Vehicle antenna tester

• US 4,095,172 A
• Filed: 02/09/1977
• Issued: 06/13/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William Strand
• Original Assignee: William Strand
• Inventors: Strand, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/767,202
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51, 324/54, 324/73
• US Class Current: 324/503
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58

Abstract

A vehicle antenna tester utilizes a transformer having three secondary windings, two of which operate a pair of incandescent lamps, the third of which being capable of operating a neon lamp. The first of the pair of lamps is energized by completing a circuit involving a pair of clamps, one of which is attached to chassis ground of the vehicle, while the other is attached to the shielding conductor at selective locations therealong, of the lead cable feeding the antenna to be tested. The other lamp is energized when a circuit is completed between selective locations along the length of the antenna and the isolated conductor feeding it and the third clamp of the present invention. The neon lamp will glow upon the presence of leakage resistance or a short circuit between the antenna and its associated isolated conductor and the shielding conductor or chassis ground. The apparatus is particularly useful in testing antenna and lead wire assemblies before and after installation to the vehicle, determining faulty grounding of the shielding conductor, breaks in the continuity of the lead wire and antenna proper and leakage paths between the antenna and the isolated conductor to chassis ground or the shielding conductor.

Claims

1. A vehicle antenna tester for checking the continuity of both the conductor and the shielding conductor of an antenna lead wire thereof and for checking the insulation between them and for checking the electrical grounding of them to said vehicle comprising;

(a) three clamps, the first of said three clamps for coupling to said conductor, the second of said three clamps for coupling to said shielding conductor, the third of said three clamps for connection to the chassis of said vehicle,

(b) a pair of lamps, one terminal of one of said lamps coupled to said first clamp, one terminal of the other of said lamps coupled to said second clamp,

(c) a transformer, the primary winding of said transformer in a series electrical circuit with a manually operated operating switch and a fuse and a source of alternating current, the transformer having three secondary windings, each of said three windings terminating in a pair of terminals, one terminal of the first of said three secondary windings electrically coupled to the other terminal of said one of said lamps, one terminal of the second of said three secondary windings electrically coupled to the other terminal of said other of said lamps, one terminal of the third of said three secondary windings coupled electrically to the other terminal of said first winding,

(d) said third clamp electrically coupled to said one terminal of said third winding,

(e) a glow emitting discharge device, said discharge device having a pair of terminals, one of said discharge device terminals electrically coupled to the other terminal of said third winding, the other terminal of said discharge device electrically coupled to said second clamp, and

(f) at least one electrical receptacle, the receptacle having a pair of contacts for electrical connection with said lead wire, one of said contacts electrically coupled to said one terminal of said third winding, the other of said contacts electrically coupled to the other terminal of said second winding.

2. The vehicle antenna tester as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a resistor, said resistor in a series electrical circuit with said glow emitting discharge device.