Abstract A break-away safety switch suitable for installation in the electrical system of a trailer for use in completing an electrical circuit to apply the brakes of the vehicle or to actuate an alarm. The switch is contained in a compact waterproof housing of low silhouette which is pivotally mounted on a trailer. The housing is formed of a pair of identical half sections of plastic which are fused together along a longitudinal mating periphery to seal the housing and thereby prevent corrosion of the electrical switch parts located therein. The wiring and break-away plunger enter the housing through openings located in the opposite ends thereof. The plunger is equipped with an O-ring to seal its opening into the housing. The electrical contacts of the switch are mounted on individual springs which are biased towards each other and held apart by the plunger.
Inventors
👤 Joseph F Wohnlich
👤 Donald L Endsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-04 18:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H27/00; H01H27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A break-away safety switch for installation in the electrical system of a trailer having electrically actuated brakes or an alarm supplied by a storage battery including: a waterproof housing including a pair of identical generally rectangular half sections of plastic ultrasonically welded together along a longitudinally extending peripheral seam, longitudinally extending, axially aligned openings in the opposite ends of said housing with one opening for insulated electrical wires and the other opening for a break-away plunger, a pair of contacts, a pair of spring means biasing said contacts toward each other with said contacts being positioned in said housing and arranged to be held apart by said plunger inserted in said break-away plunger opening, and a trailer attachment bolt passage formed in said housing adjacent said wire opening with said bolt passage extending through said housing in alignment with said axially aligned openings and at right angles thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A break-away safety switch for installation in the electrical system of a trailer having electrically actuated brakes or an alarm supplied by a storage battery including: a waterproof housing including a pair of identical generally rectangular half sections of plastic ultrasonically welded together along a longitudinally extending peripheral seam, longitudinally extending, axially aligned openings in the opposite ends of said housing with one opening for insulated electrical wires and the other opening for a break-away plunger, a pair of contacts, a pair of spring means biasing said contacts toward each other with said contacts being positioned in said housing and arranged to be held apart by said plunger inserted in said break-away plunger opening, and a trailer attachment bolt passage formed in said housing adjacent said wire opening with said bolt passage extending through said housing in alignment with said axially aligned openings and at right angles thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The switch of claim 1 further characterized in that a sleeve is positioned in said trailer attachment bolt passage with said sleeve being loosely fitted therein and extending beyond the top and bottom of the switch housing to permit the switch housing to pivot about a bolt when inserted through said sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 1 further characterized in that said bolt passage is sealed from the interior of said housing.