US3895197A

US3895197A - Conducting fluid type inertia switch

Info

Publication number: US3895197A
Application number: US443607A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sam Mizrahi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-02-19
Filing date: 1974-02-19
Publication date: 1975-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-15

Abstract

A combination inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp basebase is so dimensioned as to be mountable in a standard socket of, for example, automobiles, bicycles, or the like. The combination inertia switch, lamp socket and lamp base may be cylindrically shaped with the forward end dimensioned to receive a bulb while the rearward portion has a narrow diameter of a lamp base so as to fit into a standard lamp socket. The switch portion may have a frusto-conically shaped chamber with mercury therein so that accelerative forces move the mercury to couple spaced contacts at the apex of the chamber, thereby completing the circuit to light the bulb and give an indication of the change of speed of the vehicle. The inertia switch may be rotatably secured to the ignition switch of an automobile and may comprise a housing having a frusto-conically shaped chamber interconnecing two wells, each well having a set of contacts electrically coupled by a globule of mercury dependent upon the orientation of the housing. The sets of electrical contacts may be connected to the ignition and an alarm, respectively.

Description

Mizrahi July 15, 1975 1 CONDUCTING FLUID TYPE INERTIA SWITCH [76) Inventor: Sam Mizrahi, 7 lrion Dr., New City,

22 Filed: Feb. 19,1974

2: App1.No.:443,607

[52] 11.5. CI. ZOO/61.47; 200/184; 200/220; 240/25; 340/52 R [51] Int. Cl. H01h 35/02 [58] Field of Search 200/61.47, 184, 187, 190, 200/199-201, 215-221, 225, 236, 61.83;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,192,262 3/1940 Griesedieck 200/61.47 X

2,344,129 3/1944 Clayton ZOO/61.47

2,561.460 7/1951 Bloese v v 200/184 X 2,809.283 10/1957 Spencer... ZOO/61.47 X 3,233,093 2/1966 Gerlat ZOO/61.47 X

3,274,939 9/1966 Foster ZOO/61.47 X 3,466,014 9/1969 Pdttgens 200/220 X 3,673,562 6/1972 Buell ZOO/61.47 X

3,739,118 6/1973 Bounds 200/6147 X 3.743.802 7/1973 Avenick ZOO/61.47

Primary Examiner.lames R. Scott Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Philip Furgang [57] ABSTRACT A combination inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp basebase is so dimensioned as to be mountable in a standard socket of, for example, automobiles, bicycles, or the like. The combination inertia switch, lamp socket and lamp base may be cylindrically shaped with the forward end dimensioned to receive a bulb while the rearward portion has a narrow diameter of a lamp base so as to fit into a standard lamp socket. The switch portion may have a frusto-conically shaped chamber with mercury therein so that accelerative forces move the mercury to couple spaced contacts at the apex of the chamber. thereby completing the circuit to light the bulb and give an indication of the change of speed of the vehicle.

The inertia switch may be rotatably secured to the ignition switch of an automobile and may comprise a housing having a frusto-conically shaped chamber interconnecing two wells, each well having a set of contacts electrically coupled by a globule of mercury dependent upon the orientation of the housing. The sets of electrical contacts may be connected to the ignition and an alarm, respectively.

18 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CONDUCTING FLUID TYPE INERTIA SWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to inertia switches which employ an electrically conductive liquid and use an inclined plane as a means for retarding the movement of the conductive liquid in response to inertia.

The concept of an inclined plane, that is, the relative position of a wall of a switch cavity to the horizontal plane. has been well known for some time. Thus, for example, Bloese, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,561,460, discloses a bulb having therein a quantity of mercury, The bulb is secured to a trunk lid so that when the lid is placed in a raised condition, the mercury travels to the base of the bulb and closes spaced contacts, thereby lighting the bulb. The inclined plane formed by the combination of the natural shape of the bulb and the position of the trunk lid prevents the mercury from riding up the bulb and closing the contact during motion of thecar.

Harms, in US. Pat. No. 393,558, suggests a letter box in which a mercury switch is attached to the lid. When the lid is opened, the switch is closed by the flow of the mercury into contact with the spaced contacts, thereby setting off an alarm.

Wadsworth suggests a vehicle signal in U.S. Pat. No. l.490.300. in which mercury is within a separate switch and moves from one pair of electrical contacts to another pair of electrical contacts, the acceleration of the vehicle thereby turning on and off lights as an indication of acceleration of the vehicle.

In one consideration of the proposed devices, it should be observed that they form either cumbersome or expensive switch mechanisms. Thus, the bulb of Blo ese requires a rather expensive construction of a specialized bulb. The user is faced with a difficulty of find ing a ready and expensive replacement when the filament burns out. The switch of Wadsworth, on the other hand, is a separate construction apart from any bulb. It must be secured in a predetermined orientation to be assured that the inclined plane is properly positioned. The separate use of a switch and a bulb socket makes for a time-consuming installation and a costly combination of parts.

Inertia switches used to indicate the status of operations of a moving object are well known. Thus, Huron in U.S. Pat. No. 2,823,367, discloses a switch comprising mercury in a V-shaped chamber. If the vehicle, to which the switch is mounted, is turned over, the mercury runs up one of the legs of the V, opening a pair of ignition contacts disposed at the base and closing a pair of alarm contacts in an enlarged top of the V. Erich in U.S. Pat. No. 2,072,362, provides another V-shaped chamber with the base or neck of the V forming an inclined plane. Mercury in the chamber is intended to run up the neck to close contacts indicating the state of movement of the vehicle.

Neither of the switches proposed by Huron or Erich would be suitable as an alarm indicating the unauthorized movement of the vehicle or other object. For such a device, the switch must present two operating positions. In a first position, the inertial movement of the vehicle should not affect the operation of the vehicle or switch. In a second position (such as when the ignition if off) the vehicle should be capable of starting but not substantial movement. In the second state, movement should be capable of causing the ignition circuitry to open and an alarm to ring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a combination inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp base for use on vehicles such as automobiles, bicycles. and the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a uni tary lamp socket, inertia switch, and lamp base which is operable upon the acceleration of the object to which it is attached.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination bulb and inertia switch socket which is efficient in use and simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination lamp socket, inertia switch, and lamp base which may be conveniently installed in a standard horizontally mounted lamp socket.

It is an object of this invention to provide an electromechanical switch which has a plurality of operating positions.

It is an object of this invention to provide an inertia switch which employs an inclined plane.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an inertia switch which is substantially sensitive to acceleration in one position and substantially insensitive to acceleration in a second position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an inertia switch which is simple in use and so sensitive to motion as to provide, at least in one operating position, means for coupling electrical contacts and in a second position selectively choosing between a plurality of electrical contacts.

In fulfillment of the teachings of the invention herein, there is provided a combination inertia switch and lamp socket for use in such vehicles as automobiles. bicycles. and the like. This combination inertia switch and lamp socket comprises a socket housing intended to be mounted to the vehicle in a substantially horizontal plane and having an inertia switch compartment and bulb socket therein. The switch compartment has a generally frusto-conically shaped cavity with the principal axis thereof parallel the horizontal plane. A first electrical contact is within the cavity and secured to the apex end thereof, electrically communicating with the exterior of the housing. This first contact may be insulated from the housing. A second electrical contact is proximate to and spaced from the first electrical contact and an electrical contact with the centrally disposed bulb contact in the bulb housing. A quantity of mercury is within the cavity such that upon a predetermined value and direction of acceleration of the vehicle, the mercury will move upwardly along the conical cavity and electrically close the contacts.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a unitary inertia switch and bulb socket so dimensioned that the inertia switch and portion may be inserted within a standard automobile light socket.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, there is provided an inertia switch for use in an automobile or the like. The switch comprises a housing having a chamber. The chamber comprises three means. An electrically conductive liquid is within the chamber. The housing has first and second operating positions. In the first operating position, the first means is capable of holding the liquid substantially independent of the forces of acceleration. In the second operation position, the second means is capable of holding the liquid such that the liquid is capable of movement in response to the acceleration along a predetermined direction and magnitude so as to move from the second means and holding the liquid substantially independent of the acceleration. The switch also comprises first and second pairs of electrical conductors extending from outside the housing and into the chamber. The liquid. while in the first or second means. electrically couples the first pair of conductors and upon being in the third means. the liquid electrically couples the second pair of conductors.

