Engine warning apparatus

Claim 1

An engine overheat warning apparatus for selective securement to various components within an engine compartment, the apparatus comprising, a thermal switch selectively securable to one of said engine components, the thermal switch including a first and second connector line electrical association with the thermal switch, and a direct current circuit including a battery in operative association to the first connector line, and the second connector line effecting completion of the direct current circuit through the thermal switch, and an audible alarm in electrical communication with the direct current circuit to effect actuation of the audible alarm upon closure of the thermal switch, and wherein the thermal switch includes a thermally conductive metallic housing in surrounding and sealed relationship about the thermal switch, and the first and second electrical connector lines directed through the housing exteriorly thereof, and wherein the first connector line includes a first clamp member, and the second connector line includes a second clamp member, and the first clamp member includes a first pair of jaws generally biased and in closed position and the second clamp member includes a second pair of jaws biased and generally in closed position, and the direct current circuit includes a first terminal block and a second terminal block wherein the first clamp member is secured to the first terminal block and the second clamp member is secured to the second terminal block, and including a further thermal switch and a further electrically conductive housing formed in a sealed relationship about the further thermal switch, and a third connector line and a fourth connector line mounted in electrical series through the further housing, and the third connector line including a third clamp and the fourth connector line including a fourth clamp wherein the third clamp is mounted to the first connector block and the fourth clamp is mounted to the second connector block wherein closure of either the first or the second thermal switch effects actuation of the audible alarm, and wherein the first terminal block and the second terminal block include a block member with a connective strip mounted overlying the block member, and a series of terminal posts orthogonally mounted to the strip wherein the terminal posts receive one of said clamp members thereabout, and wherein each terminal block is defined by a longitudinally aligned plate member, the plate member including a series of opening directed therethrough, the openings define web strips of a predetermined thickness between the openings and a perimeter edge of each terminal block, wherein the web is generally defined by a predetermined thickness, and each of the clamp members accommodate the predetermined thickness therewithin to permit securement of a selective clamp member to a selective web strip of an associated terminal block.