Abstract: A rack of electronic equipment is convection cooled. Each unit in the rack has oblique cooling fins oriented in a same direction, to cause heated air to flow to a hot air pathway by a chimney effect, and to draw surrounding air along a cool air pathway to each of the units. A preferred unit has two housing sections thermally insulated from each other. Each housing section has its cooling fins on a side surface, some of the fins being aligned with fins on the other section, so that cooling air flows first over the cooler section and then over the hotter section. The cooler section is arranged for enhanced heat transfer from a heat sensitive element, and heat liberating units are heat sinked to the hotter section.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes a color coded probe permanently fastened by an electrical cable to a color coded isolation chamber to prevent inadvertent use of a rectal probe with an oral isolation chamber. Red and blue isolation chambers used for oral and rectal temperatures, respectively, can readily be used with one thermometer housing. A connector between the isolation chamber and the housing automatically connects and disconnects the probe and the thermometer circuits when the isolation chamber is inserted into or removed from the housing. Moreover, insertion of the probe into the isolation chamber automatically actuates a switch in the electronic thermometer housing to deactivate the electric circuits. Withdrawal of the probe from the chamber automatically supplies power to the thermometer circuits to ready the thermometer for operation.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer probe and cover assembly includes a probe extending from a handle and having limited axial movement into the handle against a resilient force. An elongated cover having open and closed ends fits over the probe. Cooperating elements on the open end of the cover and the handle snap together when the probe is moved into the handle by the cover to retain the cover in position with intimate contact between the probe end and cover. Actuation of a thumb button on the handle increases the force urging the probe out of the handle to unsnap the cover from the probe handle.

Abstract: A probe cover holding and dispensing arrangement for an electronic thermometer includes a chamber in the thermometer housing to receive a carton containing the probe covers. A tear-away flap on the carton exposes some of the covers. An aperture in the chamber, closable by a sliding cover, provides access to the exposed covers.