US3597555A - A switch actuated by a pull cord - Google Patents

Abstract

A switch for closing any low voltage electric circuit is disclosed. The invention resides in the provision of an elongated, flexible, dielectric element having a conductive wire, a terminal at either end, means at the median to attach it to a support member such as a wall, and a shaped nonconductive pull cord secured to its ends, and arranged to bring the terminals together to make electrical contact to close the circuit when tension is put on the pull cord.

Description

United States Patent John K. Gould [3520 Farley Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48239 $4.339

May 4, 1970 Aug. 3, I971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented A SWITCH ACTUATED BY A PULL CORD 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl ZOO/61.93, 340/276, ZOO/l6] Int. Cl Hlllh 3/02 Field of Search 200/6193,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,08l,884 l2/l9l3 Bertagnolli 340/276 1,240,147 9/19 I 7 Johnstow 200/16] Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-M. Ginsburg Attorney-Edward M. Apple ABSTRACT: A switch for closing any low voltage electric circuit is disclosed. The invention resides in the provision of an elongated, flexible, dielectric element having a conductive wire, a terminal at either end, means at the median to'attach it to a support member such as a wall, and a shaped nonconductive pull cord secured to its ends, and arranged to bring the terminals together to make electrical contact to close the circuit when tension is put on the pull cord.

PATENTEI] AUG 3 l9?! MOW/V "K GOUL 0 ATTORNEY A swrrcn ACTUATED BY A PULL cont) This invention relates to a switch for low-voltage electric Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch which has a minimum of working parts and can be fabricated and installed by anyone without special tools or skill.

.The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawing, forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric signaling system in which the invention device is used to close the circuit through an audio device. J

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the switch in closed position. I

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view. of the device embodying the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 7 indicates, in general, my novel switch, which is positioned in a circuit connected to a conventional storage battery 8 and to an audio-signaling device 9. The switch 7 is secured at its median point, as at 10, to a wall ll, and has an actuating cord 12, at one end of which is a loop 12A, which is slidably received in the eyelets 12B, which secure the terminals 17 and 18 to the dielectric strap.'The opposite end of the cord 12 is secured, as at 13, to screw or other means attached to the door 14, which is hinged as at 15 to a door casing 16. Y

The switch 7 consists of a strap of dielectric material, such as polyethylene, or the like, which is semirigid, highly flexible,-

and having the ability to return to its original shape after being flexed. At either end of the strap of dielectric material I have attached a terminal 17 and 18 by means of eyelets 19. In the center of the dielectric element I attach another eyelet 20, in which is received the screw 10 (FIG. 1) for attaching the device to another object. The terminals 17 and 18 are electrically connected by the leads 21 and 22 to the terminals of the battery 8. The leads 2] and 22 are also connected, as at 23 and 24, to the audio-signaling device 9.

The device functions as follows:

After the device is assembled and-the actuating cord 12 is secured to the door 14, as shown in'FIG. 1, any opening or movement ajar of the door 14, sufficient to permit a human to enter, the actuating cordis elongated by the sliding of the loop 12A in the eyelets 12B. This causes the ends of the dielectric strap 7 to come together to make electrical contact between the eyelets 19 and the wire terminals 17 and 18, which are attached thereto. This closes the circuit to the audio device 9,

which then emits an audible signal heard throughout the house, or any area in which the device is positioned.

Although I have illustrated the switch being mounted in a circuit used within a home, it will be understood that the switch and circuit can just as readily be mounted in an automobile or in a boat, so that the audio device may be actuated by the movement of a door or window, or other elements to which the actuating cord 12 may be attached.

7 Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a length of dielectric material having a limited degree of rigidity and elasticity, means at the center for attachment to another object, conductive eyelets at each end in communication with an electric power source'and a signaling device, and a nonconductive pull cord, having a loop slidable in said eyelets to flex the dielectric material when tension is put on the pull cord and move the conductive eyelets into contacting relation to close a circuit.

2. The structure of claim 1, in which each said conductive eyelet has attached thereto a wire terminal, said wire terminals having conductive leads secured thereto, which leads are positioned in said circuit.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which the end of said pull cord opposite said loop is secured to a movable object, which when moved to a predetermined point, will cause said loop to slide in said eyelets, to bring said eyelets into contacting relation to close said circuit.

4. The structure of claim 1, in which said dielectric material is a length of polyethylene plastic having an aperture therein at each end and at the center, each of said apertures having an eyelet secured therein, the center eyelet being arranged to receive an attaching element, and each of the end eyelets having secured thereto the terminal end of a wire.

5. The structure of claim 4, in which said dielectric material has sufficient rigidity to support the ends of said wires and sufficient elasticity to diverge its ends after said ends have been brought together.

Claims (5)

1. A device of the character described comprising a length of dielectric material having a limited degree of rigidity and elasticity, means at the center for attachment to another object, conductive eyelets at each end in communication with an electric power source and a signaling device, and a nonconductive pull cord, having a loop slidable in said eyelets to flex the dielectric material when tension is put on the pull cord and move the conductive eyelets into contacting relation to close a circuit.

2. The structure of claim 1, in which each said conductive eyelet has attached thereto a wire terminal, said wire terminals having conductive leads secured thereto, which leads are positioned in said circuit.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which the end of said pull cord opposite said loop is secured to a movable object, which when moved to a predetermined point, will cause said loop to slide in said eyelets, to bring said eyelets into contacting relation to close said circuit.

4. The structure of claim 1, in which said dielectric material is a length of polyethylene plastic having an aperture therein at each end and at the center, each of said apertures having an eyelet secured therein, the center eyelet being arranged to receive an attaching element, and each of the end eyelets having secured thereto the terminal end of a wire.

5. The structure of claim 4, in which said dielectric material has sufficient rigidity to support the ends of said wires and sufficient elasticity to diverge its ends after said ends have been brought together.

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