Tilt switch

Claim 2

A tilt switch, comprising: a first rail connectable in electrical communication with a first circuit point; a second rail connectable in electrical communication with a second circuit point; a third rail connectable in electrical communication with a third circuit point, said first and third rails being associated in nonparallel association with each other to define a first track, said first track having a first end and a second end, said first and third rails being spaced father apart at said first end than at said second end, said second and third rials being associated in nonparallel association with each other to define a second track, said second track having a first end and a second end, said second and third rails being spaced farther apart at said second end of said second track than at said first end of said second track, said first end of said first track being disposed proximate said second end of said second track; and a spherical weight disposed on a preselected one of said first and second tracks.

Claim 3

The switch of claim 1, wherein: said spherical weight is made of an electrically conductive material.

Claim 4

The switch of claim 1, wherein: said first and second rails are generally straight.

Claim 5

The switch of claim 3, wherein: said third rail is disposed in parallel relation with a plane of said first and second rails.

Claim 6

A tilt switch, comprising: a first rail connectable in electrical communication with a first circuit point; a second rail connectable in electrical communication with a second circuit point, said first and second rails being disposed in generally parallel association with each other, said first and second rials being disposed in a first plane; a third rail being disposed in nonparallel relation with each of said first and second rails, said third rail and and first rail being associated with each other to define a first track, said first track having a decreasing distance between said first and third rails from a first end of said third rial to a second end of said third rail, said third rail and said second rail being associated with each other to define a second track, said second track having a decreasing distance between said second and third rials from said second end of said third rail to said first end of said third rail, said third rail being connectable in electrical communication with a third circuit point; and a spherical weight disposable on a preselected one of said first and second tracks.

Claim 7

A tilt switch, comprising: a first rail connectable in electrical communication with a first circuit point; a second rail connectable in electrical communication with a second circuit point, said first and second rails being disposed in generally parallel association with each other, said first and second rials being disposed in a first plane; a third rail being disposed in nonparallel relation with each of said first and second rails, said third rail and and first rail being associated with each other to define a first track, said first track having a decreasing distance between said first and third rails from a first end of said third rial to a second end of said third rail, said third rail and said second rail being associated with each other to define a second track, said second track having a decreasing distance between said second and third rials from said second end of said third rail to said first end of said third rail, said third rail being connectable in electrical communication with a third circuit point; and a spherical weight disposable on a preselected one of said first and second tracks.

Claim 8

The switch of claim 5, wherein: said third rail is generally parallel to said first plane.

Claim 9

The switch of claim 6, wherein: said third rail is disposed a distance from said first plane which is less than the radius of said spherical weight.

Claim 10

The switch of claim 7, wherein: said spherical weight is electrically conductive.

Claim 11

The switch of claim 8, wherein: said spherical weight is shaped to be received in rolling association on a preselected one of said first and second tracks.

Claim 12

The switch of claim 9, wherein: said first track is configured to support said spherical weight in stable relation on a first portion of said first track.

Claim 13

The switch of claim 10, wherein: said first, second and third rails are generally straight along their entire lengths.

Claim 14

The switch of claim 11, further comprising: a tubular housing, said first and second tracks being disposed in said tubular housing.

Claim 15

A tilt switch, comprising: a spherical weight; first means for supporting said spherical weight with decreasing stability from a first end of said first support means to a second end of said first supporting means, said first supporting means comprising a first pair of rails; and second means for supporting said spherical weight with decreasing stability from a first end of said second supporting means to a second end of said second supporting means, said second supporting means comprising a second pair of rails, said first and second supporting means being aligned with each other in side by side relation, said first end of said first supporting means being disposed proximate said second end of said second supporting means.

Claim 16

A tilt switch, comprising: a spherical weight; first means for supporting said spherical weight with decreasing stability from a first end of said first support means to a second end of said first supporting means, said first supporting means comprising a first pair of rails; and second means for supporting said spherical weight with decreasing stability from a first end of said second supporting means to a second end of said second supporting means, said second supporting means comprising a second pair of rails, said first and second supporting means being aligned with each other in side by side relation, said first end of said first supporting means being disposed proximate said second end of said second supporting means.

Claim 17

The switch of claim 13, wherein: said first and second pairs of rails share a common rail.

Claim 18

The switch of claim 14, wherein: a first rail of said first pair of rails is connected in electrical communication with a first circuit point and a first rail of said second pair of rails in connected in electrical communication with a second circuit point.

Claim 19

The switch of claim 15, wherein: said common rail is connected in electrical communication with a third circuit point.

Claim 20

The switch of claim 16, wherein: said spherical weight is electrically conductive.

Claim 21

The switch of claim 17, wherein: said spherical weight is shaped to be support by said first supporting means and connect said first pair of rails in electrical communication with each other.

Claim 22

The switch of claim 18, further comprising: a tubular housing, said first and second supporting means being disposed in said tubular housing.