Patent ID: 7188516

Claim:
A testing apparatus comprising: a traction surface; a first support structure adapted to support the traction surface while allowing for rotation of the traction surface; a drive shaft coupled to the traction surface; a power source coupled to the drive shaft and adapted to rotate the drive shaft and thereby rotate the traction surface; a movable second support structure proximate to the first support structure and adapted to move a test material into contact with the traction surface; an attachment piece mechanically fixed to the movable second support structure, wherein the attachment piece is constructed to receive and hold the test material relative to the traction surface, where the test material is rigidly held against and does not rotate with the rotating traction surface; and a force measuring device coupled to either the first support structure or the movable second support structure and adapted to measure the frictional forces produced between the test material and the traction surface when the test material is in contact with the traction surface and the traction surface is rotated by the drive shaft.