Switching device

Claim 1

A switching device comprising: a bendable, leaf spring cantilever beam having one end adapted to be held in a fixed position, the other end of said beam being adapted to move freely as said beam is flexed; a float fixed to said beam at a position along the length thereof spaced from said one end in a direction toward said other end; and a switch fixed to said beam at a position along the length thereof spaced from said one end in a direction toward said other end, said switch being actuated when it is tilted said switch being supported in a fixed position relative to said float inside thereof, said float including a retainer comprising a plastic body including a rectangular plate having a prong extending perpendicularly from one side thereof at each corner thereof, said plate and said prongs being integral with one another, said plate having one bore therethrough and a counterbore on the other side thereof, said float including a foam plastic molded tightly around said switch on said one plate side, between said prongs and through said bore filling said counterbore, said counterbore having an end surface at said bore to lock said plastic in place, said leads including metal conductors surrounded by electrical insulation, the conductor and insulation of each lead being fixed relative to said switch at one point along its length, said one points being adjacent, a housing having means on the exterior thereof for mounting in a fixed position, said housing including clamp means to hold said leads in fixed positions at two adjacent other points along their lengths spaced from said one points, said housing being hollow and being located around said float and portions of said leads in spaced relation thereto, said housing having slots through the bottom thereof extending upwardly through the sides thereof, and at least one vent hole through the top thereof, said switch including an elongated, hollow metal envelope having a uniform cross section throughout its length except for a vertical ridge at the bottom thereof between the ends thereof, said ridge acting as a dam for said mercury to provide for rapid switch actuation, said clamp means including a ring fixed around each lead, each ring being fixed tightly to each corresponding lead so that the rings will not slide along the lengths of the leads, said housing having a cavity for each ring and lead, said cavities both having openings on each side thereof for said leads to pass through said housing, said openings being smaller than said rings to keep said rings trapped inside said cavities, said leads thereby being prevented from moving any substantial additional distance into or out of said housing.