Apparatus for conserving fuses

• US 6,429,663 B1
• Filed: 10/27/1999
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Marvin Lacoste
• Inventors: LaCoste, Marvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherry, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLLINGTON, JERMELE M
• Application Number:
  US09/428,089
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 324/550, 324/537, 324/555, 340/635, 340/638, 340/653
• US Class Current: 324/550
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3275 Fault detection or status indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/74 Testing of fuses

Abstract

A testing apparatus which is commonly known as a “fuse saver”, for testing the integrity of an electrical system of the type that utilizes flat or glass fuses, the fuse saver apparatus which includes a body portion, which includes a current receiving electrical components, a selector switch for establishing the quantity of amps for which the fuse is being tested, and a trip indicator button, which indicates the malfunctioning in the fuse contacts, an electrical cord extending from the body portion, and terminating in a plug having at least a pair of flat fuse test plugs for insertion into a flat fuse receiver, and a test plug adaptor engageable onto the flat fuse test plug, having at least a pair of cylindrical terminals, for insertion into the adaptor for glass fuses.

Claims

1. A system to allow testing the integrity of an electrical system which utilizes fuses, without sacrificing a fuse in the system, the apparatus comprising:

a. a body portion, having electrical components to detect the amount of amperage received from the electrical system;

b. an electrical cord extending from the body portion, and further comprising a plug member, the plug member having terminals for inserting into empty fuse receptacles of the electrical system for receiving the amperage from an electrical source and conveying it to the electrical components in the body portion;

c. means on the body portion for selecting the amount of amperage to be tested for;

d. indicator means on the body portion for indicating when the electrical components receive amperage from the electrical source out of the range selected by the selecting means.

2. The system in claim 1, further comprising an adaptor insertable on the terminals of the plug member to be received into cylindrical glass fuse receptacles so that amperage can be tested for in a cylindrical glass fuse system.

3. The system in claim 1, wherein the selecting means further comprises a knob rotatable to particular numerical settings on the face of the body portion, corresponding to the amount of amperage being tested for.

4. The system in claim 1, wherein the fuse receptacles comprise receptacles for flat fuses.

5. A testing assembly for testing the integrity of an electrical system, of the type which utilizes fuses, without sacrificing a fuse in the system, the apparatus comprising:

a. a body portion, having electrical components to detect the amount of amperage received from the electrical system;

b. a plug member, having terminals for inserting into fuse receptacles of the type being flat, for receiving the amperage from the system and conveying it to the electrical components in the body portion;

c. a selector switch on the face of the body portion for selecting the amount of amperage to be tested for; and

d. indicator means on the body portion for indicating when the electrical components receive amperage from the electrical system out of the range set of the adjustment member.

6. The assembly in claim 5 further comprising an adaptor insertable on the terminals of the plug member for being received into cylindrical glass fuse receptacles so that amperage can be tested for in the cylindrical glass fuse system.

7. A testing assembly for testing the integrity of an electrical system, of the type which utilizes fuses, without sacrificing a fuse in the system, the apparatus comprising:

a. a body portion, having electrical components to detect the amount of amperage received from the electrical system;

b. a plug member, having terminals for inserting into fuse receptacles, for receiving the amperage as electricity travels through the fuse receptacles and then to the electrical components in the body portion;

c. a selector switch on the face of the body portion for setting the amount of amperage to be tested for; and

d. indicator means on the body portion for indicating when the electrical components receive amperage from the electrical system out of the range set of the selector switch.