# US 5,351,002 A · Test probe

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- Number: US 5,351,002 A
- Document ID: US5351002A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/569,618
- Filed: 1990-08-20
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1990-08-20
- Assignees: Snap-on Incorporated
- Inventors: Gary S. Wollert; Timothy J. Alho; Robert D. Braun
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5351002A

## CPC

- G01R 1/06788: {Hand-held or hand-manipulated probes, e.g. for oscilloscopes or for portable test instruments (end pieces terminating in a probe H01R11/18)}
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

The test probe comprises a handle and a rod, the rod including a flat face which can be placed against an electrical terminal to be tested. The rod includes a loop residing in a cavity in the handle. An alligator clip may be applied to the loop.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrical test probe comprising: a handle, and a one-piece metal rod including a free end and an opposite end fixedly secured in said handle, a substantial portion of said rod including a longitudinally extending generally flat conductive face extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rod, said face and said portion having the same length, said rod being adapted to be disposed against an electrical terminal to be tested such that said flat face abuts the terminal.

### Claim 2

An electrical test probe comprising: a handle, and a one-piece metal rod including a free end and an opposite end fixedly secured in said handle, a substantial portion of said rod including a longitudinally extending generally flat conductive face extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rod, said rod being adapted to be disposed against an electrical terminal to be tested such that said flat face abuts the terminal, said rod including a first segment having said flat face and a second segment of circular cross-section extending from the first segment and into said handle, the cross-dimensions of said first and second segments being generally the same measured in at least one direction, said face and said segment having the same length.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The probe of claim 2, wherein said first segment is substantially longer than said second segment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The probe of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a cavity in the end opposite the end securing said rod, said end of said rod secured in said handle residing in said cavity for connection to a test lead.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The probe of claim 4, wherein the end of said rod secured to said handle includes means for connecting said rod to the test lead.

### Claim 6

An electrical test probe comprising: a handle, and a one-piece metal rod including a free end and an oppose end fixedly secured in said handle, a substantial portion of said rod including a longitudinally extending generally flat conductive face, said rod being adapted to be disposed against an electrical terminal to be tested such that said flat face abuts the terminal, said handle including a cavity in the end opposite the end securing said rod, said end of said rod secured in said handle residing in said cavity, and a loop at said opposite end of said rod for connection to said test lead, said loop residing in said cavity.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The probe of claim 4, wherein the cross-dimension of said handle is substantially greater than the cross-dimension of said rod.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The probe of claim 4, wherein said handle is generally cylindrical.

### Claim 9

An electrical test probe comprising: a handle, and a one-piece metal rod including a free end and an opposite end secured in said handle, a substantial portion of said rod including a longitudinally extending generally flat conductive face, said rod being adapted to be disposed against an electrical terminal to be tested such that said flat side abuts the terminal to maximize electrical contact between the terminal and said rod, said rod including a longitudinally extending flat face, said handle including an outer surface having a thumb receiving portion and a finger receiving portion, said thumb receiving portion being directed oppositely to said flat face and said finger receiving portions having the same direction as said flat face and finger receiving portions respectively having a predetermined orientation with respect to said flat face of said rod to facilitate positioning of said flat face against said terminal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The probe of claim 9, wherein said thumb portion is generally flat.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The probe of claim 10, wherein said thumb portion is generally flat, said thumb portion at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said rod.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The electrical probe of claim 1, wherein the length of said rod is substantially greater than the length of said handle.