Static load tester with I-beam support column

Abstract

A static load tester is shown that provides tensile testing of plated test specimens to detect hydrogen embrittlement damage from plating processes. The functional components of the device are centrally aligned within a channel of an I-beam frame. A load cell and electronic readout provide the user with a measure of the tensile force applied to up to eight test specimens mounted end to end in a tester. Tension is applied to the specimens through use of a simple threaded rod and nut load application system at the base of the device. A static load tester may be incorporated into each channel of the I-beam frame, thereby providing a double testing unit. Additionally, a series of I-beam frame tester configurations may be incorporated into one multiple testing unit. Each multiple testing unit has a number of static load testers equal to double the number of I-beam frames mounted into the unit. The tension applied to any individual tester in a multiple testing unit may be displayed on a single electronic readout through use of a switch box coupled between the individual testers and the readout.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.