Electrical probe

• US 5,057,770 A
• Filed: 11/22/1989
• Issued: 10/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Calvin Kalishman
• Original Assignee: Calvin Kalishman
• Inventors: Kalishman, Calvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/440,989
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 324/149, 324/133, 324/72.5, 324/555, 324/556
• US Class Current: 324/149
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16561 in hand-held circuit testers see also G01R19/155

Abstract

A hand-held probing device is adapted for use in testing the existence and amount of electrical potential in an automobile engine block or other object under investigation. The device has a specially formed housing from which extends a probe and a ground lead at opposite ends. The housing also includes a voltmeter and an electric bulb connected in parallel between the probe and ground lead. The housing also includes a switch which enables the device to be operated while held in one hand thus enabling the other of the user'"'"'s hand to be free and usable for other functions.

Claims

1. An elongated electrical probe comprising:

an elongated hollow handle;

a hollow housing secured to the forward end of said handle;

an electrically conductive housing secured to and extending forwardly from said housing, the rear end of said probe being disposed within said housing;

said handle and said housing having cylindrical cross-sectional configurations, said housing, handle and probe being arranged on a common longitudinal axis, said housing being of a larger cross-sectional diameter than that of said handle;

a voltmeter mounted within said housing and having a scale thereof, said housing including a window to enable said scale to be read through;

a lamp means mounted to the rear of said handle;

said lamp means includes a lamp;

said lamp means including a socket secured to the rear end of said handle and opening rearwardly therefrom;

wire means connecting said rear end of said probe to said voltmeter and said lamp means, said voltmeter and said lamp means being connected in parallel;

said probe has a first concentric fastener disposed on the forward side thereof, said first concentric fastener contacting said housing for securing said probe to said housing;

said probe having a set of concentric fasteners axially spaced apart on the rear side thereof, said wire means sandwiched therebetween for physically securing and electrically connecting said probe to said wire means;

said wire means including an isolated wire having a segment thereof that is exposed for contact with the lamp socket;

a ground lead wire connected to said lamp, the free end of said ground wire including a ground clip attached thereto;

a normally open switch secured to a side wall of said housing at a relatively close position to said handle and being operable for outside of said housing, said switch being connected in series between said rear end of said probe and said voltmeter for enabling closing of the circuit between said probe and said voltmeter for enabling detection of a voltage;

means securing said normally open switch to said housing at a position within finger distance of the end of said handle that attaches to said housing;

a transparent plastic cap connectable to the rear end of said handle and defining a lamp chamber to protect said lamp and enable operation of said lamp to be viewed, said cap having a hole therein to enable said ground wire to pass rearward therethrough;

two inwardly directed flanges defining shoulders located within said hollow handle in the rear side thereof,

said shoulders for receiving said socket and supporting said plastic cap; and

said handle being at least as long as the combined length of said housing and said electrically conductive probe.