Multimeter having off-device display device and selection device

• US 7,109,700 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Fazzina
• Original Assignee: David Fazzina
• Inventors: Fazzina, David
• Primary Examiner(s): TANG, MINH NHUT
• Application Number:
  US10/855,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 324/115
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/025 concerning dedicated user interfaces, e.g. GUI, or dedicated keyboards G01R31/31912 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06788 Hand-held or hand-manipulated probes, e.g. for oscilloscopes or for portable test instruments end pieces terminating in a probe H01R11/18
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/125 for digital multimeters

Abstract

Electronic testing devices such as multimeters, and probes therefor. The probes may have off-device display devices attached thereto. The display devices may be non-detachably attached to the probes. In an aspect, conductive pathways to carry probe signals and display signals may be run in parallel or be integrated and may be coupled with a common port or hole of the electronic testing device. In an aspect, a hinge may be used to attach the display devices to the probes. In an aspect, the display device may be attached to a side of the probe to facilitate viewing of the display by a user.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a probe;

a terminal conductor of the probe to couple with a port of an electrical testing device;

a wire portion of the probe coupled with the terminal conductor, wherein the wire portion includes a conductive pathway used to carry a display signal integrated with a conductive pathway to carry a probe signal;

a terminal portion of the probe, the terminal portion including a connector to couple with an electrical system; and

a display device attached to the probe with a hinge, wherein the hinge allows the display device to hingeably move between a position having a convenient viewing angle for the user and a seated position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device is non-detachably attached to the probe with the hinge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge allows a display of the display device to be concealed in one position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device is attached to a grip of the probe.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cap to protect a screen of the display device from scratches.

6. An apparatus comprising:

an electronic testing device;

a port of the electronic testing device having a common hole to receive a probe signal and provide a display signal;

a probe attached to the common hole to provide the probe signal and receive the display signal;

a probe lead of the probe, wherein the probe lead has been asymmetrically shaped to provide a probe attachment surface;

a display device non-detachably attached to the probe attachment surface,

wherein the probe attachment surface is at a left-hand side of the probe lead to facilitate viewing of the attached display device by a right-handed user.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display device is attached at a terminal portion of the probe lead closest to the user.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display device is attached to a grip of the probe.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a cap to protect a screen of the display device from scratches.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electronic testing device campuses a multimeter.

11. An apparatus comprising:

an electronic testing device;

a port of the electronic testing device having a common hole to receive a probe signal and provide a display signal;

a probe attached to the common hole to provide the probe signal and receive the display signal;

a probe lead of the probe;

a display device non-detachably attached to the probe lead,

wherein the display device is attached at a left-band side of the probe lead to facilitate viewing of the display by a right-handed user.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display device is attached to the probe lead with a hinge.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display device is attached to the probe lead at a single pivot point.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display device is attached to a grip of the probe.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display device is attached to a shield of the probe.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a cap to protect a screen of the display device from scratches.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electronic testing device comprises a multimeter.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a probe;

a terminal conductor of the probe to couple with a port of an electrical testing device;

a wire portion of the probe coupled with the terminal conductor, wherein the wire portion includes a conductive pathway to carry a display signal run in parallel with a conductive pathway to carry a probe signal;

a terminal portion of the probe, the terminal portion including a connector to couple with an electrical system; and

a display device non-detachably attached to the probe.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the display device is attached to the probe with a hinge.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the hinge allows a display of the display device to be concealed in one position.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the display device is attached to the probe with a single pivot point.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the display device is attached to the side of the probe.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the display device is embedded flush in the probe.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the display device is attached to a grip of the probe.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a cap to protect a screen of the display device from scratches.