Patent ID: 7373802

Claim:
A testing fixture for evaluating the effect of an impact load on a test sample, said test sample having a clamped portion, a loading member extending therefrom, and a bore passing through said loading member, said clamped portion having a first sidewall member, a second sidewall member, and a trough positioned therebetween, said testing fixture comprising: a. a vertical clamp configured to clamp said clamped portion of said test sample in a stationary position so that said loading member projects outwardly away from said vertical clamp; b. a guide rod, having a first end, a second end and a medial section therebetween, said first end of said guide rod configured to attach to said bore in said loading member; c. a mass slidably situated on said guide rod, said mass configured to slide a fixed distance along said guide rod from a first position proximal said medial section of said guide rod to a second position proximal said second end of said guide rod; d. a plunger, said plunger movable between a third position and a fourth position, wherein when said plunger is positioned in said third position, said plunger is configured to mechanically engage and hold said mass in said first position, and when said plunger is positioned in said fourth position, said plunger is configured to disengage and release said mass so that said mass falls from said first position to said second position; e. a stop collar attached to said guide rod proximal said second end of said guide rod, configured to stop said mass at said second position causing said impact load to be transmitted along said guide rod to said loading member.