Title: Method and apparatus to extend and retract a temperature indicator stick
Abstract: An apparatus to reposition a temperature indicator stick for welding, metal fabrication, and heat treatment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner chamber to receive a temperature indicator stick therein. An advancement mechanism is positioned about the outer surface of the housing, and is capable of contact with a temperature indicator stick positioned in the chamber of the housing to advance the temperature indicator stick with motion applied to the advancement mechanism.
Patent Number: 6,960,043 Issued on 11/01/2005 to Deonarine
| Inventors:
|
Deonarine; Victor I. (Schaumberg, IL)
|
| Assignee:
|
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (Glenview, IL)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
682780 |
| Filed:
|
October 18, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
403/109.4; 374/160 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G01K 007/06 |
| Field of Search: |
403/1094,109.1,109.2,109.3,109.5
374/160
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cottingham; John R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, SC
Claims
1. An apparatus to reposition a temperature indicator stick, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having an outer surface and an inner chamber to receive a temperature
indicator stick therein; and
an advancement mechanism positioned about the outer surface of the housing and
capable of contact with a temperature indicator stick positioned in the chamber
of the housing to advance the temperature indicator stick with motion applied to
the advancement mechanism.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a resistance mechanism configured
to prevent rotation of the temperature indicator stick.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the advancement mechanism advances the temperature
indicator stick one of into the housing and out of the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein rotatable motion applied to the advancement
mechanism advances the temperature indicator stick.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the temperature indicator stick has at least
one ridge configured to engage the advancement mechanism.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the advancement mechanism has one or more threads.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the housing has a tapered end to align the
temperature indicator stick with the one or more threads.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the advancement mechanism is rotatably fixed
to the housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the advancement mechanism is a collet having threads.
10. A temperature indicator stick extension and retraction apparatus comprising:
means for aligning a temperature indicator stick to permit axial movement; and
means for controlling axial movement of the temperature indicator stick to extend
and retract the temperature indicator stick.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a means far preventing rotational
movement of the temperature indicator stick during the axial movement.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for preventing rotational movement
is a plurality of flanges configured to engage a ridge of the temperature indicator stick.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a means for accumulating residue
of the temperature indicator stick upon axial movement of the temperature indicator stick.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for accumulating residue comprises
forming the temperature indicator stick in a non-circular shape to have a volume
of space in the means for controlling movement of the temperature indicator stick.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for controlling movement of the
temperature indicator stick includes a rotatable collet having a threaded portion
configured to engage the temperature indicator stick.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for controlling allows extension
and retraction of the temperature indicator stick with a single motion.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for aligning a temperature indicator
stick includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner chamber to receive
a temperature indictor stick therein.
18. An apparatus to extend and retract a temperature indicator stick, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having at least one annular ring at one end and adapted to receive
within the housing a temperature indicator stick;
a resistance mechanism secured to the housing to oppose rotational movement of
the temperature indicator stick; and
a collet having threads and rotatably coupled to the at least one annular ring
of the housing, the collet configured to engage the temperature indicator stick
upon rotation of the collet about the housing.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein a pair of annular rings couples the collet
to the housing.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the resistance mechanism includes a series
of flanges connected to an interior of the housing.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the temperature indicator stick has at
least one ridge configured to engage the threads upon rotation of the collet to
cause one of extension and retraction of the temperature indicator stick from the housing.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the housing is contoured at one end to
align the threads of the collet with the at least one ridge of the temperature
indicator stick.
23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the temperature indicator stick is ovally shaped.
24. An apparatus to reposition a temperature indicator stick, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having an inner chamber directed along a generally longitudinal axis
to receive a temperature indicator stick therein; and
a transducer which is mounted to the housing and rotatable about the generally
longitudinal axis, the transducer engaging the temperature indicator stick to convert
such rotatable motion to linear repositioning of the temperature indicator stick
along the generally longitudinal axis.
25. A kit to reposition a temperature indicator stick, the kit comprising:
a housing having an inner chamber to receive a first indicator stick, the first
indicator stick being shortened in normal use;
an advancement mechanism proximate to the housing and capable of contact with
the first temperature indicator stick positioned in the inner chamber of the housing
to advance the first temperature indicator stick with motion applied to the advancement
mechanism; and
a second indicator stick which may replace the first indicator stick in the inner
chamber.
