US 5,393,944 A · Deceleration switch with a switch base supporting a flexible oscillating one piece plastic mass unit

Abstract

A deceleration sensor switch (10) comprises a base (12) and a mass (20) pivotable from an unactuated position to an actuated position when the mass is subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude. A support (18) supports the mass (20) on the base (12) to pivot from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The support (18) comprises a single continuous piece of plastic molded material having one rigid end (97) portion fixedly attached to the base (12) and an opposite rigid end (99) portion to which the mass (20) is fixedly attached. The single continuous piece of plastic molded material has a resilient central portion (98). The central portion (98) acts as a hinge about which the mass (20) is pivotable from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The opposite rigid end portions (97, 99) are inflexible relative to the resilient central portion (98). First and second electrical terminals (30, 34) move into engagement with each other to electrically close the switch (10) upon the mass (20) pivoting from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A deceleration sensor switch comprising:

a base;
a mass;
support means for supporting said mass on said base such that said mass can pivot from an unactuated position to an actuated position when said mass is subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude, said support means comprising a single continuous piece of plastic molded material having a first rigid end portion fixedly attached to said base and a second rigid end portion to which said mass is fixedly attached, said single continuous piece of plastic molded material having a resilient central portion located between said first and second rigid end portions and acting as a hinge about which said mass is pivotable from said unactuated position to said actuated position, said first and second rigid end portions being inflexible relative to said resilient central portion;
and
means for sensing when said mass is in said actuated position.

2 more elements

A deceleration sensor switch comprising:

a base;
first and second stops mounted on said base;
a mass located between said first and second stops;
support means constraining freedom of movement of said mass and for supporting said mass in a cantilevered fashion on said base such that said mass can move along an arcuate path between said first and second stops from an unactuated position to an actuated position when said mass is subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude, said support means including means for (i) continuously biasing said mass towards one of said first and second stops, and (ii) continuously biasing said mass against said one stop when said mass is in said unactuated position;
and
means for sensing when said mass is in said actuated position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Deceleration switch with a switch base supporting a flexible oscillating one piece plastic mass unit

Life of this patent

Deceleration switch with a switch base supporting a flexible oscillating one piece plastic mass unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15