US4305058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel and wear saving device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-07-19
•
Granted: 1981-12-08
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Expires: 1999-07-19
Abstract
Abstract An inertial switch device, for installation in an electrical circuit of an automotive vehicle, to signal excessive rates of acceleration, deceleration and turning for the purpose of preventing abusive driving which wastes gasoline. The switch device comprises a housing having a closed chamber with a concave bottom surface containing a globule or drop of mercury and a plurality of circular contacts supported therein so that the drop of mercury successively contacts them when a momentum force causes the drop of mercury to climb a side of the dish. The circular contacts are of increasingly larger diameter as the drop climbs the side of the dish with increasing inertia and are arranged in circuit-closing relation to a warning signal device, either audible or visible.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. Baumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H29/00; H01H29/002; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44; B60Q1/445; B60Q1/447
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
The combination of an inertial switch device with audible signal means and visible signal means wherein said inertial switch device comprises a casing having a closed circular chamber, the bottom surface of which is of a smooth concave surface, a drop of mercury disposed in the low portion of said concave surface and arranged to climb and descend the surface in all directions responsive to momentum developed therein, a central circular contact member, an adjacent circular contact member of smaller diameter and an adjacent circular contact member of larger diameter, said contact members being arranged in coaxial concentric relation to each other and disposed uniform distances from said concave surface, said drop of mercury being of such thickness as to contact each of said circular contact members as it passes under it in climbing and descending the concave surface and of a diameter such as to bridge two adjacent ones of said circular contact members, wherein said audible signal means and said visible signal means are embodied in said casing, and wherein electric circuit means including a source of voltage has a terminal of one polarity connected to said central circuit contact member and a terminal of opposite polarity connected to said audible signal means and to said visible signal means, said signal means being selectively energized depending upon whether the drop of mercury bridges the central circular contact member and the adjacent circular contact member of smaller diameter or the central circular contact member and the adjacent circular contact member of larger diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
The combination of an inertial switch device with audible signal means and visible signal means wherein said inertial switch device comprises a casing having a closed circular chamber, the bottom surface of which is of a smooth concave surface, a drop of mercury disposed in the low portion of said concave surface and arranged to climb and descend the surface in all directions responsive to momentum developed therein, a central circular contact member, an adjacent circular contact member of smaller diameter and an adjacent circular contact member of larger diameter, said contact members being arranged in coaxial concentric relation to each other and disposed uniform distances from said concave surface, said drop of mercury being of such thickness as to contact each of said circular contact members as it passes under it in climbing and descending the concave surface and of a diameter such as to bridge two adjacent ones of said circular contact members, wherein said audible signal means and said visible signal means are embodied in said casing, and wherein electric circuit means including a source of voltage has a terminal of one polarity connected to said central circuit contact member and a terminal of opposite polarity connected to said audible signal means and to said visible signal means, said signal means being selectively energized depending upon whether the drop of mercury bridges the central circular contact member and the adjacent circular contact member of smaller diameter or the central circular contact member and the adjacent circular contact member of larger diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said electric circuit means includes a time delay means so connected as to inhibit the response of either of said signal means to closure of said circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein said casing is generally of flat rectangular shape carrying spirit levels therein at right angles to each other for registering a level position of said casing in two different planes, and bracket means pivotally supports said casing for swiveling movements in two different planes to enable the casing to be adjusted into a level position, and screw means for locking said casing to said bracket means when a level position is attained thereby.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-07 | 1985-06-08 | 1985-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-07 | 1989-06-08 | 1989-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-07 | 1993-06-08 | 1993-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |