Patent ID: 11913914
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 7:
8. A method of operating a material testing apparatus, wherein the material testing apparatus comprises:
guide means,
sample holding means for holding a sample,
force means for applying force to the sample,
a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means, and
automated clamping means comprising a linear actuator and at least one clamping member arranged to extend from the crosshead to act as a lever; and
wherein the method comprises:
contacting the guide means by the at least one clamping member;
applying a releasable clamping force using at least a portion of the at least one clamping member between the guide means and the crosshead to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means, wherein the clamping force is a friction force between the at least one clamping member and the guide means, wherein applying the releasable clamping force comprises:
applying a linear force (FL) generally perpendicular to an axis of the at least one clamping member using a linear actuator; and
translating the linear force (FL) into a torque force (FT) about a pivot point of the lever, such that the friction force applied is in dependent on the linear force (FL); and

controlling the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead.