Reversible force measuring device

Abstract

A reversible force measuring device that can comprise at least one cavity, at least one load receiving area, and at least one indicating material; wherein the indicating material moves in or out of the at least one cavity as its volume changes to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied loads. A reversible force measuring device that can comprise at least one cavity, at least one load receiving area, and at least one indicating material; a fastener causes the indicating material to move in and out of the at least one cavity to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied loads. A reversible force measuring device comprising at least two independent cavities, at least one load receiving area, and at least one indicating material; wherein the difference in volume changes indicates the force as the indicating material moves in or out of the at least two cavities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reversible force measuring device comprising:
 at least one cavity,   at least one cavity wall,   at least one of a fastener component and a load cell component,   at least one load receiving area, and   at least one indicating material;   wherein the at least one cavity is a space defined by the at least one cavity wall, wherein applying force to the at least one load receiving area causes a reversible volumetric change of the at least one cavity on the at least one of a fastener component and a load cell component and wherein the reversible volumetric change of the at least one cavity causes the at least one indicating material to move in or out of the at least one cavity to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied force.   
     
     
         2 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one indicator hole,   at least one indicator channel, and   at least one of a channel cover and a tube;   wherein the at least one indicator hole is connected with the at least one cavity,   wherein the at least one of a channel cover and a tube is made of transparent or semi-transparent material, and covers and seals the at least one indicator channel,   wherein the at least one indicating material moves from the at least one cavity, through the at least one indicator hole, and into the at least one indicator channel when force is applied to the at least one load receiving area.   
     
     
         3 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising at least one one-way valve to prevent the indicating material from retrieving back into the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         4 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one tube, wherein the at least one tube is disposed inside the at least one cavity to seal the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         5 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indicating material can be liquid, gas, or a resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indicator channel further comprises material capable of changing its color when this material comes into contact with the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         7 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one indicating material has properties that allow it to expand or contract with temperature increases or decreases to compensate for the expansion or contraction of the at least one cavity due to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device. 
     
     
         8 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one additional cavity,   wherein this at least one additional cavity changes its volume in response to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device.   
     
     
         9 . A reversible force measuring device comprising:
 at least one cavity,   at least one flexible cavity wall,   at least one fixed cavity wall,   at least one fastener,   at least one load receiving area, and   at least one indicating material;   wherein the at least one cavity is the space between the at least one flexible cavity wall and the at least one fixed cavity wall, wherein the at least one fixed cavity wall is part of a fixed medium or adjacent to a fixed medium, wherein the at least one fastener causes a reversible volumetric change of the at least one cavity by applying a force to the at least one load receiving area which moves the at least one flexible cavity wall, and wherein the reversible volumetric change of the at least one cavity causes the at least one indicating material to move in or out of the at least one cavity to indicate the magnitude and direction of the force applied by the fastener.   
     
     
         10 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one indicator hole,   at least one indicator channel, and   at least one channel cover or tube;   wherein the at least one channel cover or tube is made of transparent or semi-transparent material, and covers and seals the at least one indicator channel,   wherein the at least one indicating material moves in and out from the at least one cavity into the at least one indicator channel through the at least one indicator hole when the at least one cavity changes its volume.   
     
     
         11 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising at least one one-way valve to prevent the indicating material from retrieving back into the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         12 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one tube, wherein the at least one tube is disposed inside the at least one cavity to seal the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         13 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one indicating material can be liquid, gas, or a resilient material. 
     
     
         14 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one indicator channel further comprises material capable of changing its color when this material comes into contact with the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         15 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the at least one indicating material has properties that allow it to expand or contract with temperature increases or decreases to compensate for the expansion or contraction of the at least one cavity due to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device. 
     
     
         16 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 at least one additional cavity, wherein this at least one additional cavity changes its volume in response to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device.   
     
     
         17 . A reversible force measuring device comprising:
 at least two independent cavities,   at least one of a fastener component and a load cell component,   at least one load receiving area, and   at least one indicating material;   wherein applying force to the at least one load receiving area on the at least one of a fastener component and a load cell component induces independent reversible volumetric changes in each of the at least two independent cavities,   wherein the reversible volumetric change of each of the at least two independent cavities are different,   wherein the at least one indicating material in at least two independent cavities is kept separate and moves in or out of the at least two independent cavities as their reversible volumes change to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied force.   
     
     
         18 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each of the at least two independent cavities further comprises:
 at least one indicator hole,   at least one indicator channel, and   at least one of a channel cover and a tube;   wherein the at least one of a channel cover and a tube is made of transparent or semi-transparent material, and covers and seals the at least one indicator channel,   wherein the at least one indicating material moves in or out from each of the at least two independent cavities, through the at least one indicator hole, and into the at least one indicator channel when force is applied to the at least one load receiving area.   
     
     
         19 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising at least one one-way valve to prevent the at least one indicating material from retrieving back into the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         20 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising at least one tube, wherein the at least one tube is disposed inside the at least one cavity to seal the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         21 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one indicating material can be liquid, gas, or a resilient material. 
     
     
         22 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one indicator channel further comprises material capable of changing its color when this material comes into contact with the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         23 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one indicating material has properties that allow it to expand or contract with temperature increases or decreases to compensate for the expansion or contraction of the at least two cavities due to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device. 
     
     
         24 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 at least one additional cavity,   wherein this at least one additional cavity changes its volume in response to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device.   
     
     
         25 . A reversible force measuring device comprising:
 at least one cavity,   at least one cavity wall,   at least one of a fastener component and a load cell component,   at least one load receiving area, and   at least one indicating material;   wherein the at least one cavity is a space defined by the at least one cavity wall, wherein applying force to the at least one load receiving area induces a Poisson effect on the at least one cavity wall, wherein the Poisson effect causes a reversible volumetric change of the at least one cavity on the at least one of a fastener component and a load cell component, and wherein the reversible volumetric change of the at least one cavity causes the at least one indicating material to move in or out of the at least one cavity to indicate the magnitude and/or direction of the applied force.   
     
     
         26 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 at least one indicator hole,   at least one indicator channel, and   at least one of a channel cover and a tube;   wherein the at least one indicator hole is connected with the at least one cavity,   wherein the at least one of a channel cover and a tube is made of transparent or semi-transparent material, and covers and seals the at least one indicator channel,   wherein the at least one indicating material moves from the at least one cavity, through the at least one indicator hole, and into the at least one indicator channel when force is applied to the at least one load receiving area.   
     
     
         27 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 26  further comprising at least one one-way valve to prevent the indicating material from retrieving back into the at least one cavity. 
     
     
         28 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising at least one tube, wherein the at least one tube is disposed inside the at least one cavity to seal the at least one indicating material. 
     
     
         29 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the at least one indicating material can be liquid, gas, or a resilient material. 
     
     
         30 . A reversible force measuring device as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising:
 at least one additional cavity,   wherein this at least one additional cavity changes its volume in response to the change in temperature of the reversible force measuring device.