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US 6,888,341 B2Granted
Dual voltage circuit tester
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsRobert D. Johnson, Mark R. Schaefer, Daniel Mieczkowski
Life of this patent
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AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsRobert D. Johnson, Mark R. Schaefer, Daniel Mieczkowski
Estimating the term…
A handheld dual voltage circuit tester, method and electronic circuit that quickly allows a technician to determine whether an automotive electrical system runs on a 12-14 volt circuit or 36-42 volt circuit. The tester may be used for automobiles having a single voltage electrical system, or automobiles with distinct electrical systems operating on one of a 12-14 volts circuit or a 36-42 volt circuit. The tester includes a screwdriver-type elongated handle and probe tip. The tester also includes electronic circuitry disposed within its handle, heat shrink tubing, a conductive spring assembly, a strain relief, a retractable coil cord, a ground clip and insulation that encloses the ground clip. The tester also includes electronic circuitry that emits light of a first color when a 12-14 volt circuit is sensed, and light of a second color when a 36-42 volt circuit is sensed.
A handheld circuit tester for an automotive electrical system having circuit portions respectively operable at a first nominal voltage range with respect to ground and a second nominal voltage range with respect to ground, the tester comprising:
A method for testing the voltage level of an automotive circuit with a circuit tester, the automotive circuit having portions respectively operable at a first nominal voltage level with respect to ground and a second nominal voltage level with respect to ground, the circuit tester including an elongated curved handle portion, a probe device substantially in the shape of a screwdriver shank, a ground device, and electronic circuitry operatively coupled to the probe device and the ground device, the electronic circuitry being disposed within the handle portion, wherein the circuitry is configured to sense a voltage at a circuit point of an automotive circuit, and wherein the circuit tester further includes a visible display operatively coupled to electronic circuitry, the handle being composed of a material that is sufficiently transparent such that the visible display is visible through the handle, the method comprising the steps of:
An electrical circuit for testing the voltage level of an automotive circuit, the electrical circuit being adapted to be disposed within a curved, elongated handle of a circuit tester for automotive electrical circuits, the handle being composed of a material that is sufficiently transparent such that light from a first light emitting load and light from a second light emitting load are visible through the handle, the circuit comprising:
An electrical circuit for testing the voltage level of an automotive circuit, the circuit comprising:
An apparatus for testing the voltage level of an automotive circuit having circuit portions respectively operable at a low nominal voltage range with respect to ground and a high nominal voltage range with respect to ground, the apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.