Abstract: A tilt switch activated light apparatus suitable for use in connection with an egress of a vehicle, the apparatus including a magnet disposed within a cavity of a housing, where the cavity is shaped so that in the event of excessive roll or pitch of the vehicle, the magnet moves to a location adjacent a switch connecting a power source to a light source, causing the switch to close and so activating the light source. An external body, either ferromagnetic or magnetic, and external to the housing and removable therefrom, may be used to hold the magnet inside the cavity in a neutral position, away from the switch, during shipping.

Abstract: Tamper-resistant alarm switch assemblies (22, 100, 124, 148) are provided which include a first movement-sensing switch (24) and a second tamper-sensing switch assembly (25) including a switchable component (26) and an actuating component (74, 136, 166), mounted on a member (30) and each being switchable between respective first and second movement-sensing and tamper-sensing switch states in response to relative movement between first and second members (30, 32), and relative shifting between the switch (26) and actuating component (74, 136, 166).

Abstract: An impact switch includes a housing having a wall including at least two electrically conductive contact elements spaced apart from one another. The switch includes an inertial body having a conductive surface disposed in a tapered aperture and electrically connecting the contact elements to one another in a switch closed condition. An impact switch for rapidly firing an explosive device is provided.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection comprises a first magnetic conductor and a second magnetic conductor. The second magnetic conductor is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic conductor to establish an electrical conductive path between the first and second magnetic conductors.

Abstract: A collision detection device is provided with a coil which is arranged at an inner side of an outer panel of a body portion of a vehicle and faces the outer panel to generate a magnetic field in a direction toward the outer panel, and a collision determining unit for determining a collision with the body portion of the vehicle based on a variation of an inductance of the coil. The collision determining unit includes a resonance circuit which is constructed of the coil. When there occurs a collision with the vehicle body portion, a distance between the outer panel and the coil will decrease so that an inductance of the coil can instantly decrease. Therefore, a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit will increase and be detected, thus shortening the response time.

Abstract: A multifunction switch for operating a device in a sealed container such as a flashlight includes at least one reed switch mounted at a location on an inner surface of the sealed container. A base plate is provided on an outer surface of the sealed container which has at least three detents. A sliding switch plate having an inner surface is juxtaposed with the outer surface of the base plate. The sliding switch plate inner surface has a securing device for removably securing and retaining the sliding switch in a desired position when the securing device is received by one of the detents. The sliding switch inner surface has at least one magnet mounted therein which operates one or more reed switches when at least one magnet slides over the location of the reed switch. A perimeter face plate is attached to the base plate to hold the sliding switch plate onto the base plate.

Abstract: Inertia switches in insulating housings are used to make or break electrical contact. The switches may be small in size, and may be used with flashing light systems in footwear or other articles. One embodiment is a directional switch sensitive to the orientation of the switch and the motion of the switch due to outside forces. Footwear with flashing light systems that use these inertia switches may make the wearer or user more visible at night, adding a measure of safety as well as fun. Flashing light systems using these inertia switches may also be used to illuminate personal accessories and articles of clothing.

Abstract: A switch assembly for triggering the release of a door latch that provides improved tactile feedback to a user when actuated is disclosed. The switch assembly provides a tactile response to the user that indicates proper actuation by the force feedback that is provided to the user as the button is displaced during actuation. The switch assembly includes an elastomeric button and a base supporting the button. An electrically conductive static contact is supported by the base. An electrically conductive moveable contact, also supported by the base, is operatively disposed between the button and the static contact. A film is disposed over the moveable contact and fixed to the edge of the base, sealing both contacts from the atmosphere. The film thereby effectively divides the interior of the switch assembly into an open first chamber located between the film and the button, and a closed second chamber located between the film and the base.

