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 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.