US3798692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power supply and pressure switch assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-21
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A combination power supply and pressure switch assembly for use with lifeboats or other flotation devices for automatically energizing a circuit when the flotation device is deployed into the water. The assembly includes a corrosion proof, water-tight main housing for batteries, or the like, and a pressure responsive switch housing removably fastened to the bottom of the main housing for convenient maintenance or replacement of the batteries or switch in the event such is required.
Inventors
- 👤 H Madeley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:46
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/08; B63C9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
For use with a flotation device, an assembly comprising an elongated, tubular main housing defining an electrical power supply compartment, an electrical power supply disposed in said main housing, a top cover attached to one end of said housing, a switch housing removably fastened to the opposite end of said main housing and in sealing engagement therewith, and pressure responsive switch means mounted in said switch housing to automatically effect closure of a circuit associated with said power supply upon deployment of the flotation device into the water, said switch housing including a perforated bottom cover for providing fluid communication between the surrounding water and said pressure responsive switch means, said switch housing including a transverse wall underlying a battery compartment, said switch means including a combined flexible diaphragm and seal underlying and spaced from said transverse wall and together with said switch housing defining a sealed chamber, one side of said diaphragm facing toward said bottom cover and the opposite side of said diaphragm facing said sealed chamber, said switch means including a pair of spaced stationary contacts supported by said transverse wall and disposed in said chamber, a movable bridging contact mounted to said diaphragm for movement therewith into engagement with said stationary contacts under the influence of predetermined pressure conditions, each of said stationary contacts being connected to a conductive post which extends longitudinally through said transverse wall into said compartment, said conductive posts being in sealing engagement with said transverse wall to assure a seal between said chamber and said compartment, wherein said power supply is protected against the elements even if said chamber seal is broken, said switch housing being threadedly fastened to said main housing for easy removal in the event maintenance or replacement is required, and said switch housing including a molded body member integral with said transverse wall and disposed between said main housing and said bottom cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
For use with a flotation device, an assembly comprising an elongated, tubular main housing defining an electrical power supply compartment, an electrical power supply disposed in said main housing, a top cover attached to one end of said housing, a switch housing removably fastened to the opposite end of said main housing and in sealing engagement therewith, and pressure responsive switch means mounted in said switch housing to automatically effect closure of a circuit associated with said power supply upon deployment of the flotation device into the water, said switch housing including a perforated bottom cover for providing fluid communication between the surrounding water and said pressure responsive switch means, said switch housing including a transverse wall underlying a battery compartment, said switch means including a combined flexible diaphragm and seal underlying and spaced from said transverse wall and together with said switch housing defining a sealed chamber, one side of said diaphragm facing toward said bottom cover and the opposite side of said diaphragm facing said sealed chamber, said switch means including a pair of spaced stationary contacts supported by said transverse wall and disposed in said chamber, a movable bridging contact mounted to said diaphragm for movement therewith into engagement with said stationary contacts under the influence of predetermined pressure conditions, each of said stationary contacts being connected to a conductive post which extends longitudinally through said transverse wall into said compartment, said conductive posts being in sealing engagement with said transverse wall to assure a seal between said chamber and said compartment, wherein said power supply is protected against the elements even if said chamber seal is broken, said switch housing being threadedly fastened to said main housing for easy removal in the event maintenance or replacement is required, and said switch housing including a molded body member integral with said transverse wall and disposed between said main housing and said bottom cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including a marine flotation device, said assembly being supported from said device such that said main tubular housing is in a generally vertical orientation when said flotation device is deployed with said switch housing and bottom cover disposed at the lower end of said main housing and below the surface of the water to effect operation of said switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
246 words
For use with a flotation device, an elongated main tubular housing having a first end closed against the entrance of fluid therein and a second open end, a tubular switch housing having a transverse wall therein intermediate its opposite ends sealing the opposite ends of the interior of said switch housing from each other, one end of said tubular switch housing being secured over said second end of said main housing closing said second end against the entrance of fluid thereinto, pressure responsive switch means mounted in the other end of said tubular switch housing and including a flexible and fluid-impervious combined diaphragm and seal secured over the other end of said switch housing in fluid-tight sealed engagement therewith, a perforated bottom cover secured over said other end of said switch housing and said combined diaphragm and seal, said switch means including stationary contacts supported by said transverse wall on the side thereof adjacent said diaphragm and a bridging contact supported from said diaphragm and engageable with said contacts for bridging the same upon movement of the portion of said diaphragm from which said bridging contact is supported toward said transverse wall due to an increase of ambient pressure on the side of said diaphragm remote from said transverse wall, an electrical power supply disposed within said main housing, and conductor means electrically connecting said contact supported from said transverse wall and said electrical power supply, said electrical conductor means including portions of an electrical circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
246 words
For use with a flotation device, an elongated main tubular housing having a first end closed against the entrance of fluid therein and a second open end, a tubular switch housing having a transverse wall therein intermediate its opposite ends sealing the opposite ends of the interior of said switch housing from each other, one end of said tubular switch housing being secured over said second end of said main housing closing said second end against the entrance of fluid thereinto, pressure responsive switch means mounted in the other end of said tubular switch housing and including a flexible and fluid-impervious combined diaphragm and seal secured over the other end of said switch housing in fluid-tight sealed engagement therewith, a perforated bottom cover secured over said other end of said switch housing and said combined diaphragm and seal, said switch means including stationary contacts supported by said transverse wall on the side thereof adjacent said diaphragm and a bridging contact supported from said diaphragm and engageable with said contacts for bridging the same upon movement of the portion of said diaphragm from which said bridging contact is supported toward said transverse wall due to an increase of ambient pressure on the side of said diaphragm remote from said transverse wall, an electrical power supply disposed within said main housing, and conductor means electrically connecting said contact supported from said transverse wall and said electrical power supply, said electrical conductor means including portions of an electrical 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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |