Patent ID: RE40884

Claim:
Apparatus for signaling a cumulative amount of weakening of a test material resulting from exposure to a hazardous environment in the ground containing material- consuming organisms , comprising: (a) a an elongated body; (b) a test element supported relative to the body and comprising the test material; (c) means openings extending through the body, the openings being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the body, the openings being operative for controllably exposing the test element to the hazardous environment containing the material- consuming organisms and for providing passage for the organisms through the body to the test material ; (d) means for applying a load force to the test element, the load force being effective for displacing a portion of the test element when there is a predetermined amount of weakening of the test element caused by consumption thereof by the organisms ; (e) a flag member movably supported relative to the body and coupled to the test element for movement in projecting relation to the body when the test element is weakened to the predetermined amount , with at least a portion of the flag member being movable from a first position enclosed within the body to a second position upward and out of the body beyond the hazardous environment .