In one embodiment of this invention. the first pair of conductors are connected to the ignition of an automobile while the second pair of conductors are connected to an alarm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partial sectional side view showing a combination bulb. socket, and inertia switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an inertia switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the switch of FIG. 2 in another position;

FIG. 4 is the switch of FIG. 3 showing the position of a quantity of electrically conductive liquid having moved from one end of the switch housing to the other end of the switch housing; and

FIG. 5 is still another embodiment of an inertia switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning to the drawing. there is disclosed (FIG. 1) a combination inertia switch. lamp socket. and lamp base I0. The lamp socket. switch. and lamp base may have a substantially cylindrical shape with a bulb receiving portion 12 and a switch compartment 14. The bulb receiving portion ofthe socket I2 is ofa construction commonly known in the art. having therein a bayonette receiving slot 16 and a centrally disposed electrical contact [8. In the alternative. any other type of bulb-receiving portion may be employed. such as. a screw thread bulb socket. As is customary in such devices. the bulb socket casing 20 may serve as one of the electrical contacts while the centrally disposed contact 18 may serve as the second contact to complete the electrical contact with a light bulb 22.

Formed as an integral part of the lamp and switch socket 10 is the switch compartment 14. The integral relationship is considered most significant The switch compartment 14 is located at the base 24 of the bulb socket 12. Its outer shell 26 may be like that of the socket l2. cylindrical with a somewhat smaller diame ter than the shell 20 of the socket portion 12. Residing within the switch compartment 14 may be insulation 28 in the form of a phenolic or other plastic. This rigid in sulation 28 may define a substantially frusto-conically shaped cavity 30 with the base 32 of the cavity 30 adjacent the base 24 of the bulb-receiving portion 12. The principal axis (not indicated) of the cavity 30 extends horizontally with the apex 34 substantially opposed to the contact 18 at the base 24 of the socket 12. The shell 26 may have. for example, a bayonette extension 36 for engaging a bulb socket (not shown). The function of the bayonette extension 36 will be more fully described hcreinbelow.

Within the cavity 30 there is provided a quantity of liquid conductive 38 such as mercury. An electrical contact 40 which may be made. for example. of copper. extends from the electrical contact 18 of the bulb socket 12 through the base 24 of the socket l2 and coaxially with the major axis of the cavity 30. A second contact 42 extends from the apex coaxially within the cavity 30. One end of the second contact 42 terminates in a sodder point or contact 44. the function of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

A resin compound of. for example. epoxy 46 may be used to secure the second contact 42 and its contact point 44 to the casing shell 26 but insulate it therefrom. The outer end of the second contact 42 terminates proximate the apex 34 of the cavity 30. The first contact 40 is provided with a small L-shaped bend 48 to bring it into overlapping and spaced proximity to the second contact 42.

In use. the lamp and inertia switch socket 10 may be inserted into a normal socket (not shown) of the type used in an automobile or other moving vehicle. Generally. such an insertion may be made. as shown here with the male bayonette portion 36. Any other type of bulb engaging means such as screw threads may be used. In order to assure such a use. there is provided a narrower diameter of the switch portion 14 as opposed to the socket portion 12. The bayonette posts 36 are thereby used to engage the socket of the vehicle. The operation of the combination switch. bulb socket. and lamp base 10 makes mandatory a horizontal orientation along the major axis of the cavity 30. Generally. such a socket l0-bulb 22 combination may be inserted in the stop light configuration of any moving vehicle. such as a bus. car. or bicycle in the horizontal position. The angle of the conically-shaped cavity 30 is chosen so that as the vehicle moves up or down an incline. the mercury 38 will not come in contact with the contacts 40 and 42. However. when sufficient amount of acceleration is experienced. the mercury 38 may be expected to ride up the incline ofthe conically-shaped cavity 30, closing the contacts 40 and 42 and thereby completing the electrical circuit to the bulb 22.

Naturally. the inclination of the vehicle which in turn orients the incline with respect to the horizontal plane will determine the amount of acceleration necessary to move the mercury. However. the angle of the cavity 30 may be chosen to assure a sufficient angle despite the orientation of the vehicle during normal usage. The assumption of standard inclinations of a vehicle in motion is assumed throughout. In addition, acceleration and movement are used throughout to mean along a substantially horizontal path. The overall conical shape of the cavity 30 makes possible the operation of the switch 14 regardless of the orientation of the bulb 22 after insertion into the car or other vehicle. so long as its basic installation is horizontal. This is to be distinguished from inertia switches which provides but one incline plane.

It should be noted that the term acceleration" as used herein. to indicate the change of speed of a moving vehicle. Thus. acceleration as used throughout this description is defined by vectors of direction and magnitude. Clearly, if for example the socket-switch-base 10 is oriented with the apex end facing forward. inertia will cause the mercury 38 to ride up the incline of the cavity upon a negative change in acceleration (or deceleration) assuming a positive acceleration describes an increase in the speed of the vehicle in the forward direction. On the other hand, the mercury will ride up the incline on an increase in the acceleration in the rearward or backup direction.

The conical shape of the socket-switch-base l0 presents an incline plane which is employed to retard the movement of the mercury until the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value and, more importantly, retains the mercury at the base even when the vehicle assumes a natural incline during most driving conditions. As used herein throughout the inclination ofa vehicle or its movement is assumed to be within the parameters of expected usage and doesnt include any mishaps such as overturning or the like.

The cone-like shape presents not one incline plane, as seen in prior art devices, but a plurality of such planes, thereby overcoming the problem of proper orientation of the switch-bulb when inserted in the vehicle with regard to one particular incline plane. The only necessary condition is that it be arranged along the horizontal.

Of major significance to this invention may be found in the combination of the elements. The lamp-switchsocket 10 makes for a highly efficient and simply installed mechanism not believed to be presently in the prior art.

Turning to another inertia switch 50, the drawing discloses (FIGS. 2-4) such a switch 50 which employs the use of an incline plane in the form of a substantially frusto conically shaped chamber. This switch 50 may be used as an alarm device for motor vehicles or the like.

The switch 50 has a housing 52. The housing 52 in turn may be secured to the ignition switch 54 of an automobile (not shown) or the like by means of an adhesive or other joining means. The housing 52, which may be made of any rigid material such as glass or plastic which is impermeable to the passage of a liquid conductor, such as mercury, therethrough, may be considered to have three separate sections. The three sections comprise two

wells

56 and 58 at the opposed ends of a conduit. The conduit may be. for example, a frustoconically shaped chamber 60. The larger or base end 62 of the chamber 60 empties into the first well 56 while the apex end 64 empties into the second chamber 58. With the switch 50 disposed so that the major axis (not indicated) of the chamber 60 horizontal, one of the wells 56 may be located with the base 66 thereof directed in a downward position. The base 68 of the second well 58 may then be in an upward or emptying position.

Within the housing 50 may be a quantity of liquid conductor 70 such as mercury. Electrical contacts may be provided for switching purposes. Thus, a first pair of electrical contacts 72 may extend from without the housing and into the first well 56. The housing 50 is so designed as to retain the mercury 70 therewithin. The first pair of contacts 72 may extend perpendicularly to the major axis of the chamber 60 at the base end 62 thereof and into the well 56. A second pair of contacts 74 may extend in through the base 68 of the second well 58. The contacts may be so disposed within the cavity so as to be in contact with the mercury 70 as the mercury 70 moves within the

wells

56 or 58. Thus, for

example. the contact 72 may have laterally curved ends.

