Patent attributes
An ergonomic wedge shaped torque tester with multiple push buttons to control the use and recording functions. The top of the device has a single on/off button, a display screen to display the results of the test, two push buttons for scrolling through the various saved test results one scrolls up the other scrolls down. The device can easily be grasped by the right or left hand. This shape makes it possible to place the chuck portion of the tester on a bottle cap, grasp the device with your hand from the top or side and turn in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The chuck is connected into a strain gauge connected on a shaft that utilizes a transducer to measure the strain in accordance with deflection of the metal shaft. The output of the transducer is connected through an amplifier into a microprocessor which utilizes the information from the transducer to record the maximum amount of strain or torque applied to the bottle cap. The microprocessor is connected to a serial output on the device so the information may be downloaded to a computer and the output is also provided to a video screen which is provided as a monochromatic LCD screen for giving a visual indication of the torque measurement to the user. The output may be recorded into a register by the pushing of a store button and the value inside the register may be reset by pushing the reset button. The input is a dynamic input and preferably only the maximum positive or negative value is recorded into the register. Up to 100 different registers may be used for stores in the microprocessor system. Control inputs include power, up scrolling, down scrolling, store, and reset.
