# US 9,883,084 B2 · Thermal imager > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,883,084 B2 - Document ID: US9883084B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/004,686 - Filed: 2012-03-15 - Published: 2014-01-02 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-15 - Assignees: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Applicants: Evans H. Nguyen; Roger D. Neitzell - Inventors: Evans H. Nguyen; Roger D. Neitzell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9883084B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/51: Housings - G01J 5/0205: {Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements} - G01J 5/0265: {Handheld, portable (ear thermometers G01J5/049)} - G01J 5/04: Casings - H04N 23/21: from near infrared [NIR] radiation - H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) ## Abstract A handheld thermal imager includes a housing defining a cavity. A lens barrel has a first end portion and a second end portion. The lens barrel is at least partially disposed within the cavity. A lens is coupled to the lens barrel first end portion. A resilient buffer member supports the lens barrel within the cavity. A thermal sensor is coupled to the lens barrel second end portion. A processing module receives signals from the thermal sensor. A display is coupled to the processing module for displaying a temperature characteristic of a scene. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A handheld thermal imager, comprising: a housing defining a cavity; a lens barrel having a first end portion and a second end portion, the lens barrel at least partially disposed within the cavity; a lens coupled to the lens barrel first end portion; a resilient buffer member supporting the lens barrel within the cavity, the resilient buffer member including a ring-shaped body, a first radial extension member connected to and extending perpendicularly from the ring-shaped body, and a second radial extension member connected to and extending perpendicularly from the ring-shaped body, the lens barrel supported within the housing by the first radial extension member and the second radial extension member; a thermal sensor coupled to the lens barrel second end portion; a processing module receiving signals from the thermal sensor; and a display coupled to the processing module for displaying a temperature characteristic of a scene, wherein the first radial extension member and the second radial extension member are connected to the housing, and wherein the first radial extension member and the second radial extension member reduce impact forces transferred from the housing to the lens barrel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, further comprising at least one resilient bumper member coupled to the outer housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein at least one of the outer housing and the lens barrel defines an annular groove for receiving a portion of the resilient buffer member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The handheld thermal imager of claim 3, wherein the annular body defines tooth portions, and further wherein the annular groove defines recesses for receiving the tooth portions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein the lens barrel second end is resiliently coupled to the thermal sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The handheld thermal imager of claim 5, further comprising at least one resilient connecting member disposed between the lens barrel second end and the thermal sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The handheld thermal imager of claim 6, wherein the resilient connecting member includes a plurality of resilient grommets. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein the thermal sensor is coupled to the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein the thermal sensor is coupled to the processing module via a flexible cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein the display includes a display panel and a display lens, the display lens separated from the display panel by a resilient gasket member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, further comprising a visual camera assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a handle portion, the handle portion defining a battery receptacle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The handheld thermal imager of claim 12, further comprising a power tool battery pack at least partially received by the battery receptacle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, further comprising a resilient focus ring coupled to the lens. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The handheld thermal imager of claim 14, further comprising a lens cover selectively coupled to the focus ring, the lens cover including a resilient portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The handheld thermal imager of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first housing member and a second housing member, the first housing member and the second housing member joined to define the cavity, the thermal sensor being coupled to the first housing member and not the second housing member. ### Claim 17 An imaging device, comprising: a housing assembly including a first housing member and a second housing member, the first housing member and second housing member defining a cavity; a lens barrel having a first end and a second end, the lens barrel at least partially disposed in the cavity; a resilient buffer including a ring-shaped body, a first radial extension member connected to and extending perpendicularly from the ring-shaped body, and a second radial extension member connected to and extending perpendicularly from the ring-shaped body, the ring-shaped body annularly disposed about the lens barrel between the first end and the second end, the first radial extension member and the second radial extension member coupled to the housing assembly to support the lens barrel within the cavity; a lens coupled to the lens barrel first end; and a thermal sensor resiliently coupled to the lens barrel second end and supported by the first housing member and not the second housing member, wherein the first radial extension member and the second radial extension member reduce impact forces transferred from the housing to the lens barrel.