SAFETY IMPACT SWITCH DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 3,783,211 A
• Filed: 08/05/1971
• Issued: 01/01/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pietro Panettieri
• Original Assignee: Pietro Panettieri
• Inventors: Panettieri, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaefer, Robert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, M.
• Application Number:
  US05/169,408
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.45-61.53 307/1R
• US Class Current: 200/61.5
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002

Abstract

A safety impact switch device is normally connected to the ignition system of a motor vehicle and is automatically disconnected by force of an impact resulting from a vehicle collision the disconnection being effected by movement of a comparatively heavy article connected to a contact member. The switch device is combined with reset apparatus, and one side of a housing provides the basic support for the mounting members that support the actuating mechanism of my device.

Claims

1. A safety impact switch device for use on motor vehicles, comprising a housing, a first and a second angular bracket attached to said housing each having a supporting extension within the interior of said housing, a third angular bracket attached to said housing having a resilient supporting extension within the interior of said housing, first Contact mechanism supported by said resilient supporting extension and having a first contact member, second contact mechanism supported by said second bracket supporting extension having a second contact member normally directly opposite and contacting said first contact member, a weight connected to said second contact mechanism that is susceptible to predetermined shock and is adapted to react therefrom by movement to separate said two contact members from normal position, spring means attached to said weight and supported by said first bracket extension, and conducting means attached to one of said contact members adapted to normally establish an electrical circuit through said contact members when the latter are in normal position.

2. A safety impact switch device as of claim 1, and reset apparatus attached to said housing at a point spaced from and angularly to said three brackets, and having a cam, a shaft attached to said cam and extending outside of said housing, said cam being eccentrically mounted on said shaft and so positioned that it is spaced from said resilient, supporting extension normally, but upon movement bears against said latter extension and is adapted to move the latter and said first contact member to a point spaced from said second contact member.

3. A safety impact switch device as of claim 1, said second contact mechanism having an elongate portion, said weight being adjustably mounted on said elongate portion, and a screw extending into said weight and normally bearing on said elongate portion to adjustably hold said weight in predetermined position thereon.

4. A safety impact switch device as of claim 2, and a block mounted on said housing, a retaining member supported by said block and projecting beyond and normally contacting said cam to thereby hold said reset apparatus in predetermined position.

5. A safety impact switch device as of claim 2, and a handle fixedly attached to said cam shaft and being outside of said housing.

6. A safety impact switch device as of claim 1, said housing having two oppositely disposed ends, a switch and a box therefor attached to one of said housing ends and extending into the interior thereof, said switch being connected to said conducting means, and a switch button connected to said switch and being outside of said housing and extending through said latter housing end.