GB2491669A

GB2491669A - Tension testing of an accessory attached to a fabric

Info

Publication number: GB2491669A
Application number: GB1122312.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yu Tai Wong
Original assignee: TAI WAH IND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES CO
Current assignee: TAI WAH IND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES CO
Priority date: 2011-06-07
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2012-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-23
Also published as: GB201122312D0; GB2491669B

Abstract

The test apparatus comprises an operation platform 8 including a bulging device 7, on which the fabric 4 is placed, and a platen 3 with an aperture in which the accessory 1 fixed to the fabric 4 is located. The platen 3 secures the fabric 4 in place. A clamp 6, comprising a clamp body 5 and prongs 2 fixed at the ends of the clamp body, is used to hold the accessory 1. The prongs 2 are inserted into the interspace between the fabric 4 and accessory 1, and when the clamp 6 and prongs 2 are pulled by an external force, the prongs 2 will move into the interspace. In this way, it ensures that the test is conducted by holding the bottom end of the accessory 1. It is not needed for the accessory 1 to be constrained and clamped by the prongs 2, increasing reproducibility and repeatability of test results.

Description

TEST APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE TENSION OF AN

ACCESSORY ATTACHED TO A FABRIC

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamping device, more specifically, to a test apparatus and method for the tension of an accessory attached to a fabric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, a test device is used to constrain the sides of an accessory io attached to a fabric. The fabric can also be clamped by the clamp during testing.

And if the inner side of an upper clamp inclines far from the vertical axis, the accessory cannot be gripped securely. In addition, a force applied to constrain the accessory varies with different operators, or even varies by the same operator.

It may cause low repeatability and reproducibility in test results, Moreover, in order to avoid slippage or setting free when the accessory is being pulled, an over-force may be applied, which will ultimately cause deformation or damage to the integrity of the accessory, so as to induce a test failure.

UK 9900746.0 describes an instrument for snap members. For this instrument, means jaws are used for constraining the side of the snap member.

Besides, from the prior art, other members such as locking pliers can be used for carrying out the constraining in place of the means jaws as well. In this case, however, the problems lie in that the means jaws (or locking pliers) may also constrain the fabric with the sides of the accessory being tested, and the force applied to constrain the accessory cannot be uniform even executed by a same operator. Moreover, in the application UK 9900746.0, a snap (or other accessories) cannot be gripped firmly since the inner side of the grip may incline far from the vertical axis of the instrument. In order to avoid the slippage during testing, an over-force may be applied which probably causes deformation or damage to the accessory's integrity,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a test apparatus and s method for the tension of an accessory attached to a fabric, intending to overcome the existing defect that the repeated test result of the tension of the accessory is not good, which is caused by the fact that an accessory is constrained by the test apparatus directly in the prior art.

According to the present invention, a test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric is provided, comprising an operation platform for locating a fabric, wherein, said operation platform comprises a bulging device on which the fabric is placed and a platen with an aperture; said accessory is located in said aperture and fixed on said fabric; the test apparatus also comprises a clamp to hold the accessory, wherein, the clamp comprises a clamp Is body for introducing an external force and a prong component fixed at the ends of the clamp body; said prong component is plugged-in and located between said accessory and said fabric, and holds the bottom end of the accessory to draw the accessory.

A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric in the present invention, preferably, said prong component comprises four or two prongs; said prongs are distributed uniformly.

A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric in the present invention, preferably, said prong comprises a straight tooth end and an oblique tooth end.

A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric in the present invention, preferably, said aperture is a circular hole.

A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric in the present invention, preferably, said platen is located vertically to said bulging device to coordinate with said bulging device so as to fix the fabric.

According to the present invention, a test method for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric is provided, the method comprising the following steps: SI: fixing an accessory on a fabric which is placed on a bulging device and compressed by a platen; wherein, the accessory is located in the aperture on the platen and a small interspace is formed between the fabric and the accessory; S2: the prong component of the clamp inserting into the interspace between the fabric and the accessory and holding the accessory; S3: pulling up the clamp by an external force to drive the prong component to draw the accessory.

A test method for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric in the present invention, preferably, in order to hold the bottom end of the accessory without constraining and clamping the accessory, said prong component proceeds for a pre-determined displacement into said small interspace and then stops when it is pulled up by the external force; when the external force is withdrawn, said prong component restores to its original position by a restoring spring.

When implementing the present invention, the following advantages can be achieved: the accessory attached on the fabric is located in the aperture through the coordination of the platen and the bulging device, and a small interspace will be induced between the fabric and the accessory. The prong component then can insert into the interspace and hold the bottom end of the accessory. Then the prong will stop automatically after it further moves into the interspace when it is pulled up by the external force. In this way, it is ensured that the tension test is performed by holding the bottom end of the accessory. It is not needed for the accessory to be constrained and clamped by the prong component, increasing the reproducibility and repeatability of test results and procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be ftirther illustrated combining the following embodiments and accompanying drawings. In the figures: Figure 1 is a structure diagram for the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a structure diagram for the clamp of the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a structure diagram for the clamp of the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a structure diagram for the operation platform of the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a flow diagram for the test implemented by the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric according to the present invention.

