Device for automatic signalling of an automotive vehicle damaged by collision

Claim 1

An inertial sensor device for automatically activating at least one type of signalling means in an automative vehicle, having a longitudinal axis, for providing distress signals to other motorists and comprising at least two inertial pick-ups each of which inertial pick-ups includes tubular guide means having a bore extending along a linear axis thereof and a slot therein, one of said guide means being oriented in parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and another guide means being oriented transversely of said longitudinal axis; an inertia block slidably mounted within the bore of each said tubular guide means for sliding movement therein in two opposite directions thereof, each said inertia block including release means comprising a first stop pin forming part of said inertia block and extending radially outwardly of its guide means through the slot thereof; two spring means oppositely acting on each inertia block along the linear axis of its associated guide means, each said spring means normally urging said block in one of said directions, said two springs normally locking their associated inertia block in a predetermined position in its guide means but permitting a small displacement thereof in either one of said directions when the inertia block is subjected to inertial forces exceeding predetermined first threshold values; a spring-urged striker operatively related to each inertia block for operation thereby as a function of movement of its inertia block, each striker having a locked untripped position and a released tripped position in which the signalling means are activated, each striker comprising a pivotably mounted arm having a release means comprising second stop pin normally engaged by said first stop pin when same extends through said slot to retain the striker in its untripped position; the release means on said striker and on its associated inertia block being cooperable for releasing said striker for movement to its tripped position upon a predetermined displacement of said inertia block, in either one of said directions, occasioned by exposure of said inertia block to inertial forces exceeding predetermined second threshold values which are greater than the corresponding said first values; said two inertial pick-ups having their strikers mounted for movement, when released by a respective first stop pin, in the same plane and in intersecting paths; and a single switch the actuating means of which is located in said plane of movement of said strikers substantially at the point of intersection of said intersecting paths.