Protective two position shell for an infrared thermometer

• US 5,991,652 A
• Filed: 03/17/1997
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thermoscan Incorporated (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Original Assignee: Thermoscan Incorporated (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Inventors: Barthelemy, Matthew, Kurdi, Stuart Seydo, Schiefer, Sonja Andrea, Zmina, Stephen George
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, SHAWNA JEANNINE
• Application Number:
  US08/819,676
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 600/474, 600/549, 374/121, 374/208, 374/209, 374/210, 374/158
• US Class Current: 600/474
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0265 Handheld, portable ear thermometers G01J5/049
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/064 Ambient temperature sensor; Housing temperature sensor; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0804 Shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/34 using capacitors, e.g. pyroelectric capacitors

Abstract

An infrared thermometer is disclosed comprising a first housing member having an interior chamber, and housing a sensor mounted within the chamber for sensing temperature change and generating an indicative electrical signal, means for directing infrared radiation from the object to be measured to the sensor, a shutter assembly for controlling the passing of infrared radiation to the sensor, an ambient temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature within the interior chamber and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof, an electrical circuit for processing the electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured, and an indicator for indicating the calculated temperature. A second hollow housing member operatively connected to the first housing member by a hinge. The second housing member is adapted to serve as a protective area for the probe of the IR thermometer inside the hollow configuration thereof and to serve as the lower portion of a pistol type grip when the IR thermometer is being operated by a user.

Claims

1. An infrared thermometer comprising:

a first housing member;

a sensor, carried by the first housing and responsive to infrared radiation, for generating an electrical signal which exhibits a change in output upon initial receipt of the radiation;

means, carried by the first housing, in optical alignment with the sensor, for directing infrared radiation from an object, the actual temperature of which is to be measured, to impinge upon the sensor;

means, carried by the first housing, for enabling response of the sensor to the radiation;

electrical means carried by the first housing for processing the signal to develop an indication of the actual temperature of the object;

a second housing member for protecting exposed optical components positioned in the first housing member when the thermometer is not in use;

hinge means, operatively connecting the first housing member and the second housing member, for rotating the two housing members to an open position that ranges from about ninety degrees (90°

) to about one hundred eighty degrees (180°

) with respect to each other; and

means operatively connected to the hinge means for locking the two housing members in a closed position.

2. The IR thermometer of claim 1, wherein the hinge means further comprises;

means for locking the two housings in an open position.

3. The infrared thermometer of claim 1 wherein the second housing member further comprises:

means for storing a plurality of protective disposable covers.

4. The infrared thermometer of claim 2 wherein the first housing member and the second housing member, when in the open position, form a convenient pistol type grip handle for one hand operation of the IR thermometer.

5. An apparatus for measuring the IR radiation associated with a tympanic membrane of an object to be measured without contacting the membrane comprising:

a first housing member;

a sensor mounted within the first housing member, wherein the first housing member includes an IR transmission means for passing of IR radiation between the membrane and the sensor;

means, operatively connected to the sensor, for converting the IR radiation, detected by the sensor, into a signal corresponding to a temperature of the object to be measured;

means capable of transmitting the IR radiation in sufficient quantities to ascertain the temperature of the object to be measured;

a second housing member for protecting exposed optical components positioned in the first housing member when the thermometer is not in use;

hinge means, operatively connecting the first housing member and the second housing member, for rotating the two housing members to an open position that ranges from about ninety degrees (90°

) to about one hundred eighty degrees (180°

) with respect to each other; and

means operatively connected to the hinge means for locking the two housing members in a closed position.

6. The IR thermometer of claim 5, wherein the hinge means further comprises;

means for locking the two housings in an open position.

7. The infrared thermometer of claim 5 wherein the second housing member further comprises:

means for storing a plurality of protective disposable covers.

8. The infrared thermometer of claim 6 wherein the first housing member and the second housing member, when in the open position, form a convenient pistol type grip handle for one hand operation of the IR thermometer.

9. In an infrared thermometer of the type capable of measuring clinical temperatures by assessing a select amount of patient infrared radiation, comprising:

a first housing comprising an optical assembly which includes an infrared collecting element in operative alignment with an infrared sensing element wherein said infrared collecting element extends outward from said housing to allow for collection of said select radiation and assessment of clinical temperature based thereon;

a second housing pivotally attached to the first housing wherein said second housing includes a hollow portion positioned to enclose said infrared collecting element forming a protective cover thereto when said second housing is pivoted to a closed configuration with said first housing;

wherein said first and second housings cooperate to form a first, closed configuration that provides a compact protective enclosure to said infrared collecting element to preserve said optical alignment during storage and a second, open configuration that provides an operative position for said infrared collecting element for temperature measurement.

10. The thermometer of claim 9 wherein said second housing forms a portion of a thermometer handle when in the open configuration.

11. The thermometer of claim 10 wherein said first and second housings form a portable compact substantially square shaped structure in said closed configuration.

12. The thermometer of claim 9 wherein said second housing comprises a hollow cavity shaped to enclose the infrared collecting element when in the closed configuration.

13. The thermometer of claim 9 wherein said second housing comprises a disposable cover retainer for holding at least one disposable cover in an enclosed chamber when said thermometer is in the closed configuration.

14. The thermometer of claim 9 wherein all electrical components of said thermometer are located on a compact printed circuit board in said first housing.

15. The thermometer of claim 14 wherein said first housing includes a battery storage cavity aligned with said compact printed circuit board.

16. The thermometer of claim 9 wherein said first housing includes a locking latch for retaining said thermometer in said open configuration.

17. The thermometer of claim 9 wherein said second housing provides protection to a temperature display when in said closed configuration.

18. The thermometer of claim 17 wherein said second housing provides protection to one or more control switches when in said closed configuration.