The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 19, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 03, 1999
Albert Nowosielski, Roselle, IL (US);
Russell Kuzelka, New Berlin, WI (US);
Charles Zander, Buffalo Grove, IL (US);
David Cho, Belvidere, IL (US);
Raymond Jacobs, Wauconda, IL (US);
Northgate Technologies Incorporated, Elgin, IL (US);
Abstract
A fluid sensor apparatus for monitoring fluid in a container. The fluid sensor apparatus comprises a housing having an upper hook extending from a top thereof to allow the housing to be suspended. A lower hook is telescopically received in the housing and extends from a bottom thereof. The lower hook is adapted for suspending a fluid container therefrom. The lower hook is movable relative to the housing. A cam member is located inside the housing and is movable relative thereto. The cam member is coupled to an upper end of the lower hook. The cam member has a stepped gradation. A biasing member is coupled between a lower shoulder of the cam member and the housing. The biasing member is adapted to apply a force against the cam member to cause the cam member to be biased upward relative to the housing to an upper position. A switch is coupled to the housing and has an actuator located in relation to the stepped gradation of the cam member. The switch is in a first state when the cam member is in the upper position. The switch is in a second state when a load suspended from the lower hook overcomes the force of the biasing member causing the cam member to be moved to a lower position relative to the housing. An alarm coupled to the switch is operative to indicate a fluid condition when the switch is in one of the first and second states.