PORTABLE GROUND CONTINUITY TESTER

• US 3,723,863 A
• Filed: 01/03/1972
• Issued: 03/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond T. Myers
• Original Assignee: Raymond T. Myers
• Inventors: Myers, Raymond T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/214,999
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51,53 340/255
• US Class Current: 324/510
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity

Abstract

A portable ground continuity tester having a body formed of electrically conductive material and comprised of a base plate and an upstanding side wall with a handle extending therebetween. A battery is attached by a pair of terminals to the base plate and a box having a receptacle mounted therein is attached to the side wall. A test lead is attached at one end to the box and connected in series with an indicator light and the battery. A test probe on the other end of the test lead is used to contact an electrical device plugged in to the receptacle during testing whereby the light is illuminated when continuity exists.

Claims

1. A portable ground continuity tester comprising a body formed of an electrically conductive material, said body comprising at least one base plate and an upstanding side wall, a handle attached at one end to said base plate and at the other end to said side wall, a battery having a pair of upstanding terminals attached to said base plate with one of said terminals being in electrical contact therewith and the other of said terminals being insulated therefrom, a receptacle box formed of an electrically conducting material attached to said side wall in electrical contact therewith, a female receptacle mounted in said box in electrical contact therewith for receiving a male plug of an electrical device being tested, an indicator light mounted in said box and insulated therefrom and connected in series with said battery, and a test lead having a test probe at one end and the other end attached to said box and insulated therefrom and connected in series with said light and said battery whereby when said electrical device is plugged into said receptacle and said probe is placed in electrical contact with said electrical device, said light is illuminated when continuity exists in the circuit thus formed.

2. A portable ground continuity tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminals are threaded and extend through a pair of openings in said base plate, an insulating grommet is provided in one of said holes to insulate one of said terminals from said base plate, and a cap is threaded on to each terminal to secure said battery to said base plate.

3. A portable ground continuity tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle is positioned above and directly over said terminals.

4. A portable ground continuity tester as defined in claim 1 wherein said other end of said test lead is provided with a prong and a socket is mounted in said box for detachably receiving said prong.

5. A portable ground continuity tester as defined in claim 1 which includes a cover plate mounted on said box for protecting said receptacle when not in use.

6. A portable ground continuity tester as defined in claim 1 which includes a plurality of rubber spacers between said base plate and said battery.