INERTIA SENSOR SWITCH

• US 3,769,472 A
• Filed: 08/23/1972
• Issued: 10/30/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lon E. Bell, William P. Gruber
• Original Assignee: Lon E. Bell, William P. Gruber
• Inventors: Bell, Lon E., Gruber, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/283,241
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 200/DIG.29,61.11,61.41,61.42,61.43,61.45R,61.48,61.52,61.53
• US Class Current: 200/61.45R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/027 the inertia mass activating the switch mechanically, e.g. through a lever

Abstract

Inertia switch with mass mounted between inclined structure and, when at rest, contacting spring switch extension means.

Claims

1. An inertia switch comprising a chamber formed by top, side walls and base having an opening therein, a freely movable mass contained within said chamber and larger in diameter than said opening so as to be removably positioned as a result of inertial force in said opening under rest conditions, said chamber having inclined means for returning said mass to said position in said opening, biased means underlying said opening and mounted on said base for contacting and applying a predetermined force to a portion of said mass extending through said opening when in said opening, said mass moving from its rest position only on overcoming the combination of force thereon as a result of gravity, the incline and said bias, said biased means moving as a result of said contact in a direction against its bias, and switch means operatively associated with said biased means for contact therewith on movement in said direction.

2. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, said freely movable mass being in the shape of a sphere.

3. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, said freely movable mass being substantially cylindrical in shape.

4. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 3, said freely movable mass having at one end thereof a conical tip.

5. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 4, said chamber of such dimension that when said freely movable mass moves away from said position in said opening, the conical surface contacts the top of said chamber and thus maintains said mass in a position for re-entry into said opening on the resumption of rest condition.

6. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, said biased meaNs consisting of a spring extending from said switch means and extending into said opening.

7. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising stop means on said base for limiting movement of said switch and said biased means operatively associated therewith in a direction toward the opening.

8. An inertia switch as claimed in claim 7, said biased means and said switch means located below the base and external to the chamber.