The present invention provides an innovative method and apparatus for determining continuous, visual clamp load status during tightening and throughout the life of a
fastener. The present invention provides a pair of levers suitably configured and positioned within a
fastener to provide an amplified indication of the deformation of the
fastener as a load is applied to the fastener. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first lever is connected at an internal pivot point of a
cartridge with the lower end of the first lever resting upon an
abutment within the fastener, while the upper end displaces the lower end of a second lever such that movement of the upper end of the second lever is amplified with respect to movement of the lower end of the first lever. As the fastener is tightened, the fastener will elongate causing the
abutment to move away from the lower end of the first lever. As the
abutment moves, the first lever pivots or rotates causing the upper end or indicator of the second lever to move relative to a
visual scale that is calibrated to indicate clamping force. The
cartridge carrying the two levers is inserted into the fastener with the lower end of the first lever being displaced by the abutment a distance corresponding to a preselected elongation of the fastener, placing the indicator end of the second lever at the lower vales of the indicator scale. As the fastener is tightened, elongation of the fastener causes displacement of the abutment and a movement of the indicator up the indicator scale. If the fastener loses tension, the fastener will contract and the abutment will again displace the lower end of the first lever, rotating the indicator end of the second lever toward the lower values of the indicator scale.
Assembly and calibration of the device requires the simple, inexpensive process of advancing the
cartridge within a central bore in the fastener.