Mechanical rolamite impact sensor

Claim 2

A mechanical sensor operable without any source of electrical energy comprising: a rolamite means responsive to acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount; a support means upon which said rolamite means is mounted for supporting said rolamite means and providing a path of movement for a portion of said rolamite means during said acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount; a trigger means located adjacent to said support means, said trigger means comprising a first portion extending into said path of movement of a portion of said rolamite means, a second portion which extends to a hammer means and a pivot point located between said first and second portions, said trigger means being movable in response to movement of said rolamite means as a result of said acceleration or deceleration; said hammer means located adjacent to said trigger means and releasable by said second portion of said trigger means upon movement of said trigger means; a primer means activated by said hammer means; a biasing means for moving said hammer means towards said primer means, to activate said primer means as a result of said acceleration or deceleration; and a housing for enclosing said rolamite means, said support means, said trigger means, said hammer means, and said biasing means.

Claim 3

The mechanical sensor according to claim 1 wherein said hammer means comprises: a hammer member, a pivot point upon which said hammer member pivots, a firing pin for activating said primer means, and a stop member for engaging said trigger means.

Claim 4

The mechanical sensor according to claim 1 wherein said primer means comprises: a pyrotechnic primer, and a holder for said pyrotechnic primer.

Claim 5

The mechanical sensor according to claim 1 and further comprising an energy transfer means.

Claim 6

The mechanical sensor according to claim 1 wherein said rolamite means comprises: a movable mass; and a flexible band looped around said mass, said band having two ends which extend on either side of said mass and are attached to said support means.

Claim 7

The mechanical sensor according to claim 1 wherein said support means comprises: a support member having an aperture through which a portion of said trigger means extends; and a band retainer means for retaining said band of said rolamite means.

Claim 8

A mechanical sensor operable without any source of electrical energy comprising: (a) a rolamite means responsive to acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount, said rolamite means comprising a single movable mass, and a flexible band looped around said mass; (b) a support means upon which said rolamite means is mounted and providing a path of movement for said rolamite means during said acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount; (c) a trigger means located adjacent to said support means, said trigger means comprising a first portion which extends into said path of movement of said rolamite means, a second portion which extends to a hammer means and a pivot point located between said first and second portions; (d) said hammer means located adjacent to said trigger means and releasable by said second portion of said trigger means for movement; said hammer means comprising a hammer member, a pivot point upon which said hammer member pivots, a firing pin for activating a primer means and a stop member for engaging said second portion of said trigger means; (e) a biasing means for biasing said hammer means towards said primer means; (f) said primer means connected to a pyrotechnic device and being activated by movement of said hammer means by said biasing means upon release by said second portion of said trigger means, said primer means comprising a pyrotechnic primer and a holder for said pyrotechnic primer; and (g) a housing enclosing said rolamite means, said support means, said trigger means, said hammer means, said biasing means and at least a portion of said primer means.

Claim 9

A mechanical sensor operable without any source of electrical energy comprising: (a) a rolamite means responsive to acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount, said rolamite means comprising a single movable mass, and a flexible band looped around said mass; (b) a support means upon which said rolamite means is mounted and providing a path of movement for said rolamite means during said acceleration or deceleration above a predetermined amount; (c) a trigger means located adjacent to said support means, said trigger means comprising a first portion which extends into said path of movement of said rolamite means, a second portion which extends to a hammer means and a pivot point located between said first and second portions; (d) said hammer means located adjacent to said trigger means and releasable by said second portion of said trigger means for movement; said hammer means comprising a hammer member, a pivot point upon which said hammer member pivots, a firing pin for activating a primer means and a stop member for engaging said second portion of said trigger means; (e) a biasing means for biasing said hammer means towards said primer means; (f) said primer means connected to a pyrotechnic device and being activated by movement of said hammer means by said biasing means upon release by said second portion of said trigger means, said primer means comprising a pyrotechnic primer and a holder for said pyrotechnic primer; and (g) a housing enclosing said rolamite means, said support means, said trigger means, said hammer means, said biasing means and at least a portion of said primer means.

Claim 10

The mechanical sensor of claim 7 wherein said path of movement of said rolamite means in said support member comprising a surface having a curved convex configuration.

Claim 11

The mechanical sensor of claim 8 wherein said housing is stationary and said trigger means and said hammer means move with respect to said housing.

Claim 12

The mechanical sensor of claim 7 further comprising a calibration means to vary the level of said predetermined amount of acceleration or deceleration.

Claim 13

The mechanical sensor of claim 7 wherein said trigger means comprises a lever pivotable adjacent its center and mounted in said support means for pivotable movement upon activation by said rolamite means.

Claim 14

The mechanical sensor of claim 7 wherein said rolamite mass comprises a cylinder.