SELF-ALIGNING MOTION DETECTORS

• US 3,674,950 A
• Filed: 10/21/1970
• Issued: 07/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew E. Scoville
• Original Assignee: Andrew E. Scoville
• Inventors: Scoville, Andrew E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaefer, Robert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, M.
• Application Number:
  US05/082,570
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.45,61.48,61.49,61.51,61.52,166BH,61.53 340/261,262
• US Class Current: 200/61.48
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1006 Mechanical sensors, e.g. pendulums B60R25/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/00 Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement electric switches H01H; counting moving objects G06M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/02 Switches operated by change of position, inclination or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field tilting mercury container H01H29/20; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H35/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/142 Damping means to avoid unwanted response

Abstract

A motion detector for energizing an alarm signal at a suitable location and which is responsive to linear motion of an object on which the detector may be mounted and capable of self-alignment to the object. The detector comprises a case or suitable enclosure within which an outer pendulum or pendulum body is supported for freedom of universal but sluggish movement and within which a second pendulum or body is supported for universal and unconstrained movement with respect to the outer pendulum. Contact is made between respective pendulums or bodies upon motion of the case to transmit an electrical signal to a suitable sensor, alarm or the like. The motion of the outer pendulum is suitably constrained as by immersing it in a liquid within the case or by providing it with a greater period than the inner pendulum or body in compound pendulum aspects. A contact ring may be located on the inner wall of the outer pendulum or other suitable contact means for electrical contact between the ring and the inner pendulum or between the contact means to close a control circuit.

Claims

1. A self-aligning circuit closer comprising a support, an elongated tubular pendulous contact member extending upright relative to the support, a horizontal axial support connected to said tubular member, means for suspending said contact member on an upright axis for universal movement relative to the first mentioned support about a center located on said axis, a second contact member supported on the pendulous contact member by said horizontal axial support for universal movement relative thereto with a center of suspension located on said upright axis, said contact members having different dynamics of motion about the respective centers of suspension on said axis, and means on the tubular contact member in position for contact engagement by the second contact member upon relative swinging movement for closing a circuit therebetween.

2. A circuit closer according to claim 1, wherein the tubular contact member has a cross member extending transversely between opposite sides thereof, and means having a supporting connection with the cross member and forming a universal support for the respective contact members on a common horizontal axis for freedom of movement of the contact members relative to each other.

3. A circuit closer according to claim 1, including means for damping the motion of the tubular contact member.

4. A circuit closer according to claim 1, including a damping fluid housed in the casing, with the lower end portion of the tubular contact member extending into the fluid.

5. A circuit closer according to claim 1, including a contact ring secured to the inner face of the tubular contact member around the lower end portion of the second contact member and has an irregular contact face.

6. A circuit closer according to claim 5, wherein the inner face of the contact ring is elliptical about the second contact member.

7. A self-aligning motion detector comprising an outer tubular pendulum contact member, a pendulum contact member extending lengthwise in said tubular member, horizontal axial support connected to said tubular member, means supporting the respective pendulum contact members at one end thereof about a said horizontal axial support for universal movement relative to each other, said pendulum members having different dynamics of motion about the centers of suspension thereof for relative motion upon the application of force thereto, and means forming contact portions between the members upon relative motion therebetween.

8. A motion detector according to claim 7, including means for damping the motion of the outer pendulum member.

9. A circuit closer comprising an upright casing, an upright tubular contact member in the casing, means connected with the upper end of the tubular contact member mounting said member in the casing for universal movement relative thereto, a pendulum contact member extending downwardly in the tubular contact member and having a contact portion on the lower end thereof, a contact ring mounted on the inner wall of the tubular contact member surrounding the contact portion for contact engagement therebetween, and a wire member extending in bridging relation across the tubular contact member and having the upper end portion of the pendulum contact member mounted thereon for universal movement relative to the tubular contact member.

10. A circuit closer according to claim 9, wherein the contact ring has the inner face thereof extending elliptically about thE contact portion of the pendulum contact member.

11. A circuit closer comprising an upright tubular contact member, means connected with the upper end portion of the tubular contact member mounting said member for universal movement, means forming a spherical surface in the lower portion of said tubular contact member, a ball seated on the spherical surface in position for freedom of rolling contact with an inner contact surface in the tubular contact member, and means for electrical connection with the ball and with the inner contact surface and for closing a circuit therebetween upon rolling motion of the ball into contact with the inner contact surface.

12. A circuit closer according to claim 11, wherein the tubular contact member has a conductor rod secured in the lower end portion thereof and electrically insulated from the tubular contact member, said conductor rod having the spherical surface on the upper end thereof.