GB2464256A

GB2464256A - Cable piercing probe hook adapter

Info

Publication number: GB2464256A
Application number: GB0814331A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Devereux; Clive Stephen Spence
Original assignee: SILVERTRONIC Ltd
Current assignee: SILVERTRONIC Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-05
Filing date: 2008-08-05
Publication date: 2010-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-05
Also published as: GB0814331D0; GB2464256B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kit-of-parts comprising a hooked adapter for a cable piercing electrical probe. The probe (1) has a rigid conductor (20) which terminates in a sharp tip (10) suitable for piercing the insulating cover of a cable. The adapter (100) has a hollow main body (140), and a hook portion (110), suitable for hooking insulated electrical cables. The adapter (100) is slidably mountable on and slidably removable from the electrical probe (1).

Description

ADAPTER FOR ELECTRICAL PROBE

The present invention relates to a kit-of-parts comprising an adapter and an electrical probe, an adapter for an electrical probe, a method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least one cable using an adapter and an electrical probe and a method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least two cables using an adapter and an electrical probe.

When testing the electrical characteristics of an electrical cable, electrical probes are used to make an electrical connection between the cable to be tested and the electrical instrumentation. In many applications, cables have an insulating cover which may prevent such an electrical connection from being made.

Electrical probes are known which can be used to pierce the insulation of an electrical cable in order to come into contact with the conductive core thereof.

Cable piercing probes often have a main body with a recess in which an insulated cable may be held and a sharpened hook-shaped conductor, which may be retracted relative to the recess such that the tip of the hook-shaped conductor penetrates the insulation of the cable to form an electrical connection with the conductive core.

In automotive applications, it is sometimes not permitted to pierce the insulation of a cable. In these applications, probes conventionally known as back probes are used. Back probes are used to form an electrical connection with the ends of wires or the connectors at the ends of wires where the core of the wire is generally not covered by insulation. Such ends of wires and connectors may be concealed beneath water-proof seals or the like. Accordingly, conventional back probes have long thin spikes to gain access to the ends of wires or connectors within water-proof seals.

The two above-described types of electrical probe are functionally limited to either back probing or cable piercing.

There is a need for an electrical probe that can carry out both of these functions.

JP2006308388 discloses a voltage detection device comprising an insulating body with a hook part capable of hooking a body, the voltage of which is to be detected. A through hole, bored through the insulating body, has inserted therein a cylindrical body with a female screw thread provided on the inner circumferential surface thereof.

The voltage detection device further comprises a conductor rod with a sharp tip at the first end, and a male screw thread provided on the outer surface thereof at the second end. The conductor rod passes through the through hole and the male screw thread is screwed with the female screw thread of the cylindrical body. A gripping part is fixed to the second end of the conductor rod. The sharp tip at the first end of the conductor rod protrudes from the through hole towards the hook part of the insulating body. The conductor rod is movable forwards and backwards by rotation of the gripping part, so as to move the sharp tip towards or away from the hook part. The conductor rod is electrically connected via a wire to a connection part for connection with an external apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts according to claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter according to claim 12.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least one cable according to claim 20.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least two cables according to claim 21.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional back probe; Figure 2a shows a plan view of an embodiment of an adapter in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2b shows a side view of the adapter of Figure 2a; and Figure 2c shows the adapter of Figure 2a in combination with a back probe.

Figure 1 shows a back probe 1, which may serve to complete an electrical connection between circuitry, or a part thereof, to be tested and electrical instrumentation (not shown) such as, for example, a volt-meter or other electrical testing equipment. Back probe 1 can be used to test the electrical characteristics of connectors, electrical circuits, bare wires, or the like.

Figures 2a and 2b depict an embodiment of an adapter 100 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Figure 2c, in use, the adapter fits over back probe 1, thus converting back probe 1 into a cable piercer. Accordingly, back probe 1 may be inserted into adapter 100 to allow the probe to additionally be used to test the electrical characteristics of the core portion of insulated cables.

When adapter 100 is slidably mounted on back probe 1, a cable to be tested may be hooked by hook portion 110 of adapter 100.

By sliding main body 140 of adapter 100 along neck portion 40 towards handle 60, conductor 20 protrudes by a greater amount from the end face 124 of the narrow part 120. When the adapter 100 has been moved a sufficient distance, the tip 10 of the conductor 20 pierces the insulating cover of the cable to form an electrical connection with the core of the cable.

Thus, testing of the electrical characteristics of the cable can be commenced.

When testing is completed, the user can slide the adapter 100 away from the handle 60. If the conductor fails to slide out from the cable, when the adapter 100 has moved a sufficient distance, the cable contacts the end face 124 of the narrow part 120 and the tip 10 of the conductor 20 is withdrawn therefrom.

Advantageously, the adapter 100 may be mounted on or removed from the back probe 1. Thus, back probe 1 may be used alone as a conventional back probe, or in combination with the adapter 100 as a cable piercing probe.

As can be seen from Figure 1, back probe 1 comprises: a handle 60; an abutment piece 50; a neck part 40, which terminates in tapered portion 30; and a rigid conductor 20 with a sharp tip 10.

Handle 60, abutment piece 50, neck part 40 and tapered portion may be formed in a single unit, or may be separate units joined together.

Handle 60 is depicted in Figure 1 as having a cylindrical shape in order that it may be comfortably gripped in the hand of a user. However, as will be apparent to the skilled person, handle 60 may have any shape that can be held in a user's hand, such as a tapered shape or an ergonomic shape.

Abutment piece 50 is provided between handle 60 and neck part 40. Abutment piece 50 has an annular end face 52 of greater diameter than neck part 40, which extends radially outward from the periphery of neck part 40.

Neck part 40 is depicted as having a cylindrical shape of constant cross-section. AdvantageouSly, in use of the adapter, the cylindrical shape allows the user to rotate the adapter relative to the back probe as may be required to access cables at a variety of orientations. However, neck part 40 may have any cross-sectional shape. The neck part 40 terminates in tapered portion 30. Tapered portion 30 is shaped to aid insertion of the neck part 40 into the adapter main body 140.

The rigid conductor 20 protrudes from the tapered portion 30 of the back probe 1. Conductor 20 is depicted in Figure 1 as being arranged co-axially with neck part 40. However, conductor 20 may have any arrangement that is parallel to the neck part 40.

The conductor 20 has at its distal end a tapered sharp tip 10.

Thus, the conductor 20 is suitable for penetrating weather seals and the like, in order to reach electrical connectors.

The back probe 1 further comprises connecting means (not shown), which can be used to electrically connect the conductor 20 to electrical testing equipment.

With reference to Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, adapter 100 comprises: tubular main body 140; connecting section 130; narrow part 120; and hook portion 110.

Main body 140, connecting section 130, narrow part 120, and hook portion 110 may be formed in a single unit, or may be separate units joined together.

In preferred embodiments, adapter 100 is formed as a single unit. Adapter 100 can be manufactured by injection molding or the like, using only a single mold. Suitable materials for adapter 100 are plastics, such as polystyrene, ABS, polypropylene, PVC, etc. Since adapter 100 can be manufactured as a single unit via injection molding, it can be mass-produced with high quality at a low cost per part, with only limited tooling costs.

Main body 140 of adapter 100 is a hollow tube, which is sized and shaped to closely fit over the neck part 40 of the back probe 1 shown in Figure 1. Accordingly, the cross-section of the internal surface 142 of main body 140 (that is, the cross-section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of main body 140) is substantially the same size and shape as the cross-section of the outer surface of the neck part 40 of the back probe 1.

However, in order that the adapter 100 can frictionally engage neck part 40, the internal surface of main body 140 is preferably very slightly smaller than the outer surface of the neck part 40. Accordingly, when the adapter 100 is fastened around the neck part 40, the tension in the main body 140 and the compressive forces in the neck part 40 create a frictional resistance to relative movement between the two parts.

The dimension of the main body 140 is therefore greater than that of the neck part 40 by an "allowance" that determines the tightness of the fit of the two mating parts. Accordingly, the adapter 100 can be reliably attached to and removed from back probe 1 using a "push-fit" or "interference fit" type connection, wherein a frictional force acts to hold the adapter 100 in place on back probe 1. It is within the abilities of the skilled person to calculate the required "allowance" for a given fit.

Advantageously, if the cross-section of the internal surface 142 is substantially the same size and shape as the cross-section of the outer surface of the neck part 40, then a frictional force may act between the internal surface of main body 140 and the outer surface of the neck part 40. Such a frictional force, while being sufficient to hold the adapter in a fixed position on the back probe 1, is also small enough that the position of adapter 100 relative to back probe 1 can be manipulated by pressure applied by a user's fingers.

Main body 140 terminates at end face 150. When adapter 100 is mounted on back probe 1, end face 150 can abut against abutment piece 50 to prevent the adapter from sliding further along neck part 40.

Connecting section 130 of the adapter 100 is located between main body 140 and narrow part 120. The internal surface 132 of connecting section 130 is tapered, such that when mounting the adapter 100 on the back probe 1, the tip 10 of conductor is guided easily into a passage 122 formed in the narrow part 120.

Although abutment piece 50 is provided to abut the end face of the adapter main body, alternatively, the adapter may be sized and shaped such that the internal surface 132 of connecting section 130 abuts against tapered portion 30 of back probe 1.

The narrow part 120 is provided in parallel with the main body 140. Narrow part 120 is connected to main body 140 via connecting section 130 and has an end face 124 at the end opposite connecting section 130. Narrow part 120 may be narrower than main body in plan view only, as depicted in Figures 2a and 2b, or may be narrower in all directions perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Narrow part 120 is narrower than main body 140 so that in use it may be easier for the user to access cables that are arranged behind or between others.

Passage 122 is formed in narrow part 120. Passage 122 communicates with the interior of the hollow tubular main body via the interior of the connecting section 130. Passage 122 is sized and shaped to allow conductor 20 to pass therethrough.

Hook portion 110 comprises bridge 112, which serves to connect hook potion 110 to an end of narrow part 120. Hook portion may include a recess 114 in which a cable to be tested may sit, and a tapered outer surface 116, which may aid the user to access wires that are arranged behind or between others.

In the embodiment depicted in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the recess 114 is shaped as a channel in which the cable may be held, by a force applied by the tip 10 of the conductor 20, to prevent movement of the cable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable.

As shown in Figure 2b, the channel defining the recess 114 is located in the hook portion 110 in line with the axis of passage 122 (that is, at the intersection of the axis of passage 122 with the hook portion 110) . Recess 114 may be tapered so that a cable hooked by hook portion 110 will be urged into a position opposite the end of passage 122 by a small force in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 100.

Such a force may be applied by the tip 10 of the conductor 20.

The tapered nature of recess 114 will act to locate the typically circular cross-section cable in a position in which the sharp tip 10 of the conductor 20 is aligned (at least approximately) with a centre point of the cable so that the tip 10, when advanced, reliably engages the metal core of the cable (rather than just being inserted tangentially to the metal core, through the insulation only) -10-

Claims

CLAIMS1. A kit of parts including: (i) an electrical probe for forming an electrical connection with a circuit to be tested, comprising: a handle; a neck part; and a sharp tipped conductor, protruding from the neck part, and (ii) an adapter slidably mountable on the electrical probe, comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable, wherein the conductor may extend into the hook portion to pierce the insulated cable located in the hook portion, when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe.
2. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the adapter is formed as a single integer.
3. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the adapter is formed by injection molding.
4. A kit of parts as defined in claim 1 wherein, when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe, the hollow main body frictionally engages the neck part.
5. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the cross section of at least part of the internal surface of the hollow main body is substantially the same size and shape -11 -as the cross section of at least part of the outer surface of the neck part.
6. A kit of parts as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein: the hollow main body defines an end face; and the electrical probe further comprises an abutment piece, located at an end of the neck part, arranged to abut against the end face of the hollow main body to prevent further insertion of the neck part into the hollow main body.
7. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the neck part terminates in a tapered portion from which the sharp tipped conductor protrudes.
B. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the adapter further comprises a passage through which the conductor may extend when the neck part is slidably inserted in the hollow main body.
9. A kit of parts as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein: the adapter further comprises a narrow part; the narrow part has a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter than the hollow main body; and the narrow part comprises a passage through which the conductor may extend when the neck part is slidably inserted in the hollow main body.
10. A kit of parts as defined in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the passage communicates with the interior of the hollow main body via a tapered section. -12-
11. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the hook portion includes a recess which is shaped such that, when the electrical probe is inserted in the adapter and an insulated cable is hooked by the hook portion, the conductive core of the insulated cable will be aligned with the tip of the conductor.
12. An adapter slidably mountable on, and slidably removable from, an electrical probe which has a neck part and a sharp tipped conductor, protruding from the neck part, the adapter comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part of the electrical probe may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable, wherein the conductor can be advanced into and retracted from the hook part by manually sliding the adapter relative to the electrical probe, whereby the sharp tipped conductor can be advanced to penetrate a conductor hooked by the hook portion.
13. An adapter as defined in claim 12 wherein, the adapter is formed as a single integer.
14. An adapter as defined in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the adapter is formed by injection molding.
15. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein when the adapter is mounted on an electrical probe, the hollow main body frictionally engages the neck part.
16. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the adapter further comprises a passage through which -13-the conductor may extend when the neck part is slidably inserted in the hollow main body.
17. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein: the adapter further comprises a narrow part; the narrow part has a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter than the hollow main body; and the narrow part comprises a passage through which the conductor may extend when the neck part of an electrical probe is slidably inserted in the hollow main body.
18. An adapter as defined in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the passage communicates with the interior of the hollow main body via a tapered section.
19. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the hook portion includes a recess, which is shaped such that, when the electrical probe is inserted in the adapter and an insulated cable is hooked by the hook portion, the conductive core of the insulated cable will be aligned with the tip of the conductor.
20. A method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least one cable, each cable having a conductive inner core and an insulating outer layer covering at least a portion of the inner core, comprising the steps of: (1) connecting at least one electrical probe to electrical testing instrumentation, the electrical probe comprising: a handle; a neck part; and -14 -a sharp tipped conductor, which protrudes from the neck part, to thereby form an electrical connection between the conductor and the electrical instrumentation; (2) inserting the neck part of the electrical probe at least partly into an adapter, the adapter comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable, with the conductor extendable into the hook portion when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe; (3) hooking the cable with the adapter; (4) sliding the adapter along the neck part of the electrical probe towards the handle such that the conductor extends into the hook portion and penetrates the insulation of the hooked cable to thereby form an electrical connection between the electrical instrumentation and the inner core of the selected cable; and (6) removing the adapter from the electrical probe.
21. A method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least two cables, each cable having a conductive inner core and an insulating outer layer covering at least a portion of the inner core, comprising the steps of: (1) connecting at least one electrical probe to electrical testing instrumentation, the electrical probe comprising: a handle; a neck part; and a sharp tipped conductor, which protrudes from the neck part, to thereby form an electrical connection between the conductor and the electrical instrumentation; (2) selecting a first cable from the at least two cables; (3) contacting the conductor with the inner core of the first cable to thereby create an electrical connection between the electrical instrumentation and the inner core of the first cable; (4) selecting a second cable from the at least two cables; (5) inserting the neck part of the electrical probe at least partly into an adapter, the adapter comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable; where the sharp tipped conductor is extendable into the hook portion when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe; (6) hooking the second cable with the adapter; and (7) sliding the adapter along the neck part of the electrical probe towards the handle to extend the conductor into the hook portion to penetrate the insulation of the hooked second cable to thereby form an electrical connection between the electrical instrumentation and the inner core of the second cable.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAI MS1. A kit of parts including: (i) an electrical probe for forming an electrical connection with a circuit to be tested, comprising: a handle; a neck part; and a sharp tipped conductor, protruding from the neck part, and (ii) an adapter slidably mountable on the electrical probe, comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable, wherein when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe, the main body of the adapter may slide along the neck part so that the sharp tipped conductor may extend : into the hook portion to pierce the insulated cable * located in the hook portion. *S.. * S.2. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the adapter is formed as a single integer. S...S *.**3. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the adapter is formed by injection molding.4. A kit of parts as defined in claim 1 wherein, when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe, the hollow main body frictionally engages the neck part.5. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the cross section of at least part of the internal surface of the hollow main body is substantially the same size and shape as the cross section of at least part of the outer surface of the neck part.6. A kit of parts as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein: the hollow main body defines an end face; and the electrical probe further comprises an abutment piece, located at an end of the neck part, arranged to abut against the end face of the hollow main body to prevent further insertion of the neck part into the hollow main body.7. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the neck part terminates in a tapered portion from which the sharp tipped conductor protrudes.8. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the adapter further comprises a passage through which the : sharp tipped conductor may extend when the neck part is *. slidably inserted in the hollow main body. * S.9. A kit of parts as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein: the adapter further comprises a narrow part; **..the narrow part has a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter than the hollow main body; and the narrow part comprises a passage through which the sharp tipped conductor mayextend when the neck part is slidably inserted in the hollow main body.10. A kit of parts as defined in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the passage communicates with the interior of the hollow main body via a tapered section.11. A kit of parts as defined in any preceding claim wherein the hook portion includes a recess which is shaped such that, when the electrical probe is inserted in the adapter and an insulated cable is hooked by the hook portion, the conductive core of the insulated cable will be aligned with the tip of the sharp tipped conductor.12. An adapter slidably mountable on, and slidably removable from, an electrical probe which has a neck part and a sharp tipped conductor, protruding from the neck part, the adapter comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part of the electrical probe may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable, S... : wherein when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe, *ISS *,. the sharp tipped conductor can be advanced into and retracted from the hook part by manually sliding the adapter relative to * the electrical probe, whereby the sharp tipped conductor can be advanced to penetrate the insulation of a cable hooked by : the hook portion. S...13. An adapter as defined in claim 12 wherein, the adapter is formed as a single integer.14. An adapter as defined in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the adapter is formed by injection molding.15. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein when the adapter is mounted on an electrical probe, the hollow main body frictionally engages the neck part.16. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the adapter further comprises a passage through which the sharp tipped conductor may extend when the neck part is slidably inserted in the hollow main body.17. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein: the adapter further comprises a narrow part; the narrow part has a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter than the hollow main body; and the narrow part comprises a passage through which the sharp tipped conductor may extend when the neck part of an electrical probe is slidably inserted in the hollow main body. * * S S. **. 18. An adapter as defined in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the S...passage communicates with the interior of the hollow main body * via a tapered section.19. An adapter as defined in any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the hook portion includes a recess, which is shaped such that, when the electrical probe is inserted in the adapter and an insulated cable is hooked by the hook portion, the conductive core of the insulated cable will be aligned with the tip of the sharp tipped conductor.20. A method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least one cable, each cable having a conductive inner core and an insulating outer layer covering at least a portion of the inner core, comprising the steps of: (1) connecting at least one electrical probe to electrical testing instrumentation, the electrical probe comprising: a handle; a neck part; and a sharp tipped conductor, which protrudes from the neck part, to thereby form an electrical connection between the sharp tipped conductor and the electrical instrumentation; (2) inserting the neck part of the electrical probe at least partly into an adapter thereby mounting the adapter on the electrical probe, the adapter comprising: a hollow main body, into which the neck part may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated . : cable, such that the sharp tipped conductor is extendable into the hook portion and may be withdrawn therefrom, when the * adapter is mounted on the electrical probe; (3) hooking the cable with the adapter; (4) sliding the adapter along the neck part of the S...electrical probe towards the handle such that the sharp tipped conductor extends into the hook portion and penetrates the insulation of the hooked cable to thereby form an electrical connection between the electrical instrumentation and the inner core of the selected cable; and (6) removing the adapter from the electrical probe.21. A method of testing the electrical characteristics of at least two cables, each cable having a conductive inner core and an insulating outer layer covering at least a portion of the inner core, comprising the steps of: (1) connecting at least one electrical probe to electrical testing instrumentation, the electrical probe comprising: a handle; a neck part; and a sharp tipped conductor, which protrudes from the neck part, to thereby form an electrical connection between the sharp tipped conductor and the electrical instrumentation; (2) selecting a first cable from the at least two cables; (3) contacting the sharp tipped conductor with the inner core of the first cable to thereby create an electrical connection between the electrical instrumentation and the inner core of the first cable; (4) selecting a second cable from the at least two S...5. cables; * ** (5) inserting the neck part of the electrical probe at least partly into an adapter thereby mounting the adapter on the electrical probe, the adapter comprising: *..a hollow main body, into which the neck part may be slidably inserted; and a hook portion, adapted for hooking an insulated cable; where the sharp tipped conductor is extendable into the hook portion and may be withdrawn therefrom, when the adapter is mounted on the electrical probe; (6) hooking the second cable with the adapter; and (7) sliding the adapter along the neck part of the electrical probe towards the handle to extend the sharp tipped conductor into the hook portion to penetrate the insulation of the hooked second cable to thereby form an electrical connection between the electrical instrumentation and the inner core of the second cable. * * * ** * **** * S S... * SS * . . * ** S...