US3855866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermometer readout means
Assignee: THERMEX
•
Filing: 1972-07-06
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A readout device for use with a thermometer for facilitating determination of the thermometer reading and also to retain the determined indication notwithstanding a subsequent change in the indicator reading. The readout means may define a magnifying lens for facilitating the readout and includes resilient gripping means for retaining the readout means adjustably on the thermometer stem. The readout means may be adjusted while the thermometer is in the patient''s body orifice. The thermometer includes a metal bulb secured to one end of the stem to provide a sealed connection therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 J Klinger
- 👤 J Terrill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/04; G01K1/06; G01K1/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
In a thermometer having a reservoir bulb defining an insertion portion to be inserted into a body orifice and a stem formed of resilient material defining a reading portion substantially rectangular in transverse cross section exposed exteriorly of the body orifice when said insert portion is inserted thereinto, said bulb being sealingly fitted to one end of said stem, said stem defining a capillary bore opening to said reservoir bulb, indicator liquid in tHe reservoir bulb and defining a column extending into said capillary bore responsive to temperature changes to provide a variable positioning of the top of the column, and scale means on the stem reading portion, readout means providing a maintained location indication of said column top corresponding to a reading temperature notwithstanding a subsequent lowering of said column top therefrom due to subjecting the thermometer to a temperature lower than the reading temperature prior to effecting the reading of the thermometer, said readout means comprises a molded plastic flanged element partially surrounding the stem and having a reference indicator and being readily adjustably positionable on the stem reading portion to align said reference indicator accurately with said column top while said insert portion of the stem is retained in the body orifice, said element having a mounting slot complementary to said stem reading portion providing a sliding frictional fit of said element on said stem reading portion, said element further having a convex protuberance for facilitated fingertip manipulation thereof in effecting the adjustable positioning on said stem, said protuberance defining a magnifying lens providing a magnified image of said reference indicator, said column top, and said scale, the resiliency of the stem serving to maintain said element in the adjusted position to provide a maintained indication of the sensed temperature notwithstanding a subsequent change in the position of said column top upon removal of the insert portion from the body orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
In a thermometer having a reservoir bulb defining an insertion portion to be inserted into a body orifice and a stem formed of resilient material defining a reading portion substantially rectangular in transverse cross section exposed exteriorly of the body orifice when said insert portion is inserted thereinto, said bulb being sealingly fitted to one end of said stem, said stem defining a capillary bore opening to said reservoir bulb, indicator liquid in tHe reservoir bulb and defining a column extending into said capillary bore responsive to temperature changes to provide a variable positioning of the top of the column, and scale means on the stem reading portion, readout means providing a maintained location indication of said column top corresponding to a reading temperature notwithstanding a subsequent lowering of said column top therefrom due to subjecting the thermometer to a temperature lower than the reading temperature prior to effecting the reading of the thermometer, said readout means comprises a molded plastic flanged element partially surrounding the stem and having a reference indicator and being readily adjustably positionable on the stem reading portion to align said reference indicator accurately with said column top while said insert portion of the stem is retained in the body orifice, said element having a mounting slot complementary to said stem reading portion providing a sliding frictional fit of said element on said stem reading portion, said element further having a convex protuberance for facilitated fingertip manipulation thereof in effecting the adjustable positioning on said stem, said protuberance defining a magnifying lens providing a magnified image of said reference indicator, said column top, and said scale, the resiliency of the stem serving to maintain said element in the adjusted position to provide a maintained indication of the sensed temperature notwithstanding a subsequent change in the position of said column top upon removal of the insert portion from the body orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 1 wherein said readout element comprises a transparent element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 1 wherein said bulb is formed of a metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 1 wherein said reference indicator means defines a two-to-one magnifying lens providing a magnified image of said reference indication and said column top.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 1 wherein said readout element has a lateral extent approximately twice the extent of said stem laterally of the scale means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 1 wherein the lateral side edges of said readout element are arcuate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
294 words
In a thermometer having a reservoir bulb defining an insertion portion to be inserted into a body orifice and a stem formed of a molded plastic defining a reading portion exposed exteriorly of the body orifice when said insert portion is inserted thereinto, said bulb being sealingly fitted to one end of said stem, said stem defining a capillary bore opening to said reservoir bulb at one end of the stem and opening outwardly through the opposite end of the stem, indicator liquid in the reservoir bulb and defining a column extending into said capillary bore responsive to temperature changes to provide a variable positioning of the top of the column in said capillary bore, and scale means on the stem reading portion, readout means providing a maintained location indication of said column top corresponding to a reading temperature notwithstanding a subsequent lowering of said column top therefrom due to subjecting the thermometer to a temperature lower than the reading temperature prior to effecting the reading of the thermometer, said readout means comprising a molded plastic element having a reference indicator and being readily adjustably positionable on the stem reading portion to align said reference indicator accurately with said column top while said insert portion of the stem is retained in the body orifice, said element having inturned flange portions embracing the stem in a sliding frictional fit on said stem reading portion, said element further defining a magnifying lens providing a magnified image of said reference indicator, said column top, and said scale, said frictional fit maintaining said element in the adjusted position to provide a maintained indication of the sensed temperature notwithstanding a subsequent change iN the position of said column top upon removal of the insert portion from the body orifice.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
294 words
In a thermometer having a reservoir bulb defining an insertion portion to be inserted into a body orifice and a stem formed of a molded plastic defining a reading portion exposed exteriorly of the body orifice when said insert portion is inserted thereinto, said bulb being sealingly fitted to one end of said stem, said stem defining a capillary bore opening to said reservoir bulb at one end of the stem and opening outwardly through the opposite end of the stem, indicator liquid in the reservoir bulb and defining a column extending into said capillary bore responsive to temperature changes to provide a variable positioning of the top of the column in said capillary bore, and scale means on the stem reading portion, readout means providing a maintained location indication of said column top corresponding to a reading temperature notwithstanding a subsequent lowering of said column top therefrom due to subjecting the thermometer to a temperature lower than the reading temperature prior to effecting the reading of the thermometer, said readout means comprising a molded plastic element having a reference indicator and being readily adjustably positionable on the stem reading portion to align said reference indicator accurately with said column top while said insert portion of the stem is retained in the body orifice, said element having inturned flange portions embracing the stem in a sliding frictional fit on said stem reading portion, said element further defining a magnifying lens providing a magnified image of said reference indicator, said column top, and said scale, said frictional fit maintaining said element in the adjusted position to provide a maintained indication of the sensed temperature notwithstanding a subsequent change iN the position of said column top upon removal of the insert portion from the body orifice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 7 wherein said readout element comprises a transparent element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 7, wherein said bulb is formed of a metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 7 wherein said reference indicator means defines a two-to-one magnifying lens providing a magnified image of said reference indication and said column top.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 7 wherein said readout element has a lateral extent approximately twice the extent of said stem laterally of the scale means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 7 wherein the lateral side edges of said readout element are arcuate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The thermometer readout means of claim 7 wherein said magnifying lens defines a convex protuberance means for facilitated fingertip manipulation of said element in effecting the adjustable positioning thereof on said stem.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |