Test and measurement device with a pistol-grip handle

• US 8,274,273 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2009
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Evans H., Bublitz, Scott D., Crowe, Jason R., Jones, Mike N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vazquez, Arleen M
• Application Number:
  US12/936,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20110169481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 324/126, 324/127, 235/462.45, 235/472.01, 173/170
• US Class Current: 324/126
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0096 for measuring wires, electrical contacts or electronic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0408 Test fixtures or contact fields; Connectors or connecting adaptors; Test clips; Test sockets G01R1/067 takes precedence; mass production testing systems G01R31/59; testing of connections G01R31/66; for testing printed circuit boards G01R31/2808
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/20 Modifications of basic electric elements for use in electric measuring instruments; Structural combinations of such elements with such instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/22 Tong testers acting as secondary windings of current transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

In another embodiment, the invention provides a clamp meter configured to receive a removable and rechargeable battery pack. The clamp meter includes a main body having a first axis, a handle, a clamp, a trigger, and a display. The handle has a second axis and includes a first recess configured to receive the battery pack. The first recess includes at least first and second electrical terminals which are exposed when the battery pack is not inserted into the first recess. The second axis forms an oblique angle with the first axis, and the battery pack is inserted into the first recess along the second axis. The clamp is coupled to the main body, aligned with the first axis, and operable to measure an electrical characteristic of a conductor based on an induced current. The trigger is operable to selectively open and close the clamp, and the display configured to display an indication of the electrical characteristic.

Claims

1. A clamp meter configured to receive a removable and rechargeable battery pack, the clamp meter comprising:

a main body having a first axis;

a handle having a second axis and including a first recess configured to receive the battery pack, the first recess including at least first and second electrical terminals which are exposed when the battery pack is not inserted into the first recess,

wherein the second axis forms an oblique angle with the first axis, and

wherein the battery pack is inserted into the first recess along the second axis;

a clamp coupled to and supported by the main body, the clamp aligned with the first axis, the clamp operable to measure an electrical characteristic of a conductor based on an induced current;

a trigger operable to selectively open and close the clamp, the trigger positioned below the main body in a second recess of the handle; and

a display configured to display an indication of the electrical characteristic.

2. The clamp meter of claim 1, further comprising a non-contact voltage detector.

3. The clamp meter of claim 2, further comprising a voltage sense indicator.

4. The clamp meter of claim 1, further comprising an LED flashlight.

5. The clamp meter of claim 4, wherein the LED flashlight is operable to illuminate a first area enclosed by the clamp.

6. The clamp meter of claim 1, further comprising a pair of electrical leads operable to receive a pair of electrical probes.

7. The clamp meter of claim 1, wherein the battery pack is a lithium-ion battery pack.

8. A method of operating a clamp meter that includes a main body, a handle, a clamp supported by the main body, a trigger positioned below the main body, and a pair of electrical leads, the method comprising:

powering the clamp meter with a removable battery pack inserted into a recess of the handle, wherein the battery pack is inserted along a first axis;

sensing, using the clamp, a first electrical characteristic based on an induced current,

wherein the clamp is aligned along a second axis, and

wherein the first axis and the second axis form an oblique angle;

measuring, based on signals received through the pair of electrical leads, a second electrical characteristic, wherein the pair of electrical leads are operable to receive a pair of electrical probes; and

displaying, on a display, an indication of the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the battery pack is a lithium-ion battery pack.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising illuminating an area enclosed by the clamp using a flashlight powered by the battery pack.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising detecting a voltage using a non-contact voltage detector.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising activating a voltage sense indicator when the voltage is detected.

13. A test and measurement device configured to receive a removable and rechargeable battery pack, the device comprising:

a main body having a first axis;

a handle having a second axis; and

a first recess and a second recess, the first recess including a mating interface for receiving, along the second axis, a first attachment operable to provide power to the test and measurement device, and the second recess configured to receive a trigger operable to provide operational control for the test and measurement device, the second recess positioned below the main body;

wherein the handle is offset from the main body of the test and measurement device, and

wherein the handle is attached to a lower portion of the main body along the second axis such that the handle forms an oblique angle with respect to the first axis.

14. The test and measurement device of claim 13, wherein the test and measurement device is a clamp meter.

15. The test and measurement device of claim 13, wherein the first attachment is a lithium-ion battery pack.

16. The test and measurement device of claim 13, further comprising a display.

17. The test and measurement device of claim 13, further comprising an LED flashlight.

18. The test and measurement device of claim 13, further comprising at least first and second electrical terminals which are exposed when the first attachment is not inserted into the first recess.