GB2371221A

GB2371221A - Support stand with clamping member

Info

Publication number: GB2371221A
Application number: GB0101284A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James William Heneage Finch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-18
Filing date: 2001-01-18
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Also published as: GB0101284D0

Abstract

A stand for a multimeter comprises an adjustable clamping member tiltably connected to a base plate. The stand further comprises a stop member which is mounted on the base plate and is located in front of the clamping member. Preferably, the stop member is adjustable and extends upwardly from the base plate.

Description

ADJUSTABLE MULTIMETER-TESTER STAND This invention relates to an adjustable Multimeter-tester Support Stand.

1. Hand held-Portable Multimeters and testers are very well know products. They are manufactured in many different shapes and sizes, and are used in many fields, such as: Electronic, Automotive, Mechanical and Chemical Industries to mention just a few. Some of these Multimeters are also produced as consumer type products.

2. The majority ofMutimeter-testers are sold with no means of vertical upright support, for use on a table, workbench etc. Some multimeter-tester

manufacturers produce plastic-rubber based"holsters". These are firstly dedicated to a particular size, make model meter. Secondly, they tend to allow a multimeter-tester to fall over very easily.

3. According to this present invention, a support-stand has been produced which offers far more Stability and Flexibility. This Support-Stand may be used with a vast range of different size multimeter-testers, as it is provided with extendable adjustable side clamping arms, for holding/securing a multimeter-tester. The Stand is also supplied with an adjustable Front Support Stop to allow for different depths of multimeter-testers. For easy viewing of a multimeter-tester display window and control buttons and keys, the rear-back support is also adjustable. All mechanical adjustment may be carried out using Finger Controlled Knobs. Therefore no special tools are required.

A special representation of the Invention is now shown with reference to the attendant drawings in which: Fig. 2a-Page. 3/9 Shows in Perspective the assembled Multimeter-tester Holder-Stand.

Page. 6/9 Shows a Parts List.

Fig. 1/a-Page. 4/9 Shows the various Parts of Fig. 2a-Page. 3/9, in Exploded View.

Fig. 3a/A-Page. 6/9 Shows the Metal Base Plate-Support with various holes. All holes being numbered. Different Sizes of metal base plate are available to cater for varying sizes of meters.

Fig. 4a/B-Page. 6/9 Shows the Front Stop assembly in detail.

Fig. 5a/D-Page 6/9 Shows the"U"shaped support bracket with roundcupped ends, which is secured to A in Fig. 3a, via two metal nuts and bolts at holes 5 and 6 or holes 7 and 8.

Fig. 6a/F-Page. 6/9 Shows the fixing Assembly for securing the 2 pieces of G arms in Fig. 9a to C/1 in Fig. 7a.

Fig. 7a/C-Page. 6/9 Shows the Back Support Main Assembly. The'S" shaped bracket has round-cupped ends with 5 mm metal threaded inserts. The back support piece marked BP may be produced Longer or Shorter in length if required for different applications.

Fig. 8a/E-Page. 6/9 Shows a chromed plated brass knurled thumbscrew together with 2 special fibre washers. These thumbscrews hold together the back support assembly C in Fig. 7a and D, the "U" shaped bracket in Fig. 5a.

Fig. 9a/G-Page. 6/9 Shows a stainless steel clamping support arm with a vinyl sleeve. The 18 mm long slot allows for Sideways movement. The two clamping support arms in Fig. 9a/G are connected at the two holes marked C/I and are secured by the F assembly kit in Fig. 6a.

Refer to the drawings Fig. la-Page. 4/9, plus Fig. 3a to Fig. 9a-Page. 6/9. The adjustable multimeter stand consists of a rigid metal base plate, to which various attachments are connected.

The base plate Fig. 3a/A contains different sized holes, which are used to secure the various attachments such as Fig. 4a/B and Fig. 5a/D and also Fig. 7a/C. Some of the holes may be used as earthing points for Electrical Safety or Static Control. Other holes may be used for fastening the base unit to a table or desk if the need be. There are four or more rubber feet attached to the underside of the metal plate.

In order, to place a multimeter-tester into the Stand-Holder, then firstly the width of the meter must be related to the distance between the left and right hand stainless steel clamping arms. These arms Fig. la/G-Page. 4/9 may be moved in or out, by loosening the two Nylon Wing Nuts, Fig. la/F. Secondly, the multimeter-tester is placed In between the two clamping arms, which are then pressed up against the left and right hand sides of the multimeter-tester. The two Nylon Wing Nuts are lightly tightened, as further adjustments may have to be made.

In order to secure the bottom front edge of the multimeter-tester Fig. la/B-Page. 4/9, the Front Stop Bracket may well have to be moved in or out. This will depend on the depth and width of the multimeter-tester that is used. Fig. 3a/A-Page. 6/9 shows two holes marked 1 or 2, which may be used for this purpose. Fine adjustment being obtained via the Slot in the Front Stop Bracket shown in position 5, Fig. 4a/B-Page. 6/9. The multimeter-tester front bottom edge should rest up against the Vinyl Sleeve of the Front Stop and also at the same time, make contact with the top surface of the plastic knurled knob Fig. 4a/Bl. This allows for extra Electrical Insulation. The gap achieved through using this Plastic Knurled Knob, as a spacer is essential when using those multimetertesters, which only allow their test leads to be connected from the underside of the meter.

This also keeps the test leads from coming into direct contact with any metal parts.

In order to select a suitable angle so as to be able to read the multimeter-tester display window clearly and also at the same time, operate the control knobs/keys as easily as possible. You may adjust the angle of the Back Support Assembly Fig. 7a/C-Page. 6/9.

To adjust the back support assembly Fig. 7a/C-Page. 6/9, you will have to loosen the left and right hand chromed plated knurled thumbscrews Fig. la/E-Page. 4/9. The back support Fig. la/BP will then move quite easily, as the round-cupped ends are placed against the cupped round ends of the Fig. 5a/D-Page. 6/9'TJ"shaped support bracket.

This allows for a strong smooth controlled movement.

When the correct angle has been selected, the two chrome plated Brass Knurled Thumbscrews Fig. la/E are tightened. The special Fibre Washers Fig. 8a/E-Page. 6/9 help to generate enough friction to hold the back support in place.

The two clamping arms Fig. la/G are adjusted if required by loosening the two Nylon Wing Nuts, Fig la/F again and then finally these Nylon Wing Nuts are tightened up.

Claims

CLAIM The multimeter-tester Holder Stand consists of a rigid metal support base plate upon which are mounted various attachments.

There is made available two adjustable clamp arms with VINYL SLEEVES for extra grip to hold and secure the sides of different sized-shaped multimeter-testers.

To prevent a meter from moving in the forward direction, there is also provided an adjustable Front Stop Bracket with a VINYL SLEEVE for extra Electrical Insulation. This adjustment is essential for different depths of multimeter-testers. The plastic knurled knob used for securing this bracket also provides an insulated spacer for those multimeter-testers, which use Sockets on the bottom of the meter, for connection for their test leads.

To allow for easy viewing of the multimeter-tester display window and also the knobs and key controls, there is also provided an adjustable tilt forward and backward (mechanism). Various holes in the base metal plate are provided for earthing-static considerations and also extra securing to a table or desk.