Accident responsive automatic ignition cut-off switch

Claim 1

A safety electric switch for shutting off the engine of an automotive vehicle in the event said vehicle is canted in any direction more than a specific maximum angle from its normal upright position, said switch comprising: a cylindrical dielectric switch housing having a vertical bore, an upper end portion of which housing is enlarged in both its outside and inside diameters to provide an internal counter bore terminating at its lower end in an inwardly bevelled annular shoulder facing upwardly and providing an outside downwardly facing annular shoulder; a lowr steeply conically concave metalic switch contact member the peripheral portion of which rests on and is cemented to said inwardly bevelled annular shoulder; an upper shallowly concave metallic switch contact member, comprising the bottom of a cylindrical wall which snugly fits downwardly into said counter bore and has an external annular flange overlying and engaging the top end of said switch housing, said members being thus co-axially related with each other and with said bore; and a metal ball resting normally upon and in centered relation with said lower contact member and out of contact with said second contact member, said ball automatically rolling out of its centered relation with said lower contact member and into contact with said upper contact member when said switch is canted from its normal upright position in any direction more than said specific maximum angle; bracket means for mounting said switch up rightly upon said vehicle with the axis of said bore vertical when said vehicle is in normal upright position said means including a ring fitting the lower portion of said housing and flush with said outside annular shoulder of said housing whereby said switch is supported by said ring; and means for interposing said switch in the igniton circuit of said engine so as to shut off said engine when said switch is closed by said ball simultaneously engaging both of said contact members.