AN ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENT

Abstract: An electrical measuring instrument has, a casing (1) and a handle (2) consisting of two portions (3,4) spaced apart to form a gap (5). Electrical sockets (8) are located in close proximity to the handle portions (3,4), so that electrical leads connected to the sockets (8) may be inserted through the gap (5), wound longitudinally around the instrument, and held secure by the handle portions (3,4). A casing (1) for the instrument may have storage wells (6,7) for storing probes or crocodile clips, when they are not connected to the leads. The Instrument may also have a hinged stand arrange­ ment (9), which can be accommodated within a groove (10) formed in the casing (1) when not in use.

Description: AN ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENT This invention relates to an electrical measuring instrument. Electrical leads, having either removable crocodile clips or probes on the ends thereof, are generally used in conjunction with such an instrument to provide electrical connection between the instrument and electrical components which are required to be measured. However, such leads, crocodile clips, probes and any other attachments supplied with the instrument, may cause problems to the user, in that these attachments are required to be carried separately from the actual instrument, thus reducing the portability of the instrument from a practical point of view. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a substantially improved electrical measuring instrument. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical measuring instrument including carrying means by which the instrument may be carried, said carrying means comprising first and second handle portions spaced apart from each other so as to provide a gap through which electrical lead attachments for said instrument may be accommodated. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical measuring instrument, according to the preceding paragraph, having a casing provided with storage means for storing attachments for said instrument. The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and, Figure 2 shows a perspective rear view of the embodiment. Figure 1 shows an electrical measuring instrument having a casing 1 and a handle 2 consisting of two portions, 3 and 4 spaced apart to form a gap 5. Each handle portion, 3 and 4, comprises two parts, a first part extending vertically and a second part extending horizontally, the end faces of each second part being in close proximity to each other, so as to define the gap 5. The handle portions, 3 and 4, are preferably co-planar with each other, so that the end faces are parallel to each other. Additionally, the handle portions are preferably disposed in the vertical plane of the instrument. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the instrument shown in Figure 1 and also shows, in addition to the spaced-apart handle portions, 3 and 4, storage wells, 6 and 7, incorporated in the casing l of the instrument. Electrical sockets, one being shown at 8, are also located an the rear of the casing t, in close proximity to the handle portions 3 and 4. Electrical leads (not shown) can be inserted into the sockets 8 so that electrical connection can be made between the instrument and an electrical component, which is required to be measured. The ends of the electrical leads may be provided with such attachments as, for example, crocodile clips or probes to provide electrical contact with the component. When the instrument is required to be carried, the leads connected to the sockets 8 may be inserted through the gap 5 and wound longitudinally around the complete instrument and they are held secure by the handle portions, 3 and 4. The storage wells, 6 and 7, can be used to store spare attachments which are not attached to the ends of the leads. Consequently, for example, if the leads have crocodile clips attached thereto, then the probes may be inserted into the wells, 6 and 7, and stored there until they are required to be used. Conversely, the tubular ends of the crocodile clips may be inserted into wells, 6 and 7, whilst the probes are attached to the ends of the leads. It oan therefore be envisaged that the present invention provides a substantially more compact, and thus more portable, electrical measuring instrument than has been provided heretofore. The instrument may also be provided with a hinged stand arrangement 9, which can easily be accommodated into grooves 10 of the casing 1, when the instrument is being carried.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An electrical measuring instrument including carrying means (3,4) by which the instrument may be carried, characterised in that said carrying means (3,4) comprises first and second handle portions (3,4) spaced apart from each other so as to provide a gap (5) through which electrical lead attachments for said instrument may be accommodated. 2. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein electrical sockets (8) are provided on said instrument, in close proximity to said handle portions (3,4), thereby enabling electrical lead attachments connected to said sockets (8) to be wound longitudinally around said instrument and to be retained therearound by said handle portions (3,4). 3. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each of said handle portions (3,4) consists of a first part extending generally vertically and a second part extending generally horizontally, so that end faces #f said second parts are situated in close proximity to each other, so as to define said gap (5). 4. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in claim 3 wherein said handle portions (3, 4) are co-planar so that said end faces are substantially parallel to each other. 5. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said handle portions are co-planar with a vertical plane of said instrument. 6. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in any preceding claim, and having a casing (1) provided with storage means (6,7) for storing attachments for said instrument. 7. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein said storage means (6,7) consists of wells (6,7) formed in said casing (1). 8. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said attachments include probes and/or crocodile clips for attachment to an end of an electrical lead. 9. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a hinged stand arrangement (9) is provided for said instrument at the rear thereof. 10. An electrical measuring instrument as claimed in claim 9 wherein a groove (10) is formed in a rear side of said instrument for accommodating said stand arrangement (9) when not in use.

Inventors: FRIEND, TERENCE MICHAEL, NICHOLS, PETER GEORGE, TEDD, DAVID CLIFFORD
Applicants: THORN EMI INSTRUMENTS LIMITED
Application year: 1983
Main classification: G01R1
IPC codes: G01D11, G12B9, G01R1