Abstract: A multifunction switch for operating a device in a sealed container such as a flashlight includes at least one reed switch mounted at a location on an inner surface of the sealed container. A base plate is provided on an outer surface of the sealed container which has at least three detents. A sliding switch plate having an inner surface is juxtaposed with the outer surface of the base plate. The sliding switch plate inner surface has a securing device for removably securing and retaining the sliding switch in a desired position when the securing device is received by one of the detents. The sliding switch inner surface has at least one magnet mounted therein which operates one or more reed switches when at least one magnet slides over the location of the reed switch. A perimeter face plate is attached to the base plate to hold the sliding switch plate onto the base plate.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a housing with a Terfenol-D type sensing element positioned inside a sensing coil. A permanent biasing magnet is positioned in engagement with the Terfenol-D sensing element, and a spacer engages the Terfenol-D sensing element and extends from the housing. The housing has a beam with one or two mounting holes through which fasteners extend to mount the shock sensor to a structural member. The housing places the spacer in compression against the structural member. In an alternative embodiment a DC current can be supplied to the sensing coil to provide the biasing magnetic field. A high frequency filter separates the shock sensing signal from the applied DC biasing current.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to delay closure of an electrical circuit of a battery-powered electrical device, intended to operate remotely in an environment in which the pH value changes from one value to another. Two electrical contacts of an electrical circuit are separated by an insulator that holds the circuit open until the device is exposed to an environment having a predetermined pH value. Exposure of the insulator to an environment having that pH value causes the insulator to dissolve and the circuit to close, energizing the device. Alternatively, A Hall effect transistor or a reed switch may be used as the switch. It is held open by the presence of a magnetic field held in place by material that is dissolvable at a predetermined pH level. When a region having that pH level is reached, the material dissolves and the circuit closes.

Abstract: An acceleration-sensing mass/magnet is positioned about the center activation region of a reed switch. Motion of the acceleration-sensing magnet in either direction along the reed switch causes the reed switch to close. A first mechanism for sensing shock in a first direction is contained between a flange and a lid connected by a cylindrical wall. The flange and lid ride a plastic tube that contains the reed switch. The acceleration-sensing magnet travels between the flange and the lid on the tube. A second mechanism for sensing shock in a second opposed direction is formed by positioning a second mechanism about the magnet and the first mechanism. The second mechanism for sensing shock has a spring that biases the lid of the plastic sleeve against an abutment formed by a portion of a plastic capsule that encloses the entire shock sensor.

Abstract: An acceleration limit switch includes an elastic conductive diaphragm, a printed circuit board, a permanent magnet, an alarm and a ball-shaped inertia body retained in an idle position by the permanent magnet and opposed by the elastic conductive diaphragm and the printed circuit board. The ball-shaped inertia body is placed in motion, when excited, by a sharp direction-specific change in acceleration so that the inertia body is moved from the idle position to impact the elastic conductive diaphragm for establishing a contact between conducting paths when the inertia body is received in a structure defining a hollow space so shaped for yielding a direction-selective triggering of the acceleration limit value switch for triggering the alarm.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a shock sensing magnetic mass that rides on the inside of a glass tube that is sealed about a reed switch. The reed switch has a first stop positioned so that the shock sensing magnetic mass when resting against the first stop does not cause the reeds of the reed switch to attract. A spring extends between the shock sensing magnetic mass and a second stop. Acceleration causes the sensing mass to accelerate toward the second stop. The motion of the magnetic sensing mass causes the switch reeds to attract and close the reed switch. The entire shock sensing mechanism is hermetically sealed within the glass capsule of the reed switch. The reed switch within the glass capsule detects movement of the shock sensing mass.

Abstract: A dynamic displacement sensor for detecting an out-of-fluid condition in a liquid delivery system detects an increased amplitude of pump motion of a reciprocating air pump and provides an output signal upon detecting the increased amplitude motion. The detector includes a spring-mass combination supported within a housing such that the mass is movable along a defined axis of the housing, with the spring applying a restoring force to the mass when the mass moves away from its static position. The detector is attached to the pump with its defined axis aligned parallel with the pump axis. A sensor within the housing is triggered to change state when the mass is displaced by pump motion of a predetermined amplitude and frequency, thereby providing an output signal indicating an out-of-fluid condition.