The switch 50 may have two stable operating positions. In the first position (FIG. 2), the mercury is in the bottom 66 of the first well 56 and electrically closes the electrical contact 72. In this position. with the ignition switch 54 on, the ignition 76 and hence, the car may operate. In the second position of the switch 50 (FIGS. 3 and 4) the switch 50 may be rotated through 180 so that the mercury 70 rests in the cham ber 30 opposed to the bottom 66 of the first chamber 56. In this position, the first chamber 56 is upward in an emptying position and the bottom 68 of the second chamber 58 is in the bottom, downward, or receiving position. It is not required that for this switch 50 to op erate that its first position be I apart from the second position. The basic requirement is that the mercury 70 be retained in a first well 56 in the first position and retained in the second well 58 in the second position. In addition, a frusto-conical shaped chamber is of convenience but not a necessity. The requirement of the cone is merely to provide inclined planes which will resist the movement of mercury in the first position. retain the mercury until a predetermined acceleration is reached in the second position, and return the mercury from the second well 58 to the first well 56 when the switch 50 is rotated from the second to the first position.

The inclined plane 78 of the conelike chamber 60 holds the mercury 70 in contact with the first pair of contacts 72. Thus, in this position, the car may be started. However, should the car be moved, acceleration will cause the mercury 70 to proceed up the chamber 30 along the inclined plane 78 until it enters the second well 58, thereby closing the second pair of contacts 74 (FIG. 4). If the second pair of contacts 74 are in turn connected in series to an alarm 80, the resulting closing of the second contacts 74 will set off the alarm 80. This switch 50 may also be applicable to other uses such as doors, bicycles, or any other device subject to accelerated motion. When it is in a first posi tion (FIG. 4). the mercury 70 cannot move out of the first well 56 due to the high walls thereof and the inclined plane 78. In the same manner, the second well 58 retains the mercury 70 until the switch 50 is returned to its first position (FIG. 2). The mercury 70 then courses down the inclined plane into the first well 56.

In operation, the first position may represent the on condition of the ignition. When the ignition is off, the switch is in the second position and the mercury 70 remains in contact with the first pair of electrical contacts 72, thereby permitting the ignition 76 to be started. If the car ignition wires are jumped and the vehicle moves while the switch is in the second position, inertia will cause the mercury to move out of contact with the first pair of electrical contacts 72, disconnecting the ignition 76 and couple the second pair of contacts 74 in the second well 58, thereby setting off the alarm 80. As may be imagined, this switch 50 is easily connected to a lock on a bicycle (without the ignition switch) or to a door, for example, of a business establishment. In the latter case, the ignition wires 72 may be coupled to the lights which would be turned on by the uncoupling of the first pair of electrical contacts 72.

It is clear that the number of contacts, as discussed herein, is purely arbitrary as is their respective func tion. Thus. for example. contacts might be provided in the second well to permit the ignition of a car to continue to operate while. ne crtheless. sounding an alarm,

Turning now to another embodiment (FIG. there is disclosed a switch 90 secured to an ignition switch 92. The switch 90 may have. for example. a generally Zshape with the

arms

94 and 96 of the Z disposed \ertically with across bar 98 interconnecting the

arms

94 and 96.

The switch 90 may be constructed of any desired ma terial. such as a nonconductive material as glass or. if it is desired that the container serve as an electrical common or ground. a conductor such as copper.

Mercury 70 may be located within the Z-shaped body 90. As shown in FIG. 5, the switch 90 is in the second position (i.e.. with the ignition 76 of a car turned off]. As in the previous devices. electrical contacts 72 may, for example, extend through the arm 94 and into a small well 100 formed at the juncture of the vertical arm 94 and the cross bar 98. Mercury 70 resides within the well )0. if the mercury 70 is subjected to acceleration of a predetermined direction and magnitude, the mercury 70 will flow down the bar 98 and into the second arm 96 closing the second pair of contacts 74 engaging the alarm 80. As previously indicated with other embodiments. the closing of the various contacts is ar bitrarily selected.

