Turf test apparatus

• US 6,925,858 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Testing Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Testing Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Miles, Erle, Quarles, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, CHARLES D
• Application Number:
  US10/693,353
• Publication Number:
  US 20050087003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 73/82, 73/84, 73/120.4, 73/120.5, 73/120.6, 73/120.9, 73/121.1, 73/121.3
• US Class Current: 73/84
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2033/008 sport articles (balls, skis, rackets)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0284 Bulk material, e.g. powders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/303 generated only by free-falling weight
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/24 Earth materials G01N33/42 takes precedence

Abstract

A drop test apparatus for determining the resiliency of playing surface comprising a missile for impacting the surface including a guide for providing substantially unrestricted free flight of the missile, a pair accelerometers carried by the missile for producing signals in response to impact with the surface, a converter adapted to receive the accelerometer signals, convert them into computer readable signals and a computer receiving the signals from the converter and producing a graph of the surface hardness.

Claims

1. A drop test apparatus for determining the resiliency of playing surfaces comprising:

a missile for impacting said surface;

a guide including a tube and a base for providing substantially unrestricted free flight of said missile prior to impacting said surface;

said base having radially extending grooves about its lower surface, said grooves acting to vent air from said tube during flight of said missile;

a pair of accelerometers carried by said missile for producing signals in response to impact of said missile with said surface;

a converter adapted to receive said accelerometer signals, convert said signals and transmit said converted signals to a storage and display unit; and

said storage and display unit storing and displaying said converted signals.

2. The drop test apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide tube comprises a plastic tube having slots along its length and about its periphery so as to provide unrestricted flight for said missile.

3. The drop test apparatus of claim 1, wherein said missile includes a recess in its upper surface, said accelerometers being mounted within said recess.

4. The drop test apparatus of claim 1, wherein said storage and display device is a computer.

5. The drop test apparatus of claim 1, wherein said signals are recorded and displayed in the form of a graph.

6. A drop test apparatus for testing the resiliency of playing surfaces comprising:

a guide including an elongate tube for positioning a missile a prescribed distance above a playing surface and for guiding said missile during free fall onto said surface;

said missile having a body having a bearing arranged about its circumference separating said missile from said tube;

said missile including an accelerometer, said accelerometer being operative to activate upon impact with said surface to produce signals in response to said impact;

a wireless communicator adapted to receive said signals produced by said accelerometer and to convert and transmit said converted signals to a storage and display device, said storage and display device producing a display in response to said converted signals, whereby;

resiliency of said playing surface is provided.

7. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said accelerometer comprises first and second accelerometers, said first accelerometer acting to activate said second accelerometer upon impact of said missile, said second accelerometer producing said signal delivered to and converted by said wireless communicator.

8. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said accelerometer communicates with said wireless communicator by way of a transmission wire.

9. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said missile includes a cavity formed in its upper surface, said cavity mounting said accelerometer beneath said upper surface.

10. The drop test apparatus of claim 9 wherein said cavity includes a threaded bore, said accelerometer being mounted in said threaded bore.

11. The drop test apparatus of claim 6, wherein said tube includes a plurality of slits about its periphery for promoting unrestricted free fall.

12. The drop test apparatus of claim 11 including a locking device operative to lock said missile in a stationary position within said tube for transport.

13. The drop test apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tube is formed of synthetic material.

14. The drop test apparatus of claim 11 including a guide tube extension connectable with said second end for extending the length of said guide tube.

15. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said guide includes a base with radially extending grooves arranged about its lower surface, said grooves acting to vent air from said tube during free flight of said missile through said tube.

16. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said bearing comprises at least a pair of synthetic rings.

17. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said missile includes a plurality of vertical vents arranged adjacent its periphery.

18. The drop test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said guide includes a guide tube with open upper and lower ends, a centering handle arranged above said upper end and first means pivotally mounting said centering handle at one end and second means releasably connecting said centering handle at a second end with said guide whereby said centering handle may be pivoted about said first means to allow entry into said guide through said upper end.