US 4,234,863 A · Inductive pickup clip

Abstract

An inductive pickup clip comprising two telescoping body portions between which is compressed a main body spring and within which are mounted respective core portions. When the clip is closed, said core portions define an opening adapted to receive therethrough an electric wire during use. The end portions of at least one core portion are spring loaded to prevent chipping or breakage of the core portions and to insure correct alignment of the cores when the clip is closed. A bi-stable latching mechanism is employed which, when latched, holds the clip closed, and when unlatched, permits the spring loaded telescoping body portions to assume an open configuration under the urging of the main body spring therebetween. Such a latching mechanism insures that when the slip is closed about the electric wire to be monitored, the user must close it against the force of the main body spring, thereby further preventing chipping or breakage of the core portions. Said telescoping body portions also include complementary guides which insure that when said telescoping body portions are urged together by the user, they will be brought together in a direction which will help to insure a snug fit and correct alignment therebetween, and which will help to prevent damage to the core portions.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An inductive pickup clip for generating an output signal in response to changes in the flow of electric current in an electric conductor about which said clip is adapted to be removably secured, wherein said clip is of the type including:

first and second body portions having first and second core portions secured thereto respectively, wherein said first body portion is held telescopically within said second body portion;
and
a pickup coil means positioned about one of said core portions and having terminals adapted to be connected to an electrical circuit;
wherein said body portions, and hence said core portions, are telescopically selectively movable with respect to each other between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which said core portions fit together to define an opening adapted to receive said electric conductor during use, and
wherein the improvement comprises:
shock absorbing means located only at the end portions of at least one of said core portions and being secured between said at least one of said core portions and its respective body portion for cushioning said at least one core portion as said core portions are moved into contact with each other in said closed configuration, to prevent chipping or breaking of said core portions and to insure a close fit and correct alignment between said core portions when in said closed configuration.

3 more elements

first and second body portions having first and second core portions secured thereto respectively;
a pickup coil means positioned about one of said core portions and having terminals adapted to be connected to an electrical circuit;
and
spring means connected between said body portions;
wherein said body portions, and hence said core portions, are telescopically selectively movable with respect to each other between an open configuration and a closed, working configuration in which said core portions fit together to define an opening adapted to receive said electric conductor during use;
and
wherein the improvement comprises:
said spring means being arranged to urge said body portions towards said open configuration, meaning the user of said clip must work against the urging of said spring means to force said body portions from said open configuration into said closed, working configuration.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inductive pickup clip

Life of this patent

Inductive pickup clip

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14