IP Library Granted Patent US 10,429,431
Granted Patent B2
US 10,429,431 · App. 15/147,688 · Granted Oct 1, 2019

Codeless receptacle tester

Inventors: Daryl C. Brockman (Monroe, WI); Patrick J. Radle (Mequon, WI)
Assignee: ECM Industries
G01R31/041G01R1/06788G01R31/024G01R31/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,429,431
App. No.
15/147,688
Granted
Oct 1, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A codeless receptacle tester including outlet tester circuitry, a housing, and an indicator section. The outlet tester circuitry is configured to perform a plurality of electrical outlet testing functions. The housing has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an enclosure that encloses the outlet tester circuitry. The indicator section is electrically connected to the outlet tester circuitry and has a plurality of indicators. Each indicator of the plurality of indicators is configured to provide a codeless indication of an associated wiring condition of an electrical outlet.

Claims (62)

1. A single line codeless receptacle tester comprising:

a single line outlet tester circuitry configured to perform a plurality of electrical outlet testing functions; and

a housing having

a first end,

a second end opposite the first end, and

an enclosure that encloses the single line outlet tester circuitry, and

an indicator section including five codeless wiring condition indicators and five dedicated light sources that are electrically connected to the single line outlet tester circuitry,

wherein each codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators is indicative of only one wiring condition of a plurality of wiring conditions of a single line electrical outlet,

wherein the each codeless wiring condition indicator corresponds to only a respective one of the five dedicated light sources,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a first dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the first dedicated light source being dedicated to a first codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators, and

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control the five dedicated light sources to not emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, a lack of emission of light by the five dedicated light sources being dedicated to a first wiring condition indicator, wherein the first wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator.

2. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 1 , wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry further includes a ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) test circuit that is configured to test a ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) circuit in parallel to the single line electrical outlet.

3. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 1 , further comprising a male plug electrically coupled to the single line outlet tester circuitry.

4. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 3 , wherein the male plug includes two flat blades and a round prong.

5. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 1 , wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry includes a controller configured to perform the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, wherein the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions includes analyzing a circuit connection of the single line electrical outlet.

6. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions includes analyzing a ground circuit of the single line electrical outlet.

7. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to apply a current to analyze a resistance of the ground circuit of the single line electrical outlet and determine whether the single line electrical outlet has a low resistance value based on the current.

8. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 7 , wherein the low resistance value is equal to or less than ten ohms.

9. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 1 , wherein each dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources has a lens and a light source, wherein the lens is configured to transparently cover and mechanically protect the light source.

10. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 9 , wherein the each dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources includes one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and wherein the lens is a light pipe.

11. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 10 , wherein the each codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators includes codeless markings disposed on the housing, the codeless markings selected from a group consisting of:

Correct,

Bad ground,

Open neutral,

Hot/Grd rev, and

Hot/Neu rev.

12. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 11 , wherein the one or more LEDs of the first dedicated light source are associated with the Correct codeless marking, and wherein a combination of an illumination of the one or more LEDs of the first dedicated light source and the Correct codeless marking provides a first codeless indication that the one wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet is a Correct wiring condition.

13. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 1 , wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a second dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the second dedicated light source being dedicated to a second codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the second dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, and wherein the second codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator and the first wiring condition indicator.

14. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 13 , wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a third dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the third dedicated light source being dedicated to a third codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the third dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source and the second dedicated light source, and wherein the third codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator, the first wiring condition indicator, and the second codeless wiring condition indicator.

15. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 14 , wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a fourth dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the fourth dedicated light source being dedicated to a fourth codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the fourth dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, the second dedicated light source, and the third dedicated light source, and wherein the fourth codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator, the first wiring condition indicator, the second codeless wiring condition indicator, and the third codeless wiring condition indicator.

16. The single line codeless receptacle tester of claim 15 , wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a fifth dedicated light source of the five dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the fifth dedicated light source being dedicated to a fifth codeless wiring condition indicator of the five codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the fifth dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, the second dedicated light source, the third dedicated light source, and the fourth dedicated light source, and wherein the fifth codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator, the first wiring condition indicator, the second codeless wiring condition indicator, the third codeless wiring condition indicator, and the fourth codeless wiring condition indicator.

17. A single line codeless receptacle tester comprising:

a single line outlet tester circuitry configured to perform a plurality of electrical outlet testing functions; and

a housing having

a first end,

a second end opposite the first end, and

an enclosure that encloses the single line outlet tester circuitry, and

an indicator section including a plurality of wiring condition indicators and a plurality of dedicated light sources, the plurality of dedicated light sources is electrically connected to the single line outlet tester circuitry,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control the plurality of dedicated light sources to provide a plurality of codeless indications, each codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications is indicative of only one wiring condition of a plurality of wiring conditions of a single line electrical outlet,

wherein, to provide a first codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications, the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a first dedicated light source of the plurality of dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the first dedicated light source being dedicated to a first wiring condition indicator of the plurality of wiring condition indicators, and

wherein, to provide a second codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications, the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control the plurality of dedicated light sources to not emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, a lack of emission of light by the plurality of dedicated light sources being dedicated to a second wiring condition indicator of the plurality of wiring condition indicators, wherein the second wiring condition indicator is different from the first wiring condition indicator,

wherein, to provide a third codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications, the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a second dedicated light source of the plurality of dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the second dedicated light source being dedicated to a third wiring condition indicator of the plurality of wiring condition indicators, wherein the second dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, and wherein the third wiring condition indicator is different from the first wiring condition indicator and the second wiring condition indicator,

wherein, to provide a fourth codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications, the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a third dedicated light source of the plurality of dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the third dedicated light source being dedicated to a fourth wiring condition indicator of the plurality of wiring condition indicators, wherein the third dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source and the second dedicated light source, and wherein the fourth wiring condition indicator is different from the first wiring condition indicator, the second wiring condition indicator, and the third wiring condition indicator,

wherein, to provide a fifth codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications, the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a fourth dedicated light source of the plurality of dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the fourth dedicated light source being dedicated to a fifth wiring condition indicator of the plurality of wiring condition indicators, wherein the fourth dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, the second dedicated light source, and the third dedicated light source, and wherein the fifth wiring condition indicator is different from the first wiring condition indicator, the second wiring condition indicator, the third wiring condition indicator, and the fourth wiring condition indicator,

wherein, to provide a sixth codeless indication of the plurality of codeless indications, the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a fifth dedicated light source of the plurality of dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the fifth dedicated light source being dedicated to a sixth wiring condition indicator of the plurality of wiring condition indicators, wherein the fifth dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, the second dedicated light source, the third dedicated light source, and the fourth dedicated light source, and wherein the sixth wiring condition indicator is different from the first wiring condition indicator, the second wiring condition indicator, the third wiring condition indicator, the fourth wiring condition indicator, and the fifth wiring condition indicator, and

wherein the first wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Correct wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the second wiring condition indicator is indicative of an Open Hot wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the third wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Bad ground wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the fourth wiring condition indicator is indicative of an Open neutral wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the fifth wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Hot/Grd rev wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, and wherein the sixth wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Hot/Neu rev wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet.

18. A single line codeless receptacle tester comprising:

a single line outlet tester circuitry configured to perform a plurality of electrical outlet testing functions; and

a housing having

a first end,

a second end opposite the first end, and

an enclosure that encloses the single line outlet tester circuitry, and

an indicator section including three or more codeless wiring condition indicators and three or more dedicated light sources that are electrically connected to the single line outlet tester circuitry,

wherein each codeless wiring condition indicator of the three or more codeless wiring condition indicators is indicative of only one wiring condition of a plurality of wiring conditions of a single line electrical outlet,

wherein the each codeless wiring condition indicator corresponds to only a respective one of the three or more dedicated light sources,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a first dedicated light source of the three or more dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the first dedicated light source being dedicated to a first codeless wiring condition indicator of the three or more codeless wiring condition indicators, and

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control the three or more dedicated light sources to not emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, a lack of emission of light by the three or more dedicated light sources being dedicated to a first wiring condition indicator, wherein the first wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a second dedicated light source of the three or more dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the second dedicated light source being dedicated to a second codeless wiring condition indicator of the three or more codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the second dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, and wherein the second codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator and the first wiring condition indicator,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a third dedicated light source of the three or more dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the third dedicated light source being dedicated to a third codeless wiring condition indicator of the three or more codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the third dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source and the second dedicated light source, and wherein the third codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator, the first wiring condition indicator, and the second codeless wiring condition indicator,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a fourth dedicated light source of the three or more dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the fourth dedicated light source being dedicated to a fourth codeless wiring condition indicator of the three or more codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the fourth dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, the second dedicated light source, and the third dedicated light source, and wherein the fourth codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator, the first wiring condition indicator, the second codeless wiring condition indicator, and the third codeless wiring condition indicator,

wherein the single line outlet tester circuitry is configured to control a fifth dedicated light source of the three or more dedicated light sources to emit light based on the plurality of electrical outlet testing functions, the emission of light by the fifth dedicated light source being dedicated to a fifth codeless wiring condition indicator of the three or more codeless wiring condition indicators, wherein the fifth dedicated light source is different from the first dedicated light source, the second dedicated light source, the third dedicated light source, and the fourth dedicated light source, and wherein the fifth codeless wiring condition indicator is different from the first codeless wiring condition indicator, the first wiring condition indicator, the second codeless wiring condition indicator, the third codeless wiring condition indicator, and the fourth codeless wiring condition indicator, and

wherein the first codeless wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Correct wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the first wiring condition indicator is indicative of an Open Hot wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the second codeless wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Bad ground wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the third codeless wiring condition indicator is indicative of an Open neutral wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, wherein the fourth codeless wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Hot/Grd rev wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet, and wherein the fifth codeless wiring condition indicator is indicative of a Hot/Neu rev wiring condition of the single line electrical outlet.

Assignments (11)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEY PARTY TO ANTARES CAPITAL LP AND RECEIVE PARTY TO ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC, KING TECHNOLOGY OF MISSOURI, LLC, THE PATENT STORE, LLC PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 064501 FRAME 0438. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Aug 25, 2023
From: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS AGENT
To: ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC; KING TECHNOLOGY OF MISSOURI, LLC; THE PATENT STORE, LLC
Reel/Frame 064718/0894 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2023
From: ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC; KING TECHNOLOGY OF MISSOURI, LLC; THE PATENT STORE, LLC
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 064501/0438 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 30, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 051446/0848 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 23, 2019
From: ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC; KING TECHNOLOGY OF MISSOURI, LLC; THE PATENT STORE, LLC
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051404/0833 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2019
From: ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049845/0304 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2019
From: POWER PRODUCTS, LLC
To: ECM INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 048153/0511 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL Recorded Aug 10, 2018
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: POWER PRODUCTS, LLC; BLUE SEA SYSTEMS, INC.; PROFESSIONAL MARINER, L.L.C.; LENCO MARINE SOLUTIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 046763/0483 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Aug 10, 2018
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: POWER PRODUCTS LLC; BLUE SEA SYSTEMS, INC.; LENCO MARINE, LLC
Reel/Frame 046772/0965 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2016
From: POWER PRODUCTS, LLC; BLUE SEA SYSTEMS, INC.; PROFESSIONAL MARINER, L.L.C.; LENCO MARINE SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041087/0927 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2016
From: POWER PRODUCTS, LLC; BLUE SEA SYSTEMS, INC.; PROFESSIONAL MARINER, L.L.C.; LENCO MARINE SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041088/0578 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2016
From: RADLE, PATRICK J.; BROCKMAN, DARYL C.
To: POWER PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 039343/0734 →