Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An improved actuator assembly for completing an electrical circuit of a vehicle, the actuator being operated by an operator's seat of the vehicle having a base and seat supported on the base, wherein the improvement comprises: a planar member located above the base and below the seat; a resilient connecting means for pivotally mounting a rear edge of the plate to the base, for normally maintaining the plate at a first location away from the base and for rotating the plate to a second location adjacent to the base upon application to the seat of a predetermining minimum load; a switching means located between the base and the seat, for completing the electrical circuit in response to the planar member being in the second location, the switching means being located so that it is contacted by a front edge of the planar member when the planar member is in the second location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An improved actuator assembly for completing an electrical circuit of a vehicle, the actuator being operated by an operator's seat of the vehicle having a base and seat supported on the base, wherein the improvement comprises: a planar member located above the base and below the seat; a resilient connecting means for pivotally mounting a rear edge of the plate to the base, for normally maintaining the plate at a first location away from the base and for rotating the plate to a second location adjacent to the base upon application to the seat of a predetermining minimum load; a switching means located between the base and the seat, for completing the electrical circuit in response to the planar member being in the second location, the switching means being located so that it is contacted by a front edge of the planar member when the planar member is in the second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An improved actuator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said switching means comprises: an arcuate, flexible element which is mounted to the switching means at one end and is in contact with the base at the other end, the arcuate element being straightened and extended as a result of the application of the predetermined minimum load to the seat, the straightening and extending of the arcuate element causing completion of the electrical circuit by the switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An improved actuator assembly as in claim 2, wherein said switch is a microswitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved actuator assembly as in claim 2, wherein said other end of the arcuate element is attached to the base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved actuator assembly as in claim 4, wherein said arcuate actuating element is a spring element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An improved actuator assembly as in claim 4, wherein said switch is a microswitch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
An improved actuator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said resilient connecting means comprises: a U-shaped member having limb portions which are attached to and extend beyond the rear edge of the planar member and the end of each limb portion being attached to the base; and a pivot point formed where the limb portions extend beyond the plate and contact the base, the limb portions between the pivot point and the end of each limb portion having an arcuate shape providing a resilient connecting portion.