Patent ID: 8074496
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for hardness measurement of a sample, said apparatus comprising a housing, an impact body to be impacted against said sample, wherein said impact body is moveable along an axis of said apparatus between a loaded position and a released position, an actuator movable along a path from an extended to a depressed position, wherein said device is adapted for triggering said impact body to be released from said loaded position by moving said actuator away from said extended position towards said depressed position and for moving said impact body from said released position to said loaded position by moving said actuator from said depressed position to said extended position said apparatus further comprising a catcher operatable by said actuator to engage said impact body in said released position when said actuator is moved to said depressed position and to hold said impact body in said loaded position when said actuator is in said extended position, a release mechanism operatable by said actuator for releasing said impact body from said catcher when said actuator is moved away from said extended position towards said depressed position, and a coupling holding said catcher in a first position, wherein, upon exertion of a trigger force along said axis exceeding a coupling force, said coupling releases said catcher to move along said axis towards a second position where it can engage said impact body.