Battery operated temperature warning sensor

• US 6,617,971 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Keller
• Original Assignee: John Keller
• Inventors: Keller, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/966,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 340/584, 340/585, 340/586, 340/594, 340/449, 340/688, 337/298, 337/333, 337/376, 337/3, 337/334, 374/200, 374/208, 374/205, 374/209, 374/163, 374/204, 374/210, 374/188, 116/102, 116/101, 116/103, 200/56.R
• US Class Current: 340/584
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/00 Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature G01K7/42 takes precedence

Abstract

An alarm device for signaling when an object reaches a specified temperature. The alarm device includes a thermometer for detecting the temperature of the object. The device further includes a switch element which is closed when the thermometer indicates the specified temperature. The closed switch element triggers an alarm, such as a light or a buzzer, which will signal a person monitoring the temperature that the specified temperature has been reached.

Claims

1. A temperature sensing device, comprising:

a thermometer, comprising a temperature sensor and a rotatable elongate element for indicating a sensed temperature, wherein said rotatable elongate element for indicating the sensed temperature is rotatable by the temperature sensor responsive to a change in temperature, wherein at least a portion of said rotatable elongate element is electrically conductive;

a circuit connecting an electrical power source, a switch element and an electronic warning device, wherein the switch element is positioned in relation to the rotatable elongate element such that when a selected temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor, said rotatable elongate element for indicating the sensed temperature physically contacts said switch element allowing an electrical current from the power source to pass through said rotatable elongate element;

wherein said switch element is configured for rotation to adjust the selected temperature at which said rotatable elongate element will contact said switch element, and

wherein the electronic warning device is configured to emit a signal when connected to the power source.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch element comprises at least two contact points, wherein said at least two contact points are positioned such that when said rotatable elongate element for indicating the sensed temperature reaches a selected, sensed temperature, said rotatable elongate element simultaneously contacts said at least two contact points to complete the circuit.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said rotatable elongate element for indicating the sensed temperature comprises an electrically conductive needle.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet for attaching said temperature sensing device to a ferrous surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said electronic warning device is at least one of a light, a buzzer, a bell or a horn.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a diode, wherein said diode is connected within the circuit.

8. The device of claim 2, further comprising a manual switch connected in the circuit.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor of the thermometer includes a probe.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the power source is thermally insulated to protect the power source from heat.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the thermometer is configured such that the temperature sensor is located at a position remote to the circuit, the electrical power source, the switch element and the electronic warning device.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the diode comprises a light-emitting diode.

13. A battery operated temperature warning device for indicating when a specified temperature is reached, comprising:

a dial-type thermometer, wherein said thermometer comprises an electrically conductive needle for indicating a temperature, wherein said thermometer is configured to move said needle rotationally in response to a change in temperature;

a battery;

a switch element, wherein said switch element comprises at least one contact point, wherein said at least one contact point is positioned in a location relative to the needle such that when said specified temperature is reached, the needle of said thermometer comes in physical contact with said at least one contact point such that said physical contact closes said switch element;

wherein said switch element is configured for rotation to adjust the specified temperature at which said electrically conductive needle will contact said switch element;

an electronic warning device, wherein said electronic warning device is configured to emit a warning signal when the switch element is closed;

circuit traces, wherein said circuit traces connect the battery, the switch element, and the electronic warning device; and

a housing, wherein said housing comprises a protective outer shell that encloses the thermometer, the battery, the switch element, the electronic warning device and said circuit traces, wherein said housing further comprises at least one opening.

14. The battery operated temperature warning device of claim 13, further comprising:

a cap, wherein said cap covers said at least one opening in the housing such that the cap allows the warning signal emitted from the electronic warning device to be detected by a user.