Seismic safety cutoff switch

Claim 1

An improved seismic safety cutoff device for use with an electrical switch device, of the type having an electrical contactor housing and a control stem, for interrupting the flow of current in an electrical circuit, the improvement comprising: (a) housing means connected to the electrical contactor housing; (b) switch re-set means disposed within said housing means, said switch re-set means having a lever extending outward through said housing, for re-positioning the control stem without disassembly of the cutoff device after the flow of current in said electrical circuit has been interrupted, and for providing a visual indication of switch position; (c) resilient biasing means vertically disposed within said housing means for exerting a force upon said switch re-set means and urging said switch re-set means and control stem to a switch-open position; (d) a substantially vertically-mounted pivotable rod within said housing means for engaging and retaining the control stem in it's switch-closed position, the pivotable rod being position-oriented by the force of gravity; and (e) means responsive to a predetermined level of seismic force adjustably mounted on said pivotable rod, whereby the pivotable rod will be deflected upon application of said force permitting the re-set means and control stem to be displaced substantially downward by the action of the resilient biasing means thereby opening the switch and interrupting the flow of current through the switch.