The reference number in the accompanying drawings illustrates: 1. Accessory 2. Prong component 3. Platen 31. Aperture 32. Supporting plate 33. Base 34. Ratchet handle 4. Fabric 5. Clamp body 6. Clamp 7. Bulging device 8. Operation platform 9. Pendant chain connector 10. Neck bush 11. Rotating handle 12. Screw stern 13. Upper cover of the shell 14. Lower cover of the shell 15. Stator 16. Cross synchronous bar 17. Screw 18. Locating block 19. Restoring spring 20. Screw

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In order to make the technical features, objectives and effects be understood more clearly, the specific implementing method is illustrated in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this disclosure, a particular solution to particular problems to do pull tests for an accessory attached to a fabric is provided. As shown in Figure 1, one embpdiment is provided by the present invention. A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory comprises an operation platform 8 for locating the fabric 4. An accessory 1 attached to a fabric is fixed on the fabric 4 with a small interspace formed between them, such that a prong component 2 of the test apparatus may insert therein. In this embodiment, the operation platform 8 mainly comprises a platen 3 with an aperture 31 capable of vertical lifting up and down on a bulging device 7. The test sample is vertically fixed by the platen 3 to prevent the fabric 4 from being shear fractured. A spring is installed inside the platen 3 to hold the accessory 1, Meanwhile, a small interspace is formed between the fabric 4 and the accessory 1 to make the prong component 2 of the clamp 6 insert therein. The location where the fabric contacts the platen 3 is provided with elastic material. As shown in Figure I, the test apparatus also comprises a clamp 6 for holding the accessory 1. An aperture 31 is set on the platen 3, in which the accessory 1 is placed. Specifically, the clamp 6 comprises a clamp body 5 for introducing the external force and a prong component 2 fixed at the end of the clamp body 5. The prong component 2 is plugged-in and located between the accessory I and the fabric 4. Then the prong component 2 holds the bottom end of the accessory to draw it, The accessory 1 has two ends which are set oppositely. As shown in Figure I, the end in the embodiment is referred to the bottom end that is close to and stuck to the fabric 4. During the whole test, it is not necessary for the accessory to be clamped tightly by the prong component 2, so as to ensure the strength of every test to be the same. As a result, the reproducibility and repeatable of the test result can be maintained and the test error caused by personal factor is minimized.

In the usc of the test apparatus provided by the present invention, it is not necessary to clamp the side of the accessory. When the clamp 6 is pulled up by an external force, the prong component 2 will proceed inwards for a certain displacement and stop, so that the prong component 2 will not contact the axis of the accessory 1. At the same time, the prong component 2 holds the bottom end of the accessory to prevent the accessory 1 from loosing during the test.

Further, the platen 3 is located vertically to the bulging device 7 to coordinate with the bulging device 7 to fix the fabric. Therefore, for the same test sample, the fabric can be fixed under similar strength applied by different operators.

On the basis of the above mentioned technical solution, preferably, the prong component 2 comprises four prongs which are distributed uniformly. It can be understood that the number of the prong is not limited to be four. The number can be two, or more than four.

Further, as shown in Figure 1, the prong comprises a straight tooth end and an oblique tooth end. The included angle between the oblique tooth end and the straight tooth end is preferably 145°-175°.

The aperture 31 is a circular hole, as a preference. It can be understood that the aperture 31 can also be a square hole, an ellipsoidal hole or a hole in other shapes.

When the tension test for the accessory finishes, that is, when there is no tension, the prong component 2 will restore to the original location without the tension by a restoring booster spring.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, they are the structure diagrams for the clamp of the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory in the present invention. The clamp 6 comprises a prong component 2 and a clamp body 5. The clamp body 5 comprises a screw stem 12, a pendant chain connector 9 fixed at the end of the screw stem 12 and a rotating handle 11 rounded on the screw stem 12. A groove is set at one end of the rotating handle 11. A neck bush 10 is nested in the groove for the screw stem 12 to through it, which is screwed jointed with the neck bush 10. An external force is applied to rotate the handle 11, so as to drive the neck bush 10 and the screw stem 12 to rotate as a whole. In order to fix the prong component 2, the clamp body 5 also comprises an upper cover of the shell 13 and a lower cover of the shell 14 which two are coordinating with each other. An interspace is formed between the io shell 13 and the shell 14. A slotting is provided on the side wall of the lower cover of the shell 14 for the prong component 2 to pass through it. A screw 17 passes through the slotting to locate the prong component 2. The interspace is provided with a stator 15, a locating block 118 and two cross synchronous bar 16.

The end of the screw 12 inserts and locates in the stator 15. Particularly, four waisted holes are set on the stator 15, then the screw 20 passes through the waisted hole so as to be fixed on the upper end face of the prong component 2.

