U.S. patent application number 10/801210 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for meter stand.
Invention is credited to Avery, Bryan K..
Application Number | 20050205728 10/801210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34985218 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Avery, Bryan K. |
September 22, 2005 |
Meter stand
Abstract
A meter stand is provided for holding a meter such as a
multi-meter. In general, the meter stand includes an arm assembly
detachably connected to a base member. The arm assembly includes a
meter attachment assembly for holding the meter, a first arm
attached to the meter attachment assembly, and a second arm
hingedly connected to the first arm. The second arm also includes a
socket attachment that detachably connects the arm assembly to the
base member. In one embodiment, the base member is a magnetic base
member. In another embodiment, the base member includes a clamp
assembly. In yet another embodiment, the base member includes a
stand assembly. The stand assembly can be used to support the meter
stand on a substantially flat surface or a vertical surface or used
in combination with a neck strap to support the meter stand around
a user's neck.
Inventors: |
Avery, Bryan K.; (Angier,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WITHROW & TERRANOVA, P.L.L.C.
P.O. BOX 1287
CARY
NC
27512
US
|
Family ID: |
34985218 |
Appl. No.: |
10/801210 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/149 ;
248/229.15; 248/316.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2005/006 20130101;
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2200/0516 20130101;
F16M 11/046 20130101; F16M 11/2021 20130101; G01R 15/12 20130101;
A45F 2003/007 20130101; F16M 11/045 20130101; F16M 13/02 20130101;
F16M 11/105 20130101; G01R 1/04 20130101; F16M 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/149 ;
248/316.1; 248/229.15 |
International
Class: |
A47G 023/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A meter stand for holding a meter, comprising: a base member
having a first socket attachment; and an arm assembly, comprising:
an meter attachment assembly adapted to hold the meter; a first arm
having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is
coupled to said meter attachment; and a second arm having a first
end and a second end, wherein said first end is hingedly connected
to said second end of said first arm and said second end has a
second socket attachment detachably connected to said first socket
attachment of said base member.
2. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said first socket attachment
is a male socket attachment and said second socket attachment is a
female socket attachment.
3. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said first socket attachment
is a female socket attachment and said second socket attachment is
a male socket attachment.
4. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said arm assembly further
comprises a first fastener coupled to said first end of said second
arm and said second end of said first arm such that said second arm
is free to hingedly rotate with respect to said first arm when said
first fastener is unlocked, and said first arm and said second arm
form a substantially rigid structure when said first locking
mechanism is locked.
5. The meter stand of claim 4 wherein said first fastener
comprises: a bolt that passes through an orifice in each of said
first and second arms of said arm assembly; and a wing nut secured
on said bolt such that said first fastener is locked by tightening
said wing nut and unlocked by loosening said wing nut.
6. The meter stand of claim 5 wherein said first arm of said arm
assembly further comprises said bolt and said bolt passes through
said orifice in said second arm.
7. The meter stand of claim 5 wherein said second arm of said arm
assembly further comprises said bol,t and said bolt passes through
said orifice in said first arm.
8. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises a
stand assembly, comprising: an arm having a first end and a second
end, wherein said first end comprises said first socket attachment;
a first support member hingedly connected to said second end of
said arm of said stand assembly; and a second support member
hingedly connected to said second end of said arm of said stand
assembly.
9. The meter stand of claim 8 wherein said first and second support
members spread apart to stabilize said stand assembly.
10. The meter stand of claim 8 wherein said stand assembly further
comprises a first fastener coupled to said second end of said arm
and said first and second support members such that said arm and
said first and second support members are free to hingedly rotate
with respect to one another when said first fastener is unlocked,
and said arm and said first and second support members form a
substantially rigid structure when said first locking mechanism is
locked.
11. The meter stand of claim 10 wherein said first fastener
comprises: a bolt that passes through an orifice in each of said
arm and said first and second support members of said stand
assembly; and a wing nut secured on said bolt such that said first
fastener is locked by tightening said wing nut and unlocked by
loosening said wing nut.
12. The meter stand of claim 8 further comprising a neck strap
having a first end detachably connected to a first orifice in a
first end of said first support member and a second end detachably
connected to a second orifice in a second end of said first support
member.
13. The meter stand of claim 12 further comprising a waist strap
having a first end detachably connected to a first orifice in a
first end of said second support member and a second end detachably
connected to a second orifice in a second end of said second
support member.
14. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said base member is a
magnetic base member comprising said first socket attachment.
15. The meter stand of claim 14 wherein said magnetic base member
further comprises a third socket attachment, wherein said first
socket attachment and said third socket attachment are on adjacent
sides of said magnetic base member.
16. The meter stand of claim 15 further comprising a clamp body,
comprising a fourth socket attachment detachably coupled to said
magnetic base member via said second socket attachment, wherein
said clamp body and said magnetic base member form a c-clamp
assembly.
17. The meter stand of claim 16 wherein said clamp body comprises:
a c-shaped portion having a first end and a second end, wherein
said first end of said c-shaped portion comprises said fourth
socket attachment and said second end of said c-shaped portion
comprises a threaded orifice; and a threaded bolt assembly passing
through said threaded orifice and having a first end, wherein said
meter stand is attached to a structure by upwardly rotating said
threaded bolt until said first end is in contact with a bottom
surface of said structure and a bottom side of said magnetic base
member is in contact with an upper surface of said structure.
18. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises a
clamp assembly comprising said first socket attachment.
19. The meter stand of claim 16 wherein said clamp assembly further
comprises: a c-shaped portion having a first end and a second end,
wherein said first end of said c-shaped portion comprises said
first socket attachment and said second end of said c-shaped
portion comprises a threaded orifice; and a threaded bolt assembly
passing through said threaded orifice and having a first end,
wherein said meter stand is attached to a structure by upwardly
rotating said threaded bolt until said first end is in contact with
a bottom surface of said structure and a bottom side of said first
end of said c-shaped portion is in contact with an upper surface of
said structure.
20. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said meter attachment
assembly has an adjustable width.
21. The meter stand of claim 1 wherein said meter attachment
assembly comprises: a first slotted member comprising a first
portion having a first slot, a second portion having a first
perpendicular tab, a front side, and a back side; a second slotted
member comprising a first portion having a second slot, a second
portion having a second perpendicular tab, a front side, and a back
side; and a third slotted member comprising a first portion having
a third slot, a second portion having a third perpendicular tab, a
front side, and a back side; a bolt passing through said front
sides of said first, second, and third slotted members; and a wing
nut secured on said bolt at said back sides of said first, second,
and third slotted members such that said first, second, and third
slotted members are free to slide about said bolt when said wing
nut is loosened and said first, second, and third slotted members
form a substantially rigid structure when said wing nut is
tightened; said first slotted member and said second slotted member
arranged such that said first slot overlaps said second slot and
said first perpendicular tab is located horizontally across from
said second perpendicular tab; said third slotted member arranged
such that said third slot overlaps said first and second slots and
said third perpendicular tab is located on an axis perpendicular to
said first and second perpendicular tabs.
22. Meter stand of claim 1 wherein said second arm further
comprises a ball joint coupling said second socket attachment to
said second arm.
22. A meter stand for holding a meter, comprising: a stand
assembly, comprising: an arm having a first end and a second end,
wherein said first end comprises a first socket attachment; a first
support member hingedly connected to said second end of said first
arm; and a second support member hingedly connected to said second
end of said first arm; and an arm assembly, comprising: a first end
comprising a second socket attachment adapted to detachably connect
said arm assembly to said first socket attachment of said stand
assembly; and a meter attachment assembly adapted to hold the meter
at a second end of said arm assembly.
23. The meter stand of claim 22 wherein said first and second
support members spread apart to stabilize said stand assembly.
24. The meter stand of claim 22 wherein said stand assembly further
comprises a first fastener coupled to said second end of said arm
and said first and second support members such that said arm and
said first and second support members are free to hingedly rotate
with respect to one another when said first fastener is unlocked,
and said arm and said first and second support members form a
substantially rigid structure when said first locking mechanism is
locked.
25. The meter stand of claim 24 wherein said first fastener
comprises: a bolt that passes through an orifice in each of said
arm and said first and second support members of said stand
assembly; and a wing nut secured on said bolt such that said first
fastener is locked by tightening said wing nut and unlocked by
loosening said wing nut.
26. The meter stand of claim 22 further comprising a neck strap
having a first end detachably connected to a first orifice in a
first end of said first support member and a second end detachably
connected to a second orifice in a second end of said first support
member.
27. The meter stand of claim 26 further comprising a waist strap
having a first end detachably connected to a first orifice in a
first end of said second support member and a second end detachably
connected to a second orifice in a second end of said second
support member.
28. The meter stand of claim 22 wherein said first socket
attachment is a male socket attachment and said second socket
attachment is a female socket attachment.
29. The meter stand of claim 22 wherein said first socket
attachment is a female socket attachment and said second socket
attachment is a male socket attachment.
30. The meter stand of claim 22 wherein said first support member
and said arm are free to rotate such that the first support member
and the arm are positioned within said second support member,
thereby placing said stand assembly in a substantially flat folded
position.
30. A meter stand for holding a meter, comprising: a magnetic base
member having a first socket attachment; and an arm assembly,
comprising: a second socket attachment at a first end of said arm
assembly adapted to detachably connect said arm assembly to said
first socket attachment of said magnetic base member; and a meter
attachment assembly adapted to hold the meter at a second end of
said arm assembly.
31. The meter stand of claim 30 wherein said first socket
attachment is a male socket attachment and said second socket
attachment is a female socket attachment.
32. The meter stand of claim 30 wherein said first socket
attachment is a female socket attachment and said second socket
attachment is a male socket attachment.
33. A meter stand for holding a meter, comprising: a c-clamp
assembly comprising a first socket attachment; and an arm assembly,
comprising: a first end comprising a second socket attachment
adapted to detachably connect said arm assembly to said first
socket attachment of said c-clamp; and a meter attachment assembly
adapted to hold the meter at a second end of said arm assembly.
34. The meter stand of claim 33 wherein said first socket
attachment is a male socket attachment and said second socket
attachment is a female socket attachment.
35. The meter stand of claim 33 wherein said first socket
attachment is a female socket attachment and said second socket
attachment is a male socket attachment.
36. The meter stand of claim 33 wherein said c-clamp assembly
further comprises: a c-clamp body comprising a third socket
attachment; and a base member comprising said first socket
attachment and a fourth socket attachment, wherein said fourth
socket attachment is adapted to connect said base member to said
third socket attachment.
37. The meter stand of claim 36 wherein said clamp body further
comprises: a c-shaped portion having a first end and a second end,
wherein said first end of said c-shaped portion comprises said
third socket attachment and said second end of said c-shaped
portion comprises a threaded orifice; and a threaded bolt assembly
passing through said threaded orifice and having a first end,
wherein said meter stand is attached to a structure by upwardly
rotating said threaded bolt until said first end is in contact with
a bottom surface of said structure and a bottom side of said base
member is in contact with an upper surface of said structure.
38. The meter stand of claim 36 wherein said third socket
attachment is a male socket attachment and said fourth socket
attachment is a female socket attachment.
39. The meter stand of claim 36 wherein said third socket
attachment is a female socket attachment and said fourth socket
attachment is a male socket attachment.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a meter stand for holding a
meter, such a multi-meter, and more particularly relates to a meter
stand having an arm assembly that is detachable from a base
member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable meters, such as a common handheld multi-meter, are
used in various environments and for various purposes. When using a
multi-meter to measure voltage, current, and/or resistance, a user
typically places the multi-meter on a table top, the ground, or
some other horizontal flat surface such that his hands are free to
grasp the two electronic probes of the multi-meter. However, many
environments have few if any horizontal flat surfaces on which the
multi-meter may be placed during use. Thus, the multi-meter may be
placed in a location where the display of the multi-meter is not
easily readable by the user. Further, in environments where the
only horizontal flat surfaces would place the nodes of interest
beyond the reach of the two electronic probes, the user is
typically forced to attempt to hold the meter while manipulating
the two electronic probes with her two hands.
[0003] There are also environments in which the user must
frequently move the multi-meter to monitor various nodes of a
device or a piece of machinery. In these environments, the user
must either repeatedly move the multi-meter from one horizontal
flat surface to another horizontal flat surface such that the
multi-meter is near the nodes of interest, or attempt to hold the
multi-meter in some fashion while manipulating the two electronic
probes. Further, even if the user is able to hold the meter and
manipulate the probes at the same time, he may not be able to
easily read the display of the multi-meter or change the settings
or mode of operation of the multi-meter.