If the switch 90 is rotated in the horizontal plane so that the relative position of the

arms

94 and 96 are reversed. the mercury 70 will flow out of the arm 96, down the bar 98 and into the arm 94.

[t is clear that the

arms

94 and 96 and bar 98 need not be curved or cylindrical. but may have a rectangular or other shape so long as the various angular relationships are retained. In addition, the terms arms' or wells." as used herein are intedned to be used inter changeably.

The switches 50 and 90 have in common an important characteristic: self-latching. This aspect of the switch may be demonstrated by virtue of the fact that when the switch is in the second operating position and the alarm is initiated it remains on until the switch is rotated to the first position. Further. normal movement of the vehicle or door or other moving body to which it is attached tie. in the horizontal plane) will not turn off the alarm or ignition (as the case may be).

What is claimed is:

l. A combination inertia switch. lamp socket. and lamp base for use in connection with horizontally mounted lamp sockets ofthe type found in vehicle stop lights of such vehicles as automobiles, bicycles and the like. in combination:

a. a lamp base housing intended to be secured in the vehicle lamp socket. and having a switch compartment and a bulb socket;

b. said switch compartment having a generally frustoconically shaped cavity with the principal axis thereof parallel the horizontal plane;

c. at least one electrical contact extending within said cavity and secured to the apex end thereof and communicating with the exterior of and insulated from said housing;

d. a second electrical contact in said cavity proximate to said first electrical contact and spaced therefrom and in electrical contact with the centrally disposed bulb contact of said bulb receiving socket; and

lit

e. a quantity of electrically conductive liquid within said cavity such that upon acceleration of the vehicle with a predetermined magnitude and direction. said liquid conductor moves upwardly along said conical cavity and electrically closes said contacts. thereby completing connection between said housing and said bulb socket.

2. A combination of inertia switch. lamp socket, and lamp base as recited in claim 1. wherein the angle of said cone with respect to said principal axis is so disposed so as to prevent said electrically conductive liquid from completing said connection between said housing and said bulb socket with said vehicle having an acceleration in said predetermined direction and less than said predetermined magnitude;

said socket housing is cylindrical in shape and said bulb socket being disposed coaxially with said principal axis of said switch cavity.

3. A combination switch. lamp socket. and lamp base as recited in claim 2, wherein said switch compartment being so dimensioned as to engage a standard bulb-receiving socket and further comprises a cylindrical wall engaging portion and a centrally disposed electrical contactjoined to said first contact.

4. A combination inertia switch. lamp socket. and lamp base as recited in claim 3. wherein said liquid conductor is mercury, said cylindrical housing of said switch compartment comprises bayonette male members for insertion into a standard bayonette lamp socket. said housing being conductive.

5. A combination inertia switch, lamp socket. and lamp base, as recited in claim 3. wherein said liquid conductor is mercury. said cylindrical housing of said switch compartment comprises a screw-threaded male member for insertion into a standard screw thread lamp socket. said housing being conductive.

6. An inertia switch for use in an automobile or the like comprising:

a. a housing having a chamber, said chamber comprises first, second and third well means;

b. electrically conductive liquid within said chamber;

c. said housing having at least first and second operation positions,

in said first operation position said first well means being capable of holding said liquid substantially independent of the forces of acceleration, and

in said second position, said second well means being capable of holding said liquid such that said liquid being capable of movement in response to acceleration along a predetermined direction and magnitude so as to move from said second means to said third means. said third means being capable of receiving said liquid from said second means and holding said liquid substantially independent of said acceleration; and

d. first and second electrical contact means extend ing into said housing chamber and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said first electrical contact means being within said first and second well means and said second electrical contact means being within said third well means such that said conductive liquid. upon being in said first or second well means electrically contacting said first electrical contact means and upon being in said third well means electrically contact said second electrical contact means.

7. An inertia switch as recited in claim 6, wherein said housing in said second well operating position, said second means comprises means for retaining said liquid conductor such that upon said switch being subject to an acceleration of predetermined direction and magni tude, said liquid conductor moves out of said second well means.

8. An inertia switch as recited in claim 7, wherein said first means comprises a first well; with said switch in said first position, said first well being vertical. the walls of said first well being of sufficient vertical height to retain therewithin said liquid conductor against movement of said liquid conductor due to acceleration.

9. An inertia switch as recited in claim 8, wherein said third means comprises a second well; with said switch in said second position. said second well being vertical, the walls of said second well being of sufficient vertical height to retain therewithin said liquid conductor against movement due to acceleration.

10. An inertia switch as recited in claim 9, wherein said second means further comprises a substantially inclined plane portion of said chamber communicating with said first and second wells. and so disposed such that at least one of said planes communicates from said first well to a point vertically spaced from said second well, and at least one other of said inclined planes extends from a position vertically spaced from said second well and communicating with said first well.

11. An inertia switch as recited in claim 10, wherein with said housing in said first operating position of said switch. said one inclined plane proceeds vertically upwardly from said first well to a position vertically below the opening of said second well.

12. An inertia switch as recited in claim 11, wherein said first well is, in said first operating position. oriented with the base thereof disposed downwardly to receive said liquid conductor and said second well being disposed with base thereof disposed so as to empty therefrom any of said liquid conductor, said one plane being disposed to convey any of said liquid conductor from said second well to said first well.

13. An inertia switch as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for rotating said housing from said first operating position to said second operating position in a horizontal plane.

14. An inertia switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said one and other inclined planes comprise integral parts of a frustoconically shaped chamber communicating from said first well to said second well with the principal axis being horizontal, said first well being vertically disposed at the base end of said cone and said second well being vertically disposed at the apex end of said cone.

15. An inertia switch as recited in claim 14, wherein said liquid conductor is mercury, said first and second electrical contact means comprise at least one pair of electrical contacts each extending into said first and second wells respectively, said first contacts extending within said chamber parallel the base of said cone so that said mercury contacts said first contacts upon said switch being in said second position and prior to being subject to said acceleration.

16. An inertia switch as recited in claim 15, further comprises an auto ignition and an alarm. wherein said first pair of electrical contacts is in series with said ignition and said second pair of electrical contacts is in series with said alarm; said housing comprises a rigid nonconductive material.

17. An inertia switch as recited in claim 13, wherein said housing comprises a generally Z-shaped chamber terminating in said vertically disposed first and second wells; and a relatively shallow well vertically below said first well such that said liquid conductor, in said second position, will reside therewithin until subject to said acceleration, said liquid conductor responsive to said acceleration leaving said shallow well and moving down the cross bar of said Z-shaped housing and into said second well.

18. An inertia switch as recited in claim 17, wherein said liquid conductor is mercury. said first and second electrical contact means comprise at least one pair of electrical contacts, each extending into said first and second wells. respectively; said first contacts extending within said chamber parallel said first well and into said shallow well so that said mercury contacts said first pair of contacts upon said switch being in said second position and prior to being subject to said acceleration.

Claims

1. A combination inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp base for use in connection with horizontally mounted lamp sockets of the type found in vehicle stop lights of such vehicles as automobiles, bicycles and the like, in combination: a. a lamp base housing intended to be secured in the vehicle lamp socket, and having a switch compartment and a bulb socket; b. said switch compartment having a generally frusto-conically shaped cavity with the principal axis thereof parallel the horizontal plane; c. at least one electrical contact extending within said cavity and secured to the apex end thereof and communicating with the exterior of and insulated from said housing; d. a second electrical contact in said cavity proximate to said first electrical contact and spaced therefrom and in electrical contact with the centrally disposed bulb contact of said bulb receiving socket; and e. a quantity of electrically conductive liquid within said cavity such that upon acceleration of the vehicle with a predetermined magnitude and direction, said liquid conductor moves upwardly along said conical cavity and electrically closes said contacts, thereby completing connection between said housing and said bulb socket.

2. A combination of inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp base as recited in claim 1, wherein the angle of said cone with respect to said principal axis is so disposed so as to prevent said electrically conductive liquid from completing said connection between said housing and said bulb socket with said vehicle having an acceleration in said predetermined direction and less than said predetermined magnitude; said socket housing is cylindrical in shape and said bulb socket being disposed coaxially with said principal axis of said switch cavity.

3. A combination switch, lamp socket, and lamp base as recited in claim 2, wherein said switch compartment being so dimensioned as to engage a standard bulb-receiving socket and further comprises a cylindrical wall engaging portion and a centrally disposed electrical contact joined to said first contact.

4. A combination inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp base as recited in claim 3, wherein said liquid conductor is mercury, said cylindrical housing of said switch compartment comprises bayonette male members for insertion into a standard bayonette lamp socket, said housing being conductive.

5. A combination inertia switch, lamp socket, and lamp base, as recited in claim 3, wherein said liquid conductor is mercury, said cylindrical housing of said switch compartment comprises a screw-threaded male member for insertion into a standard screw thread lamp socket, said housing being conductive.

6. An inertia switch for use in an automobile or the like comprising: a. a housing having a chamber, said chamber comprises first, second and third well means; b. electrically conductive liquid within said chamber; c. said housing having at least first and second operation positions, in said first operation position said first well means being capable of holding said liquid substantially independent of the forces of acceleration, and IN said second position, said second well means being capable of holding said liquid such that said liquid being capable of movement in response to acceleration along a predetermined direction and magnitude so as to move from said second means to said third means, said third means being capable of receiving said liquid from said second means and holding said liquid substantially independent of said acceleration; and d. first and second electrical contact means extending into said housing chamber and communicating with the exterior of said housing, said first electrical contact means being within said first and second well means and said second electrical contact means being within said third well means such that said conductive liquid, upon being in said first or second well means electrically contacting said first electrical contact means and upon being in said third well means electrically contact said second electrical contact means.

7. An inertia switch as recited in claim 6, wherein said housing in said second well operating position, said second means comprises means for retaining said liquid conductor such that upon said switch being subject to an acceleration of predetermined direction and magnitude, said liquid conductor moves out of said second well means.

8. An inertia switch as recited in claim 7, wherein said first means comprises a first well; with said switch in said first position, said first well being vertical, the walls of said first well being of sufficient vertical height to retain therewithin said liquid conductor against movement of said liquid conductor due to acceleration.

9. An inertia switch as recited in claim 8, wherein said third means comprises a second well; with said switch in said second position, said second well being vertical, the walls of said second well being of sufficient vertical height to retain therewithin said liquid conductor against movement due to acceleration.

10. An inertia switch as recited in claim 9, wherein said second means further comprises a substantially inclined plane portion of said chamber communicating with said first and second wells, and so disposed such that at least one of said planes communicates from said first well to a point vertically spaced from said second well, and at least one other of said inclined planes extends from a position vertically spaced from said second well and communicating with said first well.

11. An inertia switch as recited in claim 10, wherein with said housing in said first operating position of said switch, said one inclined plane proceeds vertically upwardly from said first well to a position vertically below the opening of said second well.

12. An inertia switch as recited in claim 11, wherein said first well is, in said first operating position, oriented with the base thereof disposed downwardly to receive said liquid conductor and said second well being disposed with base thereof disposed so as to empty therefrom any of said liquid conductor, said one plane being disposed to convey any of said liquid conductor from said second well to said first well.

16. An inertia switch as recited in claim 15, further comprises an auto ignition and an alarm, wherein said first pair of electrical contacts is in series with said ignition and said second pair of electrical contacts is in series with said alarm; said housing comprises a rigid non-conductive material.

18. An inertia switch as recited in claim 17, wherein said liquid conductor is mercury, said first and second electrical contact means comprise at least one pair of electrical contacts, each extending into said first and second wells, respectively; said first contacts extending within said chamber parallel said first well and into said shallow well so that said mercury contacts said first pair of contacts upon said switch being in said second position and prior to being subject to said acceleration.