Shock-responsive activating device for emergency flasher systems of automative vehicles

Claim 1

The combination of an emergency flasher system which is installed in an automotive vehicle and comprises electric circuit means arranged to furnish a series of signals in response to completion thereof, with a shock responsive activating device including a housing which constitutes an upright cylinder and is secured to the vehicle, a normally open circuit-completing first switch in said housing, an iron plate in said housing, a tiltable activating element disposed at one side of said plate and including a permanent magnet which normally adheres to said plate but permits temporary tilting of said activating element in response to the application of a shock of predetermined magnitude, a normally open second switch in said housing, a relay installed in said housing and including a coil in circuit with said second switch so that said coil is energized on closing of said second switch and a plunger displaceable on energization of said coil to thereby close said first switch and complete said circuit means, said relay further including a spool for said coil, said spool being adjacent to the other side of said plate, movable means for closing said second switch in response to tilting of said activating element to thereby energize said coil, said plate having a central opening for said closing means and said spool also having a central opening for said closing means, a holding circuit for said relay, said first switch including means for completing said holding circuit on closing of said first switch by said plunger, and means for biasing said plunger to a position in which said plunger permits said first switch to open when said coil is deenergized, said spool being disposed between said plate and said first switch and said plunger including a tubular member through which said closing means extends.