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Sensor release mechanism for a meter

  • US 20090209040A1
  • Filed: 04/25/2006
  • Published: 08/20/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sensor-dispensing instrument adapted to handle a sensor pack containing a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being disposed in a sensor cavity on the sensor pack and enclosed by a protective covering, the sensor-dispensing instrument further adapted to perform a test using one of the plurality of sensors, the sensor-dispensing instrument comprising:

  • an outer housing having a front end and a rear end, the outer housing further having a sensor slot through which one of the sensors is disposed to conduct the test;

    a mechanism disposed generally within the outer housing, the mechanism including an indexing disk for supporting and rotating the sensor pack, an indexing support for rotating the indexing disk, an ejecting mechanism ejecting one of the sensors from the sensor cavity and through the sensor slot, and a puller handle for moving the indexing support and the ejecting mechanism;

    an electronics assembly generally disposed in the outer housing, the electronic assembly adapted to perform the test and to display test results;

    a sensor actuator generally disposed adjacent to the sensor slot, the sensor actuator adapted to engage with a sensor disposed in the sensor slot, to connect to contacts on the sensor, and to transmit electrical signals between the sensor and the electronics assembly; and

    a sensor release generally disposed on a surface of the outer housing, the sensor release being movable to disengage the sensor actuator from the sensor disposed in the sensor slot, the sensor release activating a sensor-release mechanism having a sensor-release aid arm, a mounting block, and a pivot pin connecting the sensor-release aid arm to the mounting block, the sensor-release aid arm being adapted to contact the sensor disposed in the sensor slot and to assist in removing the sensor from the sensor slot.

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