[0004] Thus, there remains a need for a meter stand for holding a
meter that is capable of supporting a meter in various
environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a meter stand for holding a
meter such as a multi-meter. In general, the meter stand includes
an arm assembly detachably connected to a base member having a
first socket attachment. The arm assembly includes a meter
attachment assembly for holding the meter, a first arm attached to
the meter attachment assembly, and a second arm hingedly connected
to the first arm and having a second socket attachment that
detachably connects the arm assembly to the base member.
[0006] In one embodiment, the meter stand includes the arm assembly
and a magnetic base member. The magnetic base member includes the
first socket attachment for detachably connecting to the arm
assembly. The magnetic base member may also include a third socket
attachment to which the arm assembly may be detachably connected if
so desired. In operation, the magnetic base member magnetically
attaches the meter stand to a metallic surface.
[0007] In another embodiment, the meter stand includes the arm
assembly detachably connected to a clamp assembly, which operates
as the base member. In one embodiment, the clamp assembly includes
the magnetic base member and a clamp body detachably connected to
the magnetic base member. In another embodiment, the clamp assembly
includes a clamp body that is detachably connected to the arm
assembly. In operation, either embodiment of the clamp assembly
attaches the meter stand to a thin, flat surface such as a table
top.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, the meter stand includes the arm
assembly detachably connected to a stand assembly. The stand
assembly includes an arm hingedly connected to two support members.
The arm includes a first end having a socket attachment for
detachably connecting to the arm assembly and a second end hingedly
connected to the two support members. The meter stand may further
include a neck strap and a waist strap that connect to orifices in
the first and second support members and that attach the meter
stand to a user's body. Additionally, the meter stand may be
attached to a wall by driving nails into a wall through one or more
of the orifices in the first and second support members.
[0009] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the
present invention and realize additional aspects thereof after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming
a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the
invention, and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an arm assembly of a meter stand holding
a meter according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates the arm assembly of FIG. 1 without the
meter;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the arm assembly of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the arm assembly of FIG.
2;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of the arm assembly of
FIG. 3 wherein the arm assembly includes a bolt for hingedly
connecting the first arm to the second arm according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates the meter stand of FIG. 2 having a
magnetic base according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates the meter stand attached to a vertical
surface;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a meter stand having a clamp assembly as
a base member according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the meter
stand of FIG. 8;
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a meter stand having a stand assembly as
a base member according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates the meter stand of FIG. 10 including a
neck strap and a waist strap according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates the meter stand of FIG. 10 attached to a
vertical surface according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates the meter stand in a substantially flat
folded position according to one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the socket
attachments of the meter stand of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary
information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention.
Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying
drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the
concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these
concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood
that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the
disclosure and the accompanying claims.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an arm assembly 10 of a meter stand
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The arm
assembly 10 includes a meter attachment assembly 12 for holding a
meter 14, such as a multi-meter, voltmeter, or the like. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the meter attachment assembly 12 includes
three slotted members 16-20. The first slotted member 16 includes a
first portion 16A having a slot 16B and a second portion having a
tab 16C that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion
16A. The second slotted member 18 includes a first portion 18A
having a slot 18B and a second portion having a tab 18C that is
substantially perpendicular to the first portion 16A. Similarly,
the third slotted member 20 includes a first portion 20A having a
slot 20B and a second portion having a tab 20C that is
substantially perpendicular to the first portion 20A.
[0027] The slotted members 16-20 are arranged such that a bolt 22
passes through each of the slots 16B-20B of the slotted members
16-20. The slotted members 16-20 are positioned about the bolt 22
such that the slot 16B of the first slotted member 16 overlaps the
slot 18B of the second slotted member 18 and the tab 16C of the
first slotted member 16 is horizontally across from the tab 18C of
the second slotted member 18. The third slotted member 20 is
arranged such that the slot 20B of the third slotted member 20
intersects the slots 16B and 18B and the first portion 20A of the
third slotted member 20 is substantially perpendicular to the first
portions 16A and 18A of the first slotted member 16 and the second
slotted member 18, respectively.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, which is a rear view of FIG. 2,
the bolt 22 passes through the slots 16B-20B, and the meter
attachment assembly 12 is secured to a first arm 24 of the arm
assembly 10 by securing a wing nut 25 onto the bolt 22. The bolt 22
and the wing nut 25 form a fastener and may be replaced by any type
of fastener that can hold the slotted members 16-20 together and
attach the meter attachment assembly to the first arm 24. The arm
assembly 10 also includes a second arm 26 hingedly connected to the
first arm 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the second arm 26
includes a bolt 28 (FIG. 4) that passes through an office 30 (FIG.
4) in the first arm 24. A second wing nut 32 is secured to the bolt
28, thereby forming a fastener that hingedly connects the first arm
24 to the second arm 26. The second arm 26 also includes a socket
attachment 34 whose function is described in detail below. Although
the socket attachment 34 is illustrated as a female socket
attachment, it should be noted that that socket attachment may
alternatively be a male socket attachment.
[0029] Both the meter attachment assembly 12 and the relative
positions of the first arm 24 and the second arm 26 are adjustable.
The meter attachment assembly 12 is adjustable by loosening the
wing nut 25 such that the meter attachment assembly 12 is in an
unlocked state. Once in the unlocked state, the slotted members
16-20 are free so slide about the bolt 22. For example, a width of
the meter attachment assembly 12, which is a distance between the
tabs 16C and 18C, can be adjusted by sliding the first and second
slotted members 16 and 18 such that the tabs 16C and 18C either
move toward one another or away from one another. Further, the
third slotted member 20 is free to slide vertically to either
increase or decrease a distance between the tab 20C of the third
slotted member 20 and the first and second slotted members 16 and
18, thereby adjusting a height of the meter attachment assembly 12.
Further, the first and second slotted members 16 and 18 can be
rotated about the bolt 22 such that the tabs 16C and 18C are either
angled up or down in order to accommodate meters having tops that
are wider than their bases or vise versa. Once the slotted members
16-20 are adjusted, the wing nut 25 is tightened such that the
meter attachment assembly 12 is in a locked state and forms a
substantially rigid structure.
[0030] The position of the first arm 24 relative to the position of
the second arm 26 can be adjusted in a similar fashion. First, the
arms 24 and 26 are placed in an unlocked state by loosening the
second wing nut 32. Once in the unlocked state, the first and
second arms 24 and 26 are free to hingedly rotate about the bolt 28
(FIG. 4). Once the arms 24 and 26 are in a desired position, the
arms 24 and 26 are placed in a locked state by tightening the wing
nut 32 such that the arms 24 and 26 form a substantially rigid
structure.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the arm assembly 10 of FIGS.
1-3 illustrating that the elements of the arm assembly 10 can be
disassembled from one another. As discussed above, the arm assembly
10 includes the meter attachment assembly 12 including the slotted
members 16-20. The first slotted member 16 includes the first
portion 16A having the slot 16B and also includes the tab 16C that
is substantially perpendicular to the first portion 16A. In a
similar fashion, each of the second and third slotted members 18
and 20 include the first portions 18A and 20A having the slots 18B
and 20C and also having the perpendicular tabs 18C and 20C. The
slotted members 16-20 are attached to the first arm 24 via the bolt
22 that passes through the slots 16B-20B and through an orifice 36
in the first arm 24. The wing nut 25 secures to the bolt 22 and is
used to lock or unlock the slotted members 16-20, as discussed
above. The second arm 26 includes the bolt 28 that passes through
the orifice 30 in the first arm 24, thereby hingedly connecting the
first arm 24 to the second arm 26. The wing nut 32 secures to the
bolt 28 and is used to lock or unlock the arms 24 and 26, as
discussed above.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the arm
assembly 10 of FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, the first arm 24,
rather than the second arm 24, includes the bolt 28. The previous
discussion in FIGS. 1-4 is applicable for FIG. 5.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the second arm 26 of the arm
assembly 10 includes the socket attachment 34. As is discussed
below in detail, the socket attachment 34 allows the arm assembly
10 to be detachably connected to various base members designed to
support the arm assembly in various environments. Further, the
socket attachment 34 allows the arm assembly 12 to quickly and
easily be attached or detached from the base members.
[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a one embodiment of a meter stand 38
according to the present invention. The meter stand 38 includes the
arm assembly 10 detachably connected to a magnetic base member 40.
The arm assembly 10 is as described above with respect to FIGS.
1-5. The magnetic base member 40 is magnetic such that the base
member 40, and thus the meter stand 38, can be attached to a metal
surface (not shown) using the magnetic force of the magnetic base
member 40. The magnetic base member 40 includes a first socket
attachment 42 and optionally a second socket attachment 44. In the
illustrated embodiment, the socket attachments 42 and 44 are male
socket attachments and may include spring loaded balls 46 and 48 to
provide a more secure connection when inserted into a female socket
attachment.
[0035] The arm assembly 10 is detachably connected to the magnetic
base member 40 by attaching the female socket attachment 34 to one
of the male socket attachments 42 or 44. Because of the socket
attachments 34, 42 and 44, the arm assembly 10 can be quickly and
easily attached or detached from the magnetic base member 40. As
illustrated, the female socket attachment 34 is detachably
connected to the male socket attachment 42. Although the socket
attachment 34 is illustrated as a female socket attachment and the
socket attachments 42 and 44 are illustrated as male socket
attachments, it should be noted that the socket attachment 34 may
alternatively be a male socket attachment and the socket
attachments 40 and 42 may alternatively be female socket
attachments.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates the meter stand 38 having the magnetic
base member 40 attached to a vertical surface 50, such as metallic
wall. As illustrated the arm assembly 10 is adjusted such that the
meter attachment assembly 12 faces outward and slightly upward from
the vertical surface 50. However, it should be noted that the arm
assembly 10 can be adjusted, as discussed above, such that the
meter attachment assembly 12 faces in a desired direction. Although
the arm assembly 10 is illustrated as being detachably connected to
the socket attachment 42, the arm assembly 10 may alternatively be
attached to the socket attachment 44 if so desired.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the meter stand 38'
including the arm assembly 10 of FIGS. 1-5 and a clamp assembly 52
operating as a base member. The clamp assembly 52 is detachably
connected to the arm assembly 10 and operates to connect the meter
stand 38' to a thin surface 54 such as a table top. For instance,
it may be desirable to use the meter stand 38' in an environment
having no metal surfaces on which the magnetic base member 40 can
be attached and the only available surface is a thin surface such
as a table top. It should be noted that the surface 54 need not be
horizontal or completely flat. For example, the clamp assembly 52
can be attached to a door or a vertical column post in addition to
structures such as a table top.
[0038] The clamp assembly 52 includes the magnetic base member 40
of FIGS. 6 and 7 and a clamp body 56. The clamp body 56 includes a
c-shaped portion 58 and a threaded bolt 60. At one end of the
threaded bolt 60 there may be a bar 62 which allows the threaded
bolt 60 to be easily rotated. The arm assembly 10 is detachably
connected to the magnetic base member 40 via socket attachments 34
and 42, and the magnetic base member 40 is detachably connected to
the clamp body 56 via socket attachment 42 and a socket attachment
64 at one end of the c-shaped portion 58 of the clamp body 56. The
meter stand 38' is attached to the surface 54 by placing the clamp
assembly 52 such that the bottom surface of the magnetic base
member 40 rests on the upper surface of the thin, flat surface 54.
The clamp assembly 52, and thus the meter stand 38', is secured to
the surface 54 by rotating the threaded bolt 60 until the end of
the threaded bolt 60 comes into contact with the bottom surface of
the thin, flat surface 54.
[0039] Although FIG. 8 illustrates that the clamp assembly 52
includes the magnetic base member 40, the magnetic base member 40
may be replaced with any similar structure having two socket
attachments. Further, the magnetic base member 40 may be replaced
with a similar structure that is non-magnetic.
[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the meter
stand 38' of FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the clamp assembly 52
includes an alternative embodiment of the clamp body 56'. In this
embodiment, the clamp body 56' includes the c-shaped portion 58'
and the threaded bolt 60. At one end of the threaded bolt 60 there
may be the bar 62 which allows the threaded bolt 60 to be easily
rotated. In this embodiment, the c-shaped portion 58' includes a
socket attachment 64. Thus, unlike the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 8, the clamp assembly 52 of FIG. 9 does not include the
magnetic base member 40. Thus, the arm assembly 10 is directly
attached to the clamp assembly 52 via the socket attachments 34 and
64.
[0041] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the meter stand
38" including the arm assembly 10 of FIGS. 1-5 detachably connected
to a stand assembly 66, which operates as a base member. The stand
assembly 66 includes an arm 68 and support members 70 and 72. The
arm 68 and the support members 70 and 72 are hingedly connected as
illustrated by a bolt 74 and corresponding wing nut 76, where the
bolt 74 and the wing nut 76 form a fastener. Also, the first
support member 70 includes orifices 78 and 80, and the second
support member 72 includes orifices 82 and 84.
[0042] In operation, the stand assembly 66 is placed in an unlocked
state by loosening the wing nut 74. Once in the unlocked state, the
arm 68 and the support members 70 and 72 are free to hingedly
rotate with respect to one another. For example, the support
members 70 and 72 can be rotated such that the support members 70
are spread apart and form a stable base for the meter stand 38".
The arm 68 can be hingedly rotated such that the arm assembly 10 is
in a desired position. Once the arm 68 and the support members 70
and 72 are in their desired positions, the wing nut 74 can be
tightened to place the stand assembly 66 in a locked state such
that the arm 68 and the support members 70 and 72 form a
substantially rigid structure.
[0043] Once the stand assembly 66 is adjusted, the meter stand 38"
operates as a meter stand that can be placed on a surface to hold a
meter. As shown, the support members 70 and 72 are preferably
adjusted such that the support members 70 and 72 form a bi-pod
structure. It may be desirable to use the meter stand 38" including
the stand assembly 66 in any environment having a substantially
flat surface that is large enough to accommodate the stand
assembly. Further, the meter stand 38" is easily movable.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the meter stand 38" may also be
used in conjunction with a neck strap 86 and optionally a waist
strap 88 to support the meter stand 38" around a user's neck. One
end of the neck strap 86 is connected to the meter stand 38" via
the orifice 78 in the first support member 70, and the other end of
the neck strap 86 is connected to the meter stand 38" via the
orifice 80 in the first support member 70. Similarly, the waist
strap 88 may be connected to the meter stand 38" via the orifices
82 and 84 to further stabilize the meter stand 38". Both the neck
strap 86 and the waist strap 88 may be adjustable to accommodate
users of varying sizes and to allow the user the position the meter
stand 38" at a desirable location on his body.
[0045] FIG. 12 illustrates that the meter stand 38" of FIG. 10 may
also be hung on a vertical surface 90 using nails 92 or similar
attachment means. The nails 92 are positioned such that the meter
stand 38" may be secured to the vertical surface 90 by inserting
the nails to either the orifices 78 and 80 in the first support
member 70 or the orifices 82 and 84 in the second support member.
As illustrated, the nails 92 pass through each of the orifices
78-84. However, it should be noted that in one embodiment the meter
stand 38" may be hung by only the nails 92 through the orifices 78
and 80. In yet another embodiment, the meter stand 38" may be
rotated and hung using the nails 92 through the orifices 82 and 84
or the nails 92 through all of the orifices 78-84.
[0046] FIG. 13 illustrates the meter stand 38" of FIG. 10 in a
folded position where the meter stand 38" is substantially flat.
When in the folded position, the first and second support members
70 and 72 and the arm 68 are arranged as illustrated. In general,
the first support member 70 folds into the second support member
72, and the arm 68 folds into the first and second support members
70 and 72. The ability of the meter stand 38" to be folded into the
folded position allows the meter stand 38" to be easily stored.
[0047] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the socket
attachment 34, wherein the socket attachment 34 includes a
ball-joint 94 that couples the socket attachment 34 to the arm 26.
The ball-joint 94 allows the arm 26 to freely pivot about the
ball-joint in any direction. Although FIG. 15 illustrates the
socket attachment 34 having the ball-joint 94, it should be noted
that any of the socket attachments of FIGS. 1-14 may be
alternatively replaced by a socket attachment including a ball-join
94.
[0048] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and
modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention. All such improvements and modifications are considered
within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims
that follow.
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