Patent US3729602A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3729602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tilt responsive switch with ball contact actuating structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A pair of hollow concentrically arranged containers having conductive inner surfaces separated by electrical insulating material and having a small conductive ball positioned in a hole in the inner container making contact with the conductive surfaces of both containers when the containers are tilted away from a level position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An electrical switch comprising: first and second concentrically arranged hollow containers having similar shapes juxtapositioned in close proximity to each other; the inner surfaces of said containers being of electrical conductive material; electrical insulating material mounted between the juxtapositioned surfaces of said containers; at least one hole arranged to extend through the inside container and the insulating material mounted between said containers; said hole being arranged in said inner container at its lower most point; and a ball having an electrical conductive outer surface, said ball being positioned inside the inner container and assuming a point of rest near the center of said hole when the switch is in a level position; said ball making electrical contact with only the inner surface of the outer container when said switch is in a level position; said ball rolling to one side of said hole and electrically interconnecting the conductive surfaces of said first and said second containers when said switch is tilted from a level position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An electrical switch comprising: first and second concentrically arranged hollow containers having similar shapes juxtapositioned in close proximity to each other; the inner surfaces of said containers being of electrical conductive material; electrical insulating material mounted between the juxtapositioned surfaces of said containers; at least one hole arranged to extend through the inside container and the insulating material mounted between said containers; said hole being arranged in said inner container at its lower most point; and a ball having an electrical conductive outer surface, said ball being positioned inside the inner container and assuming a point of rest near the center of said hole when the switch is in a level position; said ball making electrical contact with only the inner surface of the outer container when said switch is in a level position; said ball rolling to one side of said hole and electrically interconnecting the conductive surfaces of said first and said second containers when said switch is tilted from a level position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrical switch of claim 1 in further combination with: a pair of electrical terminals; one of said terminals being electrically connecting to the conductive surface of said first container and the other of said terminals being electrically connecting to the conductive surface of said second container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The electrical switch set forth in claim 1 wherein the hole in said inner container has a minimum distance across it of substantially the same length as the diameter of said ball, said ball making electrical contact with the conductive surfaces of said first and said second containers when said ball rolls against the side of said hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The electrical switch set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of holes are spacedly arranged to extend through the inside container and the insulating material mounted therebetween; one of said holes being arranged in the lower most point of said inner container; said holes in said inner container having a diameter substantially of the same diameter as the diameter of said ball, said ball making electrical contact with the conductive surfaces of said first and second containers when said ball rolls against the sides of any of said holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical switch sEt forth in claim 1 wherein: said concentrically arranged first and second hollow containers comprise spheres, each of said spheres being made of electrical conductive material; said electrical insulating material being mounted on the juxtapositioned surfaces of one of said spheres.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical switch set forth in claim 5 in further combination with: first and second electrical terminals, each of said terminals electrically connected to a different one of said first and second spheres.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electrical switch set forth in claim 5 wherein the inner sphere has a plurality of holes therein, the minimum distance across each of said holes being substantially the same as the diameter of said ball, said ball making contact with said first and said second spheres when said ball rolls against the side of any one of said holes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The electrical switch set forth in claim 1 wherein: the outer container is of a bell shape configuration made of electrical conductive material and having an inner concave surface; the inner container comprises a conductive plate formed substantually in the same shape as the bottom of the outer container; an electrical insulating material mounted between said plate and the concave surface of the outer container; and said hole extending through said plate and said electrical insulating material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |