Tribometer
OwnerWilliam Englishinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tribometer which approximately duplicates the forces exerted on a test surface by a human foot or cane tip during the walking process. The force exerted on the test surface by a test specimen is provided by a fluid actuated cylinder supplied with a compressed fluid. This force is applied during a sufficiently short period of time so as to avoid the absorbtion and squeegee effects normally encountered when testing wet surfaces. The coefficient of friction for the test surface is then determined by measuring the angle of incidence at which the test specimen will slip when brought into contact with the test surface.
Claims17
A tribometer which approximates the forces exerted on a test surface by a human foot or cane tip during the walking process, comprising:
- compressed fluid supply means for creating a fluid pressure;
- cylinder means for converting the fluid pressure into a linear force;
- attachment means for attaching a test specimen to the cylinder means;
- actuating means for actuating the cylinder means so as to bring the test specimen in contact with the test surface;
- adjustment means for adjusting an angle of incidence in which the test specimen is brought into contact with the test surface;
- and
- measuring means for determining the angle of incidence at which said test specimen slips.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.