Gravity switch

A gravity switch for use in an appliance having means displaceable between a normal relaxed position and a displaced position, the switch being operable between an OFF position for locating the displaceable means in the relaxed position and an ON position for enabling the displaceable means to move from the relaxed position to the displaced position, the switch comprising:

• (A) structure means fixed in the appliance for supporting the switch;
• (B) selector means movably mounted on said structure means and being manually movable from the OFF position to the ON position;
• (C) releasable latching means operable for holding said selector means in the ON position;
• (D) restoring means operable with said releasable latching means for automatically returning said selector means from the ON position to the OFF position;
• and
• (E) an imbalanced weight member pivotally mounted and having a majority of mass located to one side of the pivot mount, said imbalanced weight member being operable in a first position wherein said selector means in the OFF position supports said imbalanced weight member against the pull of gravity, a second position wherein the displaceable means supports said imbalanced weight member against the pull of gravity with said selector means in the ON position and a third position wherein said imbalanced weight member actuating said restoring means to initiate return of said selector means from the ON position towards the OFF position, and said imbalanced weight member being pivoted from said first position towards said second position and from said second position towards said third position under the pull of gravity.