Patent US3721784A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3721784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact relief pressure switch for roadway vehicle detector
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-04-14
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1992-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A pressure switch is disclosed for use in a roadway vehicle detector system. The pressure switch includes a cylindrical metal case which has a diaphragm of resilient material secured on the open top thereof. The diaphragm is formed with a protruding solid bulb on the upper surface thereof. A spring assembly comprised of an outer spring with a shorter and smaller diameter inner spring nested therein is enclosed within the case with the diaphragm bulb located above the outer spring. A cable having a plurality of conductors has one of its conductors connected to the lower end of the outer spring and another of its conductors connected to an isolated conductive member centrally located on the bottom of the case. When a tire of a vehicle passes over the switch it depresses the solid bulb of the diaphragm into the case to thereby depress the outer spring and enable a contact on the end of the inner spring to close the electrical circuit between the conductors of the cable.
Inventors
- 👤 J Viracola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/14; H01H3/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A pressure switch for a roadway vehicle detector comprising: a cylindrical metal case having an open top; a diaphragm formed of a resilient material and having a circumferential portion integrally formed with a solid bulb protruding upwardly from the center thereof; said diaphragm attached by its circumferential portion to cover the open top of said case; an insulated center conductive member protruding upward from the bottom of said case; a spring contact assembly positioned within said case comprising an outer spring and a smaller diameter inner spring centrally positioned within said outer spring, said inner spring being shorter than said outer spring; a cable comprising a plurality of conductors; means for connecting one of the conductors of said cable to the lower end of said outer spring; and means for connecting another one of the conductors of said cable to said center conductive member; said inner spring being disposed between the upper end of said outer spring and said center conductive member such that when the bulb on said diaphragm is depressed into said case by a vehicle passing over the switch, said outer spring is depressed to enable said inner spring to electrically interconnect the top of said outer spring and said center conducting member and thereby close the circuit between said conductors of said cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A pressure switch for a roadway vehicle detector comprising: a cylindrical metal case having an open top; a diaphragm formed of a resilient material and having a circumferential portion integrally formed with a solid bulb protruding upwardly from the center thereof; said diaphragm attached by its circumferential portion to cover the open top of said case; an insulated center conductive member protruding upward from the bottom of said case; a spring contact assembly positioned within said case comprising an outer spring and a smaller diameter inner spring centrally positioned within said outer spring, said inner spring being shorter than said outer spring; a cable comprising a plurality of conductors; means for connecting one of the conductors of said cable to the lower end of said outer spring; and means for connecting another one of the conductors of said cable to said center conductive member; said inner spring being disposed between the upper end of said outer spring and said center conductive member such that when the bulb on said diaphragm is depressed into said case by a vehicle passing over the switch, said outer spring is depressed to enable said inner spring to electrically interconnect the top of said outer spring and said center conducting member and thereby close the circuit between said conductors of said cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said case is provided with a flange on the upper end thereof, wherein a lid having a central opening is provided for said case, and wherein said lid provides foR holding the circumferential portion of said diaphragm on said flange with the bulb of the diaphragm extending upwardly through the central opening thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lower end of said inner spring is connected to said center conductive member, and wherein the depressing of said outer spring by the depressing of said bulb provides for the upper end of said outer spring making electrical contact with the upper end of said inner spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper end of said inner spring is connected to the upper end of said outer spring, and wherein the depressing of said outer spring by the depressing of said bulb provides for the lower end of said inner spring making electrical contact with the center conductive member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said spring contact assembly is formed of a single length of wire with the upper end of the outer spring integrally formed with the upper end of the inner spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein a contact element is connected to the upper end of said outer spring and another contact element is connected to the upper end of said inner spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein a flat disc is provided to which the upper ends of said outer and inner springs are connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a mount formed of resinous material is provided for said spring contact assembly, said mount being positioned on the bottom of said case, wherein the bottom of said case is provided with an opening, and wherein the wire forming at least one of said springs has its lower end bent downwardly and passing through said mount and the opening in the bottom of said case for connection with one of the conductors on said cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein means is provided by which the upper end of said outer spring is connected to the base of the bulb on said diaphragm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said springs is tapered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for connecting one of the conductors of said cable to the lower end of said outer spring provides for the outer spring to rest on the bottom of said case and for said one of the conductors to be connected to the bottom of the case.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein the width of the lower end of said outer spring is substantially the full width of the case.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 including a cylindrical mount having a central opening and formed of insulating material, and wherein the lower end of the outer spring is secured on the outside of said mount and the lower end of said inner spring is secured on the inside of said mount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circumferential portion of said diaphragm is integrally formed with a flexible web connected to the lower end of the solid bulb protruding upwardly from the center thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A pressure switch for a roadway vehicle detector comprising a case defining a chamber and having a flange on the upper end thereof; a lid for said case, said lid having a central opening; a diaphragm having a circumferential portion integrally formed with a solid bulb extending upwardly from the center thereof, said lid providing for holding the circumferential portion of said diaphragm on said flange with the bulb of the diaphragm extending upwardly through the central opening thereof; a data responsive unit for recording each actuation of said switch; and a tube connecting the case to said data responsive unit; whereby when said bulb is depressed into said case by the tire of a vehicle passing over the switch, the resulting impact therein is conveyed by said tube to said data responsive unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
A pressure switch for a roadway vehicle detector comprising a case defining a chamber and having a flange on the upper end thereof; a lid for said case, said lid having a central opening; a diaphragm having a circumferential portion integrally formed with a solid bulb extending upwardly from the center thereof, said lid providing for holding the circumferential portion of said diaphragm on said flange with the bulb of the diaphragm extending upwardly through the central opening thereof; a data responsive unit for recording each actuation of said switch; and a tube connecting the case to said data responsive unit; whereby when said bulb is depressed into said case by the tire of a vehicle passing over the switch, the resulting impact therein is conveyed by said tube to said data responsive unit.
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) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |