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US 6,917,004 B1Granted
Earthquake actuated micro switch
OwnerPaul D. Engdahlinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An earthquake actuated micro switch includes a ball which falls into a micro switch actuating position when disturbed. The ball normally resides in a shallow ball seat. A sufficient disturbance causes the ball to escape the ball seat, and fall into a switch seat. When the ball comes to rest in the switch seat, a lower surface of the ball pushes a micro switch actuator, thereby actuating the micro switch.
Claims20
A motion actuated electrical switch comprising:
- a ball;
- a switch body having a floor, the ball residing in the switch body;
- a ball seat on the floor, wherein the ball is positionable by the ball seat when the floor is functionally in the horizontal plane;
- a switch seat in the floor;
- and
- an electrical switch residing under the floor and having an upward facing switch actuator positioned at least partially under the switch seat,
- wherein motion of the body allows the ball to escape the ball seat and fall into the switch seat, and wherein the switch seat is of sufficient diameter and shape to allow the ball, if residing in the switch seat, to actuate the switch actuator.
4 more elements
An earthquake sensor comprising:
- a ball;
- a switch body having a floor, the ball residing in the switch body;
- a ball seat on the floor, wherein the ball is positionable by the ball seat when the floor is functionally in the horizontal plane;
- a switch seat in the floor;
- an electrical switch having a switch actuator positioned at least partially under the switch seat;
- a set control actuable from external to said body for moving said ball from the ball seat to the switch seat;
- and
- a reset control actuable from external to said body for moving said ball from the switch seat to the ball seat,
- wherein motion of the body allows the ball to escape the ball seat and fall into the switch seat, and wherein the switch seat is of sufficient diameter and shape to allow the ball, if residing in the switch seat, to actuate the switch actuator.
6 more elements
A motion actuated electrical switch comprising:
- a ball;
- a switch body having a floor and including a cover portion having an inlet and a base portion having an outlet, the ball residing in the switch body;
- a ball seat on the floor, wherein the ball is positionable by the ball seat when the floor is functionally in the horizontal plane;
- a switch seat in the floor;
- an electrical switch having a switch actuator positioned at least partially under the switch seat;
- and
- wherein motion of the body allows the ball to escape the ball seat and fall into the switch seat, and wherein the switch seat is of sufficient diameter and shape to allow the ball, if residing in the switch seat, to actuate the switch actuator.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.