Abstract:
A continuity testing device has a probe element for contacting a conductor. A continuity testing circuit is coupled to the probe element. The continuity testing circuit has at least one of a vibrating or audible sensor to indicate electrical continuity of the conductor. A grounding wire is coupled to the continuity testing circuit. The grounding wire has a magnetic contact coupled thereto to ground the continuity testing device to any ferrous metallic grounded element. A housing is provided for holding and storing the probe element and the continuity testing circuit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application entitled “CONTINUITY TESTER WITH MAGNETIC GROUND”, filed on Apr. 16, 2004, having a Ser. No. 60/562,951, and in the name of Fleming et al. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to testing equipment and, more specifically, to a continuity tester which uses a magnet for grounding the continuity tester and which further has two separate signaling devices for indicating electrical continuity of an electrical conductor.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     In general, a continuity tester is used to determine whether or not circuit continuity exists between probe points, an electrical conductor, etc. Most continuity testers have one or more probes. The probe is coupled in series with a source of potential. If continuity exists, a lamp unit in the continuity tester will illuminate indicating continuity is established. If no continuity exists, the light will fail to illuminate.  
         [0006]     While current continuity testers do work, they have several drawbacks. First, when using the continuity tester outdoors, it is difficult to tell if the lamp unit is illuminated. This is due to the fact that sunlight shining on the lamp unit makes it difficult to tell if the lamp unit is illuminated. In order to solve this problem, most people generally have to cover the lamp unit with one&#39;s hand in order to block out the sunlight. This can be extremely inconvenient to a user especially if one&#39;s hands are full. A second problem with current continuity testers has to do with grounding. Most current continuity testers use a clip for coupling the continuity tester to ground. A problem arises if the clip is too small to attach to a grounded element. For example, an alligator clip can only be open a certain distance. If the thickness of the grounding element is bigger than the opening of the alligator clip, then another grounding element needs to be found in order to ground the continuity tester.  
         [0007]     Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved continuity tester. The improved continuity tester must over come the problems associated with prior art continuity testers. The improved continuity tester must have a way of signaling a user that continuity exists in a conductor when the continuity tester is used outdoors or in areas where there is bright light. The improved continuity tester must further have a way of more effectively grounding the continuity tester.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved continuity tester.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved continuity tester that over comes the problems associated with prior art continuity testers.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved continuity tester that has a way of signaling a user that continuity exists in a conductor when the continuity tester is used outdoors or in areas where there is bright light.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved continuity tester that has a way of more effectively grounding the continuity tester.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a continuity testing device is disclosed. The continuity testing device has a probe element for contacting a conductor. A continuity testing circuit is coupled to the probe element. The continuity testing circuit has at least one of a vibrating or audible sensor to indicate electrical continuity of the conductor. A grounding wire is coupled to the continuity testing circuit. The grounding wire has a magnetic contact coupled thereto to ground the continuity testing device to any ferrous metallic grounded element. A housing is provided for holding and storing the probe element and the continuity testing circuit.  
         [0013]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a continuity testing device is disclosed. The continuity testing device has a probe element for contacting a conductor. A continuity testing circuit is coupled to the probe element. The continuity testing circuit has at least one of a vibrating or audible sensor to indicate electrical continuity of the conductor and a visual signal to indicate electrical continuity of the conductor. A grounding wire is coupled to the continuity testing circuit. The grounding wire has a magnetic contact coupled thereto to ground the continuity testing device to any metallic grounded element. A clamp connector is also coupled to the grounding wire to ground the continuity testing device to any grounded element. A housing is provided for holding and storing the probe element and the continuity testing circuit.  
         [0014]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of the continuity tester of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the continuity tester of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the continuity tester of the present invention with a spring connector coupled to the probe.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the continuity tester of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is top view of the grounding magnet used in the continuity tester of the present invention showing the internal wire connections.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the grounding magnet depicted in  FIG. 5 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     Referring to the  FIGS. 1-4  a continuity tester  10  is shown. The continuity tester  10  is used to determine whether or not circuit continuity exists in an electrical conductor. The continuity tester  10  has a main body section  12 . The main body section  12  is comprised of a hollow container  14 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the hollow container  14  is shaped as an elongated tube. However, the hollow container  14  can come in other shapes and sizes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0023]     The hollow container  14  is generally made of a lightweight and sturdy material that is non-conductive. A material such as a plastic, fiberglass, or the like is used. The listing of the above are given as examples and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0024]     The hollow container  14  has an open top surface  14 A. The open top surface  14 A allows one to insert and store the internal circuitry  16  of the continuity tester  10  inside the hollow container  14 . One or more indentations  18  may be formed on the exterior of the hollow container  14 . The indentations  18  will form a hand grip so that a user may form a tighter grip around the continuity tester  10 . The hollow container  14  will have a small opening  20  located at a bottom end  14 B of the hollow container  14 . The opening  20  is used to allow a grounding wire  22  to extend out of the hollow container  14 .  
