Dial gauge mounting apparatus

Improved mounting apparatus for attaching a dial gauge to the housing of a hardness tester in which is carried a load cell, said dial gauge including a plunger extending from the base thereof for engagement with said load cell and responsive thereto for motivating the operating mechanism and indicator of said dial gauge, said mounting apparatus including a cap member attachable to the upper end of said housing and having a central aperture through which said dial gauge plunger projects for said engagement with said load cell wherein the improvement comprises:

• a central hub portion provided on said cap member projecting downwardly into said housing for engagement with the upper end of said load cell, said dial gauge being attached to said cap member by a support member so that said dial gauge plunger is centrally and freely disposed in said aperture engaging said load cell in a predetermined axial relationship thereto;
• and
• a flange member attached to the upper end of said housing having at least two holes on the periphery thereof, corresponding holes in said cap member and threaded fastener members for engagement with said flange member holes and said corresponding cap member holes to hold said hub portion of said cap member against said load cell in a predetermined axial relationship.