Temperature indicating probe

• US 4,138,890 A
• Filed: 06/03/1977
• Issued: 02/13/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph W. Brown
• Original Assignee: Joseph W. Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Joseph W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorenstein, Charles
• Application Number:
  US05/803,030
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 73/349, 73/371, 73/372, 73/374, 128/2 H, 128/194, 128/214 A, 128/214 E, 128/DIG. 13
• US Class Current: 374/148
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/065 of liquid column thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/22 with provision for expansion indicating over not more than a few degrees
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/901 Injection device with thermometer

Abstract

A temperature indicating probe comprises a liquid-in-glass thermometer encased in a clear plastic housing having a magnifying lens portion facing the thermometer tube to facilitate quick and acurate reading. The housing includes a series of tapered, cylindrical shaped portions separated by a step or shoulder, which are respectively insertable into variously sized standard medical appliance line openings or fittings, for sensing and indicating the temperature of the working fluids being carried through the line.

Claims

1. A temperature responsive device for single patient use in measuring and indicating the temperature of a working fluid flowing in a patient care appliance from a source thereof, through a passage in a transmitting member to a patient, said device comprising:

(a) a fitting member connected with said transmitting passage and having a tubular portion thereof extending laterally from said transmitting member, and including an open end thereof communicating with the passage in said transmitting member;

said tubular portion having a smooth, frusto-conically shaped inside surface tapering outwardly toward the open end thereof;

(b) a one-piece elongated housing of synthetic resin having a first portion adjacent one end thereof with an outside surface including a smooth, frustroconical shape which is tapered inwardly toward said one end, and mates with said tapered inside surface of said tubular portion and cooperates therewith to provide a non-threaded, rotatably engaged, frictional force fit to secure an airtight seal with said one end, which extends adjacent to said passage, and contacts the working fluid therein;

(c) said housing having a second portion thereof extending from said first portion to an other end;

said housing having walls defining a first chamber extending from an open end at the other end of said second portion to adjacent the housing first portion, and a second chamber communicating with said first chamber and extending therefrom in said first housing portion and terminating in a closed end adjacent said one end of the housing;

(d) said housing walls having rib members on an exterior side of the second portion, and extending longitudinally therealong for gripping and rotatingly inserting and frictionally retaining said housing with said fitting to form said airtight seal;

(e) said housing walls defining said second chamber having opposed guide portions on the interior thereof and extending substantially the length of said first chamber;

(f) a liquid thermometer having a bulb portion thereof disposed in said second chamber in contact with inner surfaces adjacent said closed end, whereby the temperature of said working fluid is detected by said thermometer; and

(g) said thermometer includes a planar scale member having numeral indicia thereon;

said scale member being connected to the thermometer in spaced apart relation to said bulb and having side edge portions slidably engaged in said guide portions to position said thermometer and scale member in facing relation to one side portion of the housing walls;

said one side portion being transparent and shaped with contoured interior and exterior surfaces to form an elongate magnifying lens portion for enlarging said numeral indicia.

2. A temperature response device as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said second chamber has flattened opposed sides adjacent said closed end;

said flattened sides being substantially parallel to the scale member when side edge portions thereof are engaged in said guide portions; and

(b) said bulb portion of the thermometer having flattened sides to be accomodated and embracingly engaged by the flattened sides of said second chamber for preventing relative rotation and retaining the thermometer in position for viewing through said magnifying lens.

3. A temperature responsive device as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said housing includes a third portion disposed between said first and second portions having an outside surface thereof tapered inwardly toward said one end with a marginal dimension smaller than a marginal surface of the first portion, and being shaped for a force fit, airtight, sealing engagement with a correspondingly tapered, smaller opening of another fitting member.