Claims
- 1. An instrument for directly measuring an applied axial load, the instrument comprising:
(a) two members that move coaxially in opposite directions with respect to one another, a first member being attached to the item to which the axial load is being applied, and a second member which is moved in the direction of the relevant axial load; (b) a spring body positioned between the two members; and (c) a scale including at least one indicia mark signifying the applied load or deflection of the spring body.
- 2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the spring body comprises at least one compression spring.
- 3. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the spring body comprises at least one extension spring.
- 4. An instrument for directly measuring an applied axial load, the instrument comprising:
(a) two members that move coaxially in opposite directions with respect to one another, a first member being attached to the item to which the axial load is being applied, and a second member which is moved in the direction of the relevant axial load; (b) a spring body positioned between the two members, and (c) a mechanism which indicates when a predetermined force or displacement occurs in the spring body.
- 5. The instrument of claim 4 wherein the spring body comprises at least one compression spring.
- 6. The instrument of claim 4 wherein the spring body comprises at least one extension spring.
- 7. An instrument for directly measuring an applied axial load, the instrument comprising:
(a) two members that move coaxially in opposite directions with respect to one another, a first member being attached to the item to which the axial load is being applied, and a second member which is moved in the direction of the relevant axial load; (b) a piezoelectric element positioned between the first and second members; and (c) a device for converting the piezoelectric voltage into a signal indicating the force being applied to the piezoelectric element.
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/378,974, filed May 9, 2002 by Michael A. Serra et al. for DIRECT TENSION MEASURING IMPLANT ASSEMBLY TOOL (Attorney's Docket No. HAYES-10 PROV), which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60378974 |
May 2002 |
US |