Circuit interrupt system

Claim 1

An interrupt system for an ignition circuit including electrical current source means with a first lead and electrical current distribution means with a second lead, which system comprises: (a) a single-pole, double-throw selector switch having: (1) a first terminal; (2) a second terminal connected to the first lead from the electrical current source: (3) a third terminal connected to the second lead from the electrical current distribution means; (4) a first position connecting said first and second terminals; and (5) a second position connecting said second and third terminals; and (b) delay switching means adapted to temporarily innerconnect said switch first and third terminals and to automatically open in response to electrical current flowing therethrough.

Claim 15

A system for interrupting an ignition circuit including a coil with a coil lead and a distributor with a distributor lead connected to said coil lead with said ignition circuit in operation, which system comprises: (a) a single-pole, double-throw selector switch having: (1) a first terminal; (2) a second terminal connected to one of the coil and distributor leads; (3) a third terminal connected to the other of the coil and distributor leads; (4) a first position connecting said switch first and second terminals; and (5) a second position connecting said switch second and third terminals; (b) a delay switch including: (1) a first contact connected to said switch first terminal and comprising a bimetal strip with a J-shaped end, said strip comprising at least two metals with different thermal expansion rates; (2) a second contact comprising a bimetal strip comprising at least two metals with different thermal expansion rates; said second contact being adapted for selective, electrically-conductive contact with said first strip J-end at a contact area; (3) said delay switch having a normal, closed position with said contacts thereof in electrically-conductive engagement at said contact area and an open position with said contacts disengaged; and (4) said delay switch contacts being adapted to automatically disengage in response to electrical current flowing through said delay circuit; (c) a switch housing including: (1) a front with an opening receiving said selector switch; (2) a back; (3) a top; (4) a bottom with a lead opening; and (5) opposite sides; (6) said selector and delay switches being adapted for placement substantially within said housing; and (7) a double-sided adhesive material secured to said housing back and adapted for adhesive attachment to an object; (d) a pair of electrical leads extending through said lead opening in said housing bottom, each of said electrical leads being adapted for connection to one of the coil and the distributor electrical leads; and (e) a pair of butt-end splice connectors each splicing a respective selector switch lead to one of the coil and distributor leads.

Claim 16

A system for interrupting an ignition circuit including a coil with a coil lead and a distributor with a distributor lead connected to said coil lead with said ignition circuit in operation, which system comprises: (a) a single-pole, double-throw selector switch having: (1) a first terminal; (2) a second terminal connected to one of the coil and distributor leads; (3) a third terminal connected to the other of the coil and distributor leads; (4) a first position connecting said switch first and second terminals; and (5) a second position connecting said switch second and third terminals; (b) a delay switch including: (1) a first contact connected to said switch first terminal and comprising a bimetal strip with a J-shaped end, said strip comprising at least two metals with different thermal expansion rates; (2) a second contact comprising a bimetal strip comprising at least two metals with different thermal expansion rates; said second contact being adapted for selective, electrically-conductive contact with said first strip J-end at a contact area; (3) said delay switch having a normal, closed position with said contacts thereof in electrically-conductive engagement at said contact area and an open position with said contacts disengaged; and (4) said delay switch contacts being adapted to automatically disengage in response to electrical current flowing through said delay circuit; (c) a switch housing including: (1) a front with an opening receiving said selector switch; (2) a back; (3) a top; (4) a bottom with a lead opening; and (5) opposite sides; (6) said selector and delay switches being adapted for placement substantially within said housing; and (7) a double-sided adhesive material secured to said housing back and adapted for adhesive attachment to an object; (d) a pair of electrical leads extending through said lead opening in said housing bottom, each of said electrical leads being adapted for connection to one of the coil and the distributor electrical leads; and (e) a pair of butt-end splice connectors each splicing a respective selector switch lead to one of the coil and distributor leads.