Indicator to show whether a switch has opened

Claim 2

A machine comprising an electric motor and a circuit for energizing the motor; a multiplicity of normally closed switches in the circuit for monitoring the operation of the machine any one of which opens in response to the occurrence of an event to shut off the motor and which are capable of reclosing in response to the cessation of the event to place the motor in a condition to restart; means enabling restarting of the motor upon reclosing of an opened switch; and means for indicating which of the multiplicity of switches has opened regardless of whether the open switch has reclosed, including a multiplicity of indicators each of which comprises conductive means in circuit with an associated one of the switches in the switch open position which is rendered nonconductive upon opening of its associated switch and upon passage of a given electrical load therethrough and means rendered distinctly different in appearance upon passage of the given electrical load through the conductive means; each associated switch being arranged in circuit with its associated conductive means for delivering the given electrical load therethrough upon switch opening.

Claim 3

The machine of claim 1 wherein the motor energizing circuit includes the conductive means associated with an opened switch.

Claim 4

The machine of claim 2 wherein each of the switches comprises a pair of normally closed normally energized contacts, a normally deenergized contact and means energizing the normally deenergized contact upon opening movement of the normally closed contacts, the conductive element being in circuit with the normally deenergized contact.

Claim 5

The machine of claim 3 wherein the conductive element is connected between the normally deenergized contact and ground.

Claim 6

The machine of claim 4 wherein the conductive means is a fuse.

Claim 7

The machine of claim 5 wherein the means rendered distinctly different in appearance of the fuse incorporates means other than the conducted means which change visual appearance upon interruption of the conductive means.

Claim 8

The machine of claim 4 wherein the conductive means is a bulb.

Claim 9

The machine of claim 7 wherein the means rendered distinctly different in appearance of the bulb incorporates means other than the conductive means which changes visual appearance upon interruption of the conductive means.

Claim 10

The machine of claim 7 wherein the bulb is of the inert gas filled type.

Claim 11

The machine of claim 2 wherein the conductive means is in parallel with its associated switch.

Claim 12

The machine of claim 10 wherein the conductive means is a fuse.

Claim 13

The machine of claim 11 wherein the means rendered distinctly different in appearance of the fuse incorporates means other than the conductive means which changes visual appearance upon interruption of the conductive means.

Claim 14

The machine of claim 11 wherein the means rendered distinctly different in appearance is the conductive means.

Claim 15

The machine of claim 10 wherein the responsive device is a bulb.

Claim 16

The machine of claim 14 wherein the means rendered distinctly different in appearance of the bulb incorporates means other than the conductive means which changes visual appearance upon interruption of the conductive means.

Claim 17

The machine of claim 2 wherein the machine is an escalator.

Claim 18

A machine comprising an electric motor and a circuit for energizing the motor; a multiplicity of normally closed switches in the circuit for monitoring the operation of the machine any one of which opens in response to the occurrence of an event to shut off the motor and which are capable of reclosing in response to the cessation of the event to place the motor in a condition to restart; means enabling restarting of the motor upon reclosing of any opened switch; and means for indicating which of the multiplicity of switches has opened regardless of whether the opened switch has reclosed, including a multiplicity of indicators each of which comprises a conductive element in circuit with an associated one of the switches in the switch open position which is rendered nonconductive upon opening of its associated switch and upon passage of a given electrical load therethrough, the conductive element having the characteristic of being rendered distinctly different in appearance upon passage of the given electrical load through the conductive element; each switch being arranged in circuit with its associated conductive element for delivering the given electrical load therethrough upon the switch opening.

Claim 19

A machine comprising an electric motor and a circuit for energizing the motor; a multiplicity of normally closed switches in the circuit for monitoring the operation of the machine any one of which opens in response to the occurrence of an event to shut off the motor and which are capable of reclosing in response to the cessation of the event to place the motor in a condition to restart; means enabling restarting of the motor upon reclosing of any opened switch; and means for indicating which of the multiplicity of switches has opened regardless of whether the opened switch has reclosed, including a multiplicity of indicators each of which comprises a conductive element in circuit with an associated one of the switches in the switch open position which is rendered nonconductive upon opening of its associated switch and upon passage of a given electrical load therethrough, the conductive element having the characteristic of being rendered distinctly different in appearance upon passage of the given electrical load through the conductive element; each switch being arranged in circuit with its associated conductive element for delivering the given electrical load therethrough upon the switch opening.

Claim 20

The machine of claim 17 wherein the motor energizing circuit includes the conductive element associated with an opened switch.