Relay circuit test extender

• US 6,459,268 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Automotive Technicial Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kevin W. Lutz
• Inventors: Lutz, Kevin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/897,561
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 324/418, 324/383, 324/503, 324/538, 324/555, 324/400, 439/638
• US Class Current: 324/418
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3278 of relays, solenoids or reed switches measuring contact resistance G01R27/205; high voltage magnetic switches G01R31/3271, G01R31/333; testing electric windings G01R31/72; monitoring of fail safe circuits H01H47/002

Abstract

A relay circuit test extender is adapted to facilitate testing of relays and relay circuits in a vehicle. The test extender includes a plurality of elongated bundled wires having first and second opposing ends, and adapted for carrying current in an electric circuit between a vehicle relay receptacle and a removable electric relay. A male connector is located at the first end of the bundled wires, and includes a plurality of electric pins electrically connected to respective wires and adapted for being inserted into respective pin openings of the vehicle relay receptacle. A female connector is located at the second end of the bundled wires, and defines a plurality of pin openings adapted for receiving respective pins of the removable electric relay. Upon connecting the male connector of the test extender to the vehicle relay receptacle and connecting the removable electric relay to the female connector of the test extender, the relay is tested in a live electric circuit at a location spaced apart from the vehicle relay receptacle.

Claims

1. A relay circuit test extender adapted to facilitate testing of relays and relay circuits in a vehicle, said test extender comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated bundled wires having first and second opposing ends, and adapted for carrying current in an electric circuit between a vehicle relay receptacle and a removable electric relay;

(b) a male connector located at the first end of said bundled wires, and including a plurality of electric pins electrically connected to respective wires and adapted for being inserted into respective pin openings of the vehicle relay receptacle;

(c) a female connector located at the second end of said bundled wires, and defining a plurality of pin openings adapted for receiving respective pins of the removable electric relay;

whereby upon connecting the male connector of said test extender to the vehicle relay receptacle and connecting the removable electric relay to the female connector of said test extender, the relay is tested in a live electric circuit at a location spaced apart from the vehicle relay receptacle.

2. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 1, wherein said female connector comprises a connector housing, said housing defining a plurality of back probe ports communicating with said plurality of wires to enable ready access to said wires for back probe testing.

3. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 1, wherein said bundled plurality of wires is contained in a flexible conduit.

4. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 1, wherein the length of said bundled plurality of wires is greater than two feet.

5. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 1, wherein said male connector comprises five electric pins and said female connector comprises five corresponding pin openings, such that said test extender is adapted for testing a removable five-pin electric relay.

6. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 5, wherein said female connector comprises a connector housing, said housing defining five back probe ports communicating with respective wires to enable ready access to said wires for back probe testing.

7. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 6, and comprising indicia provided on said connector housing and associated with each of said back probe ports to match said back probe ports to respective wires.

8. A relay circuit test extender according to claim 7, wherein said indicia comprises numbers identifying each of said wires.

9. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) electrically connecting a male connector of a relay circuit test extender to a vehicle relay receptacle, said test extender comprising a plurality of electric wires adapted for carrying current;

(b) locating a female connector of the relay circuit test extender a distance away from the vehicle relay receptacle; and

(c) electrically connecting a removable electric relay to the female connector, such that the relay is tested in a live electric circuit at a location spaced apart from the vehicle relay receptacle.

10. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle according to claim 9, and comprising testing the voltage from the removable electric relay by inserting a voltage testing device into back probe ports formed in the female connector of the relay circuit test extender.

11. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the step of testing the voltage from the removable electric relay comprises inserting a digital volt-ohm meter into the back probe ports of the female connector.

12. A method for testing relays and relay circuits in a vehicle according to claim 9, and comprising the step of locating the female connector of the relay circuit test extender a distance of at least two feet from the vehicle relay receptacle.