Patent ID: 6609410
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring strain rate of a sample of material used in sports balls, comprising:(1) a fixed base on which the sample is mounted; (2) a striker for delivering an impact to the sample in a first direction; (3) a first detector connected with said base for measuring the reaction force of the impact from the sample; and (4) a second detector connected with said base for measuring the displacement of the sample in said first direction, wherein said second detector comprises at least one optical detector, and further comprising means for mounting said sample on said base, wherein said mounting means comprises a lower platen connected with said base and an upper platen arranged on said sample, said sample being sandwiched between said upper and lower platens, wherein said lower platen comprises a bolt having a head portion supporting said sample and an axis colinear with a central axis of said striker and extending in said first direction, wherein said base has a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration to define a channel within which said sample is mounted, and further comprising a mounting block arranged in said channel and wherein said first detector comprises a load cell mounted on said mounting block, said mounting Block having a pair of samples connected with opposite surfaces thereof said pair of samples being further connected with adjacent side walls of said base, respectively, to suspend said block within said channel, whereby said reaction force and said displacement is processed to determine the time dependent strain of the material.