Patent US3818160A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3818160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inertia switch with ball actuated deflectable contact
Assignee: ACB CORP
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Filing: 1973-05-14
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An inertia switch having a two-part housing of electrical insulating material, the lower housing part being provided with a conical ramp surface at its bottom to receive a relatively heavy ball which is adapted to move along the ramp surface in the event of a collision by an automobile, for example, to tilt a segmental disc of electrical conductive material with an upturned peripheral edge portion into contact with a flat electrical conductive ring. The ring is provided with a lead in the form of a tab extending through a notch in the housing part to the outside to receive suitable wires or leads. In engagement with the disc and extending through the center of the ring is an adjustable leaf spring, also of electrical conductive material, the outer end of which extends outside of the housing through a notch in the housing part for connection to a source of electrical energy.
Inventors
- 👤 A Hitchcock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
An inertia switch comprising a two part housing of electrical insulating material, one part having an open mouthed chamber having as its bottom wall a conical ramp surface, a relatively heavy ball in said chamber for movement along said ramp surface, a pair of vertically spaced ledges adjacent the open mouth of said chamber with the lower ledge of less diameter than the upper ledge, a disc of electrical conductive material seated loosely upon said lower ledge, a riNg of electrical conductive material on said upper ledge, a tab rigid with said ring and extending laterally from the rim thereof, a notch in said one housing part adjacent said upper ledge to receive said tab and enable the latter to extend outside of said housing, a depending flange on the other housing part to fit said first housing part and bear against said ring for holding same in place, a leaf spring of electrical conductive material having a portion disposed above said ring, and a portion extending axially through said ring for imposing spring pressure against the central portion of said disc, said first leaf spring portion lying generally parallel to said disc and extending laterally outside of the housing, and a notch in one of said housing parts through which said first leaf spring portion extends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
An inertia switch comprising a two part housing of electrical insulating material, one part having an open mouthed chamber having as its bottom wall a conical ramp surface, a relatively heavy ball in said chamber for movement along said ramp surface, a pair of vertically spaced ledges adjacent the open mouth of said chamber with the lower ledge of less diameter than the upper ledge, a disc of electrical conductive material seated loosely upon said lower ledge, a riNg of electrical conductive material on said upper ledge, a tab rigid with said ring and extending laterally from the rim thereof, a notch in said one housing part adjacent said upper ledge to receive said tab and enable the latter to extend outside of said housing, a depending flange on the other housing part to fit said first housing part and bear against said ring for holding same in place, a leaf spring of electrical conductive material having a portion disposed above said ring, and a portion extending axially through said ring for imposing spring pressure against the central portion of said disc, said first leaf spring portion lying generally parallel to said disc and extending laterally outside of the housing, and a notch in one of said housing parts through which said first leaf spring portion extends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, in which said leaf spring comprises a one-piece structure having an upper portion to extend outside of the housing, and a lower portion bent to be approximately parallel to said upper portion for engagement with the central part of said disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for regulating the tension of said leaf spring, thereby to adjust the pressure thereof against said disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 3, in which said tension regulating means comprises an adjusting screw in said other housing part and a coil spring for engagement with said leaf spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, comprising cooperative means on said disc part and leaf spring part for insuring seating of said spring upon said disc and militating against relative displacement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 5, in which said cooperative means comprises a dimple on one of said parts and a hole on the other of said parts to receive the dimple.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, comprising upturned edges on the peripheral surface of said disc for affording effective electrical contact with said ring and militate against foreign matter on the disc interfering with electrical contact.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 1, in which said disc comprises separated radial segments for militating against air turbulence in operation and effect a wiping action upon engagement with said ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An inertia switch as claimed in claim 8, comprising upturned edges on each segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
197 words
An inertia switch comprising a two part housing of electrical insulating material, one part having an open mouthed chamber having at its bottom wall a conical ramp surface, a relatively heavy ball in said chamber for movement along said ramp surface, a pair of vertically spaced ledges adjacent the open mouth of said chamber with the lower ledge of less diameter than the upper ledge, a disc of electrical conductive material seated loosely upon said lower ledge, said disc having a circular row of wedge-shaped segments capable of flexing relative to each other, upturned edges on said segments respectively, a flat ring of electrical conductive material on said upper ledge, a tab rigid with said ring and extending laterally from the rim thereof, a notch in said one housing part adjacent said upper ledge to receive said tab and enable the latter to extend outside of said housing, a depending flange on the other housing part to fit said first housing part and bear against said ring for holding same in place, a spring of electrical conductive material imposing pressure against said disc through said ring, and a lead for said spring extending outside of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
197 words
An inertia switch comprising a two part housing of electrical insulating material, one part having an open mouthed chamber having at its bottom wall a conical ramp surface, a relatively heavy ball in said chamber for movement along said ramp surface, a pair of vertically spaced ledges adjacent the open mouth of said chamber with the lower ledge of less diameter than the upper ledge, a disc of electrical conductive material seated loosely upon said lower ledge, said disc having a circular row of wedge-shaped segments capable of flexing relative to each other, upturned edges on said segments respectively, a flat ring of electrical conductive material on said upper ledge, a tab rigid with said ring and extending laterally from the rim thereof, a notch in said one housing part adjacent said upper ledge to receive said tab and enable the latter to extend outside of said housing, a depending flange on the other housing part to fit said first housing part and bear against said ring for holding same in place, a spring of electrical conductive material imposing pressure against said disc through said ring, and a lead for said spring extending outside of said housing.
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) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |