US 8,024,979 B2Granted

Indicating fastener loading

OwnerRonald C. Clarkeinventor

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Abstract

An amplified indication of the elongation of a fastener is provided for determining instantaneous loading conditions of a fastener. A load indicator is couplable to a fastener for instantaneous load measurement and includes a housing defining a fastener interface configured to removably couple the housing to a fastener. A moveable datum probe extends from the housing in contact with a datum rod anchored within an internal bore of the fastener. A first lever is pivotally mounted within the housing and is moveable in response to displacement of the datum probe. A load display indicates a degree of loading of a fastener as a function of displacement of the datum probe. A second lever can be used to further amplify the reading from the displacement of the datum probe. An inclined visual scale and a multi-faceted lens allows for viewing of loading values from multiple directions or angles.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In combination, a fastener and load indicator for measuring an axial tensile load on the fastener, the combination comprising:

a fastener including a head defining a reference surface and a load indicator interface, and a shank defining, with the head, a central bore;
a datum rod having a first end anchored within the central bore and extending along the central bore to a second free end positioned adjacent the reference surface of the fastener head;
a load indicator housing comprising a fastener interface configured to releasably couple the load indicator to the load indicator interface on the head of the fastener, such that the load indicator is substantially positioned outside the central bore;
a datum probe extending from the housing and configured to be displaced by the datum rod as the load indicator is coupled to the fastener via the fastener interface;
a first lever having first and second ends and being pivotally coupled to the load indicator housing and moveable in response to displacement of the datum probe;
and
a load display retained by the housing is responsive to movement of the lever to indicate the loading of the fastener as a function of the displacement of the datum rod, datum probe and first lever.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/426,729Filed 20 Apr 2009 · continuation in part
Priority: 24 Aug 2006
Published: US 2009/0301383 A110 Dec 2009
Granted: 27 Sep 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

F16B 31/025
For indicating the attainment of a particular tensile load or limiting tensile load: with a gauge pin in a longitudinal bore in the body of the bolt
G01L 5/24
Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes: for determining value…
F16B
Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together
G01L
Measuring force, stress, torque, work, mechanical power, mechanical efficiency, or fluid pressure

Family

Application11/467,011Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 24 Aug 2006
US 2009/0301383 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Dec 2009
US 7,520,174 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2008/0047353 A1Published application
US 8,024,979 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.