Circuit interrupt system

• US 4,866,296 A
• Filed: 12/09/1988
• Issued: 09/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen R Thomas
• Original Assignee: Stephen R Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Stephen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Logan, Sharon D.
• Application Number:
  US07/281,678
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 307/141, 307/10 AT, 180/114, 180/287, 340/64, 340/63, 340/53
• US Class Current: 307/141
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit

Abstract

An interrupt system for a circuit includes a single-pole, double-throw selector switch. The circuit may comprise an ignition circuit including a coil and a distributor normally innerconnected by a distributor wire. The selector switch has a first terminal, a second terminal connected to the coil and a third terminal connected to the distributor. The selector switch is movable between a first position connecting the first and second terminals and a second position connecting the second and third terminals. A delay switch is connected to the first and third terminals and has a normally closed position. The delay switch opens automatically in response to electrical current flowing therethrough.

Claims

1. An interrupt system for an ignition circuit including electrical current source means with a first lead and electrical current distribution means with a second lead, which system comprises:

(a) a single-pole, double-throw selector switch having;

(1) a first terminal;

(2) a second terminal connected to the first lead from the electrical current source;

(3) a third terminal connected to the second lead from the electrical current distribution means;

(4) a first position connecting said first and second terminals; and

(5) a second position connecting said second and third terminals; and

(b) delay switching means adapted to temporarily innerconnect said switch first and third terminals and to automatically open in response to electrical current flowing therethrough.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said delay switching means comprises a thermal fuse.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said thermal fuse resets automatically.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said fuse includes:

(a) a first contact connected to said switch first terminal;

(b) a second contact connected to said switch third terminal; and

(c) one of said contacts comprising a bimetal strip.

5. The circuit interrupt system according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) said fuse first and second contacts are sealed in a casing.

6. The circuit interrupt system according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said switch and said fuse are enclosed in a housing.

7. In combination with an engine ignition system including a coil with an electrical coil lead and a distributor with an electrical distributor lead adapted for connection to said coil electrical lead with said engine running, the improvement of a circuit interrupt system, which comprises:

(a) a single-pole, double-throw selector switch including;

(1) a first terminal;

(2) a second terminal connected to one of the coil and distributor leads;

(3) a third terminal connected to the other of the coil and distributor leads;

(4) an interrupt position connecting said first and second terminals; and

(5) an operate position connecting said second and third terminals; and

(b) a delay switch including;

(1) a first contact connected to said switch first terminal;

(2) a second contact connected to said switch third terminal;

(3) a normal, closed position with said contacts engaged when no electrical current is flowing therethrough;

(4) an open position with said contacts disengaged; and

(5) said contacts disengaging in response to electrical current flowing through said delay switch.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) said delay switch comprises a thermal fuse.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) said thermal fuse resets automatically.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said fuse includes:

(a) a first contact connected to said switch first terminal;

(b) a second contact connected to said switch third terminal; and

(c) one of said contacts comprising a bimetal strip.

11. The circuit interrupt system according to claim 10 wherein:

(a) said fuse first and second contacts are sealed in a casing.

12. The circuit interrupt system according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) said selector switch and said delay switch are enclosed in a housing.

13. A system for interrupting an ignition circuit including a coil with a coil lead and a distributor with a distributor lead connected to said coil lead with said ignition circuit in operation, which system comprises:

(a) a single-pole, double-throw selector switch having;

(1) a first terminal;

(2) a second terminal connected to one of the coil and distributor leads;

(3) a third terminal connected to the other of the coil and distributor leads;

(4) a first position connecting said switch first and second terminals; and

(5) a second position connecting said switch second and third terminals;

(b) a delay switch including;

(1) a first contact connected to said switch first terminal and comprising a bimetal strip with a J-shaped end, said strip comprising at least two metals with different thermal expansion rates;

(2) a second contact comprising a bimetal strip comprising at least two metals with different thermal expansion rates;

said second contact being adapted for selective, electrically-conductive contact with said first strip J-end at a contact area;

(3) said delay switch having a normal, closed position with said contacts thereof in electrically-conductive engagement at said contact area and an open position with said contacts disengaged; and

(4) said delay switch contacts being adapted to automatically disengage in response to electrical current flowing through said delay circuit;

(c) a switch housing including;

(1) a front with an opening receiving said selector switch;

(2) a back;

(3) a top;

(4) a bottom with a lead opening; and

(5) opposite sides;

(6) said selector and delay switches being adapted for placement substantially within said housing; and

(7) a double-sided adhesive material secured to said housing back and adapted for adhesive attachment to an object;

(d) a pair of electrical leads extending through said lead opening in said housing bottom, each of said electrical leads being adapted for connection to one of the coil and the distributor electrical leads; and

(e) a pair of butt-end splice connectors each splicing a respective selector switch lead to one of the coil and distributor leads.