An apparatus for testing paving samples includes a base that includes a paving sample tray about the cabinet and configured for translation relative to the cabinet. A roller is configured for imparting compressive forces to a sample carried by the sample tray. An arm is configured for moving the roller from a stowed position to an in-use position where the roller contacts the sample. A cylinder assembly having a piston therein supplies pressure forces to the arm to move the arm from the stowed position to the in-use position, wherein a depth of travel of the arm is limited by the sample. As the sample is compressed, the depth of travel increases. A measurement device is in communication with the cylinder for determining an amount of travel of the arm to thus determine an amount of compression of the sample.

The invention relates generally to a mechanical device that efficiently measures physical parameters such as compression strength, elasticity, firmness, deformation resistance and the like, on one or a plurality of compressible test objects including fruits, nuts and vegetables, and which operates in a semi-automatic fashion using a rotatable turntable with multiple wells to hold a plurality of test objects in place during measurement using one or more positionable sensors capable of measuring a physical parameter when brought into contact with the test object.

An apparatus and method for testing relative hardness of horizontal concrete surfaces includes a weighted platform with scratching pins on a bottom surface of the platform. The pins are arranged in a trapezoidal arrangement. The apparatus is translated over the surface to determine if the surface has reached the desired level of hardness. If translation of the apparatus results in scratching of the surface, the desired level of hardness has not been reached.

A system for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress includes a first indentation means and a second indentation means, and means for urging the first indentation means and the second indentation means into the mattress with a predetermined force, and also includes laser means for projecting a laser line configured to map, preferably by photographic triangulation, the amplitude, shape, and time-dependency of the resultant deflection of the mattress surface between the first indentation means and the second indentation means. A method for simultaneously measuring the indentation hardness properties, span properties, and resilience properties of a mattress is also provided.

A tennis racquet extending along the longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a forward/rearward bending test and a torsional stability test includes a frame having a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. When the racquet is tested under the forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 9.0 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under the torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about the longitudinal axis.

A racquet includes a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame includes head and handle portions, and a throat portion positioned between the head and handle portions. The head and throat portions are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The material includes a plurality of ply arrangements. Each of the arrangements includes one ply having a first plurality of fibers defining a first angle with respect to a composite axis, and another ply having a second plurality of fibers defining a second angle with respect to the composite axis. The first and second angles are substantially the same except the angles have opposite polarities with respect to the composite axis. The head portion includes at least three arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three arrangements are at least 35 degrees.

A sports racquet capable of being tested under a racquet vibration test, and including a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame includes a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The head portion including a forward hoop surface and a rearward hoop surface. The distance between the forward and rearward hoop surfaces defines a beam height distance. The head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 19 mm. When the racquet is tested under the racquet vibration test, the racquet has a vibration of no greater than 130 Hz.

The present disclosure generally relates to a suspension-based impact test system for testing impact of a testing object against an impacting object. The impact test system includes components to couple the testing object to a suspension arm through a coupling member, and the suspension arm interfaces a motion-guiding mechanism. The impact test system generally includes a detachment mechanism for releasing the testing object from the suspension arm when initiated by a release system. The testing object releases from the constraints such that the testing object can move freely just prior to contacting the impacting object.

A solid pharmaceutical dosage form testing apparatus and a method are presented. The solid pharmaceutical dosage form testing apparatus includes a striker component, an impact platform, a sensor data acquisition system, and a solid dosage form placement mechanism. The solid dosage form placement mechanism has first and second push components that are movable toward each other to position a solid dosage form at an impact site. The method includes performing an impact strike test on a first plurality of solid dosage forms, and measuring a plurality of peak impact force values. The method may include performing a drop test on a second plurality of solid dosage forms, and measuring a plurality of physical defect rates. The method may include determining a model that describes a relationship between peak impact force values and physical defect rates, and determining, based on the model, a predicted physical defect rate.

A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 8.5 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under a racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about a longitudinal axis.