US3553482A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acceleration switch
Assignee: Tavis Corp
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Filing: 1968-07-10
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An acceleration switch having a pair of contacts arranged to open or close when subjected to a predetermined acceleration. One contact serves as a seismic mass and is mounted on a cantilevered beam which preferably is a tapered constant-stress leaf spring. The spring is pre-stressed and is substantially flat and normal to a sensitive axis of the switch to minimize response to crossaxis forces. The contacts are coupled to a low-voltage lowcurrent electrical circuit which provides a current output when the contacts are opened or closed at the set-point acceleration. The circuit is arranged to suppress switch response to vibratory forces which may be present with the static acceleration to be sensed.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Tavis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14; H01H35/141; H01H35/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An acceleration switch, comprising: a housing; a fixed contact mounted in the housing; a movable contact; an elongated and precurved leaf spring secured to the movable contact and to the housing for resiliently supporting the movable contact to be movable against and away from the fixed contact to operate the swiTch in response to acceleration along a sensitive axis of the switch; a stop member mounted in the case, the movable contact being positioned between the fixed contact and the stop member to confine the leaf spring to a substantially flat configuration having a major plane which is normal to the sensitive axis; and circuit means coupled to the fixed and movable contacts and actuable by the contacts to provide a first output condition when the acceleration is below a preset level and a second output condition when the acceleration is at least as high as the preset level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An acceleration switch, comprising: a housing; a fixed contact mounted in the housing; a movable contact; an elongated and precurved leaf spring secured to the movable contact and to the housing for resiliently supporting the movable contact to be movable against and away from the fixed contact to operate the swiTch in response to acceleration along a sensitive axis of the switch; a stop member mounted in the case, the movable contact being positioned between the fixed contact and the stop member to confine the leaf spring to a substantially flat configuration having a major plane which is normal to the sensitive axis; and circuit means coupled to the fixed and movable contacts and actuable by the contacts to provide a first output condition when the acceleration is below a preset level and a second output condition when the acceleration is at least as high as the preset level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 1 in which the circuit means is disposed in the housing, and in which the stop member is adjustably positionable in a direction parallel to the sensitive axis of the switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 2 in which the fixed contact is adjustably positionable in a direction parallel to the sensitive axis whereby the fixed contact and stop member are adjustable to vary the preset acceleration level of the switch and the travel of the movable contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 3 in which the fixed contact is resiliently supported to be movable within a limited range when contacted by the movable contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 3 in which the circuit means includes means for modifying the effective opening and closing time of the switch by delaying a change in one of the output conditions in response to a change in relative position of the fixed and movable contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 5 in which the circuit means includes means for suppressing switch response to vibratory inputs while retaining sensitivity to static acceleration inputs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 3 in which the stop member carries a second fixed contact coupled to the circuit means, the movable contact closing a circuit with one of the fixed contacts when the switch is subjected to acceleration below the preset level, and closing a circuit with the other of the fixed contacts when the switch is subjected to acceleration above the preset level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 7 in which the circuit means includes means for suppressing switch response to vibratory inputs while retaining sensitivity to static acceleration inputs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The acceleration switch defined in claim 3 in which the circuit means has an electric-current output in one of the output conditions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |