Patent ID: 8024979

Claim:
In combination, a fastener and load indicator for measuring an axial tensile load on the fastener, the combination comprising: a fastener including a head defining a reference surface and a load indicator interface, and a shank defining, with the head, a central bore; a datum rod having a first end anchored within the central bore and extending along the central bore to a second free end positioned adjacent the reference surface of the fastener head; a load indicator housing comprising a fastener interface configured to releasably couple the load indicator to the load indicator interface on the head of the fastener, such that the load indicator is substantially positioned outside the central bore; a datum probe extending from the housing and configured to be displaced by the datum rod as the load indicator is coupled to the fastener via the fastener interface; a first lever having first and second ends and being pivotally coupled to the load indicator housing and moveable in response to displacement of the datum probe; and a load display retained by the housing is responsive to movement of the lever to indicate the loading of the fastener as a function of the displacement of the datum rod, datum probe and first lever.