Catastrophically buckling compression column switch and actuator

Claim 2

An actuating mechanism for initiating operation of electrical contacting apparatus, which actuating mechanism comprises: a columnar member; end mounting means for mounting the ends of said columnar member; at least one end of said columnar member being pivotally mounted by one of said end mounting means; and means for axially loading said columnar member in compression to catastrophically buckle said columnar member with at least one end thereof pivoting on its said mounting means and with the buckled portion of said columnar member moving laterally with respect to the ends thereof to initiate the operation of associated electrical contacting apparatus.

Claim 3

An electrical switch mechanism, as in claim 1, further comprising: first electrical contact initiating means for contacting said columnar member prior to the application of said catastrophically buckling axial load; and second electrical contact initiating means disposed laterally adjacent said columnar member for contacting the buckled portion of said columnar member when said member is catastrophically buckled.

Claim 4

An electrical switch mechanism, as described in claim 2, wherein: said resilient columnar member is electrically conductive; said first electrical contact initiating means for contacting said columnar member prior to the application of said catastrophically buckling axial load is an electrically conductive contact; and said second electrical contact initiating means disposed laterally adjacent said columnar member for contacting the buckled portion of said columnar member when said member is catastrophically buckled is an electrically conductive contact.

Claim 5

An electrical switch mechanism as described in claim 3, wherein: said mechanism includes guide means for guiding the buckling columnar member into contact with said second contact initiating means.

Claim 6

A self-restoring electrical switch mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein: said movable end mounting means is resiliently biased against movement in compression of said columnar member by said columnar member.

Claim 7

A self-restoring electrical switch mechanism as described in claim 5, wherein: said resilient columnar member is electrically conductive; and said first and second electrical contact initiating means are electrically conductive.

Claim 8

An electrical switch mechanism as described in claim 5, wherein said mechanism includes guide means for guidIng the buckling columnar member into contact with said second contact initiating means.

Claim 9

An electrical switch mechanism as described in claim 7, wherein: said resilient columnar member is electrically conductive; and said first and second electrical contact initiating means are electrically conductive.

Claim 10

An actuating mechanism for initiating operation of electrical contacting apparatus, which actuating mechanism comprises: a resilient columnar member; end mounting means for mounting the ends of said columnar member; one of said end mounting means being freely disposed to move axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said columnar member; at least one end of said columnar member being pivotally mounted by one of said end mounting means; and means for axially loading said columnar member in compression, said means for axially loading said columnar member acting upon said movable end mount, with said axial load being of sufficient magnitude to buckle said columnar member catastrophically with at least one end thereof pivoting on its said mounting means and with the buckled portion of said columnar member moving laterally with respect to the ends thereof to initiate the operation of associated electrical contacting apparatus.

Claim 11

An actuating mechanism for initiating operation of electrical contacting apparatus, which actuating mechanism comprises: a resilient columnar member; end mounting means for mounting the ends of said columnar member; one of said end mounting means being freely disposed to move axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said columnar member; at least one end of said columnar member being pivotally mounted by one of said end mounting means; and means for axially loading said columnar member in compression, said means for axially loading said columnar member acting upon said movable end mount, with said axial load being of sufficient magnitude to buckle said columnar member catastrophically with at least one end thereof pivoting on its said mounting means and with the buckled portion of said columnar member moving laterally with respect to the ends thereof to initiate the operation of associated electrical contacting apparatus.

Claim 12

An electrical switch mechanism, as described in claim 9, wherein: said resilient columnar member is electrically conductive; said associated electrical contacting apparatus is an electrically conductive contact means disposed laterally adjacent said columnar member; and when the columnar member buckles catastrophically, the buckled portion of said columnar member moves laterally with respect to the ends thereof to electrically contact said electrical contact means, thereby completing an electrical circuit.

Claim 13

A self-restoring actuating mechanism for initiating operation of electrical contacting apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein: said axially movable end mounting means is resiliently biased against movement in compression of said columnar member by said columnar member.

Claim 14

A self-restoring contact actuating mechanism as described in claim 11, wherein: said associated electrical contacting apparatus contacted by said columnar member when said member is catastrophically buckled is a piezoelectric means for producing electrical signals; and said piezoelectric means is further connected to an electric circuit completing device responsive to electrical signals produced by said piezoelectric means for closing electrical contacts.

Claim 15

A self-restoring contact actuating mechanism as described in claim 11, wherein: said associated electrical contacting apparatus contacted by said columnar member when said member is catastrophically buckled is a capacitive electric means for producing electrical signals; and said capacitive electric means is further connected to an electric circuit completing device responsive to electrical signals produced by said capacitive electric means for closing contacts.

Claim 16

A self-restoring contact actuating mechanism as described in claim 15, wherein: said columnar member is an electrically conductive compression spring; and the lateral movement of the buckled portion of said columnar member during catastrophic buckling thereof moves the buckled portion into both physical and electrical contact with associated electrical contacting apparatus.

Claim 17

A self-restoring contact actuating mechanism as described in claim 11, further including: guide means for guiding buckling columnar member into contact with said associated electrical contacting apparatus.