US3560681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact circuit breaker for motor vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-28
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1989-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A vertical casing is provided therein with a vertically movable unit including a body operatively connected preferably at opposite sides to normally closed circuit breaking elements to properly complete the circuit from the positive sides of the generator and battery. The unit is normally supported in circuit closing position by an inertia element arranged in the bottom of the casing and adapted to be displaced laterally due to an impact occurring if the vehicle is in an accident. Under such conditions, a biasing spring moves the unit downwardly to break the circuits preferably from both the generator and battery. Manually operable means is provided for moving the unit upwardly to break the circuit to prevent the theft of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Milo R Webber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An impact circuit breaker for motor vehicles comprising an upright casing, a stem mounted for vertical reciprocation in said casing, means in said casinG normally biasing said stem downwardly in said casing, at least one pair of vertically spaced electrical contacts mounted in said casing, a switch element normally engaging both of said contacts, means on said stem engaging said switch element of for disengaging said switch element from one of said contacts upon movement of said stem upwardly or downwardly in said casing, an inertia block mounted in said casing underlying said stem for movement in any direction within a fixed horizontal plane, a lug projecting upwardly from the center of said block to normally engage the lower end of said stem to support said stem in a position for the switch element to engage both of said contacts, means in said casing normally biasing said block centrally of said casing, said block being moveable upon impact in any horizontal direction to move said lug out of supporting relation to said stem to permit said stem to move downwardly in said casing to disengage said switch element from one of said contacts, and hand actuated means for raising said stem in said casing to permit said block to return to central position in said casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An impact circuit breaker for motor vehicles comprising an upright casing, a stem mounted for vertical reciprocation in said casing, means in said casinG normally biasing said stem downwardly in said casing, at least one pair of vertically spaced electrical contacts mounted in said casing, a switch element normally engaging both of said contacts, means on said stem engaging said switch element of for disengaging said switch element from one of said contacts upon movement of said stem upwardly or downwardly in said casing, an inertia block mounted in said casing underlying said stem for movement in any direction within a fixed horizontal plane, a lug projecting upwardly from the center of said block to normally engage the lower end of said stem to support said stem in a position for the switch element to engage both of said contacts, means in said casing normally biasing said block centrally of said casing, said block being moveable upon impact in any horizontal direction to move said lug out of supporting relation to said stem to permit said stem to move downwardly in said casing to disengage said switch element from one of said contacts, and hand actuated means for raising said stem in said casing to permit said block to return to central position in said casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said switch element is provided with a switch element stem, with said means on said stem having a recess in which the radial inner end of said switch element stem is engaged to rock said switch element upon vertical movement of said stem from its normal position, and a spring between said switch element and said means on said stem to bias said switch element radially outwardly toward said spaced contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for biasing said inertia block to its normal position comprises a split ring engaging said casing and normally surrounding and centering said inertia block, horizontal movement of said inertia block flexing said split ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said casing is provided at diametrically opposite points with a pair of housings, said pair of spaced contacts mounted in each housing, each switch element having a radially inwardly extending stem, said housing being provided with a slot longitudinally of said casing through which said stem projects, and said means on said stem including a flange having a groove in which the radially inner ends of said switch element stems are engaged and including means whereby said switch elements are rocked by their stems when said first named stem moves vertically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch element includes a roller normally engaging both contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hand actuated means for raising said stem from in said casing includes a sliding cam engaging an upper end of said stem for camming said stem upwardly with respect to said casing disengaging said switch element from one of said contacts.
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) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |