Continuity detecting apparatus

Claim 2

A conductor continuity testing apparatus for tracing and restoring continuity of a plurality of conductors, comprising: first, second and third test cables, each said cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of each said test cable including electrical connection means for connecting to respective opposite ends of said plurality of conductors to be tested, one of said cables having electrical connection means for connecting to intermediate ends of a damaged section along the length of said conductors; a source of input signal; a detector adapted to provide an output signal in response to an input signal from said source exceeding a predetermined threshold level; switch means for selectively connecting the proximal end of each of said cables to said signal source and the proximal end of each other of the remaining cables to said detector, said switch means having three positions including a first position activating electrical connection means at respective ends of conductors between one opposite end and said intermediate end, a second position activating electrical connection means at respective ends of conductors between the other opposite end and said intermediate end, and a third position activating electrical connection means at respective ends between said one opposite end and said other opposite end; and indicator means responsive to said output signal for providing an indication of current flow upon completion of a circuit connection through one of said conductors connected between the distal ends of said cables.

Claim 3

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicator means is an audio indicator.

Claim 4

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicator means is a visual indicator.

Claim 5

The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said visual indicator is a light emitting diode.

Claim 6

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicator means includes; a receptacle connected to the distal end of each said test cable; a probe for engaging said receptacle; a headset including an earphone connected to said probe associated with the distal end of each said cable; and pulse signal generating means connected to said detector for receiving said output signal and to each said headset via said cables for providing an audio signal to each said earphone in response to said output signal.

Claim 7

The apparatus as defined in claim 5, including amplifier means for amplifying said audio signal and gain control means for selectively adjusting the gain of said audio signal.

Claim 8

The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein each said headset includes a microphone, each said microphone communicating with said earphones via said cables.

Claim 9

The apparatus as defined in claim 7, including further amplifier means for amplifying microphone signals and buffer means coupling the output of said further amplifier means to the earphones of each of said head sets.

Claim 10

The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said indicator means further includes an audio indicator and a visual indicator.

Claim 11

A conductor continuity testing apparatus for tracing and restoring continuity of conductors of an electrical cable, comprising: first, second and third test cables each having a distal end and a proximal end; first, second and third test probes connected to said first, second and third test cables respectively, two of said probes being adapted to connect the distal end of the associated test cable to respective opposite ends of a plurality of conductors of said electrical cable to be tested, and said third probe being adapted to connect to an intermediate end of a damaged conductor section; first second and third headsets associated with and adapted to be connected to the distal end of said first, second and third test cables respectively, each headset having at least one earphone and a microphone; and electrical circuit means adapted to be connected to the proximal ends of each said first, second and third test cables, said circuit means and said test cables connecting said microphones of each said headset to the earphones of each said headset for providing communication between operators wearing said headsets, said circuit means including a signal source and continuity indicator means and switch means for selectively connecting the test probe associated with any one of said test cables to said signal source and the test probe associated with any one of the remaining cables to said indicator means, said switch means having three positions including a first position activating electrical connection of respective said test probes at respective ends of conductors between one opposite end and said intermediate end, a second position activating electrical connection of respective said test probes at respective ends of conductors between the other opposite end and said intermediate end, and a third position activating electrical connection of respective said test probes at respective ends between said one opposite end and said other opposite end, said indicator means providing an indication of the completion of a signal path through one of said conductors connected between the distal ends of said test cables.

Claim 12

A conductor continuity testing apparatus for tracing and restoring continuity of conductors of an electrical cable, comprising: first, second and third test cables each having a distal end and a proximal end; first, second and third test probes connected to said first, second and third test cables respectively, two of said probes being adapted to connect the distal end of the associated test cable to respective opposite ends of a plurality of conductors of said electrical cable to be tested, and said third probe being adapted to connect to an intermediate end of a damaged conductor section; first second and third headsets associated with and adapted to be connected to the distal end of said first, second and third test cables respectively, each headset having at least one earphone and a microphone; and electrical circuit means adapted to be connected to the proximal ends of each said first, second and third test cables, said circuit means and said test cables connecting said microphones of each said headset to the earphones of each said headset for providing communication between operators wearing said headsets, said circuit means including a signal source and continuity indicator means and switch means for selectively connecting the test probe associated with any one of said test cables to said signal source and the test probe associated with any one of the remaining cables to said indicator means, said switch means having three positions including a first position activating electrical connection of respective said test probes at respective ends of conductors between one opposite end and said intermediate end, a second position activating electrical connection of respective said test probes at respective ends of conductors between the other opposite end and said intermediate end, and a third position activating electrical connection of respective said test probes at respective ends between said one opposite end and said other opposite end, said indicator means providing an indication of the completion of a signal path through one of said conductors connected between the distal ends of said test cables.

Claim 13

The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said circuit means further includes amplifier means having an input connected to each said microphone and an output connected to each said earphone via said test cables.

Claim 14

The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said circuit means further includes buffer means connected between the output of said amplifier means and each said earphone via said test cables.

Claim 15

The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said circuit means further includes a detector adapted to provide an output signal in response to an input signal from said source exceeding a predetermined threshold level, said indicator means being responsive to said output signal for providing an indication of current flow through a conductor connected between the test probe of one test cable and the test probe of one of the remaining cables.

Claim 16

The apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said switch means selectively connects the test probe of said any one of said test cables to said signal source and the test probe of said any one of said remaining cables to said detector.

Claim 17

The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said indicator means is an audio indicator.

Claim 18

The continuity testing apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein at least one of said test probes includes an electrical conductor having a first end adapted to be connected to said electrical circuit for testing the continuity of a conductor of a damaged cable and a second end adapted to be connected to the skin of an individual using said apparatus for communicating an electrical potential between said test probe conductor and said damaged cable conductor when said individual touches said damaged cable conductor.

Claim 19

The continuity testing apparatus as defined in claim 16, further including a strip of electrically conductive material electrically connected to said second end of said test probe conductor, said strip being adapted to be wrapped about the wrist of said individual, and means for securing said strip about the wrist of said individual.

Claim 20

The continuity testing apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said securing means is a hook and loop type detachable adhesive.