Combination temperature, wind and chill factor instrument

An integral hand held measuring device for indicating air temperature, wind velocity and a method of determining wind chill factor having the temperature indicated by a glass bulb thermometer, the air speed by a swinging pendulum indicator and the chill factor ascertained by printed matter affixed therefore to the body of the invention, the body of which encloses and protects the instrument and is composed of a metallic or non-metallic structure of convenient size to be transported and carried by the user.

This invention relates to the indication and measurement of the ambient 
temperature and wind velocity along with a method of easily determining 
the wind chill factor more particularly to a combined instrument embodying 
all of the said functions in a single unit. 
Indication of temperature is readily achieved through a number of common 
well know state-of-the-art devices such as a glass bulb, bi-metal, vapor 
tension thermometer, pyrometer, and the like, however, wind velocity is 
not that easily obtained as prior art requires a scientific type 
instrument such as an aneometer, velometer, flow meter, etc., which in 
most cases, are not commonly found in general public use and may be large, 
bulky, costly and sometimes require further calculation to reduce 
indicated data to common terms of wind speed. 
Further the so-called "wind chill factor" is determined by utilizing a 
combination of the actual dry bulb air temperature and the wind speed 
which is an indication of the heat removal effect of the wind to a mass at 
a given temperature with its equivalent or so-called effective temperature 
in still air. This charted data was developed by scientists and appeared 
in printed publication over three decades ago and is in common usage 
today. 
Previously as noted two separate instruments and a chart were required to 
obtain the desired temperature. This information is important especially 
in adverse weather conditions and with some winter sports where these 
factors may have a deleterious effect on the human body. 
With the foregoing in mind it becomes the primary object of the invention 
to provide an instrument that will at one time indicate the prevailing 
ambient temperature, wind velocity and chill factor. 
An important object is the usage of an accurate glass bulb liquid filled 
thermometer of the type in ordinary use, embodied in the invention with 
graduated means, to determine accurately indicated conditions. 
A more specific object is the utilization of a simple free swinging 
pendulum effected by air velocity to indicate visually the actual wind 
speed. While the use of a pendulum is an age old principle the application 
of ulilizing this device as effected by a compressible fluid passing over 
the surface causing the bob end to move in a predetermined manner is 
indeed unique and novel. 
A still further object of the invention is the provision of an instrument, 
of the nature referred to, which can be readily and quickly read and 
calculated at a single glance. 
Another object of the invention provided simple two-piece construction of a 
metalic or non-metalic structure, with the attachment thereof provided by 
conventional threaded or upset fasteners. The structure or body also 
provides a light weight rugged enclosure to protect the fragile components 
and moving parts from damage and rough treatment. 
Yet another object provides an instrument of a size and weight to be easily 
and conveniently carried in the users pocket or bag.

Referring now, in detail, to the drawings and describing the preferred 
embodiment of the invention which consists of a body part 10 preferrably 
in two similar and joining pieces of a metalic or non-metalic material 
fabricated by forming, casting, stamping and the like with the right angle 
mating surfaces 16 so positioned as to be fastened together forming 
structural ends to the body. The attachment thereof consists of openings 
of sufficient size to accept fastening means 14 such as conventional sheet 
metal screws, rivets, threaded fasteners, etc. The body configuration 
incorporates enclosed ends 16 to protect the instrumentation and open 
sides 18 to allow the airflow to pass unrestricted across the pendulum 20. 
The body also provides a suitable surface to affix the wind chill factor 
indication 22 either integral with the structure as raised or recessed 
characters or printed on the surface in opposed color or texture. The 
obverse side may contain other pertinent or relevant data displayed in 
like manner. 
The temperature indicating instrumentation consists of liquid expansion 
thermometer preferrably a glass bulb type 24 mounted with the indicating 
side directly against the body opening and in intimate contact with a 
compressable resilient material 26, best depicted in FIG. 4, providing a 
surface surrounding the instruments on all sides allowing continuous 
pressure to hold the instrument in place and absorb shock loads from 
external origins. The resilient material 26 is preferrably a closed cell 
synthetic sponge or the like with perhaps pressure sensitive adhesive on 
one side to bond the instrument 24 to the body 10. Further the shank of 
the thermometer 24 being located under the external surface of the body 
provides additional mechanical protection on the exposed side yet allows 
visual indication through the mating opening 28. The calibration 
graduation for the thermometer 24 is indicated in like manner as the wind 
chill factor information 22 being located in close proximity to the 
opening in the body 28 allowing a quick and easily read indication of 
temperature at the head of the column of expandable liquid in the 
thermometer. 
The air flow indication utilizes a free swinging pendulum 20, enclosed 
within the confines of the body 10 limiting its movement to a radial 
direction parallel with the body. The pendulum 20 consists of an attaching 
bearing surface 30 with a thin metalic edge, to reduce friction, attached 
to a bob 34 with a right angle apperature or indication together with a 
connecting link 20' of rigid or semi-rigid material. The entire pendulum 
20 attaches to a cylindrical insert 32 that is flanged at both ends and 
allows the pendulum to swing freely with only the mechanical resistance of 
the thin edge bearing surface 30 to the insert 32. The free movement of 
the pendulum 20 is therefore dependant upon the wind or air movement to 
impinge directly upon the unobstructed pendulum 20 moving within an arc 
shaped opening 36 in the body of the invention. This opening 36 limits the 
arc movement of the pendulum 20 at either end and the edges 38 further 
contain the bob within the enclosure 10. Air flow tests indicate the 
pendulum 20 is responsive to air movement and repeatable, within 
limitations, so as to calibrate a scale 39 orienting the movement of the 
pendulum to air speed allowing visual indication. The scale is affixed to, 
or permanently marked with raised or recessed characters or opposed in 
color on the body surface 10. The pendulum operates in opposition to the 
resistance of the fluid flow to gravity within an arc therefore in this 
preferred embodiment the instrument is positioned horizontally with the 
pendulum vertical and hand held in the air stream with the edges 
unobstructed. 
The wind chill factor indication 22 consists of a visual chart utilizing 
input of air speed and temperature with the corresponding chill factor or 
dry bulb equivalent temperature depicted in a matrix with the input 
ordinates on the left side and the top. The chart is affixed to the body 
in like manner as the said air flow indication. 
In view of the foregoing description it is believed that a clear 
understanding of the invention will be quite apparent to those skilled in 
the art. While the invention has been described in complete detail and 
pictorially shown in the accompanying drawing it is not to be limited to 
such details since changes and modifications may be in the invention 
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence it is described 
to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the 
language and scope of the appended claims: