US1863242A - Gravity switch - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1932. s. FREEDMAN ET AL 1,863,2

GRAVITY SWITCH Filed Nov. 15, 1951 Inventor J fl'aa wafi (7 4 7 g/ erf Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES GRAVITY SWITCH Application filed November 13, 1931. Serial No. 574,892.

This invention relates to a gravity switch, the general object of the invention being to provide a switch having its movable part normally held in inoperative position by the action of gravity, with means whereby a slight pressure on said movable part will raise the same to close a circuit, so that as soon as the pressure is removed, the circuit will be broken.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combina tion and arrangement of the several parts to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a front view of the improved switch.

Fig. 2 is a side View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View.

In these views, the numeral 1 indicates a wall plate having an opening 2 therein, and the numeral 3 indicates a casing connected with the plate and having a removable cover plate 4 forming one side thereof. The con tacts or terminals 5 and 6 extend into the easing, the contact or terminal 6 being insulated from the casing as shown at 7. A movable part of the switch is composed of a pivoted arm or lever 8, the pivot of which is shown at 9 with the small end of the arm extended thru the opening 2. The inner part of the arm 8, is enlarged so as to give it considerable weight so that the lever or arm normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 2 under the action of gravity.

However, when the outer end of the arm or lever is pushed downwardly, the inner part thereof will contact the terminal 6 and thus complete the circuit as the terminal 5 is grounded on the casing as shown. An open NT 1 OFFICE ing 10 is formed at the bottom of the cas- A ing, to permit any moisture collecting therein to escape. Either positive or negative wires may be interchanged on the device.

The purpose of this device is to give continuous service for bell systems. It is foolproof because a slight pressure on the lever will make an immediate contact closing the circuit, and, upon the release of the lever, the contact will be broken by the falling of the lever by the force of gravity alone, thereby opening the circuit.

There are no parts to wear out and rustproof materials should be used. Despite the use of the metal lever the device is shockproof to the user so long as used on six volt systems or less. If a greater than six volt system should be used, the outside portion of the lever may be constructed of an insulated material such as bakelite, ivory, etc., and the cover plate 1 should also be of an insulated material.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is 1. A switch of the class described comprising a casing, a pair of terminals extending therefrom, one of the terminals being insulated, and a lever pivoted in the casing and having a part projecting therefrom, with the inner end of the lever heavier than its outer part, whereby the lever is normally held in inoperative position by the action of gravity, and when the outer part is depressed, the inher part will strike the insulated terminal and close the circuit.

2. A switch of the class described comprising a casing, a short terminal extending into the lower part thereof, and electrically connected therewith, a long terminal extending into the upper part of the casing and innulated therefrom, a lever pivoted in the casing and passing through an opening in the front thereof, the inner part of the lever being heavier than the outer part whereby gravity will hold the lever in inoperative position, but when the outer part is depressed, the inner part will engage the upper terminal and thus close the circuit.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

SAMUEL FREEDMAN. JOHN GILBERT.

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