26. An apparatus to reposition a temperature indicator stick, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having an inner chamber to receive a temperature indicator stick therein;
and
means for advancing the temperature indicator stick by a rotating motion about
the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to temperature indicators, and more particularly,
to an apparatus and method to extend and retract a temperature indictor stick.
Temperature indicators are well known in the welding, metal fabrication,
and heat treatment industries. Such products are capable of determining surface
temperatures during welding and metal fabrication processes. The products have
also found use in heat-treatment processes, and can determine operating temperatures
of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems and components, such as transformers
and motors.
Initially, temperature sensing was conducted by sprinkling a few granules
of a known compound on an object. When the granules melted, the desired temperature
was achieved. Later, pellets were introduced to make marks similar to a chalk mark
on a surface of the object rather than observing the entire pellet melt. Further
improvements led from a pellet to a chalk stick, which is protected in a housing
that includes an adjustable holder for positioning the temperature indicator stick
relative to the housing.
One known temperature indicator includes a housing having a rimmed end and a
flanged end. A temperature indicator stick is inserted into the housing through
the flanged end and prevented from leaving the housing by the rimmed end. The stick
also has an outer casing or holder that is threaded into the housing and encloses
the flanges.
The outer casing is tapered to constrict the flanges and lock the temperature
indicator stick in a fixed position with a portion of the temperature indicator
stick extending from the housing. Normal use of the temperature indicator stick
by an operator causes a decrease in the portion of the temperature indicator stick
extending from the housing, and eventually necessitates further advancement of
the temperature indicator stick by the operator for continued temperature detection.
Problems exist with the current state of the art of temperature indicators.
Existing holders for temperature indicators are not satisfactory. Such holders
are often limited in their ability to fix the temperature indicator stick in position.
When the stick is used by an operator, pressure exerted on the end of the stick
during marking causes the stick to retract into the housing. Generally, the operator
must unscrew the outer casing, reposition the temperature indicator stick, and
then retighten the outer casing to continue marking objects. Other known methods
of marking an object such as using the temperature indicator stick without a housing
and holder are also unsatisfactory. Since the temperature indicator stick is fragile
and clutched by the operator using a heat-resistant glove, the temperature indicator
stick can be easily broken resulting in material waste. Furthermore, inscriptions
on housings are useful to provide a particular temperature rating of the temperature
indicator stick, which is critical to properly identifying the surface or operating
temperatures of the object under evaluation.
There is a need for an apparatus and method capable of fixing a temperature
indicator stick in position during the marking of objects for temperature detection.
It would therefore be desirable to have a more efficient temperature indicator
than current indicator configurations by coupling a collet having a threaded portion
to a housing such that threads of the collet engage a temperature indicator stick.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method to extend and retract
a temperature indicator stick used to detect a temperature of an object to overcome
the aforementioned concerns.
The present invention includes an apparatus that extends and retracts a temperature
indicator stick configured to identify a particular temperature. In one embodiment,
the apparatus includes a threaded collet rotatably secured to a housing and capable
of moving the temperature indicator stick in an axial direction as threads of the
collet contact the temperature indicator stick. Flanges within the housing are
also used to further limit movement of the temperature indicator stick.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to reposition
a temperature indicator stick is disclosed and includes a housing having an outer
surface and an inner chamber to receive a temperature indicator stick therein.
The apparatus also includes an advancement mechanism positioned about the outer
surface of the housing and capable of contact with a temperature indicator stick
positioned in the chamber of the housing to advance the temperature indicator stick
with motion applied to the advancement mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a temperature indicator
stick extension and retraction apparatus includes a means for aligning a temperature
indicator stick to permit axial movement. The apparatus further includes a means
for controlling axial movement of the temperature indicator stick to extend and
retract the temperature indicator stick.
In a further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to extend and retract
a temperature indicator stick includes a housing having at least one annular ring
at one end and adapted to receive within the housing a temperature indicator stick.
The apparatus also has a resistance mechanism secured to the housing to oppose
rotational movement of the temperature indicator stick. Additionally, the apparatus
includes a collet having threads and rotatably coupled to the at least one annular
ring of the housing, the collet configured to engage the temperature indicator
stick upon rotation of the collet about the housing.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will
be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying
out the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side, elevational view of an apparatus to extend and retract a temperature
indicator stick in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 2 taken along line 3—3
of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4—4 of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5—5 of
FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various temperature detection monitors are used by the welding, metal fabrication
and heat treatment industries to measure temperatures of materials. Determining
surface temperatures is critical during welding and metal fabrication processes,
such as pre-heat and post-weld heat treatment. Temperature monitoring is also important
for determining operating temperatures of various mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic
systems and components. These components, such as a transformer, can be destroyed
or alternatively have their device characteristics substantially altered if the
components are not manufactured within a specified temperature range.
Several detection devices and methods exist to determine surface and operating
temperatures. Some devices use gauges or electronic components having thermistors,
whereas others use chemical compounds formed as temperature indicator sticks that
feed through mechanical temperature indicators. Although each of these detection
devices has advantages, temperature indicators have been found to be particularly
useful due to their ease of use and inexpensive cost.
Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of an apparatus
10 to reposition
a temperature indicator stick
12 is shown. The temperature indicator stick
is rated to measure a specified temperature, which is commonly marked on an outer
or exterior surface
13 of a housing
14 having an inner chamber
15
to receive a temperature indicator stick
12 therein. Often, a kit is provided
containing a series of temperature indicator sticks having different temperature
ranges along with the apparatus
10. Often, the housing
14 is formed
of a lightweight material, such as aluminum. An advancement mechanism
16
is positioned about the outer surface
13 of the housing
14 and is
capable of contact with a temperature indicator stick
12 positioned in the
chamber
15 of the housing
14 to advance the temperature indicator
stick
12 with motion applied to the advancement mechanism or transducer
16. In a preferred embodiment, the advancement mechanism
16 is a
rotatable collet that connects or mounts to a tapered end
18 of the housing
14 and has finger grips
20 to facilitate collet rotation. Rotational
motion applied to the collet
16 by hand or other means in the direction
of arrows
22 (clockwise) causes the temperature indicator stick
12
to linearly reposition or move in a direction of arrows
24 to permit use
of an end
26 of the temperature indicator stick
12 for marking objects.
In use, an operator can rotate the collet
16 with a single motion, such
as one turn, or as desired to extend the temperature indicator stick
12
out of the housing
14. If the operator rotates the collet
16 in the
reverse direction, opposite to arrow
22, then the temperature indicator
stick
12 retracts into the housing
14 in a direction opposite to
arrow
24. Such a design of the housing
14 and advancement mechanism
16 provides a means for inserting replacement temperature indicator sticks
into the inner chamber
15 of the apparatus
10. That is, a first temperature
indicator stick rated at a specified temperature may be replaced by a second temperature
indicator stick rated at the same specified temperature or a different temperature.
The apparatus can also include a pocket clip
28 configured to be adjustable
along the housing
14 that permits attachment of the apparatus
10
to clothing apparel.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the temperature indicator or apparatus
10.
An interior surface
30 of the housing
14 has a series of flanges
32 secured thereto and extending therefrom that encircle the temperature
indicator stick
12. The flanges or resistance mechanism
32 opposes
rotational movement of the temperature indicator stick
12 in the direction
shown by arrow
22 of FIG. 1 as well as the reverse rotational direction.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 2 taken along
line
3-
3 of FIG. 2 shows the housing
14 having a pair of annular
rings
34. The collet
16 is coupled to the pair of annular rings
34
permitting rotation of the collet
16 about the housing
14. The advancement
mechanism or collet
16 has one or more threads
36 that engages the
temperature indicator stick
12 as the collet
16 rotates in a clockwise
direction
38. Rotation of the collet
16 in the direction of arrows
38 causes the temperature indicator stick
12 to extend from the housing
14 along a generally longitudinal axis
39 in the direction of arrow
40. During rotation, the threads
36 of the collet
16 cause
the temperature indicator stick
12 to be threaded along at least a portion
of an outer surface
42. Collet threads
36 prevent movement of the
temperature indicator stick
12 in a direction opposite to arrow
40
unless the collet
16 is rotated in a reverse direction, that is, opposite
to arrows
38. Preferably, the inner chamber
15 is directed along
the generally longitudinal axis
39 to receive a temperature indicator stick
12 therein. In alternative embodiments, the contoured end
18 of the
housing
14 may include a single annular ring
34 connectable to the
advancement mechanism
16 or more than two annular rings. Alternatively,
the advancement mechanism
16 can be rotatably fixed to the housing
14.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
4—
4 of
FIG.
1. Flanges
32 connect to the interior surface
30 of the
housing
14. The temperature indicator stick
12 is aligned by each
of the flanges
32 along axis
39, and has a generally oval shape.
The temperature indicator stick
12 further includes a pair of ridges
44
that engage a side edge
46 of the flanges
32 to oppose or prevent
rotational movement of the temperature indicator stick
12 in a direction
of arrows
48. The contoured housing
14 assists in aligning the collet
16 with the ridges
44 of the temperature indicator stick
12.
Additionally, the alignment of the temperature indicator stick
12 along
axis
39 permits engagement between the ridges
44 and the threaded
member or collet
16.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the temperature indicator stick
12
partially threaded and is taken along line
5—
5 of FIG.
1.
Rotation of the collet
16 in the direction of arrows
48 causes the
collet threads
36 to engage the ridge
44 of the temperature indicator
stick
12, which results in extension or retraction of the temperature indicator
stick
12. During the threading process, residue of the temperature indicator
stick
12 is removed and deposited into a volume of space or air pocket
50.
Preferably, the temperature indicator stick
12 has two ridges
44
and is oval-shaped to provide space
50 for temperature indicator stick residue.
In one embodiment, the threads
36 are configured to engage only the ridges
44 to create less temperature indicator stick residue. Other embodiments
are also contemplated wherein the temperature indicator stick
12 has other
non-circular shapes and are within the scope of the present invention.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to reposition
a temperature indicator stick is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having
an outer surface and an inner chamber to receive a temperature indicator stick
therein. The apparatus also includes an advancement mechanism positioned about
the outer surface of the housing. The advancement mechanism is capable of contact
with a temperature indicator stick positioned in the chamber of the housing. The
advancement mechanism is also capable of advancing the temperature indicator stick
with motion applied to the advancement mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a temperature indicator
stick extension and retraction apparatus includes a means for aligning a temperature
indicator stick to permit axial movement, such as a housing having a tapered end.
The apparatus further includes a means for controlling axial movement of the temperature
indicator stick to extend and retract the temperature indicator stick. In one embodiment,
the means for controlling axial movement includes a rotatable collet capable of
being turned by hand to extend or retract the temperature indicator stick.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to extend and retract
a temperature indicator stick configured to measure a particular temperature includes
a housing having at least one annular ring at one end and adapted to receive within
the housing a temperature indicator stick. The apparatus also has a resistance
mechanism, such as flanges, secured to the housing to oppose rotational movement
of the temperature indicator stick. Additionally, the apparatus includes a collet
having threads and rotatably coupled to the at least one annular ring of the housing.
The collet is configured to engage the temperature indicator stick upon hand or
other rotation of the collet about the housing.
In a further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to reposition a temperature
indicator stick comprises a housing having an inner chamber directed along a generally
longitudinal axis to receive a temperature indicator stick therein and a transducer
which is mounted to the housing and rotatable about the generally longitudinal
axis, the transducer engaging the temperature indicator stick to convert such rotatable
motion to linear repositioning of the temperature indicator stick along the generally
longitudinal axis.
In another aspect of the present invention, a kit to reposition a temperature
indicator stick, the kit comprising a housing having an inner chamber to receive
a first indicator stick, the first indicator stick being shortened in normal use
and an advancement mechanism proximate to the housing. The advancement mechanism
is capable of contact with the first temperature indicator stick positioned in
the inner chamber of the housing to advance the first temperature indicator stick
with motion applied to the advancement mechanism. The kit also has a second indicator
stick which may replace the first indicator stick in the inner chamber.
In a final aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to reposition a temperature
indicator stick comprises a housing having an inner chamber to receive a temperature
indicator stick therein and a means for advancing the temperature indicator stick
by a rotating motion about the housing.
The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment,
and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from
those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.
*
