Electrical meter with retractable leads
First Claim
1. An electrical meter comprising:
- a. a housing having at least one aperture;
b. an electrical measurement circuit mounted within the housing;
c. a first lead cable and a second lead cable connected to the electrical measurement circuit, the first lead cable and the second lead cable both including a first end secured within the housing and a second end leading through the at least one aperture in the housing, the first lead cable and second lead cable configured to be fed through the at least one aperture such that a substantial portion of the first lead cable and second lead cable extend from the housing, and the first lead cable and the second lead cable configured to be retracted back through the at least one aperture such that a substantial portion of the first lead cable and the second lead cable are enclosed within the housing;
d. a wound spring positioned within the housing and connected to a spool, the wound spring configured to bias the spool against rotation in a first rotational direction and configured to automatically retract the first lead cable through the at least one aperture, the wound spring providing an electrical connection between the first lead cable and the electrical measurement circuit;
e. a display electrically connected to the electrical measurement circuit, the display configured to display electrical measurements taken using the first lead cable and the second lead cable; and
f. a sensor mounted in the housing and a tag attached to the spool, wherein movement of the tag past the sensor causes the display to turn on.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical meter 10 comprises a housing 12 with a spool 14 rotatably mounted therein. A first lead cable 16 and a second lead cable 18 are wound upon the spool 14. A wound spring 90 is connected to the spool and biases the spool against rotation in a direction that allows the lead cables to be unwound. A first head 20 and a second head 22 are respectively included on the end of the first lead cable 16 and the second lead cable 18. The heads abut against the housing and prevent the lead cables from being completely wound upon the spool when the meter is not in use. A circuit board 30 with electrical measurement circuitry is also mounted within the housing 12. The circuit board is electrically connected to a display 40 positioned on the outside of the housing 12.
31 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrical meter comprising:
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a. a housing having at least one aperture; b. an electrical measurement circuit mounted within the housing; c. a first lead cable and a second lead cable connected to the electrical measurement circuit, the first lead cable and the second lead cable both including a first end secured within the housing and a second end leading through the at least one aperture in the housing, the first lead cable and second lead cable configured to be fed through the at least one aperture such that a substantial portion of the first lead cable and second lead cable extend from the housing, and the first lead cable and the second lead cable configured to be retracted back through the at least one aperture such that a substantial portion of the first lead cable and the second lead cable are enclosed within the housing; d. a wound spring positioned within the housing and connected to a spool, the wound spring configured to bias the spool against rotation in a first rotational direction and configured to automatically retract the first lead cable through the at least one aperture, the wound spring providing an electrical connection between the first lead cable and the electrical measurement circuit; e. a display electrically connected to the electrical measurement circuit, the display configured to display electrical measurements taken using the first lead cable and the second lead cable; and f. a sensor mounted in the housing and a tag attached to the spool, wherein movement of the tag past the sensor causes the display to turn on. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An electrical meter comprising:
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(a) a substantially closed housing; (b) a lead cable including a first end positioned within the housing and a second end positioned outside of the housing; (c) a wound spring mounted within the housing and connected to a spool, the first end of the lead cable engaging the spool, and the wound spring and spool configured to bias the second end of the lead cable toward the housing; (d) an electrical measurement circuit positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the lead cable, wherein the electrical connection between the lead cable and the electrical measurement circuit includes an electrical path upon the wound spring; and (e) a display electrically connected to the electrical measurement circuit. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electrical meter comprising:
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(a) a substantially closed housing; (b) a lead cable including a first end positioned within the housing and a second end positioned outside of the housing; (c) a biasing member mounted within the housing, the first end of the lead cable engaging the biasing member, and the biasing member configured to bias the second end of the lead cable toward the housing, the biasing member comprises a spool configured to rotate in a first direction when an outside force pulls the second end of the lead cable away from the housing, and rotate in a second direction that winds the lead cable on the spool when the outside force is removed from the second end of the lead cable; (d) an electrical measurement circuit positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the lead cable; (e) a display electrically connected to the electrical measurement circuit; and (f) a sensor mounted in the housing and a tag attached to the spool, wherein movement of the tag past the sensor causes the display to turn on. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification