Patent Application
20110309853
1. Technical Field
The invention generally relates to electric meters, particularly to test probes thereof.
2. Related Art
Traditionally, an electric meter, such as multimeter or voltmeter, is composed of a main body and two test probes. The test probes are used to contact the object to be measured and a reading can by shown on the main body.
Crocodile clips, retractable hook clips, and pointed probes are the three most common test probes. The different types of test probes may be exchanged for various objects under test.
However, a user may not carry all kinds of test probes at hand anytime and anywhere. A measure process can not be proceeded if a required type of test probe is absent. It will be inconvenient for users.
An object of the invention is to provide a sectional test probe assembly, whose two test probes can be combined or detached with each other. Thus the test probe assembly may form a variety of configurations for different measured objects.
Another object of the invention is to provide a sectional test probe assembly, which is adjustable in angle when the test probes are combined. It is convenient and useful.
To accomplish the above objects, the invention provides a sectional test probe assembly for an electric meter. The electric meter has a main body. The test probe assembly of the invention includes a pair of insulated rods, a pair of probe tips and a pair of leads. The insulated rods are separately provided with two corresponding engaging portions, so that the insulated rods can be combined or detached. One end of each probe tip is fixed in one of the insulated rods and the other ends are protrudent. The leads connect between the insulated rods and main body. The combination or detachment of the test probe assembly may form a variety of configurations for different measured objects.
In comparison with a traditional test probe, the two test probes of the invention are separately provided with two corresponding engaging portions, so that the insulated rods can be combined or detached. The insulated rods are flexible and bendable. They may be detached into two separate ones or combined into an integer.
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The main body 1 is a substantial cuboid, whose façade is provided with a display 2 for showing readings, battery capacity or other information. There are some bottoms 3 beside the display 2. The top of the main body 10 is disposed with a connecting portion 4.
The test probes 10, 20 connect to the connecting portion 4 and include a pair of insulated rods 11, 21, a pair of probe tips 12, 22 and a pair of leads 13, 23. The insulated rods 11, 21 are made of flexible material such as rubber. One side of each of the insulated rods 11, 21 is provides with an engaging portion 110, 210. The two engaging portions 110, 210 are corresponding in shape and can engage with each other. The insulated rods 11, 21 may be combined into an integer or detached into two individuals. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the engaging portions 110, 210 are a protrusion and a recess, respectively.
The probe tips 12, 22 are made of conductive material. One end of each of the probe tips 12, 22 are planted in one of the insulated rods 11, 12, and the other ends are protrudent from the insulated rods 11, 12. The two leads 13, 23 electrically connect between the probe tips 12, 22 and connecting portion 4 of the main body 1, so that the probe tips 12, 22 can form a part of circuit of the main body 1.
The two test probes 10, 20 may be combined into an integral fork-shaped test probe. And the combined test probe 10, 20 may be slightly bent to satisfy practical requirements. On the other hand, the two test probes 10, 20 may be detached into two individuals, so that a user may separately use the test probes 10, 20.
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It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
