Switch and alarm system responsive to sudden movement, angular tilt and vibration

• US 4,381,504 A
• Filed: 01/30/1981
• Issued: 04/26/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fifth Dimension, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fifth Dimension, Inc.
• Inventors: Bitko, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/229,942
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 340/689, 340/683, 340/566, 340/65, 200/61.95 R, 200/61.51, 200/61.52
• US Class Current: 340/689
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/02 Mechanical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold

Abstract

A switch and alarm system capable of detecting any one or more of the conditions of angular tilt, vibration or sudden movement includes a conically shaped movable contact suspended within an aperture in a fixed contact. The cone forming the movable contact is preferably suspended with its apex down to thereby render it inherently unstable, and hence sensitive to any applied vibrations. The sensitivity of the switch to the conditions to be detected can be adjusted by varying the height of the movable contact relative to the stationary contact to thereby vary the spacing between the two contacts. In addition, the radial position of the cone relative to the aperture in the stationary contact can be adjusted to permit the switch to be used in a variety of applications.

Claims

1. A switch having variable sensitivity to tilt and movement, comprising:

a fixed contact comprised of an apertured plate;

a conically shaped movable contact suspended within the aperture of said fixed contact and normally out of contact with said fixed contact; and

means for adjusting the height of said movable contact relative to said fixed contact and for adjusting the radial position of said movable contact relative to said fixed contact to thereby vary the spacing between said fixed and movable contacts and vary the sensitivity of said switch to tilt or movement.

2. The switch of claim 1 wherein said movable contact is suspended with its apex down.

3. The switch of claim 1 wherein said movable contact is suspended within the aperture of said fixed contact by means of a flexible wire.

4. An alarm system for indicating angular tilt or movement, comprising:

a source of electrical power;

a delay circuit comprised of a series connected resistor and capacitor;

an actuating switch for selectively connecting said delay circuit to said source of electrical power and connecting said resistor and said capacitor in parallel with one another;

means for generating an indicating signal;

a movement responsive switch for applying power to said indicating means upon detection of movement after a predetermined time period from actuation of the alarm system as determined by said delay circuit has lapsed, said movement responsive switch including a fixed contact comprised of an apertured plate and a conically shaped movable contact suspended within the aperture of said fixed contact, one of said contacts being connected to the junction of said resistor and said capacitor and the other of said contacts being operatively connected to apply power to said indicating means, and means for adjusting the height of said movable contact relative to said fixed contact and for adjusting the radial position of said movable contact relative to said fixed contact.

5. The alarm system of claim 4, further including an electrically actuated switch connected in series with said indicating means, wherein the series connection of said electrically actuated switch and said indicating means is connected in parallel with said delay circuit and the other contact of said movement responsive switch is connected to a triggering electrode of said electrically actuated switch.

6. The alarm system of claim 5 wherein said electrically actuated switch is an SCR.

7. The alarm system of claim 4 wherein said adjusting means comprises a support bar from which said movable contact is suspended, said support bar being pivotally and longitudinally movable relative to said fixed contact.

8. the alarm system of claim 4 wherein said movable contact is suspended with its apex down.

9. The alarm system of claim 4 wherein said movable contact is suspended within the aperture of said fixed contact by means of a flexible wire.