Safety shut off device

A vibration or shock activated shut-off device comprising:

• a housing;
• a first member mounted within said housing for rectilinear movement between a first position and a second position;
• a second member mounted within said housing for movement between a third position and a fourth position;
• said second member being in said third position when said first member is in said first position, and said second member being movable to said fourth position when said first member is moved to said second position;
• an engaging member operably positioned with respect to said housing to be, in response to movement of said second member, movable relative to said housing and with respect to a component of a power supply between an opening position, at which said second member is in said third position and the component maintains the power supply open, and a closing position, at which said second member is in said fourth position and said engaging member causes the component to close the power supply;
• moving means for, upon said first member moving from said first position to said second position, moving said second member from said third position to said fourth position and moving said engaging member from said opening position to said closing position;
• and
• inertia responsive means for, upon a shock being imparted to said device, moving said first member from said first position to said second position, thereby allowing said moving means to move said second member from said third position to said fourth position, and moving said engaging member from said opening position to said closing position, thereby causing the component to close the power supply, said inertia responsive means comprising an inertia ball positioned loosely for free movement within a cavity, said first member extending into said cavity, and said inertia ball being separate from and not connected to said first member but being abuttable therewith upon the shock being imparted to said device.