Plug construction having positive and negative poles for circuit testing on vehicles

• US 6,198,272 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lisle Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lisle Corporation
• Inventors: Stallings, Billy G. Jr., Pool, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hollington, Jermele M.
• Application Number:
  US09/087,418
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 324/133, 324/503, 324/508, 324/511, 324/538, 324/555, 324/556, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/428, 340/439, 340/635, 340/636, 362/488, 362/489
• US Class Current: 324/133
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/14 of electrically-heated lighters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0416 Connectors, terminals G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

A combination ground and power source circuit tester device includes a cylindrical plug with a cone-shaped end that fits into a vehicle accessory receptacle. An attached body member engages the plug and retains first and second radially extending contacts that function to provide a connection with conductive studs that attach to leads to a circuit. A light bulb indicating that the circuitry is powered is retained in the body member and in a parallel circuit with the contacts.

Claims

1. A ground and power source device for use as a testing device in combination with a vehicle accessory receptacle comprising, in combination:

a body having a central through indicator passage for receipt of a light indicator, said indicator passage having a central axis, a first parallel conductive stud passage on one side of the indicator passage, a second parallel conductive stud passage on the opposite side of the indicator passage, said stud and indicator passages each extending through the body;

a cylindrical plug having a cone-shaped end and a flat opposite end, said plug including a plug axis and an axial bore, said bore being of greater diameter at the flat end, said plug further including a first and a second projecting radial flange at the flat end, said flanges projecting in opposite directions from the axis, a flange opening in each flange for receipt of a conductive stud, the flat end positioned in opposition to the body with the flange openings aligned respectively with the stud passages;

a conductive stud in each body stud passage and extending through the associated flange opening, one stud comprising a ground stud and thc other stud comprising a hot stud;

a light indicator in the indicator passage having an indicator ground connection and a hot contact connection;

a ground contact intermediate one flange and the body, said contact retained on and in electrical contact with the ground stud, said ground contact projecting radially toward the central axis for contact with the ground connection of the indicator in the indicator passage and simultaneously in electrical contact with the ground stud;

a combination retainer and ground connection also attached to the ground stud and extending axially in the direction of the plug axis along the plug in the form of a flexible bow for ground conduction and simultaneous retention ot the plug in a socket;

a hot contact having first and second ends, said hot contact intermediate the other flange and the body and extending radially to the central axis for engaging the hot contact connection of the light indicator at one hot contact end and for engaging the hot stud at the opposite hot contact end;

a hot contact assembly within the axial bore of the plug including a plunger projecting axially outward from the cone-shaped end of the plug, a slug within the axial bore for axially engaging the hot contact, and a biasing spring between the plunger and slug for simultaneously biasing the plunger and slug in opposite axial directions whereby current flow to the plunger passes to the indicator light and hot stud in parallel.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the slug slides within a sleeve which retains the spring.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the plunger includes a flange which limits axial movement of the plunger in the axial bore.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the body indicator passage includes a bayonet fitting for a light bulb and further including a light bulb in the indicator passage as an indicator.

5. The device of claim 1 further including a fuse in the hot contact assembly.

6. The device of claim 1 further including a fuse incorporated in the plunger of the hot contact assembly, said plunger being detachable from the hot contact assembly for replacement.