Electricity: measuring and testing – Measuring – testing – or sensing electricity – per se – Nonquantitative
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-11
2003-06-10
Le, N. (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se
Nonquantitative
C324S072500, C362S367000, C362S276000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06577116
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The subject matter of this application relates to a tester for determining if there is a voltage or current within a circuit. More particularly this application relates to a test light for testing automotive circuits.
There are circuit testers in the prior art which include a light to indicate the presence of voltage or current in a circuit. These prior-art testers may include a light bulb encased within a portion of a nonconductive handle and covered with a light-transmitting cover. A steel probe connected to the handle is conductively connected to one terminal of the light bulb, and a ground lead extending from the handle is conductively connected to the other terminal of the light bulb. To use these devices, the steel probe is placed in contact with a test terminal or other point in a circuit to be tested and the ground lead is conductively coupled to a ground. If there is voltage at the contact site, a current will flow between the steel probe and the lead causing the light bulb to illuminate. Even though the prior art devices may generally work for their intended purposes, for certain applications these prior art devices are inconvenient and may even cause damage.
One such application is the testing of terminals within a wire harness connector of an automotive vehicle. Wire harness connectors will typically include a number of terminals therein which may need to be tested in order to determine if there is voltage or current in a particular circuit. The configuration of the terminals in a wire harness will often vary with each different wire harness.
To properly test each terminal, it is best that the testing device be configured to appropriately mate with the terminal so that there is sufficient contact and continuity between the terminal and the testing device. The probes on the prior-art devices are not typically designed to mate well with the terminals in the wire harness. Often, the prior-art devices require a technician to forcibly mate a non-complementary probe into the terminal, possibly damaging the terminal.
The lights on the prior art devices are typically located on the probe handle. When the prior art device is used in a remote or obscure location, the light bulb in the handle is often not clearly visible to the user.
Storing and handling the prior art devices can also be cumbersome. The leads extending from the handles of the current testers are relatively long and may get in the way during use.
SUMMARY
Generally, this application relates to a test light which avoids the disadvantages of prior testers while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important aspect is the provision of a test light with elongated testing leads, at least one of which has interchangeable tips enabling the testing lead to conductively mate with a variety of different testing sites.
Another aspect is the provision of a test light with a bulb located well away from the test probe.
Another important aspect is the provision of a test light with a means for storing the test leads in the test light housing.
Another important aspect is the provision of a test light housing made of light-transmitting material to allow for greater visibility of the light.
Certain ones of these and other aspects may be attained by providing a circuit test light comprising: a light source, a light-transmitting housing encompassing the light source and extending substantially therebeyond, two test leads extending from the housing and each having a proximal end connected to the light source and a distal end, and connector assemblies respectively coupled to the distal ends of the test leads, whereby the light source is energizable by a voltage across the connector assemblies to illuminate the housing so that it is visible from multiple directions at locations remote from the connector assemblies.
The test light consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the subject matter sought to be protected.
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Le N.
Nguyen Vincent Q.
Shaw Seyfarth
Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
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