INLINE CONTINUITY INDICATOR DEVICE
First Claim
1. A small, compact inline indicator device adapted to be connected to the main circuit of an electrically operated apparatus for indicating alternating current flow from a source of alternating current through the apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
a female electrical coupling member mounted on said housing to electrically connect to the source of alternating electrical current, said male and female members being electrically connected to one another to permit current flow between the source of alternating current and the electrical apparatus;
an electromagnetic switch in said housing including a coil, an adjustable stationary switch element projecting interiorly of said coil, an armature in said coil and defining a movable switch element, said armature being in continuous steady contact with said stationary switch element when said coil is energized and being normally urged out of contact with the stationary switch element when said coil is de-energized, said coil being operatively connected in series between said male and female coupling members to be energized by alternating current flow to the electrical apparatus and being responsive to alternating current flow between said coupling members to immediately close said movable switch element in response to such alternating current flow and to reopen said movable switch element immediately when alternating current flow between said coupling members ceases;
an electrically operated signal mechanism producing a perceptable signal when energized;
a circuit for energizing said signal mechanism including said stationary and movable switch elements, said signal mechanism circuit being constructed and arranged to conduct current therethrough only when current flows through the electrically operated apparatus, thereby energizing said signal mechanism only when current flows through the electrically operated apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inline indicator device for use in indicating the presence of electrical current to an electrically operated apparatus such as incubators, animal brooders, inaccessible heaters and the like. The indicator device includes a small housing having an electrically operated signal mechanism, preferably a light, controlled by an electromagnetic switch which is energized as long as electrical current is being supplied to the apparatus. The indicator device may be plugged into the electrically operated apparatus as a permanent attachment so that it can be readily determined if the apparatus is operating properly.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A small, compact inline indicator device adapted to be connected to the main circuit of an electrically operated apparatus for indicating alternating current flow from a source of alternating current through the apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
a female electrical coupling member mounted on said housing to electrically connect to the source of alternating electrical current, said male and female members being electrically connected to one another to permit current flow between the source of alternating current and the electrical apparatus;
an electromagnetic switch in said housing including a coil, an adjustable stationary switch element projecting interiorly of said coil, an armature in said coil and defining a movable switch element, said armature being in continuous steady contact with said stationary switch element when said coil is energized and being normally urged out of contact with the stationary switch element when said coil is de-energized, said coil being operatively connected in series between said male and female coupling members to be energized by alternating current flow to the electrical apparatus and being responsive to alternating current flow between said coupling members to immediately close said movable switch element in response to such alternating current flow and to reopen said movable switch element immediately when alternating current flow between said coupling members ceases;
an electrically operated signal mechanism producing a perceptable signal when energized;
a circuit for energizing said signal mechanism including said stationary and movable switch elements, said signal mechanism circuit being constructed and arranged to conduct current therethrough only when current flows through the electrically operated apparatus, thereby energizing said signal mechanism only when current flows through the electrically operated apparatus.
- a housing;
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2. The indicator device as defined in claim 1 wherein said coil includes a core element, and said stationary switch element comprises an elongate threaded switch element threadedly connected with said core element for movement relative thereto to permit the gap between switch elements to be varied.
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3. The indicator device as defined in claim 2 wherein said circuit for energizing said signal mechanism includes an elongate leaf spring member secured between said armature and said core element and projecting outwardly from said armature for normally urging said armature away from said stationary switch element.
Specification