US3742478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit board motion sensitive switch
Assignee: TRANSPORT SECURITY CORP
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Filing: 1971-11-03
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A motion sensitive switch in which a steel ball is positioned to roll freely across the surface of a printed circuit board having three separate circuits positioned thereon in a spaced relationship. If the switch is moved even slightly the steel ball rolls from circuit to circuit making and breaking connections so as to sound an alarm. In addition, a circuit is shown whereby an alarm is sounded only upon the steel ball contacting two of the circuits so as to charge a capacitor and then rolling into contact with a different pair of circuits so as to discharge the capacitor into an alarm relay. The motion sensitive switch is also shown in conjunction with a covering or tarpaulin designed to be draped over goods to be protected.
Inventors
- 👤 R Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:56
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1436
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A motion sensitive switch comprising a housing adapted to contain a generally planar member which planar member comprises a circuit board with a plurality of electrical conductors formed in a spaced relationship thereon, said housing containing an electrically conductive rolling member adapted in size and shape to roll on said planar member in response to movement of said housing so as to intermittently eleCtrically connect pairs of said plurality of electrical conductors together, said housing shaped to have a minimum of indentations which might trap said rolling member in a stationary position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A motion sensitive switch comprising a housing adapted to contain a generally planar member which planar member comprises a circuit board with a plurality of electrical conductors formed in a spaced relationship thereon, said housing containing an electrically conductive rolling member adapted in size and shape to roll on said planar member in response to movement of said housing so as to intermittently eleCtrically connect pairs of said plurality of electrical conductors together, said housing shaped to have a minimum of indentations which might trap said rolling member in a stationary position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The switch of claim 1 in which said planar member comprises a printed circuit board and said rolling member comprises a ball adapted to roll on the circuit side of said board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switch of claim 2 in which said plurality of conductors comprise two circuits on said board positioned alternate to each other in a repetitive pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch of claim 2 in which at least a portion of said plurality of conductors comprise first, second, and third circuits on said board positioned alternate to each other in a repetitive pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The motion sensitive switch of claim 1 in combination with a radio transmitter, said combination being concealed in a protective covering for goods so that movement of said covering moves said switch and activates said transmitter to sound an alarm at a remote location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The motion sensitive switch of claim 3 in combination with a radio transmitter, said combination being concealed in a protective covering for goods so that movement of said covering moves said switch and activates said transmitter to sound an alarm at a remote location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The switch of claim 4 in which said first circuit is positioned between the other two circuits so that said ball can not electrically connect the other two circuits together at any position within said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The switch of claim 7 including capacitive means connected to said first circuit and in which said second circuit is connected to a source of electrical current and said third circuit is connected to activate an alarm circuit so that the capacitive means may be charged when said ball connects said first and second circuits together and said alarm circuit may be triggered when said ball later connects the charged first circuit and the third circuit together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said alarm circuit comprises electronic gate means operable to open and pass electrical current to a suitable alarm device upon receiving electrical current from said first circuit through said third circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The motion sensitive switch of claim 9 in combination with a radio transmitter, said combination being concealed in a protective covering for goods so that movement of said covering moves said switch and activates said transmitter to sound an alarm at a remote location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 10 including timed electronic delay means connected between said second circuit and said source of current so that the power may be turned on and the protective covering positioned before the alarm is activated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said delay means comprises a capacitor charging circuit connected to the gate of a first silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which said electronic gate means comprises a second silicon controlled rectifier which is driven from said first silicon controlled rectifier in response to current from said third circuit.
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |