Abstract: An inclination sensitive switch is provided which incorporates a support member that has a device attached to it which can serve as a fulcrum point. A lever is supported by the support member at the fulcrum point in such a way that the lever can operate as a pivotal beam which is rotatable about the fulcrum point. A weight is disposed on the lever and supported by the lever. The weight is moveable along the linear distance of the lever. At least one pair of contacts is provided wherein one conductor of the contacts is attached to the lever and another conductor of the pair of contacts is attached to the support member. Movement of the lever with respect to the support member causes disengagement and engagement of the two conductors. As the support member changes its angular relationship to a reference plane, the angle between the lever and the reference plane is also changed if the angular relationship between the support member and the reference plane reaches a sufficient magnitude.

Abstract: A tilt switch is provided which incorporates first and second conductive end caps that are disposed apart by a predetermined amount to define a gap between the inwardly directed end faces of the end caps. A nonconducting member is used to provide the appropriate spacing of the first and second end caps and a conductive sphere is disposed between end caps in the region of the predefined gap. The sphere is supported by first and second support edges which are the result of the interface between cylindrical surfaces of the generally tubular end caps and the end faces of the end caps which are arranged to face each other. When the switch is generally horizontal, the sphere bridges the gap between the support edges and provides electrical continuity between the first and second end caps. When the switch is tilted, the sphere moves out of contact with one of the support edges and breaks the electrical communication between the end caps.

Abstract: A tilt switch is provided which comprises a plurality of rails which are connectable in electrical communication with circuit points of an electrical circuit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises first, second and third rails which are associated in preselected pairs to define first and second tracks. In each of the two tracks, the distance between the preselected pair of rails is variable along the length of the tracks. This causes a spherical weight which is supported by a preselected one of the first and second tracks to alternatively fall out of contact with one rail and fall into contact with another rail. If first and second rails are connected to appropriate circuit points, the device can be used as a tilt switch to make and break electrical contact between appropriate components in response to changes in angular disposition of the switch.