ELECTRIC IMPACT SWITCH

• US 3,673,362 A
• Filed: 05/14/1971
• Issued: 06/27/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert James Carlson, Royal A. Reymann Jr
• Original Assignee: Robert James Carlson, Royal A. Reymann Jr
• Inventors: Carlson, Robert J., Reymann, Royal A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaefer, Robert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, M.
• Application Number:
  US05/143,374
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 340/261,262 200/61.45R,61.45M,61.53
• US Class Current: 200/61.45R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/142 Damping means to avoid unwanted response

Abstract

This invention relates to an omni-directional intermittent, normally open electric impact switch having two hollow hemispherical terminal means which are circumambient to and insulated from a weighted helical spherically shaped spring which acts as the pole piece of the switch. A non-conducting fluid retained within a volume formed by the two hemispherical terminals dampens the movement of the weighted spring pole piece. The switch becomes operational when an impact causes one or more turns of the helical weighted spring pole to deflect and contact the inner walls of the spherical terminal.

Claims

1. An omni-directional electric impact switch which comprises:

a hollow terminal means;

a compliant pole means;

an insulating means for positioning said pole means within said terminal means;

an inertial mass located within said pole means responsively moves with respect to omni-directional inertial forces applied to said switch, exerting a force against said pole means, thereby causing said pole means to be displaced and to contact said terminal means at one or more points. a non-conducting fluid, filling said terminal means, having a viscosity which provides dampening for said pole means and said inertial mass; and

a sealant fixedly positions said pole means within said insulating means, and fixedly positions said insulating means within said terminal means so that said non-conducting fluid will be retained in said terminal means.

2. An electric switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow terminal means forms the terminal of an intermittent, normally open, single pole single throw impact switch and which comprises:

a pair of hemispherical terminals having mating flanges peripherally attached to the outermost circumference of said hemispheres, said mating flanges each having two radially disposed semi-cylindrical contoured grooves, said grooves oppositely positioned to form a cylinder for holding said insulating means therein, said pair of terminals mechanically and electrically connected together forming an hermetically sealed volume for said inclosed non-conducting fluid, compliant pole means, and inertial mass.

3. An electric switch as recited in claim 2 wherein said compliant pole means comprises:

a helical spherically shaped central spring section having an axially aligned, oppositely disposed spring lead and spring leg extentions, said spring lead and said spring leg fixedly attached to said insulating means by said sealant.

4. An electric switch as recited in claim 3 wherein said insulating means comprises:

a pair of cylindrical insulators having central axially aligned holes therein for holding said compliant pole means spring lead and spring leg with said sealant, an outer cylindrical surface slidably engages said oppositely positioned semi-cylindrical contoured grooves formed by said mating terminal flange grooves, an end face of said cylindrical insulators having a chamfered surface for allowing said sealant to hermetically seal said insulators to said terminal grooves.

5. An electric switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said hollow terminal means forms the terminals of an intermittent, normally opened, single pole double throw impact switch and which comprises:

a pair of hemispherical terminals having flanges peripherally attached to the outermost circumference of said hemispheres, said flanges having a flat surface, and wherein said flanges are separated by said insulating means, said hemispherical surface having a first contact lead soldered to the outer surface of one of said terminal halves and a second contact lead soldered to the outer surface of said other terminal half.

6. An electric switch as recited in claim 5 wherein said compliant pole means comprises:

a helical spherically shaped central spring section having an axialLy aligned oppositely disposed spring lead and spring leg extentions integrally attached to each end of said helix fixedly attached to said insulating means by said sealant.

7. An electric switch as recited in claim 6 wherein said insulating means further comprises:

a cylindrical insulator having a central bore, a pair of flat faces perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of said insulator and parallel with respect to each other, a cylinder wall perpendicular to said flat faces, said cylinder wall having a pair of radial oppositely disposed holes therethrough equally positioned midway between said flat faces fixedly, holding therein by said sealant said compliant pole means, said hemispherical terminals each forming one terminal of said double throw single pole switch.