Testing device

• US 4,583,405 A
• Filed: 06/04/1984
• Issued: 04/22/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Levy M. Simmons
• Original Assignee: Levy M. Simmons
• Inventors: Simmons, Levy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stewart J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapman, Jr., John E.
• Application Number:
  US06/616,656
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 73/587, 73/591, 73/661, 73/40.5 A, 73/592, 73/584, 181/125, 310/336, 445/3, 445/63
• US Class Current: 73/584
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 3/00 Measuring characteristics of vibrations by using a detector in a fluid G01H7/00, G01H9/00, G01H11/00 take precedence

Abstract

This invention is a fluorescent light testing device. It is difficult to determine which fluorescent light or lights may be weak or on the verge of failing when a plurality of lights are disposed in the same general area. This is particularly true when the lights are of the overhead type and the higher the ceiling, the greater the problem. The present invention is a listening device on an extended boom type member to allow the user therof to readily determine which fluorescent lamp is humming thus indicating weakness or imminent failure so that the same can be replaced both to reduce energy use and to keep the lighting system at peak performance.

Claims

1. A testing device comprising:

an elongated probe;

a handle mounted on one end of said probe;

an audible frequency pick-up mounted on the end of said probe opposite said handle for picking up sounds generated by a defective element of a fluorescent light fixture;

a housing structure;

an amplifier mounted within said housing structure;

means for operatively connecting said pick-up to said amplifier; and

signal means operatively connected to said amplifier for signaling to a user when there is a defective element.

2. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said audible frequency pick-up is a microphone.

3. The testing device of claim 2 wherein said microphone is of the low impedance type.

4. The testing device of claim 2 wherein said microphone is of the medium impedance type.

5. The testing device of claim 1 wherein the means operatively connecting said pick-up to said amplifier is a line extending from the end of said probe opposite said handle through said housing structure to said amplifier.

6. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said signaling means is of the visual type.

7. The testing device of claim 6 wherein said visual signaling means is a LED vu bar graph type display.

8. The testing device of claim 6 wherein said visual signaling means is a vu meter.

9. The testing device of claim 1 wherein said signaling means is of the audible type.

10. The testing device of claim 9 wherein the audible signaling means is a headphone.

11. The testing device of claim 9 wherein said audible signaling means is a speaker.

12. A method for detecting when an element of a fluorescent light fixture is defective comprising:

placing an audible frequency pick-up on one end of an elongaged probe;

placing a handle on the end of the elongate probe opposite said pick-up;

connecting said audible frequency pick-up to an amplifier;

connecting a signaling means to said amplifier; and

manually positioning said pick-up adjacent a light fixture to be tested whereby sound generated by a defective element will register with said pick-up and thereby be signaled to a user.

13. The method of claim 12 whereby said signaling means is of the audible type.

14. The method of claim 12 whereby said signaling means is of the visual type.