Patent US301427A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3763484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inertia-tilt switch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-27
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An inertia and tilt activated switch suitable for use in an alarm system, responsive to small angular and velocity deviations and capable of discriminating against false activation due to sudden jarring, bumping, or the like. A conductive ball rests in a drum-shaped housing, the floor and roof of which are electrodes normally insulated from one another. The floor electrode is slightly concave, having radius of curvature considerably greater than the diameter of the ball or the diameter of the floor electrode. The concavity allows the ball to roll into simultaneous contact with both electrodes when the housing is sufficiently disturbed from the resting orientation, thereby completing an electrical circuit. An optional delaying mechanism suppresses output from the system until the circuit has been continuously activated for a predetermined time interval.
Inventors
- 👤 W Byers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
In an electrically governed system, a gravitationally and inertially activated switch comprising a housing having a bottom conductive diaphragm, concave upward, a top conductive diaphragm, convex downward, each diaphragm having substantially circular perimeter and substantially constant curvature, with the curvature of the bottom diaphragm being greater than that of the top diaphgram, the two diaphragms symmetrically disposed relative to one another such that the distance between them is greatest at the center of the diaphragms and decreases toward the periphery, the diameters of the diaphragms and the distances separating the diaphragms all small relative to the radii of curvature of the diaphrams, the diaphragms electrically separated from one another by an insulating wall joining the diaphragms along their periphery, the diaphragms and the insulating wall thereby defining a volume, a conductive mass freely disposed within the volume, the mass having physical characteristics such that the mass is in insulated position from the top diaphragm when the housing is in undisturbed horizontal orientation but moves into simultaneous contact with both diaphragms when the housing is sufficiently tilted or accelerated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In an electrically governed system, a gravitationally and inertially activated switch comprising a housing having a bottom conductive diaphragm, concave upward, a top conductive diaphragm, convex downward, each diaphragm having substantially circular perimeter and substantially constant curvature, with the curvature of the bottom diaphragm being greater than that of the top diaphgram, the two diaphragms symmetrically disposed relative to one another such that the distance between them is greatest at the center of the diaphragms and decreases toward the periphery, the diameters of the diaphragms and the distances separating the diaphragms all small relative to the radii of curvature of the diaphrams, the diaphragms electrically separated from one another by an insulating wall joining the diaphragms along their periphery, the diaphragms and the insulating wall thereby defining a volume, a conductive mass freely disposed within the volume, the mass having physical characteristics such that the mass is in insulated position from the top diaphragm when the housing is in undisturbed horizontal orientation but moves into simultaneous contact with both diaphragms when the housing is sufficiently tilted or accelerated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein the conductive mass is a conductive ball having diameter smaller than the distance separating the diaphrams near their center but larger than the distance separating the diaphragms near their periphery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein the conductive mass comprises a plurality of relatively small conductive balls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switch of claim 1 further comprising means for suppressing output from the system until the mass has been in simultaneous contact with both diaphragms for an uninterrupted time interval of preDetermined length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A theft and tamper alarm system comprising the switch of claim 4 in combination with a radio transmitter activated by the switch, a radio transmission receiver, mounting means for the switch and transmitter including means for permitting the switch to be secured in level, horzontal orientation, means for disposing the switch and transmitter in relation to a desired object such that a disturbance of the object will cause a disturbance of the switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A swtich comprising: at least one conductive sphere and a container, including a pair of opposed conductive diaphragms, enclosing said sphere said diaphragms being spaced apart at their centers a distance greater than the diameter of said sphere, said diaphragms being spaced apart at their periphery a distance less than the diameter of said sphere, each of said diaphragms having slight and substantially constant curvature of the same orientation, and that surface of each of said diaphragms which is accessible to ball contact lying between two planes narrowly spaced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A swtich comprising: at least one conductive sphere and a container, including a pair of opposed conductive diaphragms, enclosing said sphere said diaphragms being spaced apart at their centers a distance greater than the diameter of said sphere, said diaphragms being spaced apart at their periphery a distance less than the diameter of said sphere, each of said diaphragms having slight and substantially constant curvature of the same orientation, and that surface of each of said diaphragms which is accessible to ball contact lying between two planes narrowly spaced.
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) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |