AUTOMATIC FLOATING GRAVITY CONTROLLED MERCURY SAFETY SWITCH WITH RESET MEANS

• US 3,818,161 A
• Filed: 10/11/1972
• Issued: 06/18/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James W. Richey
• Original Assignee: James W. Richey
• Inventors: Richey, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/296,604
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.47,220,224,61.45R,61.53 340/261,262,52R,52H,261,262 307/121
• US Class Current: 200/61.47
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/027 the inertia mass activating the switch mechanically, e.g. through a lever

Abstract

A tilt switch for turning off the ignition of a tractor or other vehicle when it is tilted consisting of a first tube enclosing a mercury switch and second tube having a movable ball weight, the two tubes being mounted in a balanced configuration wherein once this combination is tilted in a selected direction, the ball weight in the one tube shifts the balance of the combination to cause and maintain an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'off'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' switching condition.

Claims

1. A tilt switching system comprising:

en elongated tiltable structure having first and second ends and comprising;

a first elongated tube having first and second closed ends, a pair of electrical contacts within said first end, and a quantity of mercury within said tube adapted to electrically interconnect said contacts when said first end of said first elongated tube is tilted downward, a second elobgated tube having first and second ends positioned generally in line with and adjacent like labelled ends of said first elongated tube and a ball weight within said second elongated tube sized to enable free movement from end to end of said second elongated tube, and mounting means including tilt means for pivotally supporting said elongated structure about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of said structure, said axis lying within a plane generally normal to the longitudinal dimension of said structure, which plane is intermediate between the ends of said tubes and wherein said tubes are slightly, relatively inclined, with maximum separation at said second adjacent ends of said tubes, end support means for supporting said second end of said tiltable structure when said switch is operated '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'off'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' and wherein said second end of said first tube is tilted downward slightly and said second end of said second tube is tilted upward slightly, whereby said ball is inclined to roll toward said first end of said second tube and said mercury is inclined to remain at said second end of said first tube, and reset means adapted to engage said first end of said tiltable structure for normally holding said switch and said tiltable structure in an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'off'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position once said tiltable structure is caused to assume an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'off'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position with said mercury at said second end of said first tube, and upon operation, to release said tiltable structure and allow said tiltable structure to again tilt to an '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'on'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position with said mercury at said first end of said first tube.

2. A tilt switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said end support means comprises a spring loaded support, compressable upon operation of said reset means;

and said reset means comprises an arm pivotally mounted and adapted to engage a lower edge of said first end of said tiltable structure, and move that end upward slightly and then release it, whereby the weight of said ball on said first end of said tiltable structure causes said first end of said tiltable structure to be depressed, and said mercury to move to said first end of said first elongated tube and close said contacts.

3. A tilt switching system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a vehicle ignition circuit and battery connected in series with said contacts.

4. A tilt switching system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a solenoid fuel valve and battery electrically connected in series with said contacts.

5. A tilt switching system as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a switch and an electrically operated alarm connected in series across said contacts.