US4154104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Comfort index apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-10
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Granted: 1979-05-15
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Expires: 1998-03-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for sensing temperature, humidity, air movement and mean radiation so that those factors which effect human comfort may be correlated to determine effective temperatures. The apparatus includes a thermometer which is capable of simultaneously sensing dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature and mean radiation to produce a temperature reading indicative of the combination of those factors. Wind speed indicators are provided for use with temperature correction charts so that the air movement factor can be correlated with the temperature, humidity and mean radiation factors to arrive at a comfort index, or effective temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark N. Worthington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for sensing and correlation of ambient conditions to produce a reading indicative of the effective ambient temperature, said apparatus comprising: (a) a panel; (b) a thermometer mounted on said panel and having a bulb like enlargement on one end thereof; (c) said panel havng an opening formed therethrough proximate the bulb of said thermometer to enhance the sensing of air movements and mean radiation by said thermometer; (d) a liquid absorbing material affixed to the bulb of said thermometer so as to cover a portion thereof, said thermometer sensing dry bulb temperature when said material is dry and producing a reading indicative thereof, said thermometer simultaneously sensing dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature when said material is wet and producing a reading approximately halfway therebetween; (e) wind indicator means on said panel for determining wind velocities; and (f) a correction scale on said panel alongside said thermometer for indicating temperature corrections to be applied to the readings of said thermometer for wind velocities determined by said wind indicator means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for sensing and correlation of ambient conditions to produce a reading indicative of the effective ambient temperature, said apparatus comprising: (a) a panel; (b) a thermometer mounted on said panel and having a bulb like enlargement on one end thereof; (c) said panel havng an opening formed therethrough proximate the bulb of said thermometer to enhance the sensing of air movements and mean radiation by said thermometer; (d) a liquid absorbing material affixed to the bulb of said thermometer so as to cover a portion thereof, said thermometer sensing dry bulb temperature when said material is dry and producing a reading indicative thereof, said thermometer simultaneously sensing dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature when said material is wet and producing a reading approximately halfway therebetween; (e) wind indicator means on said panel for determining wind velocities; and (f) a correction scale on said panel alongside said thermometer for indicating temperature corrections to be applied to the readings of said thermometer for wind velocities determined by said wind indicator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wind indicator means comprises: (a) said panel having an aperture formed therethrough; (b) a flap hingedly mounted on said panel and disposed to suspendingly overlay the aperture of said panel so that said flap will be deflectingly moved when air passing through the aperture is above a predetermined velocity; and (c) said flap and the aperture of said panel being sized to determine the velocity of air movement above which said flap will move.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wind indicator means comprises: (a) a plurality of separate air speed indicators for sensing air movements, each of said air indicators producing an air movement indication at a different velocity thereof; and (b) each of said plurality of air speed indicators comprising, I. said panel having an aperture formed therethrough, Ii. a flap hingedly mounted on said panel and disposed to suspendingly overlay the aperture of said panel so that said flap will be deflectingly moved when air passing through the aperture is above a predetermined velocity, and Iii. said flap and the aperture of said panel being sized to determine the velocity of air movement required to move said flap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
185 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wind indicator means comprises: (a) said panel having a first, a second and a third aperture formed therethrough; (b) a first flap hingedly mounted on said panel so as to suspendingly overlay the first aperture formed in said panel, said first flap and the first aperture of said panel being sized so that air moving through that first aperture will deflectingly move said first flap at air velocities above one mph; (c) a second flap hingely mounted on said panel so as to suspendingly overlay the second aperture of said panel, said second flap and the second aperture of said panel being sized so that air moving through that second aperture will deflectingly move said second flap at air velocities above five mph; and (d) a third flap hingedly mounted on said panel so as to suspendingly overlay the third aperture of said panel, said third flap and the third aperture of said panel being sized so that air moving through that third aperture will deflectingly move said third flap at air velocities above 20 mph.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means on said panel for wetting said liquid absorbing material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: (a) a water tank affixed to said panel; and (b) a manually operable shutoff valve on said water tank and extending therefrom proximate said liquid absorbing material so that water from said water tank may optionally be employed to wet said liquid absorbing material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said correction scale comprises: (a) an upper segment containing correction factors which align with and are to be applied to the readings of said thermometer above approximately 40° F.; and (b) a lower segment containing correction factors which align with and are to be applied to readings of said thermometer below approximately 40° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said upper segment of said correction scale is provided with an area marked with a contrasting color to indicate a zone of effective temperatures where most people are comfortable.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for indicating wind velocities comprising: (a) a panel of substantially planar configuration; (b) a plurality of air speed indicators on said panel for sensing air movements, each of said air speed indicators producing an air movement indication at a different velocity thereof; and (c) each of said plurality of air speed indicators comprising, I. said panel having an aperture formed therethrough, Ii. a flap hingedly mounted on said panel and disposed to suspendingly overlay the aperture of said panel so that said flap will be deflectingly moved when air passing through the aperture is above a predetermined velocity, and Iii. said flap and the aperture of said panel being sized to determine the velocity of air movement that will produce movement of said flap.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for indicating wind velocities comprising: (a) a panel of substantially planar configuration; (b) a plurality of air speed indicators on said panel for sensing air movements, each of said air speed indicators producing an air movement indication at a different velocity thereof; and (c) each of said plurality of air speed indicators comprising, I. said panel having an aperture formed therethrough, Ii. a flap hingedly mounted on said panel and disposed to suspendingly overlay the aperture of said panel so that said flap will be deflectingly moved when air passing through the aperture is above a predetermined velocity, and Iii. said flap and the aperture of said panel being sized to determine the velocity of air movement that will produce movement of said flap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2120952A
Cited
US3771364A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-14 | 1982-11-13 | 1983-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-14 | 1986-11-13 | 1987-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-14 | 1990-11-13 | 1991-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |