US1145675A - Clinical thermometer. - Google Patents

Description

F. C. DUDLEY.

CLINICAL THERMOMETER.

APPLlcAnoN man ocT. l?, 1914.

49W Patented July 6, 1915.

In Ven tor:

by www Atty coLummA PLANDGRAPM C0.. WASHINGTON, D, c.

CLINICAL THERMGMETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1915i.

Application filed October 17, 1914. Serial No. 867,049. i

T0 all 'w71 om t may conf-ern Be it known that I, FRANK C. DUDLEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clinical Thermometers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved clin ical thermometer.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means in a thermometer of this kind whereby the mercury tube or stem may be immersed in liquid antiseptic when the thermometer is not in use.

Another object is to provide means to prevent leakage of the antiseptic solution when the thermometer is carried in the pocket or lies on a table or the like.

1t is also an object of the invention to so construct the thermometer, that the antiseptic will be visible, thus enabling the user to determine when a new supply is necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convenient and compact device, which may be readily assembled and disassembled for cleaning purposes, and in which the graduated markings on the mercury tube cannot be effaced by the solution employed.

The invention comprises the several features and combinations hereinafter more fully described, the novelty being pointed out in the appended claim.

rlFhe preferred embodiment of the invention is illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of the improved thermometer; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, the mercury tube being shown in elevation; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the thermometer. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the accompanying drawing,

10 denotes the exterior casing which is pref erably enlarged at 11 to provide a convenient handle, and has its body portion provided with elongated apertures or openings 12, and one end permanently open at 13. Designed to telescope with the exterior` casing 10 and coaxial therewith, is the transparent antiseptic container or tube 14 which,

as shown in. the drawing, is preferably made of glass. By this construction, the anti septic 15 (usually alcohol) placed in the tube 14 is visible through the openings 12 in the outer casing 10, the latter beingpreferably of nickel or any other suitable metal pleasing to the eye.

.The inner periphery of theenlarged head i 11 of the tube 10 is threaded to receive the` externally threaded knob 16 carried at one end of the mercury tube 17. r1`he latter is provided with the indication graduations 1S preferably of cement or a similar material which will not be dissolved or eifaced by ,theV antiseptic solution 15 4within theV tube 14.

In order to prevent leakage of the fluid out of the tube 14 l provide the following construction, reference being had more especially to Fig. 3 of the drawing. Approximately intermediate its ends the enlarged portion 11 of the tube 10 is provided with an interior shoulder 19 the surface of which is intended to be flush with the upper edge will also have a tendency to hug the tube 17, extend inwardly into the tube 14, and thus act to prevent leakage of fluid past the septum.

To clamp the septum in position l place immediately over its periphery a metal ring or washer 22 one surface of which is crimped or roughened as shown in Fig. 5, for the purpose of obtaining a good purchase against the septum 20. Taking against the ring 22 is an externally threaded nut 23, the threads of which engage the threads formed on the interior of the enlarged portion 11 of the tube 10. By screwing home the nut 23, the septum 20 is compressed against the seat or shoulder 19 through intermediary of the crimped ring 22.

When it is desired to use the thermometer, the knob 16 is turned in the proper direction until the threads thereon are disengaged from the threads of the enlarged head mem- 14 may belifted out, cleaned and refilled if desired. 'Io assemble the device` the glass tube is inserted in the metallic exterior casing 10, the septum 20 and ring 22 placed in position, and the nut 23 then screwed home. Thereafter the mercury tube is reinserted and screwed down. When the mercury tube is in the position indicated in F ig. 3, leakage of Huid past the septum 20 is practically impossible, and the entrance of foreign subL stances into the glass tube 14 is also obviated.V Moreover, as the mercury tube is drawn out for use, the surface thereof Will be cleaned to a considerable extent by conp tact with the tightly embracing edges of the rubber septum 20.

What I claim is In a clinical thermometer, the combination of an exterior metal casing, provided With apertures in its body portion and having an enlarged end threaded interiorly, a shoulder within said casing and adjacent one end of said threads, a transparent tube Within said casing and having its open end flush with said shoulder, a slotted flexible septum resting on said shoulder and the open end of said tube, means for clamping said septum in position, said means comprising 'a 'crimped Washer engaging the septum and a nut taking against said Washer, and a mercury tube having a threaded knob designed to engage the threads on the casing In testimony vvlrereof I have aiixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses. V

FRANK C. DUDLEY.

Vitnesses HENRY T. PYLE, GEORGE HL'ERIC'H.

Copies of .this patent may be lobtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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