# US 10,502,640 B2 · Adjustable-length temperature probe

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- Number: US 10,502,640 B2
- Document ID: US10502640B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/017,466
- Filed: 2018-06-25
- Published: 2018-10-25
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-18
- Assignees: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
- Applicants: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Steven M. Swayne; Brendan McGinnis; Elizabeth A. Byrne
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502640B2

## CPC

- G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01K 1/02: Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
- G01K 7/00: Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat (giving results other than momentary value of temperature G01K3/00) {; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements}
- G01N 33/12: Meat; Fish
- H05B 1/0263: {Ovens}
- H05B 6/6452: {the sensors being in contact with the heated product}
- G01K 2207/06: for preparation purposes
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A meat probe has a shaft, plug, and stabilizer for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature) of a piece of meat and communicating the measurement to a cooking appliance. The stabilizer may have a plurality of wings. For example, two wings may be cantilevered about a proximal end that is at the shaft. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the wings are bent outwardly about the proximal end. In another example, four wings are connected on opposite ends to a first and second base, and the shaft extends through the first and second bases. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the second base is pushed upward, decreasing the distance between the first and second base and bending the wings about a middle portion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A meat probe comprising:
a shaft that is insertable into a piece of meat and that is effective to sense a parameter of the meat as the meat is cooked;
a plug that communicates a signal representative of the parameter to a cooking appliance; and
a stabilizer that stabilizes the shaft in a position such that the shaft remains at a desired position inside the meat,
wherein the stabilizer comprises a plurality of wings attached on opposite ends to a first base and a second base, and the shaft extends through middle portions of the first base and the second base.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The meat probe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wings comprise textured surfaces that make contact with the meat as the shaft is inserted into the meat.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The meat probe of claim 2, wherein the plurality of wings are made of silicone.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The meat probe of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises at least one notch and the second base comprises at least one corresponding protrusion, such that the second base can be locked at a location along the shaft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The meat probe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wings are formed of silicone encasing a piece of metal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The meat probe according to claim 1, wherein as the shaft is inserted into the meat, the distance between the first base and the second base decreases and the wings are bent about a middle portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The meat probe according to claim 1, wherein the second base and the plurality of wings comprise textured surfaces that make contact with the meat as the shaft is inserted into the meat.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The meat probe according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is a temperature of the meat.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The meat probe according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is an electrical impedance of the meat.