Seismic actuator

A method that occurs in the event of seismic activity, the method including steps of:

• providing an actuator that includes
• a first member comprising a weight movable between an operational state and a tripped state, a first shaft extending upwardly from the weight, and a first plate affixed to the first shaft,
• a second member that comprising a second plate supported by the first plate, and a second shaft extending upwardly from the second plate,
• a trigger lever latch having first and second ends, a first portion operatively associated with the second shaft and a second portion extending upwardly at an angle away from the first portion, and
• a trigger pin movable between an operational state and tripped state, and biased toward the tripped state, wherein the second end of the trigger lever latch is engaged with the trigger pin,
• moving the weight from the operational state to the tripped state via seismic activity,
• moving at least a portion of the first plate upwardly,
• moving the second plate upwardly,
• moving the first end of the trigger lever latch upwardly,
• moving the second end of the trigger lever latch downwardly, thereby disengaging the second end of the trigger lever latch from the trigger pin, and
• moving the trigger pin from the operational state to the tripped, state.

A seismic actuated circuit breaker assembly comprising:

• a housing having a bottom cover extending downwardly therefrom,
• circuit breaking components disposed in the housing, wherein the circuit breaking components include at least a stationary set of contacts and a movable set of contacts,
• a trigger pin disposed within the housing. Wherein the trigger pin defines an axis and has a notch defined therein, wherein the trigger pin is movable between an operational state and a tripped state, wherein the trigger pin is biased toward the tripped state, wherein the movable set of contacts are in contact with the stationary set of contacts when the trigger pin is in the operational state,
• a shelf positioned in and supported by the bottom cover, wherein the shelf includes a pivot cone having an opening defined therein,
• a first member that includes
• a weight movable between an operational state and a tripped state,
• a first shaft extending upwardly from the weight and through the opening in the pivot cone, and
• a first plate affixed to the first shaft, wherein the first plate is supported by the pivot cone,
• a second member that includes
• a second plate in contact with the first plate, and
• a second shaft extending upwardly from the second plate, and.
• a trigger lever latch having first and second ends, a first portion operatively associated with the second shaft and a second portion extending upwardly at an angle away from the first portion, wherein the second end of the trigger lever latch is positioned in the notch to hold the trigger pin in the operational state,
• whereby movement of the weight from the operational state to the tripped state moves the second end of the trigger lever latch downwardly and out of the notch, and the trigger pin is biased to the tripped state, thereby moving the movable set of contacts out of contact with the stationary set of contacts.

A reset mechanism comprising:

• a housing having back, top, bottom, left and right side walls and a front opening, wherein the front opening is at least partially surrounded by a flange that is adapted to be secured to a panel in an electrical box,
• a door that is movable between an operational state and a tripped state, and at is adapted to be secured to the panel in the electrical box, and
• a reset pin with first and second ends that is movable between an operational state and a tripped state, wherein the first end extends through an opening in the back wall of the housing and the second end has a reset button secured thereon,
• wherein when the reset pin moves from the operational state to the tripped state, the reset button moves the door from the operational state to the tripped state.

A seismic actuated gas shut off valve assembly for use with a gas regulator having a diaphragm, the assembly comprising:

• a housing having a bottom cover extending downwardly therefrom,
• a trigger pin disposed within the housing, wherein the trigger pin defines an axis and includes an engagement surface, wherein the trigger pin is movable between an operational state and a tripped state, wherein the trigger pin is biased toward the tripped state, wherein the trigger pin includes first and second ends, wherein the second end is adapted to be operatively connected to the diaphragm,
• a shelf positioned in and supported by the bottom cover, wherein the shelf includes a pivot cone having an opening defined therein,
• a first member that includes
• a weight movable between an operational state and a tripped state,
• a first shaft extending upwardly from the weight and through the opening in the pivot cone, and
• a first plate affixed to the first shaft, wherein the first plate is supported by the pivot cone,
• a second member that includes
• a second plate in contact with the first plate, and
• a second shaft extending upwardly from the second plate, and
• a trigger lever latch having first and second ends, a first portion operatively associated with the second shaft and a second portion extending upwardly at an angle away from the first portion, wherein the second end of the trigger lever latch engages the engagement surface of the trigger pin in the operational state,
• whereby movement of the weight from the operational state to the tripped state moves the second end of the trigger lever latch downwardly and out of the notch, and the trigger pin is biased to the tripped state.

A seismic actuated micro-switch assembly comprising:

• a bottom section having an interior,
• an upper section having a micro-switch with an on state and an off state secured thereto, wherein the micro-switch includes a button that when pushed switches the micro-switch between the on and off states,
• a shelf that spans the interior of the bottom section and includes a pivot cone having an opening defined therein,
• a first member that includes
• a weight movable between an operational state and a tripped state,
• a first shaft extending upwardly from the weight and through the opening in the pivot cone, and
• a first plate affixed to the first shaft, wherein t— e first plate is supported by the pivot cone, and
• a second member that includes
• a second shaft having first and second ends, wherein the first end is supported by the first plate, and
• a second plate affixed to the second end of the second shaft,
• wherein the second shaft extends through an opening in the upper section, and wherein the second plate is operatively associated with the button, whereby when the weight is moved to the tripped state, the second plate pushes the button, thereby switching the micro-switch between the on and off states.

A method of switching a micro-switch between on and off states, the method including the steps of:

• providing a micro-switch assembly that includes a bottom section having an interior,
• an upper section having a micro-switch with an on state and an off state secured thereto, wherein the micro-switch includes a button that when pushed switches the micro-switch between the on and off states,
• a shelf that spans the interior of the bottom section and includes a pivot cone having an opening defined therein,
• a first member that includes a weight movable between an operational state and a tripped state, a first shaft extending upwardly from the weight and through the opening in the pivot cone, and a first plate affixed to the first shaft, wherein the first plate is supported by the pivot cone,
• a second member supported by the first member and that includes a second shaft having first and second ends, and a second plate affixed to the second end of the second shaft,
• moving the weight from the operational state to the tripped state via seismic activity,
• moving at least a portion of the first plate upwardly,
• moving the second member upwardly, and
• pushing the button, thereby switching the micro-switch between the on and off the state.