Impact-activated trigger with omni-directional sensor
First Claim
1. An impact-activated trigger comprising:
- a frame;
a switch mounted in the frame, the switch being movable between an inactive position and an active position so that in the active position the switch activates an operation; and
a contact member movable between a resting position and an engaged position and engageable with the switch so that, as the contact member moves toward the engaged position, the switch moves toward the active position;
a biasing member tensioned to urge the contact member toward the resting position;
a spherical weight; and
a plurality of flexible suspension ligaments connecting the weight to the contact member, the ligaments being adapted to suspend the weight resiliently in the frame for omni directional movement in response to an impact from any direction, so that movement of the sphere in any direction is transmitted to the contact member to cause the contact member to move toward the engaged position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An omni directional impact-activated trigger assembly. The trigger comprises a switch mechanism that controls the activation of an operation, such as an electrical circuit, so that movement of the switch opens or closes the circuit. One specific application of this trigger is to activate an ignition shut-off circuit in a vehicle or some other electrical device in response to an impact. A spherical weight is suspended for omni directional movement by flexible suspension ligaments that transmit movement of the weight to a contact member that engages the switch. Rapid acceleration or deceleration of the frame or any impact received by the frame will register as a movement of the sphere, which in turn causes movement of the contact member toward an engaged position. An adjustable biasing member is tensioned to control the degree of impact necessary to activate the switch.
24 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. An impact-activated trigger comprising:
-
a frame; a switch mounted in the frame, the switch being movable between an inactive position and an active position so that in the active position the switch activates an operation; and a contact member movable between a resting position and an engaged position and engageable with the switch so that, as the contact member moves toward the engaged position, the switch moves toward the active position; a biasing member tensioned to urge the contact member toward the resting position; a spherical weight; and a plurality of flexible suspension ligaments connecting the weight to the contact member, the ligaments being adapted to suspend the weight resiliently in the frame for omni directional movement in response to an impact from any direction, so that movement of the sphere in any direction is transmitted to the contact member to cause the contact member to move toward the engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification
-
- Resources
-
Current AssigneeChristopher King Driggers
-
Original AssigneeJerome L. Asner
-
InventorsAsner, Jerome L.
-
Primary Examiner(s)Luebke; Renee S
-
Assistant Examiner(s)Fishman; Marina
-
Application NumberUS10/908,971Time in Patent Office1,650 DaysField of Search200 6145 R- 6153, 307/121, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 340436-438, 340/669US Class Current200/61.45RCPC Class CodesH01H 35/14 Switches operated by change...
