CA1098731A - Clinical thermometer - Google Patents
Clinical thermometerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1098731A CA1098731A CA304,766A CA304766A CA1098731A CA 1098731 A CA1098731 A CA 1098731A CA 304766 A CA304766 A CA 304766A CA 1098731 A CA1098731 A CA 1098731A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- section
- clinical thermometer
- grip
- capillary tube
- plug
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K5/00—Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material
- G01K5/02—Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a liquid
- G01K5/22—Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a liquid with provision for expansion indicating over not more than a few degrees
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K13/00—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01K13/20—Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K13/00—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01K13/20—Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
- G01K13/25—Protective devices therefor, e.g. sleeves preventing contamination
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K5/00—Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material
- G01K5/02—Measuring temperature based on the expansion or contraction of a material the material being a liquid
- G01K5/04—Details
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
- Measuring Temperature Or Quantity Of Heat (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A clinical thermometer of the prismatic or "flat" type is disclosed.
The thermometer has a synthetic material grip extending from the end of the tube away from the expansion fluid bulb. The grip has a curved holding sur-face shaped to fit the ball of the thumb, an opposing surface for the index finger, and a thickened free end. The holding and opposing surfaces may be roughened.
The thermometer has a synthetic material grip extending from the end of the tube away from the expansion fluid bulb. The grip has a curved holding sur-face shaped to fit the ball of the thumb, an opposing surface for the index finger, and a thickened free end. The holding and opposing surfaces may be roughened.
Description
:~9~31 The invention relates to a clinical thermometer, either prismatic or "flat-type", comprising a graduated capillary tube at one end of which is located a bulb opening into the bore of the capillary tube and filled with an expansion liquid such as mercury , the end of the capillary tube adjacent the bulb having a constriction, while the opposite end of the tube is provided with a grip made of a synthetic material, by means of which the thermometer may be held.
Clinical thermometers of this kind, which operate as maximum thermo-meters and with which the highest temperature of two readings may be deter-mined, are usually mercury thermometers. As the temperature rises, the mercury, which constitutes the expansion liquid, passes through the constric-tion into the bore of the capillary. When the temperature falls, the mercury cannot return to its bulb unless force is applied from the outside. Instead, the column of mercury becomes separated, the full length thereof remaining in the bore of the capillary, thus making it possible to read off, at the upper end of the thread of mercury, the highest temperature reached.
A maximum thermometer is reset to a low reading by vigorous shaking, or swinging, in a downward direction, which causes the separated column of mercury to reunite with the liquid in the bulb.
Clinical thermometers of this kind, with a range of about 35 to 42C, are known. They have the disadvantage that it is very difficult to shake the column of mercury back through the constriction in the bore of the capillary.
Such thermometers are therefore frequently broken during this operation, either because the thermometer slips from the fingers or, as often happens, because it is struck against a stationary object in order to speed up the return of the mercury to the receptacle. This disadvantage is especially noticable in prismatic of "flat-type" clinical thermometers which, because of their design, i.e. their small dimensions, are known to be harder to reset than the larger enclosed-scale thermometers.
It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to improve .~
373~
the handling of such thermometers, especially before and after the taking of temperatures, so that the thermometer may be not only rapidly, but also reliably shaken down without slipping out of the user's fingers. In addition to this, the user is also to be obliged automatically to hold the thermometer in such a manner that it is correctly positioned for fast readings, this be-ing particularly important in the case of existing thermometers with which the temperature can be read only if the observer looks at the scale from a position vertically thereabove.
According to the present invention, there is provided a clinical thermometer in the form of a prismatic or "flat-type" thermometer comprising:
a graduated capillary tube having a bore, a bulb at one end of the capillary tube, opening into the bore and filled with an expansion liquid and a con-striction in the end of the bore adjacent the bulb; a grip of synthetic material secured to the opposite end of the tube, in the form of an extension from the end of the capillary tube, the handle having a plug-like section and a holding section with at least one curved holding surface shaped to fit the ball of a thumb, an opposing surface for an index finger, and a thickened section at the end of the grip remote from the capillary tube; and a protec-tive sleeve for the capillary tube, in the form of a truncated pyramid, the major end of the said sleeve having an opening, the dimensions of which cor-respond to those of the plug-like section of the grip such that the plug-like section may be fitted into the said opening.
According to preferred embodiments of the clinical thermometer, the curved holding surface for the thumb is arranged in such a manner that the pressure between the thumb and the index finger is substantially parallel to the direction of reading. The thickened section preferably has an extension on the opposing surface for the index finger and/or on the holding surface, the extension being preferably in the form of a bead.
The holding surface and/or the opposing surface of the grip may be roughened, preferably by knurling, serrating, or the like.
,~
~8731 The desi~n may also be such that the end of the plug-like section remote from the capillary tube has, on at least one side, between the plug-like section and the holding section, a groove, and the large end of the above-mentioned protective sleeve has an extension directed obliquely inwards, in the form of a spring tongue integral with the sleeve, for engagement in the groove in the assembled condition of the plug and sleeve. Similar grooves may also be provided on the three sides having no holding surface for the thumb.
If the protective sleeve is made in the form of a truncated pyramid having a square cross section, the thermometer may be rotated through 90 and may be inserted as desired into the said sleeve, where it will be held by the clamping action of the oblique extension which, after the thermometer has been inserted into the sleeve, snaps into one of the grooves in the plug-like section of the grip.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates an exemplary embodi-ment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a prismatic clinical thermometer along the line I-I in Figure 2; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the clinical thermometer illustrated in Figure 1, as seen in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1 and in part section.
The drawings illustrate, by way of example, a prismatic clinical thermometer 1 having a capillary tube 2, at one end of which is located a bulb 3 filled with mercury. Bulb 3 opens into the bore of the capillary, not shown, the end of which adjacent the bulb has a constriction, also not shown.
Capillary tube 2 is provided with a scale 4.
The end of capillary tube 2 remote from bulb 3 has a grip 6 in the form of an extension attachment, the shape of which is adapted to that of the finger tips which hold it, to wit a curved holding surface 7 for the ball of the thumb and an opposing surface 8 for the index finger.
The end of grip 6 remote from capillary tube 2 has a thickened , ..
i ~L~9~73~
Section 13 in the form of a bead, or one bead on holding surface 7 and one on opposing surface 8. Thus, when the thermometer is held by grip 6, the danger of the grip slipping through the fingers is largely eliminated.
This danger is lessened still further in that holding surface 7 and opposing surface 8 have cross-knurling 10.
Grip 6 is made of a synthetic material, for example an impact resistant ABS polymer, and is permanently secured to the relevant end of the capillary tube.
Associated with capillary tube 2 is a protective sleeve in the form of a truncated pyramid, major end 14 of which has an opening 11 the dimensions of which correspond to those of a plug-like section 12 of grip 6, which is fitted thereinto. Capillary tube 2 is thus centred. As may be gathered from the drawing, opening 11 in protective sleeve 9 is also closed off by means of grip 6.
A groove 16 is moulded into the three sides of plug-like section 12 not containing the holding surface for the thumb, between the plug-like section and the grip itself. One edge at major end 14 of protective sleeve 9 has an extension 17 in the form of a spring tongue directed obliquely in-wards by a small amount. Thus, when the clinical thermometer is fully in-serted into the sleeve, the spring tongue snaps into one of grooves 16, orengages with the sloping extension of holding surface 7, depending upon the position in which the thermometer is inserted into the sleeve. In this way, the thermometer is held in the sleeve by the clamping action of the groove-extension connection 16,17.
The novel clinical thermometer is thus easier and, more particular-ly, safer to handle, since the design provides a better hold for the fingers and a better hold in the protective sleeve. When held by the grip, it is also at all times in the correct position for reading.
Clinical thermometers of this kind, which operate as maximum thermo-meters and with which the highest temperature of two readings may be deter-mined, are usually mercury thermometers. As the temperature rises, the mercury, which constitutes the expansion liquid, passes through the constric-tion into the bore of the capillary. When the temperature falls, the mercury cannot return to its bulb unless force is applied from the outside. Instead, the column of mercury becomes separated, the full length thereof remaining in the bore of the capillary, thus making it possible to read off, at the upper end of the thread of mercury, the highest temperature reached.
A maximum thermometer is reset to a low reading by vigorous shaking, or swinging, in a downward direction, which causes the separated column of mercury to reunite with the liquid in the bulb.
Clinical thermometers of this kind, with a range of about 35 to 42C, are known. They have the disadvantage that it is very difficult to shake the column of mercury back through the constriction in the bore of the capillary.
Such thermometers are therefore frequently broken during this operation, either because the thermometer slips from the fingers or, as often happens, because it is struck against a stationary object in order to speed up the return of the mercury to the receptacle. This disadvantage is especially noticable in prismatic of "flat-type" clinical thermometers which, because of their design, i.e. their small dimensions, are known to be harder to reset than the larger enclosed-scale thermometers.
It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to improve .~
373~
the handling of such thermometers, especially before and after the taking of temperatures, so that the thermometer may be not only rapidly, but also reliably shaken down without slipping out of the user's fingers. In addition to this, the user is also to be obliged automatically to hold the thermometer in such a manner that it is correctly positioned for fast readings, this be-ing particularly important in the case of existing thermometers with which the temperature can be read only if the observer looks at the scale from a position vertically thereabove.
According to the present invention, there is provided a clinical thermometer in the form of a prismatic or "flat-type" thermometer comprising:
a graduated capillary tube having a bore, a bulb at one end of the capillary tube, opening into the bore and filled with an expansion liquid and a con-striction in the end of the bore adjacent the bulb; a grip of synthetic material secured to the opposite end of the tube, in the form of an extension from the end of the capillary tube, the handle having a plug-like section and a holding section with at least one curved holding surface shaped to fit the ball of a thumb, an opposing surface for an index finger, and a thickened section at the end of the grip remote from the capillary tube; and a protec-tive sleeve for the capillary tube, in the form of a truncated pyramid, the major end of the said sleeve having an opening, the dimensions of which cor-respond to those of the plug-like section of the grip such that the plug-like section may be fitted into the said opening.
According to preferred embodiments of the clinical thermometer, the curved holding surface for the thumb is arranged in such a manner that the pressure between the thumb and the index finger is substantially parallel to the direction of reading. The thickened section preferably has an extension on the opposing surface for the index finger and/or on the holding surface, the extension being preferably in the form of a bead.
The holding surface and/or the opposing surface of the grip may be roughened, preferably by knurling, serrating, or the like.
,~
~8731 The desi~n may also be such that the end of the plug-like section remote from the capillary tube has, on at least one side, between the plug-like section and the holding section, a groove, and the large end of the above-mentioned protective sleeve has an extension directed obliquely inwards, in the form of a spring tongue integral with the sleeve, for engagement in the groove in the assembled condition of the plug and sleeve. Similar grooves may also be provided on the three sides having no holding surface for the thumb.
If the protective sleeve is made in the form of a truncated pyramid having a square cross section, the thermometer may be rotated through 90 and may be inserted as desired into the said sleeve, where it will be held by the clamping action of the oblique extension which, after the thermometer has been inserted into the sleeve, snaps into one of the grooves in the plug-like section of the grip.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates an exemplary embodi-ment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a prismatic clinical thermometer along the line I-I in Figure 2; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the clinical thermometer illustrated in Figure 1, as seen in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1 and in part section.
The drawings illustrate, by way of example, a prismatic clinical thermometer 1 having a capillary tube 2, at one end of which is located a bulb 3 filled with mercury. Bulb 3 opens into the bore of the capillary, not shown, the end of which adjacent the bulb has a constriction, also not shown.
Capillary tube 2 is provided with a scale 4.
The end of capillary tube 2 remote from bulb 3 has a grip 6 in the form of an extension attachment, the shape of which is adapted to that of the finger tips which hold it, to wit a curved holding surface 7 for the ball of the thumb and an opposing surface 8 for the index finger.
The end of grip 6 remote from capillary tube 2 has a thickened , ..
i ~L~9~73~
Section 13 in the form of a bead, or one bead on holding surface 7 and one on opposing surface 8. Thus, when the thermometer is held by grip 6, the danger of the grip slipping through the fingers is largely eliminated.
This danger is lessened still further in that holding surface 7 and opposing surface 8 have cross-knurling 10.
Grip 6 is made of a synthetic material, for example an impact resistant ABS polymer, and is permanently secured to the relevant end of the capillary tube.
Associated with capillary tube 2 is a protective sleeve in the form of a truncated pyramid, major end 14 of which has an opening 11 the dimensions of which correspond to those of a plug-like section 12 of grip 6, which is fitted thereinto. Capillary tube 2 is thus centred. As may be gathered from the drawing, opening 11 in protective sleeve 9 is also closed off by means of grip 6.
A groove 16 is moulded into the three sides of plug-like section 12 not containing the holding surface for the thumb, between the plug-like section and the grip itself. One edge at major end 14 of protective sleeve 9 has an extension 17 in the form of a spring tongue directed obliquely in-wards by a small amount. Thus, when the clinical thermometer is fully in-serted into the sleeve, the spring tongue snaps into one of grooves 16, orengages with the sloping extension of holding surface 7, depending upon the position in which the thermometer is inserted into the sleeve. In this way, the thermometer is held in the sleeve by the clamping action of the groove-extension connection 16,17.
The novel clinical thermometer is thus easier and, more particular-ly, safer to handle, since the design provides a better hold for the fingers and a better hold in the protective sleeve. When held by the grip, it is also at all times in the correct position for reading.
Claims (10)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A clinical thermometer in the form of a prismatic or "flat-type"
thermometer comprising:
a graduated capillary tube having a bore, a bulb at one end of the capillary tube, opening into the bore and filled with an expansion liquid and a constriction in the end of the bore adjacent the bulb;
a grip of synthetic material secured to the opposite end of the tube, in the form of an extension from the end of the capillary tube, the handle having a plug-like section and a holding section with at least one curved holding surface shaped to fit the ball of a thumb, an opposing surface for an index finger, and a thickened section at the end of the grip remote from the capillary tube; and a protective sleeve for the capillary tube, in the form of a truncated pyramid, the major end of the said sleeve having an opening, the dimensions of which correspond to those of the plug-like section of the grip such that the plug-like section may be fitted into the said opening.
thermometer comprising:
a graduated capillary tube having a bore, a bulb at one end of the capillary tube, opening into the bore and filled with an expansion liquid and a constriction in the end of the bore adjacent the bulb;
a grip of synthetic material secured to the opposite end of the tube, in the form of an extension from the end of the capillary tube, the handle having a plug-like section and a holding section with at least one curved holding surface shaped to fit the ball of a thumb, an opposing surface for an index finger, and a thickened section at the end of the grip remote from the capillary tube; and a protective sleeve for the capillary tube, in the form of a truncated pyramid, the major end of the said sleeve having an opening, the dimensions of which correspond to those of the plug-like section of the grip such that the plug-like section may be fitted into the said opening.
2. A clinical thermometer according to claim 1, characterized in that the curved holding surface for the thumb is arranged in such a manner that the pressure between the thumb and the index finger runs substantially parallel with the reading direction of the thermometer.
3. A clinical thermometer according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickened section has an extension on at least one of the holding surface and the opposing surface for the index finger.
4. A clinical thermometer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the thickened section has an extension on the curved holding surface shaped to fit the ball of the thumb.
5. A clinical thermometer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the thickened section is in the form of a bead.
6. A clinical thermometer according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the holding surface and the opposing surface is roughened.
7. A clinical thermometer according to claim 6, characterized in that the roughened surface is provided with serrations or knurling.
8. A clinical thermometer according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the plug-like section remote from the capillary tube has a groove on at least one side, between the plug-like section and the holding section, and the large end of the protective sleeve has an extension directed oblique-ly inwards, in the form of a spring tongue integral with the said sleeve, the said extension engaging in the groove when the thermometer is inserted into the sleeve.
9. A clinical thermometer according to claim 8, characterized in that the sleeve and the plug-like section of the grip are square.
10. A clinical thermometer according to claim 9, characterized in that grooves are provided on the three sides of the grip not containing the hold-ing surface of the thumb.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP2742827.9 | 1977-09-23 | ||
| DE2742827A DE2742827C2 (en) | 1977-09-23 | 1977-09-23 | Prismatic clinical thermometer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1098731A true CA1098731A (en) | 1981-04-07 |
Family
ID=6019698
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA304,766A Expired CA1098731A (en) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-06-05 | Clinical thermometer |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1098731A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2742827C2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110907048B (en) * | 2019-12-10 | 2020-11-24 | 安徽方达药械股份有限公司 | Preparation method of mercury-free thermometer |
-
1977
- 1977-09-23 DE DE2742827A patent/DE2742827C2/en not_active Expired
-
1978
- 1978-06-05 CA CA304,766A patent/CA1098731A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2742827B1 (en) | 1979-03-29 |
| DE2742827C2 (en) | 1979-11-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |