a sample; force means for applying force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; automated clamping means configured to apply a releasable clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means, and a controller configured to control the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A material testing apparatus, comprising: guide means; sample holding means for holding a sample; force means for applying force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; automated clamping means configured to apply a releasable clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means, and a controller configured to control the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automated clamping means comprises at least one clamping member arranged to contact the guide means, wherein the clamping force is a friction force between the at least one clamping member and the guide means, and optionally wherein the at least one clamping member is formed of resiliently deformable material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of: at least a portion of the at least one clamping member is arranged to extend from the crosshead to act as a lever for applying the friction force between the at least one clamping member and the guide means; and the automated clamping means comprises a linear actuator configured to apply a linear force (FL) generally perpendicular to an axis of the at least one clamping member for applying the clamping force. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the linear force (FL) from the linear actuator is translated into a torque force (FT) about a pivot point of the lever, such that the friction force applied is in dependence on the linear force (FL). ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the linear actuator comprises an electric motor and a gearbox arranged to produce linear motion to apply the linear force (FL). ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, comprising an opening between the at least a portion of the at least one clamping member and the crosshead to allow the lever to move in dependence on the linear force (FL) to apply the torque force (FT). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automated clamping means is at least one of: supported upon the crosshead; and arranged to maintain the clamping force in an absence of electrical power provided to the automated clamping means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of: the controller is configured to automatically move the crosshead with respect to the guide means and control the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force to the guide means in a single operation; and the guide means comprises two guide members each arranged a respective side of the crosshead and the apparatus comprises first and second clamping members positioned at respective sides of the crosshead to apply the releasable clamping force. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one clamping member is at least partially formed as a unitary component with the crosshead. ### Claim 10 A method of operating a material testing apparatus, wherein the material testing apparatus comprises: guide means, sample holding means for holding a sample, force means for applying force to the sample, a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means, and automated clamping means; and wherein the method comprises: applying a releasable clamping force, using the automated clamping means, between the guide means and the crosshead to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means; and controlling the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, comprising one or both of: at least one clamping member of the automated clamping means contacting the guide means, wherein the clamping force is a friction force between the at least one clamping member and the guide means; and maintaining the clamping force in an absence of electrical power provided to the automated clamping means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, comprising applying the friction force using at least a portion of the at least one clamping member arranged to extend from the crosshead to act as a lever. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, comprising applying a linear force (FL) generally perpendicular to an axis of the at least one clamping member for applying the clamping force using a linear actuator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, comprising translating the linear force (FL) into a torque force (FT) about a pivot point of the lever, such that the friction force applied is in dependence on the linear force (FL). ### Claim 15 A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: apply a releasable clamping force, using an automated clamping means of a material testing apparatus, between a guide means of the material testing apparatus and a crosshead of the material testing apparatus to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means; and control an automated clamping means of the material testing apparatus to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead.