# US 8,783,115 B2 · System and method for measuring cable bending force and cable kink force > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,115 B2 - Document ID: US8783115B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/492,977 - Filed: 2012-06-11 - Published: 2013-12-12 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-11 - Assignees: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc. - Applicants: David Zhi Chen - Inventors: David Zhi Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783115B2 ## CPC - G01N 3/20: by applying steady bending forces (G01N3/26, G01N3/28 take precedence) - G01N 3/08: by applying steady tensile or compressive forces (G01N3/28 takes precedence) - G01N 2203/028: One dimensional, e.g. filaments, wires, ropes or cables - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A test apparatus includes a first surface configured to apply a linear force in two directions and a first attachment assembly configured to secure a first end of a cable to the first surface. The first attachment assembly is further configured to permit two degrees of rotational freedom. The test apparatus also includes a second surface, opposite the first surface, and a second attachment assembly configured to secure a second end of the cable to the second surface. The apparatus facilitates testing of a bending force and a kink force associated with the cable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a first surface configured to apply a linear force in two directions; a first attachment assembly configured to secure a first end of a cable to the first surface, wherein the first attachment assembly is further configured to permit two degrees of rotational freedom; a second surface, opposite the first surface; and a second attachment assembly configured to secure a second end of the cable to the second surface, wherein the apparatus facilitates measurement of a bending force and a kink force associated with the cable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the two degrees of rotational freedom is about an axis that is parallel to the first surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein another one of the two degrees of rotational freedom is in a plane parallel to the first surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to measure the force applied by the first surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second surface is configured to apply another linear force in the two directions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second attachment assembly is further configured to permit two degrees of rotational freedom. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first attachment assembly is configured to enable a user to selectively disable one of the two degrees of rotational freedom. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first attachment assembly includes a base attached to the first surface, and wherein the base is configured to rotate in a plane parallel to the first surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first attachment assembly further includes an axle that is supported by the base in an orientation parallel to the plane of the first surface and a securing tube that is supported by the axle, and wherein the axle and the securing tube are configured to permit rotation of the first end of the cable about the axle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first attachment assembly further includes a fastening device to hold the first end of the cable within the securing tube. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising: providing a cable test platform with two cable attachment assemblies, wherein at least one of the cable attachment assemblies is configured to provide two degrees of rotational freedom; securing ends of the cable to the cable attachment assemblies to form a loop between the ends of the cable; applying a tensile force to the cable via the cable attachment assemblies; and determining a kink force for the cable based on the applied tensile force. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: securing ends of another cable to the cable attachment assemblies to form a straight run between the ends of the cable; applying a compressive force to the other cable via the cable attachment assemblies; and determining a bending force for the other cable based on the applied tensile force. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein both of the cable attachment assemblies are configured to provide two degrees of rotational freedom. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein one of the two degrees of rotational freedom is about an axis that is an orthogonal plane to a direction of the applied tensile force. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein another one of the two degrees of rotational freedom is about an axis that is parallel to the direction of the applied tensile force. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising: disabling the other one of the two degrees of rotational freedom before applying the tensile force. ### Claim 17 An attachment assembly for a cable testing platform including two surfaces that apply linear force to a cable therein, comprising: a base attached to a first surface of the two surfaces, wherein the base is configured to rotate in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the applied linear force; an axle, supported by the base in the plane orthogonal to the direction of the applied linear force; and a securing tube configured to receive an end of the cable, wherein the securing tube is supported by the axle and further configured to permit rotation of the securing tube about the axle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The attachment assembly of claim 17, further comprising: a fastening device to secure the end of the cable within the securing tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The attachment assembly of claim 17, further comprising: a fastener configured to secure the base to the first surface, wherein the fastener is configured to enable selective enabling and disabling of rotation of the base. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The attachment assembly of claim 17, wherein the attachment assembly secures the end of the cable against both tensile force and compressive force.