         [0025]     A grip  22  is coupled to the open top surface  14 A of the hollow container  14 . The grip  22  is used to secure a probe  24  to the hollow container  14 . The grip  22  is further used to help a person get a firmer hold on the continuity tester  10 . The grip  22  is generally formed of a nonconductive material, slip resistant material. In general, rubber or a like material is used.  
         [0026]     The grip  22  will have an opening  22 A located at a top surface thereof. The opening  22 A is used to secure the probe  24  to the grip  22 . A second opening  22 B is located at a bottom surface of the grip  22 . The second opening  22 B is used to secure the grip  22  to the hollow container  14 . The second opening  22 B will generally fit over the open top surface  14 A of the hollow container  14 . In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the seconding opening  22 B will have ridges formed along an interior surface thereof. The ridges will mate with ridges formed on an exterior surface of the open top surface  14 A thus allowing the grip  22  to be rotatably coupled to the hollow container  14 .  
         [0027]     The probe  24  is comprised of a needle  26 . The needle  26  is used to contact an electric conductor when checking for electrical continuity. The needle  26  is generally made out of a conductive metallic material. A housing  28  is coupled to a lower end section of the needle  26 . The housing  28  is generally conical in shape. However, other shapes may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The housing  28  will have a small opening  28 A located at a top section thereof. The opening  28 A is where the needle  26  is inserted into the housing  28 . A tubular member  30  extends out of a bottom section  28 B of the housing  28 . The tubular member  30  is used for two purposes. First, the tubular member  30  is used to couple the housing  28  to the grip  22 . The tubular member  30  is inserted into the opening  22 A of the grip  22 . The tubular member  30  is further used to hold a spring contact  32 . The spring contact  32  being slid over the tubular member  30 . The tubular member  30  is generally made out of the same material as the housing  28 .  
         [0028]     A continuity testing circuit  34  is stored inside the hollow container  14 . The continuity testing circuit  34  is coupled to the needle  26  via the spring contact  32 . As seen more clearly in  FIG. 4 , a conductor  36  has a first end coupled to the needle  26  and a second end coupled to the spring contact  32 . The continuity testing circuit  34  is also coupled to the spring contact  32 . The continuity testing circuit  34  has a vibration and/or buzzing unit  38 . The vibration and/or buzzing unit  38  will vibrate and/or make an audible signal when continuity exists in a conductor when testing. A light signaling device  40  is coupled in parallel to the vibration and/or buzzing unit  38 . The light signaling device  40  will give a visual signal when continuity exists in the conductor when testing. A small opening  40 A is formed in the hollow container  14  so that the light signaling device  40  may extend through and be seen by a user. In general, the vibration and/or buzzing unit  38  and the light signaling device  40  are low voltage devices that operate in the 6-12 volt range. The low voltage from the electrical conductor under test is used to power these devices. In order to prevent an over load on the vibration and/or buzzing unit  38  and the light signaling device  40 , a resistive element may be coupled to the vibration and/or buzzing unit  38  and the light signaling device  40 . By having two different signaling devices, a user will be more aware if continuity exists in a conductor. The vibration and/or buzzing unit  38  are especially beneficial when testing a conductor outside and the sunlight is too bright and hinders visibility of the light signaling device  40 .  
         [0029]     A grounding wire  22  extends off of the continuity testing circuit  34 . A magnetic contact  41  is coupled to the grounding wire  22 . As may be seen more clearly in  FIG. 5  and  6 , a channeling  42  is formed in the magnetic contact  41 . The insulation  22 A of the ground wire  22  is partially striped to reveal a conductor  22 B. The conductor  22 B is coupled to the magnetic contact  41 . This will allow the magnetic contact  41  to be placed on a grounded ferrous metallic object to ground the continuity tester  10 . A clamp connector  43  is also coupled to the ground wire  22 . The clamp connector  43  is also used to ground the continuity tester  10 . By having two separate grounding units, it is much easier to ground the continuity tester  10 . The magnetic contact  41  will allow one to ground the continuity tester to any ferrous metallic grounded object.  
         [0030]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.