Electricity: measuring and testing – Measuring – testing – or sensing electricity – per se – Nonquantitative
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-06-12
Brown, Glenn W. (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se
Nonquantitative
C324S508000, C340S656000, C340S651000, C340S652000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246225
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the testing of electrical receptacles and, more particularly, to determining whether an output receptacle, a light fixture, or bare wires are “live”.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat No. 5,331,283 entitled “Apparatus for detecting a completed electrical circuit at an electrical output receptacle” issued to Alan L. Sheldon on Jul. 19, 1994 describes an electrical test buzzer adapted for insertion into an output receptacle used to test for the presence of electricity at the output receptacle. The electrical test buzzer includes an audible alarm, a transformer held in a housing, and a pair of contact prongs. The contact prongs are inserted into an output receptacle causing the buzzer to sound a high pitched alarm when electricity is present at the receptacle. When no electricity is present at the receptacle, no circuit is formed, and the alarm does not sound. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device, without the need for a transformer, that tests whether electricity is present at a circuit. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple test device that provides additional information about the electrical circuitry.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,772 entitled “Electrical circuit tester selectively responsive to either presence or absence of AC power” issued to Rex W. Peak on Feb. 16, 1988 relates to a means for testing electrical circuits to determine to which of a plurality of pre-wired circuits a particular outlet or other circuit point is connected, and to determine whether there is electrical continuity between a pair of conductors. The invention incorporates a battery, so that in one mode the tester will provide a positive signal in the absence of electrical power, and in another mode, the tester will provide a positive signal in the presence of electrical power.
The '283 patent summarizes prior art including U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,074 dated Jun. 25, 1991 which discloses a device for testing the individual conductors of a multi-conductor cable by transmitting pulses through each conductor, and then monitoring, processing and displaying the pulses U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,746 dated Mar. 28, 1989 which discloses a device which is connected to an existing electrical circuit to determine the presence of power across a pair of conductors where a switch is included to allow an alarm to sound when either power is present or when power is not present; U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,343 dated Sep. 26, 1989 which discloses a device for detecting the presence of a high voltage; U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,651 dated Mar. 29, 1988 which discloses a device for determining the electrical continuity between the terminals of a multi-contact electrical connector and the cores of insulated leads; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,552 which discloses an apparatus for checking the connection of wires within a circuit.
It is frequently desirable to determine whether electrical power is present in an outlet, lighting receptacle, or loose wires. A test for the presence of electrical power is generally conducted before attempting work on the circuit. The usual method for removing power from a circuit is to deliberately trip a circuit breaker for the appropriate circuit. Many situations arise which make it necessary to determine which circuit breaker is associated with a particular outlet. This identification can be a very time-consuming operation, especially when it must be performed by one person working alone. Frequently, the fuse box or circuit breakers are located at a considerable distance from the outlet of the circuit being traced, often on a different floor of the building. Many trips back and forth between the outlet and fuse/breaker box may be required before the proper circuit is identified.
For these reasons, it is desirable to have a simple, dependable audible test indicator that will provide a strong signal when power is present and which will not provide a signal when power is not present. An object of the present invention is to provide such a device, so that the device can be temporarily attached to an electrical circuit in order to provide a strong audible or vibration signal that can be perceived at a circuit breaker location. Thus the device can be used to assist the repair person in determining which circuit breaker switch is appropriate for turning off the flow of electricity to the receptacle or wires.
Another object is to provide an apparatus which is small, lightweight, portable, inexpensive and simple in both construction and operation. A further advantage is that only one hand is required to use the device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, provides an electrical test buzzer adapted for insertion into an output receptacle and for testing for the presence of electricity at the output receptacle. The electrical test buzzer includes an audible alarm, and a pair of contact prongs which form a male electrical plug. In some embodiments, a ground prong is also present. The contact prongs are inserted into an output receptacle, causing the buzzer to sound a loud alarm when electricity is present at the outlet or receptacle. When no electricity is present at the receptacle no circuit is formed and the alarm does not sound. The methods of using the electrical test buzzer device may include adapting the device to loose wires with alligator clips, and adapting the device to a lighting receptacle with an adapter. Methods for increasing the effective range of the device include using an extension cord between the receptacle and the device, and using a walkie/talkie such as a baby monitor remote listening device.
In an alternate embodiment, a switch is provided to check for a voltage between either leg and the ground.
Variation in size, materials, shape, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described below. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to substitute equivalent means for generating an audible signal and for adapting lighting receptacles and bare wires to the device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3514552 (1970-05-01), Smith
patent: 4725772 (1988-02-01), Peak
patent: 4734651 (1988-03-01), Keller et al.
patent: 4816746 (1989-03-01), Peak
patent: 4870343 (1989-09-01), Dooley et al.
patent: 5027074 (1991-06-01), Haferstat
patent: 5331283 (1994-07-01), Sheldon
patent: 2189613 (1987-10-01), None
Brown Glenn W.
Hamdan Wasseem H.
Yeager Rick B.
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