US3883716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature controlled soldering instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-08
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1991-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, compact soldering and desoldering instrument including a temperature sensor at the soldering tip. The sensor is of a type to provide a large change of resistance with a small change of temperature thereby to unbalance an electric bridge to create an error signal which in turn turns on or off the heating element of the soldering instrument. The entire electric control circuit is carried on a printed circuit board slidably disposed in the handle of the instrument and provides a closed loop temperature control. A closed tool holder is provided for maintaining the soldering instrument at its operating temperature when it is not in use thereby to extend the life of the soldering tip and to minimize the heating current. The control circuit is also provided with a special fuse which responds both to a thermal overload and an electrical overload to disconnect the current supply. The temperature of the soldering tip may be set by a control potentiometer in the handle of the instrument in accordance with different requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 William S Fortune
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:54
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/02; B23K3/03; B23K3/033; B23K3/027; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1906; G05D23/1909; G05D23/20; G05D23/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A soldering instrument having an electronic temperature control comprising: a. a soldering tip; b. a hollow sleeve connected to said soldering tip; c. a heater element disposed in said sleeve for heating said tip; d. a temperature sensor disposed in said sleeve and in close proximity to said tip; e. a hollow one piece handle having a tapered bore; f. means for securing said sleeve to said handle; g. two opposed, longitudinally extending grooves formed in the internal walls of said tapered bore of said handle such that said grooves converge toward each other from one end of said handle to the other; h. a circuit board disposed in said grooves of said handle and positioned thereby, said circuit board mounting an electronic control circuit; i. said electronic control circuit including a potentiometer for setting the desired temperature of said tip; j. said circuit board having a width sized such that when inserted into said handle through the end thereof having the wider groove separation, said circuit board can only be pushed toward the other end to a position such that said potentiometer carried thereby is disposed in alignment with said aperture in said handle; and k. a rotatable control button disposed in said aperture and having an element thereon disposed for rotation of said potentiometer, whereby rotation of said control button will vary said potentiometer to set the desired temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A soldering instrument having an electronic temperature control comprising: a. a soldering tip; b. a hollow sleeve connected to said soldering tip; c. a heater element disposed in said sleeve for heating said tip; d. a temperature sensor disposed in said sleeve and in close proximity to said tip; e. a hollow one piece handle having a tapered bore; f. means for securing said sleeve to said handle; g. two opposed, longitudinally extending grooves formed in the internal walls of said tapered bore of said handle such that said grooves converge toward each other from one end of said handle to the other; h. a circuit board disposed in said grooves of said handle and positioned thereby, said circuit board mounting an electronic control circuit; i. said electronic control circuit including a potentiometer for setting the desired temperature of said tip; j. said circuit board having a width sized such that when inserted into said handle through the end thereof having the wider groove separation, said circuit board can only be pushed toward the other end to a position such that said potentiometer carried thereby is disposed in alignment with said aperture in said handle; and k. a rotatable control button disposed in said aperture and having an element thereon disposed for rotation of said potentiometer, whereby rotation of said control button will vary said potentiometer to set the desired temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A soldering instrument as defined in claim 30 wherein said potentiometer is provided with a rotatable control ridge extending therefrom, and wherein said element of said control button includes a pair of depending, opposed locking ears adapted to engage said ridge for rotation thereof, said ears being capable of being forced through said aperture of said handle into engagement with said ridge, said ears cooperating with said handle to lock said control button against movement in the direction of the axis thereof, while permitting rotation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A soldering instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein a fuse is included in said electronic control circuit, said fuse consisting of two spring wires stressed against each other and interconnected by a conductive alloy having a predetermined melting point, said wires having a predetermined electric current carrying capacity, whereby an electric current in excess of a predetermined current melts said alloy to cause said wires to spring apart, and whereby an ambient temperature in excess of the melting temperature of said alloy melts said alloy to cause said wires to spring apart, thereby to provide protection from an overload of electric current or an excess of temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
221 words
A soldering instrument having an electronic temperature control comprIsing: a. soldering tip; b. a hollow sleeve connected to said soldering tip; c. a heater element disposed in said sleeve for heating said tip; d. a temperature sensor disposed in said sleeve and in close proximity to said tip; e. a hollow handle; f. a locking bushing positioned on said sleeve and disposed substantially in said handle for securing said sleeve to said handle, said handle having a stop for limiting axial movement of said locking bushing into said handle, and said handle having means for yieldably retaining said bushing; g. two opposed, longitudinally extending grooves having adjacent projections in said hollow handle; h. a circuit board disposed in said grooves of said handle and slidable between said grooves for guiding and positioning said circuit board, said circuit board mounting an electronic control circuit; i. said electronic control circuit including a potentiometer for setting the desired temperature of said tip; j. said handle having an aperture in register with said potentiometer when said circuit board is positioned therein; and k. a rotatable control button disposed in said aperture and having an element depending therefrom for rotation of said potentiometer, said locking bushing having a portion adapted to abut one of said projections for limiting rotation of said locking bushing in said handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
221 words
A soldering instrument having an electronic temperature control comprIsing: a. soldering tip; b. a hollow sleeve connected to said soldering tip; c. a heater element disposed in said sleeve for heating said tip; d. a temperature sensor disposed in said sleeve and in close proximity to said tip; e. a hollow handle; f. a locking bushing positioned on said sleeve and disposed substantially in said handle for securing said sleeve to said handle, said handle having a stop for limiting axial movement of said locking bushing into said handle, and said handle having means for yieldably retaining said bushing; g. two opposed, longitudinally extending grooves having adjacent projections in said hollow handle; h. a circuit board disposed in said grooves of said handle and slidable between said grooves for guiding and positioning said circuit board, said circuit board mounting an electronic control circuit; i. said electronic control circuit including a potentiometer for setting the desired temperature of said tip; j. said handle having an aperture in register with said potentiometer when said circuit board is positioned therein; and k. a rotatable control button disposed in said aperture and having an element depending therefrom for rotation of said potentiometer, said locking bushing having a portion adapted to abut one of said projections for limiting rotation of said locking bushing in said handle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A soldering instrument as defined in claim 33 wherein said means for yieldably retaining said locking bushing consists of an outer, inwardly projecting lip on said handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A soldering instrument as defined in claim 4 wherein said locking bushing has a central opening for receiving said sleeve, said central opening having a size to provide a press fit with said sleeve, and said bushing having an outer surface mating the inner surfae of said handle.
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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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |