Measuring and testing – Liquid level or depth gauge – Sight glass
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-31
2001-09-04
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Liquid level or depth gauge
Sight glass
C073S323000, C073S326000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282952
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to shields for sight gauges. It finds particular application in connection with the protection of sight glasses or gauges used in association with urns containing coffee or other liquids that are to be dispensed through an associated faucet.
Sight gauges for urns and the like are used to indicate the level of liquid in the urn and are provided in the form of an elongated tubular glass member in fluid communication with the urn and secured adjacent an outer wall thereof in a vertical orientation for convenient operator viewing. The glass tube is surrounded by a cylindrical protective metal shield or sleeve which prevents breakage of the sight gauge during shipping, assembly, cleaning, and other inadvertent contact during normal liquid dispensing operations.
To permit viewing of the sight gauge, prior gauge shields have included at least one slot formed through a wall thereof by a milling operation and extending vertically along a portion of the gauge shield. The milling operation and associated gauge shield metal polishing step are costly and time-consuming. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a gauge shield which adequately protects the sight gauge in a cost-effective manner, which is easy to manufacture and assemble, and which facilitates easy gauge reading.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved sight gauge shield is provided.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a sight gauge assembly for an urn includes an elongated extruded sight gauge shield having a longitudinal axis and a generally U-shaped cross section defining the sight gauge to have a sight gauge receiving recess. The recess is defined by an arcuate inner surface terminated on opposite ends thereof by first and second edges, respectively, so that an open sight gauge viewing region is provided between the edges. A tubular sight gauge is placed in the recess of the extruded sight gauge shield and the arcuate inner surface of the recess conforms to a portion of a curved outer surface of the tubular sight gauge. An end cap is fixedly secured to a first end of the sight gauge shield. The assembly includes means for operatively connecting the extruded sight gauge shield to an associated faucet.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a sight gauge shield for liquid-containing urn includes a metallic extrusion having an elongated generally U-shaped profile including a recess defined therein from a first end to a second end and adapted for receiving a tubular sight gauge therein. The recess is defined by an arcuate surface terminated on opposite ends by first and second edges, respectively, so that an open sight gauge viewing region is provided between the first and second edges opposite the arcuate surface.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, an extruded sight gauge shield for an urn includes an elongated member including a first end, a second end, and an elongated open channel defined therein and extending entirely from the first end to the second end. The open channel is adapted for receiving a sight gauge therein. The shield includes means selectively attached to the first end of the extruded member for blocking the first end of the channel and means for securing the second end of the elongated member to a liquid-dispensing faucet.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a sight gauge shield for attachment to an urn includes extruding a member having a first end, a second end, and a continuous generally U-shaped recess defined therein. The recess is defined by an arcuate inner surface terminated at opposite circumferential ends by first and second edges, respectively, so that an open viewing region is defined in the extruded member between the first and second edges. Threads are formed in the arcuate inner surface at the first and second ends of the extruded member and first and second collars are fitted about the extruded member at the first and second ends to limit radial expansion of the extruded member. An end cap is threadably secured to the first end of the extruded member using the threads formed in the inner surface at the member first end and a faucet attachment nipple is threadably secured to the second end of the extruded member using the threads formed in the inner surface at the member second end.
A first advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a low cost and highly effective sight gauge shield.
Another advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a sight gauge shield which is convenient and simple to manufacture and assemble.
A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a gauge shield adapted for securing a graduated sight gauge level indicator card in association with a sight gauge.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for convenient and secure threaded connection of a cap at a first end and a faucet attachment nipple at a second end by preventing radial expansion of the shield.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the present application in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 535449 (1895-03-01), Lunken
patent: 745744 (1903-12-01), Uhalt
patent: 955175 (1910-04-01), Lomax
patent: 1157805 (1915-10-01), Ray
patent: 1186260 (1916-06-01), Wood
patent: 1225604 (1917-05-01), Ernst
patent: 1349236 (1920-08-01), Strohbach
patent: 6642/27 (1927-03-01), None
patent: 70066 (1892-04-01), None
patent: 297213 (1914-06-01), None
Cygan Michael
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
The Meyer Company
Williams Hezron
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