Receptacle for holding a sensing device

Abstract

A receptacle 10 for holding a sensing device 15 and a method for controllably connecting a housing 20 and a probe 25 together to form the receptacle 10 is disclosed. The receptacle 10 is disposed along a longitudinal axis. The housing 20 has a first end portion 30 and a second end portion 35. The housing 20 also has a bore 37 disposed along the longitudinal axis that extends through the housing 20 and through both end portions 30, 35. Located near the first end portion 30 is a counter bore 43 that defines a step section 40. The probe 25 has a sensing end portion 50 and an attaching end portion 55. Located at the attaching end portion 55 is a flange portion 60. The probe 25, also has a bore 53 disposed along the longitudinal axis and through the attaching end portion 55. Extending near the first end portion 30 of the housing 20 is a lip 45 which has an open position and a closed position. With the lip 45 in the open position, the flange portion 60 can be inserted into the counter bore 43 until it rests near the step section 40. The lip 45 is moved over the flange portion 60 of the probe 25, which connects the housing 20 and the probe 25 together.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.