Patent US4399338A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4399338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic float switch
Assignee: OCEAN RESEARCH INDUSTRIES OF NORTH AMERICA Inc
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Filing: 1981-09-22
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2001-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A mercury activated float switch comprises a base member, a resilient fulcrum, desirably comprising an aperture in a resilient sheet, supported on said base member and at least two flexible electrical current carrying conductors supported for pivotal movement about the resilient fulcrum. A float member has associated therewith a switch assembly in which the electrical conductors terminate as spaced apart contacts. An angled mercury-containing race within the float member communicates with the switch assembly. As the liquid level changes, the float member pivots about the resilient fulcrum between first and second positions. The mercury in the race occupies the end of the race remote from the switch assembly when the float member is in its first position and flows into the switch assembly to bridge the space between the contacts when the float member is in its second position.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence L. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H29/00; H01H29/20; H01H35/00; H01H35/18; H01H35/186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An automatic float switch for controlling the flow of electrical current to an electrical device in response to changing liquid levels comprising: (a) base means; (b) resilient fulcrum means supported on said base means; (c) flexible electrical current carrying means supported for pivotal movement about said fulcrum means, said current carrying means comprising at least two electrical conductors; (d) a float member including an electrical switch assembly and an angled race, said conductors terminating within said switch assembly as spaced apart electrical contacts, said race having one end communicating with said switch assembly and the other end remote from said switch assembly within said float member, said float member adapted to pivot about said fulcrum means between first and second positions in response to changing liquid levels; and (e) electrically conductive flowable material within said race for flow therealong between the ends thereof, said material occupying said remote end of said race when said float member is in a first position and flowing into said switch assembly when said float member is in a second position, whereby said material bridges said space between said spaced apart contacts in said switch assembly to permit current flow to said electrical device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An automatic float switch for controlling the flow of electrical current to an electrical device in response to changing liquid levels comprising: (a) base means; (b) resilient fulcrum means supported on said base means; (c) flexible electrical current carrying means supported for pivotal movement about said fulcrum means, said current carrying means comprising at least two electrical conductors; (d) a float member including an electrical switch assembly and an angled race, said conductors terminating within said switch assembly as spaced apart electrical contacts, said race having one end communicating with said switch assembly and the other end remote from said switch assembly within said float member, said float member adapted to pivot about said fulcrum means between first and second positions in response to changing liquid levels; and (e) electrically conductive flowable material within said race for flow therealong between the ends thereof, said material occupying said remote end of said race when said float member is in a first position and flowing into said switch assembly when said float member is in a second position, whereby said material bridges said space between said spaced apart contacts in said switch assembly to permit current flow to said electrical device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient fulcrum means comprises a resilient material, means supporting said resilient material on said base means and an aperture defined in said material, said flexible current carrying means passing through said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A float switch, as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said float member includes an opening defined in the surface thereof, said race has one end communicating with said opening and said electrical switch assembly includes a portion received within said opening for communicating said one end of said race with said switch assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 3, including means for releasably receiving said electrical switch assembly portion within said opening whereby said float member is separable from said switch assembly for changing float members as desired.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch assembly includes a reservoir for receiving said electrically conductive flowable material and means for terminating said spaced apart electrical contacts within said reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said switch assembly comprises a substantially T-shaped housing, means for mounting at least one electrical conductor in each of the opposite straight through arms of said T-shaped housing with said electrical contacts in facing, spaced apart relationship and means for receiving said perpendicular leg of said T-shaped housing within said opening in said float member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for mounting comprises plug means through which said conductors extend into said T-shaped housing, whereby the base of said T-shaped housing opposite said perpendicular leg and between said plug means comprises said reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said race, spaced apart electrical contacts and resilient fulcrum means generally define a plane in which said float member pivots about said fulcrum as it moves between its first and second positions, said electrical conductors diverge from said pivotal plane in substantially opposite directions as they extend between said fulcrum means and said switch assembly and enter said straight through arms of said T-shaped housing from substantially opposite directions and in directions substantially normal to said pivotal plane, whereby sad conductors between said fulcrum means and said switch assembly assume a generally yoke-shaped arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said race comprises first and second generally elongated, hollow arms, each said arm having one end intersecting an end of the other arm within said float member at an included angle between said arms of from 90° to less than 180°, the non-intersecting end of said first arm communicating with said switch assembly and the non-intersecting end of said second arm being remote from said switch assembly within said float member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A float switch, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said race comprises first and second generally elongated, hollow arms, each said arm having one end intersecting an end of the other arm within said float member at an included angle between said arms of 90° to less than 180°, the non-intersecting end of said first arm communicating with said switch assembly and the non-intersecting end of said second arm being remote from said switch assembly within said float member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |