Apparatus for holding a thermometer

Claim 2

Apparatus for holding a stem thermometer comprising: a housing forming an internal region, said housing having first means defining a first opening for connection to a source of fluid, second means defining a second opening for exit of said fluid, third means defining a third opening for receiving the inner end portion of a stem thermometer, and a stem-receiving portion positioned on a side of said internal region opposite said third opening, said stem-receiving portion having an elongated recess with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end sealed against the outflow of water, said elongated recess of said stem-receiving portion having a diameter greater than said third opening and oriented at an angle of more than 90* with said first means so that it extends with a downstream component with respect to fluid flowing from said first means to said second means, whereby fluid flowing between said first and second openings can readily flow about the portion of the stem in said stem-receiving portion.

Claim 3

The apparatus as described in claim 1 including: a thermometer with an elongated stem, said thermometer having an end with dial means thereon for indicating temperature, said elongated stem extending therefrom for contacting fluid whose temperature is to be measured, said thermometer also including fastening means positioned around said stem for rapid attachment and removal from said third means on said housing, said stem having a length passing through said third means, said internal region and at least partially into said stem-receiving portion.

Claim 4

Apparatus for holding a stem thermometer comprising: a housing having an internal region, a first end portion defining a passageway with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end for coupling to a fluid source, a second end portion opposite said first end portion and defining a passageway with an inner end communicating with said internal region and an outer end for discharging fluid, a third end portion located between said first and second end portions and defining a passageway with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end for receiving a stem thermometer, said passageway of said third end portion oriented at an angle of less than 90* with said passageway of said first end portion, and a fourth end portion located opposite said third end portion and substantially aligned with it, said fourth end portion defining a passageway having a diameter greater than the narrowest diameter of said third end portion and which has an inner end in communication with said internal region of said fitting body and an outer end which is sealed against the outflow of fluid, whereby fluid flowing between said first and second openings can readily flow about the portion of the stem in said passageway of said fourth end portion.

Claim 5

Apparatus for holding a stem thermometer comprising: a housing having an internal region, a first end portion defining a passageway with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end for coupling to a fluid source, a second end portion opposite said first end portion and defining a passageway with an inner end communicating with said internal region and an outer end for discharging fluid, a third end portion located between said first and second end portions and defining a passageway with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end for receiving a stem thermometer, said passageway of said third end portion oriented at an angle of less than 90* with said passageway of said first end portion, and a fourth end portion located opposite said third end portion and substantially aligned with it, said fourth end portion defining a passageway having a diameter greater than the narrowest diameter of said third end portion and which has an inner end in communication with said internal region of said fitting body and an outer end which is sealed against the outflow of fluid, whereby fluid flowing between said first and second openings can readily flow about the portion of the stem in said passageway of said fourth end portion.

Claim 6

The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein: said passageways of said first and third end portions are angled at less than about 75* from each other.

Claim 7

The apparatus described in claim 3 including: a thermometer having a portion for reception in said outer end of said third end portion, an elongated stem extending from said portion of said thermometer for reception in said internal region of said housing and said passageway of said fourth end portion for contacting a fluid stream passing through said housing, said housing including fastening means for rapid attachment and removal of said thermometer from said third end portion, said stem having a length sufficient to pass completely through said third end portion and said internal region, and at least partially into said passageway of said fourth end portion.

Claim 8

Apparatus for holding a stem thermometer comprising: a housing forming an internal region, said housing having first means with an outer end constructed for coupling to a household faucet so that said housing hangs down from said faucet, second means defining an opening for directing water downwardly into any sink that is positioned below the faucet, third means defining an opening for receiving the inner end portion of a stem thermometer, and a stem-receiving portion positioned on a side of said internal region opposite said third opening, said stem-receiving portion having an elongated recess with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end sealed against the outflow of water, said third means including a tubular portion extending on the order of 15* upwardly from the horizontal when said housing is positioned on a faucet so that said opening of said second means is directly below said first opening, whereby to facilitate reading of the thermometer.

Claim 9

Apparatus for holding a stem thermometer comprising: a housing forming an internal region, said housing having first means with an outer end constructed for coupling to a household faucet so that said housing hangs down from said faucet, second means defining an opening for directing water downwardly into any sink that is positioned below the faucet, third means defining an opening for receiving the inner end portion of a stem thermometer, and a stem-receiving portion positioned on a side of said internal region opposite said third opening, said stem-receiving portion having an elongated recess with an inner end in fluid communication with said internal region and an outer end sealed against the outflow of water, said third means including a tubular portion extending on the order of 15* upwardly from the horizontal when said housing is positioned on a faucet so that said opening of said second means is directly below said first opening, whereby to facilitate reading of the thermometer.