GB2531590A

GB2531590A - Novel switch

Info

Publication number: GB2531590A
Application number: GB1418882.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kieran Ross Jason; Richard Lane Antony
Original assignee: OSET BIKES Ltd
Current assignee: OSET BIKES Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-22
Filing date: 2014-10-22
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-22
Also published as: GB201418882D0; GB2531590B

Abstract

A magnetic safety switch 1 has a housing 2 with a base 3 and chamber 4. Inside the chamber are circuit contacts 5A, 5B, and a magnetic contactor 6 movable from first position touching the contacts to second position remote from contacts. When removable housing 10 with trigger magnet 9 releasably engages with housing 2, the magnetic contactor is attracted to the trigger magnet and moves to a position touching the contacts and completing the electric circuit. Metal plate 7 in the housing base biases the magnetic contactor away from the contacts if the trigger magnet is removed, cutting power. A U-shaped bracket 8 allows the housing 2 to be secured to a tube, such as bike handlebars. There is an eye 11 on the removably housing 10, where a cord may be tied. There is a cable 12 allowing connection of the switch to an electrical item. The intended use is as a kill switch on an electric bike the trigger housing connected to riders wrist by cord. If the rider falls off the bike, the trigger housing is pulled off and motor loses power and switches off.

Description

TITLE: Novel Switch The present invention relates to a novel switch.

It is common practice to provide a "kill switch" on electric bikes. Such kill switches include a key which engages with the switch to turn it "on" so allowing operation of the bike. The key is connected by a kill cord to the user's wrist. If the user should fall off the bike, the key will separate from the switch so turning it "off' so preventing operation of the bike.

The invention provides a novel switch which may be used, inter alia, as a "kill" switch.

According to the present invention there is provided a switch comprising: a) a switch housing having a pair of contacts, b) a magnetic contactor moveable in the housing from a first position in contact with the contacts to a second position remote from the contacts, c) a metal plate in the housing attracted to the magnetic contactor on the side of the magnetic contactor remote from the contacts whereby the metal plate biases the magnetic contactor away from the contacts to the second position, and d) a removable trigger magnet adapted to be positioned on the housing on the side of the contacts remote from the magnetic contactor, the trigger magnet applying a force on the magnetic contactor greater than the plate whereby when the trigger magnet is on the housing the contactor moves to the first position to create an electrical path across the contacts.

Preferably the contacts and magnetic contactor are located in a chamber in the housing. Preferably the metal plate is located adjacent the chamber wall outside the chamber.

Preferably the trigger magnet is located in a trigger housing which releasably engages with the switch housing. The trigger housing may include a recess to releasably engage with a projection on the switch housing. Preferably the trigger housing supports an eye to which a cord can be tied.

Preferably the switch housing has a bracket to secure it to a tube.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a switch, Figure 2A shows a cross section of the switch assembled with the magnetic contactor in the second position, and Figure 2B shows a cross section of the switch assembled with the magnetic contactor in the first position.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a switch 1.

Switch 1 has a switch housing 2 having a base 3. Housing 2 has a hollow chamber 4. A pair of contacts 5A,5B is provided in the chamber 4, and a magnetic contactor 6 is also in chamber 4 moveable from a first position in contact with the contacts (Figure 2B) to a second position remote from the contacts (Figure 2A).

A metal plate 7, in the housing base 3 and adjacent the chamber wall outside the chamber, is attracted to the magnetic contactor 6. Plate 7 is on the side of the magnetic contactor 6 remote from the contacts 5A,5B whereby the metal plate biases the magnetic contactor away from the contacts to the second position (Figure 2A).

A U-shaped bracket 8 allows the housing to be secured to a tube, such as bike handlebar (not shown). Other brackets could be used to secure the housing to other objects.

A removable trigger magnet 9 in a trigger housing 10 is adapted to be positioned on the housing on the side of the contacts 5A,5B remote from the magnetic contactor 6. The trigger housing 10 includes a recess 10A to releasably engage with a projection 2A on the switch housing 2. The trigger magnet 9 applies a force on the magnetic contactor 6 greater than the plate 7 whereby when the trigger magnet is on the housing the contactor moves to the first position to create an electrical path across the contacts (see Figure 2B). The trigger housing 10 supports an eye 11 to which a cord (not shown) can be tied.

Contacts 5A,5B can be connected to an electrical item such as a motor through a cable 12 In use, switch 1 may be used, inter alia, as a kill switch on an electric bike. Trigger housing 10 may be connected to a rider's wrist or clothing by a cord.

In normal use with the trigger housing 10 engaged with the switch housing as shown in Figure 2B, the magnetic contactor 6 is attracted to the trigger magnet 9 and is connected to contacts 5A,5B which allows power to flow to the bike motor.

If the rider should fall off the bike, the trigger housing 10 will disengage from the switch housing 2, and the magnetic contactor will be attracted to metal plate 7, so the magnetic contactor 6 moves away from contacts 5A,5B which prevents power to flow to the bike motor.

The invention may take a form different to that described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A switch comprising: a) a switch housing having a pair of contacts, b) a magnetic contactor moveable in the housing from a first position in contact with the contacts to a second position remote from the contacts, c) a metal plate in the housing attracted to the magnetic contactor on the side of the magnetic contactor remote from the contacts whereby the metal plate biases the magnetic contactor away from the contacts to the second position, and d) a removable trigger magnet adapted to be positioned on the housing on the side of the contacts remote from the magnetic contactor, the trigger magnet applying a force on the magnetic contactor greater than the plate whereby when the trigger magnet is on the housing the contactor moves to the first position to create an electrical path across the contacts.
2. A switch according to claim 1, wherein the contacts and magnetic contactor are located in a chamber in the housing.
3. A switch according to claim 2, wherein the metal plate is located adjacent the chamber wall outside the chamber.
4. A switch according to any preceding claim, wherein the trigger magnet is located in a trigger housing which releasably engages with the switch housing.
5. A switch according to claim 4, wherein the trigger housing includes a recess to releasably engage with a projection on the switch housing.
6. A switch according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the trigger housing supports an eye to which a cord can be tied.
7. A switch according to any preceding claim, wherein the switch housing has a bracket to secure it to a tube.
8. A switch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.