The screw 20 inserts into the hole on the upper end face of the prong component 2 so as to be located whereon by a screw. Two through-holes are set on the locating block 15 for the two cross synchronous bar 16 to pass through it and to be located whereon. The end of the cross synchronous bar 16 is plugged in the tapping on the side of the prong component 2. The clamp body 5 also comprises a restoring spring 19 rounded on the end of the cross synchronous bar 16 in order to facilitate the prong component 2 to restore.

As shown in Figure 4, it is a structure diagram for the operation platfonn of the test apparatus for the tension of the accessory provided in the present invention, The operation platform 8 comprises a base 33, a supporting plate 32 fixed on the base 33, a platen 3 and a bulging device 7 located on the supporting plate 32. It can be understood that the supporting plate 32 can be located on the base 33 by ways of welding, screwed jointing and riveting and so on. The platen 3 provided with an aperture 31 is set extending outwards along one side of the base 33. As a preference, as shown in Figure 4, a ratchet handle 34 is also set on the operation platform 8 to adjust the height of the platen 3.

As shown in Figure 5, a test method for the tension of the accessory is also provided in the present invention, which comprises the following steps: Si: fixing a accessory on the fabric which is placed on the bulging device and compressed by the platen; wherein, the accessory is located in the aperture on the platen and a small interspace is formed between the fabric and the accessory; 52: the prong component of the clamp inserting into the small interspace between the fabric and the accessory and holding the accessory; 53: pulling up the clamp by an external force to drive the prong component to draw the accessory.

As shown in Figure 5, it is a flow diagram for the test method for the tension of the accessory in the present invention. In the present invention, the accessory 1 fixed on the fabric 4 is located in the aperture 31 through the coordination of the platen 3 and the bulging device 7, so as to induce a small interspace between the fabric 4 and the accessory 1. As a result, the prong component 2 can insert into the interspace. Then when a pulling-up tension is applied, the prong component 2 further moves into the interspace and holds the bottom end of the accessory I. Then the prong component 2 stops moving inwards and keeps holding the bottom end of the accessory 1. Thus, when the prong component 2 inserts into the interspace, it is not needed to clamp the circum and axis of the accessory, increasing the reproducibility and repeatability of the test result.

Preferably, in order to hold the bottom end of the accessory without constraining the accessory tightly, the prong component may proceed for a

S

certain displacement into the small interspace and then stop when it is pulled up by the external force; when the external force is withdrawn, the prong component may restore to Its original position by a restoring spring.

Further, the platen 3 is located vertically to the bulging device 7 to s coordinate with the bulging device 7 so as to fix the fabric. Therefore, for the same test sample, the fabric can be fixed under similar strength applied by different operators.

Based on the above-mentioned description, a standard method to secure the fabric is established, in which an interspace is formed between the fabric and the accessory, and then the bottoms of the accessory can be held without causing any damage to the fabric. Therefore, the present invention increases both the test repeatability and reproducibility.

The embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the above mentioned specific embodiments, which are exemplary but not limited. In the light of the invention, many forms, which are in the scope of the invention, can further be made therein by one of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the aim of the invention and claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric, comprising an operation platform (8) for locating a fabric (4), wherein, said operation platform (8) comprises a bulging device (7) on which the fabric (4) is placed and a platen (3) with a aperture (31); said accessory (1) is located in said aperture (31) and fixed on said fabric (4); the test apparatus also comprising a clamp (6) for holding the accessory (1), wherein, the clamp (6) comprises a clamp body (5) for introducing an external lo force and a prong component (2) fixed at the ends of the clamp body (5); said prong component (2) is plugged-in and located between said accessory (1) and said fabric (4), and holds the bottom end of the accessory (1) to draw the accessory (1).
2. The test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric of claim 1, wherein said prong component (2) comprises four prongs; said prongs are distributed uniformly.
3. The test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric of claim 2, wherein said prong comprises a straight tooth end and an oblique tooth end.
4. The test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric of claim 1, wherein said aperture (31) is a circular hole.
5. The test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric of claim 1, wherein said platen (3) is located vertically to said bulging device (7) to coordinate with said bulging device (7) so as to fix the fabric.
6. A test method for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric, comprising steps: Si: fixing a accessory on a fabric which is placed on a bulging device and compressed by a platen; wherein, the accessory is located in the aperture on the platen and a small interspace is formed between the fabric and the accessory; S2: the prong component of the clamp inserting into the interspace between the fabric and the accessory and holding the accessory; S3: pulling up the clamp by an external force to drive the prong component to draw the accessory.
7. The test method for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric of claim 6, wherein in order to hold the bottom end of the accessory without clamping the accessory, said prong component proceeds for a pre-determined displacement into said small interspace and then stops when it is pulled up by io the external force; when the external force is withdrawn, said prong component restores to its original position by a restoring spring.
8. A test apparatus for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric substantially as described, with reference to the drawings, hereinbefore.
9. A test method for the tension of the accessory attached to a fabric substantially as described, with reference to the drawings, hereinbefore.