Pullout force measuring apparatus

An apparatus for determining the amount of upward force applied to a fastener anchored to a supporting member, comprising:

• a base for placement atop said supporting member, said base defining a first surface;
• a plate positioned above said first surface;
• fastener gripping means positioned below said first surface;
• a tension link intermediate said plate and said fastener gripping means, said tension link linking said plate and said fastener gripping means;
• force exerting means intermediate said plate and said first surface of said base for applying a downward force to said first surface and also applying a substantially equal but opposing upward force to said plate, such that said plate exerts an upward force on said tension link which is transferred to said fastener gripping means such that said fastener gripping means exerts an upward force on said fastener;
• and
• means for measuring said force applied to said first surface of said base.

An apparatus for determining the amount of upward force applied to a fastener anchored to a supporting member, comprising:

• a base for placement atop said supporting member;
• load sensing means positioned on said base;
• a plate positioned above said load sensing means;
• fastener gripping means positioned below said load sensing means;
• a tension link intermediate said plate and said fastener gripping means, said tension link linking said plate and said fastener gripping means;
• force exerting means intermediate said plate and said load sensing means for applying a downward force to said load sensing means and also applying a substantially equal but opposing upward force to said plate, such that said plate exerts an upward force on said tension link which is transferred to said fastener gripping means such that said fastener gripping means exerts an upward force on said fastener;
• and
• means for measuring said load applied to said load sensing means.

An apparatus for determining the amount of upward force applied to a fastener anchored to a supporting member along a first axis, comprising:

• a base for placement atop said supporting member;
• a hydraulic cylinder positioned on said base, said cylinder having a closed end and an open end, containing a body of fluid, and having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said first axis;
• a piston slidably positioned within said open end of said cylinder along a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, such that said body of fluid is contained by said piston and said cylinder;
• a sliding assembly, comprising:
• a plate;
• fastener gripping means;
• a pair of elongate tension rods spaced a distance apart and each having a first end attached to said plate and a second end attached to said fastener gripping means,
• said sliding assembly slidably positioned relative to said base along an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, such that said plate is above said cylinder, said rods are on opposing sides of said cylinder, and said fastener gripping means is below said cylinder;
• force exerting means intermediate said piston and said plate for applying a downward force to said piston and also applying a substantially equal but opposing upward force to said plate, such that said plate exerts an upward force on said rods which is transferred to said fastener gripping means such that said fastener gripping means exerts an upward force on said fastener;
• means for measuring hydraulic pressure of said body of fluid, said pressure being proportional to the force applied to said fastener.