GB2541157A

GB2541157A - Novel switch

Info

Publication number: GB2541157A
Application number: GB1511093.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kieran Ross Jason; Richard Lane Antony
Original assignee: OSET BIKES Ltd
Current assignee: OSET BIKES Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-24
Filing date: 2015-06-24
Publication date: 2017-02-15
Also published as: GB201511093D0

Abstract

A petrol engine stop switch 1 may comprise a first housing 2 which may be attached to a motorcycle handlebars via clamp 8 and a second housing 10 which may, via a lanyard, be attached, when in use to a rider. Located within said first housing are contacts 5A, 5B, affixed to vehicle wiring 12; and a contactor 6. A first magnet 9 is located in the second housing 10 and in normal use lifts the contactor away from contacts 5A, 5B. The switch is thus normally open, no current flows and the engine runs. When the lanyard is pulled, the magnet ceases to bias the contactor. It then is attracted downwards by magnetic plate 7 (which is weaker than magnet 9) and bridges the contacts. The circuit is completed and is thus closed. The electrical supply to the spark plug is grounded to earth and no spark occurs, stopping the engine.

Description

TITLE: Novel Switch

The present invention relates to a novel switch.

It is common practice to provide a “kill switch” on petrol motor devices such as bikes, outboard motors on boats, or jet skis. Such kill switches include a key which engages with the switch to turn it “on” by allowing electrical pulses to a spark plug so allowing operation of the device. 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’ by preventing electrical pulses to a spark plug so preventing operation of the device.

The invention provides a novel switch which may be used, inter alia, as a “kill” switch for petrol engines.

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 same side of the magnetic contactor as the contacts whereby the metal plate biases the magnetic contactor towards the contacts to the first position to create an electrical path across the contacts, and d) a removable trigger magnet adapted to be positioned on the housing on the side of the magnetic contactor remote from the contacts, 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 to a second position remote from the contacts to prevent 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.

Swatch 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 2A) to a second position remote from the contacts (Figure 2B). A metal plate 7 with a support ring 7A, 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 same side of the magnetic contactor 6 as the contacts 5A,5B whereby the metal plate biases the magnetic contactor towards the contacts to the first 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 with a support ring 9A in a trigger housing 10 is adapted to be positioned on the housing on the side of the magnetic contactor 6 remote from the contacts 5A,5B. The trigger housing 10 includes a recess 10A to releasably engage with a projection 2A on die 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 second position to prevent 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 spark plug shorting circuit through a cable 12

In use, switch 1 may be used, inter alia, as a kill switch on a petrol driven device with a spark plug such as a motorbike. 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 disconnected from contacts 5A,5B which allows a spark plug to operate.

If the rider should fall off the bike, thp 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 engages contacts 5A,5B which shorts flow of electricity to the spark plug.

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

1. A switch comprising: a) a switch housing having a pair of contacts, b) a magnetic contactor moveable in the housing from a first position remote from the contacts to a second position in contact with 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 to the contacts to the second position to create an electrical path across the contacts, 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 break the 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.