Thermometer hood ornament

• US 4,891,252 A
• Filed: 07/26/1988
• Issued: 01/02/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elmar Kaiser Jr
• Original Assignee: Elmar Kaiser Jr
• Inventors: Kaiser, Elmar Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epstein, Henry F.
• Application Number:
  US07/224,330
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 362/79, 428/31, D12/197, D12/198, 374/146, 374/208, D10/57, 40/591
• US Class Current: 428/31
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations

Abstract

A thermometer equipped so as to be placed in the field of vision of the driver, on an element of the front part of the body of a vehicle. The thermometer includes a case provided with a display dial, a metallic support surrounding this case and mounted on a ball-and-socket joint, a base made of synthetic material, and a lamp in the base for illuminating the display dial. This base may be glued and/or bolted to the hood at the front of the vehicle. The case can pivot with respect to the support. The thermometer is used to measure and display the temperature outside of an automobile during the daylight or illuminated at night.

Claims

1. A thermometer for showing the driver of an automobile the outside temperature, said thermometer comprising:

a case including measuring means for measuring air temperature and a temperature dial display,

a support including a frame surrounding said case and a pedestal located below said frame,

means for supporting and separating said case from said frame to form a gap for permitting passage of air therebetween and to impede transmission of heat between said frame and said case, said means pivotably mounting said case with respect to said frame for rotation of said case,

fastening means for fastening said case onto the exterior of a hood of an automobile, said fastening means including a base having a flat lowermost surface equipped to be fastened onto the exterior of the automobile, and said pedestal being movably mounted on said base so that said case is movable to an erect position with respect to said lower surface and for movement to prevent damage in the event of a shock, and

illumination means for illuminating said case so as to light up said temperature dial.

2. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said base includes an adhesive coating and a bored hole to accept a fastening bolt passing through the hood of the body of the automobile.

3. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said support is movably mounted on said base by a ball and socket friction joint.

4. A thermometer as in claim 3, wherein said support includes a substantially spherical pedestal, and said base includes a block of elastic synthetic material provided as a housing open at its top, and said pedestal being engaged in said base.

5. A thermometer as in claim 3, wherein said frame surrounding said case is metallic.

6. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said gap is spanned by at least two rods forming said means supporting said case on said support.

7. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said case includes a reflective coating on a side opposite to that through which said measuring means is viewed to minimize the effects of the sun on said measuring means.

8. A thermometer as in claim 5, wherein said case includes colored background fields corresponding to different temperature zones.

9. A thermometer as in claim 3, wherein said gap is spanned by at least two rods forming said means supporting said case on said support.

10. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said illumination means is located in said base.

11. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said illumination means is electrically connected to a parking light.

12. A thermometer as in claim 1, wherein said illumination means includes a lamp located in a passage in said base.

13. A thermometer for showing the driver of an automobile the outside temperature, said thermometer comprising:

a case including measuring means for measuring air temperature and a temperature dial display,

a support including a frame surrounding said case and a pedestal located below said frame,

means for supporting and separating said case from said frame to form a gap for permitting passage of air therebetween and to impede transmission of heat between said frame and said case, said means pivotably mounting said case with respect to said frame for rotation of said case,

fastening means for fastening said case onto the exterior of a hood of an automobile, said fastening means including a base having a flat lowermost surface equipped to be fastened onto the exterior of the automobile, and said pedestal being movably mounted on said base so that said case is movable to an erect position with respect to said lower surface and for movement to prevent damage in the event of a shock, and

illumination means located in said base for illuminating said case from below so as to light up said temperature dial.

14. A thermometer as in claim 13, wherein said lower surface of said base includes an adhesive coating and a bored hole to accept a fastening bolt passing through the hood of the body of the automobile.

15. A thermometer as in claim 13, wherein said support is movably mounted on said base by a ball and socket friction joint.

16. A thermometer as in claim 15, wherein said support includes a substantially spherical pedestal, and said base includes a block of elastic synthetic material provided as a housing open at its top, and said pedestal being engaged in said base.

17. A thermometer as in claim 15, wherein said frame surrounding said case is metallic.

18. A thermometer as in claim 13, wherein said gap is spanned by at least two rods forming said means supporting said case on said support.

19. A thermometer as in claim 13, wherein said case includes a reflective coating on a side opposite to that through which said measuring means is viewed to minimize the effects of the sun on said measuring means.

20. A thermometer as in claim 17, wherein said case includes colored background fields corresponding to different temperature zones.

21. A thermometer as in claim 15, wherein said gap is spanned by at least two rods forming said means supporting said case on said support.

22. A thermometer as in claim 13, wherein said illumination means is electrically connected to a parking light.

23. A thermometer as in claim 13, wherein said illumination means includes a lamp located in a passage in said base.