US2106605A - Disturbance responsive switch - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 25, 1938. F. B. JOHNSON ET AL DISTURBANCE RESPONSIVE SWITCH Filed Nov. 8, 1934 n .f v T s Heder/'cu' Jg/Ie/son ab Q10/7 Jacabso/r. E n

\ ATroRNE "2m W7 "4 Y Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,106,605 nrs'roanANcs aasroNsrvE swn'ca Frederick B. Johnson and Irvin Jacobson, Kanaal v Application Nomura s. 19:4, semina. 15am 7 claims. (ci. zoe-sz) This invention relates to ja disturbance responsive switch adapted to be actuated incidental to movement of an object carrying the switch, for example, a motor vehicle, and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character that is sensitive to the slightest movement of the vehicle in any direction, but which -is ln no way ailected by an angular condition oi' the vehicle aslong as it is in a state of rest.

In accomplishing these and other objects oi' the invention, as hereinafter set forth, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle equipped with a theft alarm in`- cludlng a disturbance responsive switch embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the alarm partlyin section to better illustrate the construction and support of the contact elements of the switch.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the disturbance responsive switch contact assembly.

Fig. 51s a' detail perspective view of the circuit interrupting switch and lever for rendering thedisturbance responsive switch ineil'ective.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the switch mechanism for controlling the time period within which the signal is active after being actuated by the disturbance responsive switch.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of alarm circuit in whichv the disturbance responsive switch is `vertical side flanges i and 1 to suspend the frame from a clamping device 8.

The clamping device illustrated includes a block 9 having a transverse V-shaped groove il in one face thereof cooperating with a clamping plate I l to engage a part of the object on which the switch is to be mounted as, for example, a.l brace rod I2 connecting the radiator (not shown) with the dash I3 of a motor vehicle designated Il. The plate Il is secured in clamping engagement with the rod by fastening devices such as screws l5 extending through the plate and threaded into the block as best illustrated in Fig. 1. The lower end Vot the block 9 engages between the ilanges 5 and 6 oi the frame 2 and is secured thereto by a bolt or the like I6 extending through the anges and through the depending end of the block.

JThe lower ends of the leg portions 3 and I ot the frame are connected in spaced relation by a cross bar-I1 that is attached to a base plate i3 5 preferably formed of insulating material to mount' an alarm element later described.

Formed on the frame substantially midway of the height oi the legs 3 and 4 and projecting in- .wardiy thereof are aligning bosses I! and 20 hav- 1'0 ing threaded sockets 2| and 22 for adjustably mounting screws D25. 'Ihe inner end of the boss i9 and the trunnion screw 25 in the boss 2li carry trunnion points 21 and 2l for pivotally mounting a gimbal ring 29 which in turn pivotally mounts 15 a pendulum housing 3l.

The pendulum housing 30 includes upper and lower sections 3| and 32 connected by an intermediate coupling ring section 33. '111e upper section is of smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the gimbal ring to provide free swinging movement of the housing within the ing`in a direction transversely to the axis ci the trunnion points previously described, so that the housing is universally suspended within the frame to retain a perpendicular position regardless of the angularity of the frame or support on which the frame is mounted. 4

'I'he upper end of the section 3| has diametrically opposed trunnion openings 34 and 35 for accommodating the trunnion points 36 and 31 on screws 3l and 39 that are adjustably threaded through the gimbal ring at right angles to the axis of the trunnion points 21 and 28. The upper end ot the section 3| is closed by a disk 40 preferably iormed oi.' insulating material to mount a contact element Il later described.

'I'he opposite end of the housing section 3| is internally threaded to engage the upper threaded end 42 of the coupling ring 3 3 and is normally prevented from relative rotation therewith.v by a lock ring I3 that is also threaded on the coupling member and is moved in abutting engagement with the lower end of the upper housing section. 'I'he lower end of the coupling member is provided with an annular collar 44 forming an end abutment for the upper end of the lower housing section which is threaded thereon as illustrated in Fig. 2 to complete the housing for the fixed and pendulum contact elements 4| and I5 to close the signal circuit as now to be described.

'I'he ilxed contact element 4I includes a bushing I3 that is mounted in an opening I1 oi' the insulating disk Il and is provided with an internally threaded bore 48 to adustably mount the threaded shank 48 of a contact head 58. The contact head 50 is preferably of disk shape having a at contact plate 5| to cooperate with a similar plate 52 of the pendulum contact element 45. 'I'he pendulum contact element includes a cylindrical body 53 carrying the contact 52 and is provided with a transverse bore 54 for projection therethrough of a transverse fulcrum bar 55 that has its ends mounted in slots 56 and 51 provided in the coupling ring 33 as best illustrated in Fig. 4, the ends of the bar being retained in seated condition in the slots by fastening devices 58 extending through the ends of the bar and threadedly engaged in sockets in the bottom of the slots.

Threadedly mounted in the body portion of the pendulum and projecting into the transverse bore is a fulcrum screw 58 having a cone-shaped point on its lower end engaging a socket 8| in the top of the bar. Formed on the lower end of the body portion of the pendulum is a threaded stud 82 for supporting a weight 63.

It is'thus apparent that the pendulum is fulcrumed on the bar to normally retain the contact plate 5| thereof in parallel spaced relation with the contact plate 5| on the fixed element to normally break the circuit therebetween, but the pendulum is free to swing in all directions incidental to its point support on the bar 55 to cause the peripheral edge of the contact face 52 to engage the Contact plate 5| of the xed element. If thehousing is moved from perpendicular position in any direction, the pendulum remains stationary and the fixed contact 5| engages with the peripheral edge of the pendulum contact 52 to close a circuit therethrough.

In order to retain the fulcrum screw in engagement with its socket and limit upward movement of the pendulum under vibration, the stud 82 is provided with an internally threaded b'ore to accommodate a screw 84 having a cone shaped upper end 65 slightly spaced from the bottom and a cone shaped recess formed in the lower side of the transverse bar 55, the spacing between the screw and socket being suiiicient to allow the maximum swinging movement of the penduium.

To lock the xed contact element 4| in adjusted position relatively to the contact plate 52 of the pendulum 45, the bushing 45 is provided with a set screw 61 engaging the threaded shank 48 of the contact element.

In order to provide a sufiicient weight in the housing to retain the housing in perpendicular position, the lower section is provided with an annular collar 69 of considerable weight and which is preferably knurled to permit adjustment of the coupling section relatively to the housing, thereby varying the relative spacing between the contact faces.

The lower contact plate is directly grounded on the frame through a flexible connection 18 iixed to the contact 45 and to the coupling ring 33 of the housing as best shown in Fig. 4. The xed contact element is connected by a conductor 1| leading to a relay switch designated 12 carried by the frame 2 and adapted to close a circuit leading to a source of current supply to retain the signal in operation after the circuit has been broken through separation of the contact plates 5| and 52.

The relay switch 12 includes a pivoted arm 13 Y carried by the frame 2 in alignment with the core of the solenoid and having interconnected contacts 14 and 15 adapted to engage a fixed contact 16 that is connected with the alarm element such as a bell 11 and a lamp 18 by a 'conductor 18 and a fixed contact 88 that is connected to a contact 8| of a secondary switch 82 through a conductor 83.`

The relay switch also includes a solenoid 84 provided with a winding 85 having one terminal connected to the movable contact 88 of the secondary switch 82 and having its other terminal connected to a source of current supply such as a battery 81 by means of a conductor 88.

It is thus apparent that when the device is vibrated to cause either the pendulum weight 63 or the housing to swing, the peripheral edges of the contacts 5| and 52 will engage each other to close circuit through the battery 81, conductor 88, solenoid winding 85, secondary switch 82, contacts 5| and 52 and conductor 18 to the ground and back to the battery.

'Ihis ow of current energizes the solenoid 84 and effects actuation of the arm 13 to close the contacts 14-88 and 15-18 causing the current to flow through the secondary -switch 82 and to the signal circuit to energize the bell 11 and light the lamp signal 18, thereby giving warning that the vehicle has been moved from its state of rest.

With the circuit thus far described, it is apparent that as long as current is flowing through the solenoid, the relay contacts will remain closed to continue operation of the signals.

It is, therefore desirable to provide means for automatically breaking the circuit to the relay after the signal has been energized and to accomplish this, we provide for thermostatic opera- Y tion of the secondary switch 82.

The movable contact 88 for -the secondary switch is mounted on a spring leaf 88 to be normally retained thereby in contact with its complementary contact 8|. 98 designates a thermostat element preferably formed of metal and having one end thereof xed to a bracket 3| and its opposite end normally engaging a lug 82 on the contact spring 89. Coiled about the thermostat is a heating element 83 having one lead connected to the conductor leading to the secondary contact switch 88 and the other to the conductor 88. Upon flow of currentthrough the solenoid, a portion of the current will be shunted through the resistance 83 to heat the thermostat element 88 which is set so that after the temperature has reached a given point the thermostat element will flex to raise the spring contact 88 of the secondary switch, thereby breaking circuit to the solenoid which in turn interrupts the current supply to the bell 11 and lamp 18 through the contacts 16 and 88.

When current has broken through the solenoid 84, the current is also broken through the heating element by the secondary switch 82 and' this switch will not close until the resistance element 88 has cooled sufficiently to allow closure there- CIK of. The circuit will not again be energized unless the vehicle is again moved to cause swinging of the pendulum to energize the circuit as previously described. In order to set the timing between the make and break of the secondary switch by means of the thermostatic element, the thermostaticelement is mounted on a pivoted lever v84 that is pivoted on the bracket 8| and is engaged by set screws and 86 that are threaded through the xed bracket 8| and which have their ends engaging against stop shoulders on the lever 84 at opposite sides of the lever pivot.

It is thus apparent that by tightening one screw and slackening oi! the other, the thermostatic element may be tensioned so that it will be caused tobreak the circuit through the secondary switch at selective time periods.

In order to prevent energization of the circuit when the vehicle is in use by an authorized person', a manually operated switch Il is connected in the conductor II. This switch 81 includes a contact clip AIl that is iixed to a plate 9! carried on the insulating plate Il adjacent the lower end of the' contact housing. Pivoted to the lower end of the leg l of the frame 2 is a lever i operating through a slot IUI in the leg l and extending under the weight 62 so that its opposite end Il! is operable through an opening |03 in the lower end of the leg 3. The projecting end'of the lever is connected by a ilexible cable IM to an operating button on the dash of the vehicle. Directly under the pendulum weight I4 is an inverted coneshapedplate |05 havinga tongue I thereon pivotally mounted in a slot |01 in the collar of the lower housing section so that the center thereof is supported in contact with alug I provided It is also desirable to provide the conductor wire with a second switch III, preferably of the permutation type, that is mounted exteriorly of the vehicle as shown in Fig. l and which is connected in circuit with the conductor by wires il! and H3 so that the circuit may be closed after the operator has closed the switch 91 and locked the 'doors of the vehicle.

'mebenn mamma'umiwbeioeatedmany convenient part of the vehicle. We prefer, however, to mount the bell directly on the lower face of the insulated plate .Il and the lamp 'Il on the instrument board of the vehicle.

As an added precaution, switches as indicated at I Il may be connected into the circuit to cause energization of the alarm. One of these switches is preferably located so as to be operated in case some one should attempt to raise the hoodwithout effecting movement ofthe vehicle.

While we have specifically referred to the audible signalling device or alarm as a bell, it is obvious that a horn, buzzer, or othersimilar device may be substituted, or the. hornwhich is the standard equipment of the vehicle may be connected into the circuit in lieu of the independent sounding device.

In operating a mechanism constructed and mounted on a motor vehicle as described, and assuming that the vehicle is being operated by an authorized person, the pendulum weight I3 is engaged by the lug `I u on the lever to hold the point lof the screw M in engagement with the socket Il to prevent swinging of the pendulum.

the driver wishes to park the car, he will operate the cable I to close the switch Il and release the pendulum from contact with the lug III. After leaving the car and'locking the doors thereof, the permutation lock will be operated to close the permutation switch from the exterior of the car, completing the setting of the alarm.

As long as the car is stationary, the contacts Il and 52 will remain open regardless of the position of the car, due to the universal mounting of the housing. The pendulum will. therefore, hang in a perpendicular position to maintain spacing between the contacts 5l and 52. However, should an unauthorized person move some portion of the car to cause swinging of the housing ofhe pendulum the contacts will engage to close the circuit through the relay switch 12, secondary switch 82, and ce luctor 10 to the ground, energizing the relay switch to close the circuit to the bell 'I1 and lamp 18.

Current will also flow through the heating element to heat the thermostat. The bell will continue to ring until the thermostat has been heated sufficiently to cause separation of the contact 86 of the secondary switch. When this occurs, the circuit through the relay switch is interrupted which eects breaking of the circuit to the bell 11 and lamp 1l. The signal will not again be energized unless another attempt is made to enter the car. Upon cooling of the thermostat, theV circuit will be reestablished through the secondary switch and should the car .be moved a second time, the contacts Il and l2 will again close the circuit to.l again edectopration of the signals.

While the switch device maybe mounted on any part of the car, it is readily energized through any vibratory movement applied to any part of the car, such as the tires, spare wheel, or other accessories. The signal alarm will, therefore, not only protect the car against theft, but will also protect the car against loss of the accessories, since an attempt to remove the accessories will cause movement of the car to energize the signal.

If desired, the 'gimbal ring may be dispensed with Vand the housing 30 can be universally sus pended by means of a pivot pin and bar similar to the suspension means for the above described.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' l. In a device of the character described, a housing, a pair of facing disk-like contacts having substantially hat contact faces for controlling an electrical circuit, a pivotally mounted support in the housing for carrying one of the contacts withl the contact face normally arranged in a horizontal plane, means for pivotally supporting the other contact on said pivotally mounted support with its contact face in a horizontal plane innnormally spaced relation and in axial registry with the first named contact, and means for eugaging one of the contact supports to selectively prevent movement of said supports, said contacts being movable in peripheral contacting `relation with each other responsive to'vibratory movement of said supports.

pendulum as 2. In a device of the rcharacter described, aV

pendulum, a disk-like contact carried by the pendulum having a normally horizontal contact face, means supporting the pendulum foi oscillatory movement, means for swingingly suspending said supporting means,a similar contact having a contact .face normally retained in a horizontal plane on said last named suspending means in vertically spaced facing relation with the first named lcontact and adapted to be engaged by the first named contact upon swinging movement ofV the pendulum,- and means for selectively engaging the pendulum to prevent oscillatory movement thereof.

3. In a device of the. character described, a

support, a gimbal ring pivotally mounted on the support, a pendulum housing swingingly mounted on said gimbal ring, a pendulum, means pivotally supporting the pendulum in the housing, a dat disk-shaped contact carried on the pendulum above the pivotal support, and a similar contact carried by 'the housing in vertically spaced relation with the pendulum contact and adapted to be engaged by the pendulum contact for closing a circuit incidental to relative movement of the housing and pendulum.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a'support, a contact carrying member, means pivotally suspending the contact carrying member on the support whereby said contact carrying member retains perpendicularity during change of position of said support, a substantially disk-like contact carried by said member and having a downwardly facing normally horizontal contact face, a second Contact carrying member, a contact on said second contact carrying member oi similar shape and having a normally horizontal contact face, and means mounting said second contact carrying member for oscillatory movement on the rst contact carrying member with said contact faces in spaced facing relation whereby said last named contact is caused to peripherally engage the other contact upon oscillatory movement of the second contact carrying member.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a pendulum housing, means universally suspending the pendulum housing on the support, a contact carried in the axis of the housing and having a substantially iiat horizontal contact face, a pendulum including a body having a transverse bore, a fulcrum bar supported by the housing and extending through said bore, a fulcrum member carried by the pendulum and having point bearing on the fulcrum bar, and a contact carried by the body of the pendulum in normally spaced alignment with the ilrst named contact and adapted to peripherally engage said contact upon relative movement of the pendulum in the housing.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a pendulum housing, means universally suspending the pendulum housing on the support, a contact carried in the axis of the housing and having a substantially iiat horizontal contact face, a pendulum including a body having a transverse bore, a fulcrum bar supported by the housing and extending through said bore, a fuicrum member carried by the pendulum and having point bearing on the fulcrum bar, a contact carried by the body of the pendulum in normally spaced alignment with the rst named contact and adapted to peripherally engage said contact upon relative movement of the pendulum in the housing, a stop member carried by the pendulum and engageable with the bar on the opposite side of said point bearing, and means for lifting the pendulum from said point bearing and the stop member into engagement with the fulcrum bar to selectively prevent said relative movement.

7. In a device of the character described, a support, a pendulum housing, means universally mounting the pendulum housing on the support,

a pendulum, means universally mounting the

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