GB2288790A

GB2288790A - Case for a portable measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2288790A
Application number: GB9507559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Axel Arnoux; Claude Genter; Didier Piaud
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-04-12
Filing date: 1995-04-11
Publication date: 1995-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-11
Also published as: IT1273515B; ITMI950713A0; ITMI950713A1; GB9507559D0; FR2718524B1; GB2288790B; FR2718524A1

Abstract

A shock-proof case for a portable measuring device has a bottom wall which comprises a cut-out defining a wall portion 5 pivotally connected to the case and disengagable from the cut-out outwards of the case and which may be brought into at least one angular position with respect to the bottom wall so as to form a crutch to support the measuring device in an inclined position. <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTIVE CASE FOR PORTABLE MEASURING DEVICE The present invention relates to a shock-proof case or box in particular for a portable measuring device.

Such shock-proof cases are known which comprise each one on their rear face or back side a crutch or stand allowing to lay the measuring device housed in the shock proof case or box in an inclined position down upon a supporting plane so as to facilitate the reading of the values displayed or indicated by the measuring 'device.

Tulle supporting stand or crutch howovcr consist; of a member secured onto the rear face of the shock-proof case, thereby requiring an additional part for each unit consisting of the shock-proof case and the measuring device.

the present invention provides a shock-proof case arranged so as to itself allow the putting in place of the measuring device upon a supporting plane or to hold it in a determined position with respect to and preferably at right angles to a supporting plane.

For that purpose the shock-proof case for a portable measuring device is characterized in that the bottom wall of the case comprises a cut-out or opening deeinlng a wall portion pivotally connectod to the case and disengagable from the cut-out or opening outwards or outside of the case and which may be brought either into at least one angular position determined in relation to the bottom wall so as to form a crutch or atand permitting to support the measuring device in an inclined position upon a supporting plane or into a position substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall so as to form a leg which may be disposed upon a supporting plane to ensure the holding of the measuring device in a position substantially perpendicular to the supporting plane.

Prferably the pivotally connected wall portion extends longitudinally practisally over the length of the bottnm wall I of the case.

Advantageously the pivotally connecled wall portion compresses two elements connected together by a substantially miadle pivot hinge permitting to @old or swing both wall elements back towards each other when the pivotally connected wall portion is disengaged from the cut-out until the wall element pivotally connected to the case is brought into the aforesaid determined angular position in which this wall element is held by the other wall element the free end of which is removably locked to the bottom wall of the case by locking means.

The pivotal connection connecting thc aforesaid wall portion to the upper part of the case is elastically acting upon the wall portion in a direction tending to return it towards the bottom wall of the case.

The pivotally connected wall portion may comprise transverse scores provided on the internal face thereof or elements forming sucking cups fastened to that face and proventing the wall portion from gliding on the supporting plane when it is used as a holding lug for the measuring dovic..

Preferably the aforesaid locking means comprise two side studs made fast to the free end of ths other aforesaid wall element and insertable into two receiving cavltAes or recesses, respectivoly, formed in the bottom wail of the case in the vicinity of the opposite edges of the cutout and caused each one to bear upon an abutment wall of the corresponding receiving cavity which opens towards the rear wall of the meaauring device so that the aforesaid pivotal connection elastically holds in bearing relationslllp on the one hand the studs upon the respective abutment walls and on the other hand the free end of tne other wall element upon the rear wall of the measuring device.

The pivotally connected wall portion also comprises at its end opposite to the pivotal connection, a nose elastically engaging or snapping into a locking aperture formed at tIi lower part of the case so as to retain the pivotally connected wall portion in the cut-out and to thus form the bottom wall of the oase.

The pivotally connected wall portion in addition comprises as being made fast to its outer face or back side a head arranged to removably fasten two measuring probes or sensors of tile measuring device either in an inoporativa stowing position or in 8 position wherein both measuring tips or points ot the probes or sensors are longitudinally projecting from the case white being spread apart from each other by a distance permitting them to be driven into the oloctrical contact sockets.

The shock-proof case is made from a moldable elastomeric material and the wall portion as well as its pivotal connection to the case, its side studs, its locking nose and its head òr fastening tho probes are made integral into one single piece with the case by molding.

The invention w#11 he better understood and further objects, characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly as the following explanatory description proceeds with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings given by way of nonlimiting example only illustratlng a presently per rued specific embodiment of the invention and in which - Figure 1 is a rear view of the shock-proof case according to the invention -figure 2 is a view in section taken upon the line II-II of Figure 1;; - ignre 3 is a partial view in section taken upon the line III-III ot Figure 1 figure 4 is a perspective view of the case reversed or inverted so as to mace appear the pivotally connected crutch-like bottom wall portion - Figure 5 is a side view showing the whole of the measuring device and of the uck-proof case in a position inclined on a supporting plane by the crutch - Figure 6 is a view showlng the uge of the pivotally connected bottom wall portion to hold the measuring device in a substantially vertical position and - Figures 7 and B are views slmilar to that Of Figure 1 and wherein the measuring probes or sensors of the apparatus are respectively in an operative measuring position and in an inoperative position stowed on the rear face of the shock-proof case, Ref erring to the figures, the xofcrcnce numeral l designates a shock-proof case or box made from a moldable elastomeric material and into which may be fitted a measuring device or appliance 2 as shown on figures 4 to 6.

The bottom wall 3 of the case 1 comprises a longitudinal cut-out or openiny 4 extending practically over the length of th case and defining the wall portion 5 which in the inoperative positon is accommodated in the cut-out 4 so as to form together with the wall 3 the complete wall Of the bottom of. Lhe case 1.

Uhe wall portion S is connected to the top portion of the caso 1 by a transverse pivotal connection 6 made integral in one single piece through molding with the wall portion 5 and the case 1. Thc pivotal connection 6 is provided so as to exert a biasing force urging the wall portion 5 to return into the cut out 4 and more specifically upon the rear wall 2a of the measuring device 2 housed in the case 1, this rear wall 2a thus serving as a mans for supporting the pivotally connected wall portion 5 in its inoperative position shown on figure 1 substantially in the same plane as that of the cut-out 4.

Thc pivotally connected wall portion 5 comprises two wall elements 7 and 8 connected together by a substantially middle pivot hinge 9 so as to permit upon the disengagement of the wall portion 5 from the cut-out 4 outwards of the case l, a folding or swinging back of both wall elements 7, B towards each other to a pc'ition shown in particular on figure 4 in which the wall element 8 Connected to the case 1 by the pivotal connection 6 is kept in a determined angular position a with respect to the plane uf the bottom wall 3 by the other wall element 7 the free end of which is removably locked to tne bottom wall 3 by suLta locking means.

As shown these locking means comprise two side studs 10 made integral in one single piece with the wall portion 5 at the free end of the latter while extending on either side of the portion 5 in perpendicular relatioii to its longitudinal axis, Both studs 10 are insertable into two receiving cavities or recesses ll, respectively, formed in the bottom wall 3 of the case at the level of both opposite edges of the cut-Out 4. Both receiving cavities 11 comprise two stop walls1,2 respectively, located in a same plane perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall 3 and against which both studs 10 of the wall portion 5 are caused to bear in the position shown on figures 4 and 5.Both wall elements 7 and 8 thus shaped form a crutch or stand permitting to lay the measuring device 2 down ill an inclined position with respect to a supporting plane P so as to allow a user to more easily read the information displayed or indicatod by the device 2. It should a3n be pointed out that the cavities 11 defined in the bottom wall 3 are opening towards tho roar wall of the measuring device 2 so that the free end of the wall element 7 be also bearing upon the rear wall of the device 2.Moreover in the positions of the elements 7, 8 shown on figures 4 and 5, the pivotal connection 6 exerts n returning force having the tendency to retain the studs 10 and the free end or the element 7 in beaiiriy relationship upon the abutment wall 12 and the rear wall 2a, respectively, of the device 2.

The wall portion 5 of the case l may also be used as a lug for holding the measuring device 2 in a substantially vertical position as shown on figure 6.

For that purpose ft suffices to disengage the portion 5 from its rest position in the cut-out 4 and to pivot it about the pivotal connection 6 to a position substantially perpendicular to the plane--of the bottom wall 3 of the case 1 and to lay it down upon a beariny plane P1 together with both wall elements 7 and 8 in extension of each other. In this manner the case 1 is maintained in a position substanttally parallel to a bearing plane P2 perpendicular to the plane Pl while being caused to bear upon the plane P2 at its lower part.The biasing force exerted by the pivotal connection 6 tending to move the wall portion 5 towards the case 1 participates in the holding of the measuring device 2 in the vertical position and for the purpose of preventing any sliding of the portion 5 on the plane PI, scores (not shown) may be provided on the internal faca of the element 7 and/or of the element 8 while being disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of the wall portion 5. It is possible to provide instead of scores, suction cup-like elements secured to the internal face of tho clement 7 to accomplish the same function as the scores.

thQ wall element 7 of the portion 5 comprises on its external face and in the vicinity of its free end a nose 13 made integral in one single piece through molding with the element 7 and which may engage or snap elastically into a locking aperture 14 while exerting a longitudinal force upon the element 7 in the direction opposite to the pivotal connection 6 so as to elastically deform the hinge 9 exhibiting a crosssection having ttse shape os an inverted U and to cause the end portion 13a of the nose 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the portion 5 to bear against a Pransverso edge 14a of the aperture 14 formed in the lower part of the bottom wall 3 of tne case 1.The snapping of the nose 13 into the aperture 14 may be facilitated by an aperture 15 bored in the wall element 7 and pertn1Xting the passage of one finger of a hand.

The wall portion B also mpriges as being made integral in one piece through molding therewith, a longitudinal head 16 preferably made fast to the wall element 8 while projecting trom the external or back surface of the latter. The head 16 has a T-shapxd crosssect ion and comprises underneath both upper legs of the T two lateral recesses with a curvilinear cross-section 17 adapted to receive two measuring probes or keys 18, respectively, with contact tipa 19.

Both measuring probes or sensors 18 may be fastened within their respective recesses 17 of the head 16 as shown on figure 7 wherein both probes 18 have their tips 19 clearly projecting from the upper part of the case 1 while being separated in parallel relationship from each other by a distance permitting their insertion into electric contact sockets. Thus the user may plug the measuring device directly into electric contact sockets for tarrying out voltage measurements without having to separate both probes or sensors 18 from the case 1, which probes are of course connected to the measuring device by measuring cords (not shown).The holding ot both probes 18 in the position shown on figure 7 is provided by the elasticity of both upper legs of the T of the head 16 applying each probe 18 upon aligned and spaced notches 20 provided on the pivot hinge 9, the wall element 8 and a transverse wall 21 of the case 1, respectlvely, The axial holding of the probes 18 in relation to the wall portion 5 is provided by their collars or flanges 22 insertable in part in a transverse cavity 23 of the case 1 defined between the wall 22 and th pivotal connection 6.

Figure 8 shows both probes 18 retained by the fastening head 16 in a stowed inoperative position on the back of the case 1. For that purpose the probes 18 are elastically hold in bcaring rclationshlp by the head 16 onto the notches 20 of the wall element 8 with their tips 19 located below the head 16 and partially hidden or concealed by the la r and thelr coliars 22 inserted into two offset transverse notches 24, respectively, provided in the head 16.

The shock-proof case according to the invention therefore permits to itself pertorm with its pivotally connected bottom wall portion the function of a crutch or stand for putting in place a measuring device in an inclined position upon a supporting plane or of holding this device in a substantially vertical position in which it ls maintained by thc wall portion 5 bearing upon a corresponding supporting plane. It should also be noted that the shock-proof case may be hooked by the aperture 15 with the wall elements 7, B fastened in alignment above the rear wall 2a of the measuring device by the nose 13. Of course various modifications may be brought to the shock-proof case of the inYention Thus the bottom wall 3 of the case 1 may comprise several pairs of cavitles 11 for receiving the studs 12 so as to obtain several angular positions of the crutch for positioning the measuring device 2 according to a desired inclination, The shock-proof case is applicable to any type of measuring devices such as wattmeters or to remote controls of television sets, of high-fidelity chains and so on.

Claims

1. Shock-proof case in particular for a portable measuring device, characterized in that the bottom wall of the case comprises a cut-out defining a wall portion pivotally connected to the case and which may be disengaged from the cut-out outwards of the case and brought either in at least one determined angular position in relation to the bottom wall so as to form a crutch permitting to support the measuring device in an inclined position upon a supporting plane or into a position substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall so as to form a leg which may be disposed upon a supporting plane to ensure the holding of the measuring device in a position substantially perpendicular to the supporting plane.

2. Shock-proof case according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivotally connected wall portion extends longitudinally practically over the length of the bottom wall of the case.

3. Shock-proof case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforesaid wall portion comprises two elements connected together by a substantially middle pivot hinge permitting to fold or swing both wall elements back towards each other when the wall portion is disengaged from the cut-out until bringing the wall element pivotally connected to the case into the aforesaid determined angular position in which this wall element is held by the other wall element the free end of which is removably locked to the bottom wall of the case by locking means.

4. Shock-proof case according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the pivotal connection connecting the wall portion to the upper part of the case is elastically acting upon the portion in a direction tending to return it towards the bottom wall of the case.

5. Shock-proof case according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the pivotally connected wall portion comprises transverse scores formed on the internal face thereof and preventing it from gliding on the aforesaid supporting plane when it is used as a leg for holding the measuring device.

6. Shock-proof case according to one of claims I to 4, charactorized in the the pivotally connected wall portion comprises elements forming sucking cups secured to the internal face of the wall portion to prevent it from sliding on the aforesaid supporting plane when it is used as a lug for 1oldiny thtt measuring device.

7. Shock-proof case according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the locking means comprise two side studs made fast to the free end of the other aforesaid wall element and insertable into two receiving c vities, rSpar.tS.vely, formed in the bottom wall of the case at the level of the opposite edges of the aforesaid opening and caused each one to bear upon an abutment wall ot the corresponding receiving cavity which opens towards the rear wall of the measuring device so that the aforesaid pivotal connection elastically maintains in bearing relationship on the one hand the studs upon the respective abutment walls and on the other hand the free end of the other wall element upon the rear wall of the measuring device.

8. Shock-proof case according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the pivotally connected wall portion also comprises at its end opposite to the. pivotal connection a nose elastically engageable with or snapping into a locking aperture formed in the lower part of the case so as to hold the pivotally connected wall portion within the opening and to thus form the bottom wall of the cato.

9. Shock-proof case according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the pivotally connected wall portion moreover comprises as being made fast to ita external or back Lace, a head arranged to removably fasten two measuring prudes of the measuring device either in an inoperative stowed position or in position wherein both measuring tlps of the probes are lonqitudinally projecting from the case while heing spread apart from each other by a distance permitting them to be driven into the sockets of an electric plug connector.

10. Case according to one of the foregoing claims, characterlzed in that it is made from a moldable elastorneric material and in that the wall portion, its pivotal connection to the case, the lateral studs, the locking nose and the head for factoning tho probes arc made integral in one single piece through molding with the case.

11. A protective case for a portable measuring device comprising a casing member having a lower face, and a base pivotally attached to and integrally formed with said casing member and locatable in a first condition in which said base is substantially parallel to said lower face, and a second condition in which at least a portion of said base projects away from said casing member to provide support for the case in at least one position in which said lower face is inclined at a first angle to horizontal.

12. A protective case according to claim 11 wherein the base is locatable in a third condition to provide support for the case in at least a second position in which said lower face is inclined at a second angle to horizontal.

13. A protective case according to claims 11 or 12 having locking means for releasably securing the base in at least said second condition.

14. A protective case according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said base is cut out from said lower face of said casing member providing a recess in said lower face in which said base is locatable in said first condition.

15. A protective case substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.