Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a vibration or shock-activated valve. A valve mounted for rotation in a gas line or the like is connected to an elongate handle by a valve stem. The valve is spring activated to rotate from an open to a closed position. The elongate handle engages and is restrained by a ball detent. The ball detent is normally urged into engagement with the elongate handle by a conical end of a pendulum member. When vibration or shock moves the pendulum, the ball detent releases the elongate handle permitting the spring loaded valve to rotate from the open to the closed position. A handle stop at 90.degree. stops the valve in the closed position.

Abstract: An air bag triggering device comprises a cylindrical frame, a slide member slidably mounted within the cylindrical frame and operable to open a pipeline connecting a high-pressure gas cylinder to an air bag, and a link mechanism operatively associated with the slide member. The link mechanism includes a latch lever adapted to releasably engage the slide member, a swing lever engageable with the latch lever, a support member interposed between the latch lever and the swing lever and having opposite ends pivotally supported on the latch lever and swing lever, and a pendulum pivotally mounted and movable by impacts applied thereto.

Abstract: A fuel tank protection valve includes a pendulum type weight that hangs within a bearing socket located below the vent line opening in a fuel tank vapor collection dome. When the vehicle tilts significantly from the horizontal, the weight pivots within the socket, kicking a float ball up to seal the vent line opening. The closing angle of the valve may be easily varied, without changing the shape or size of the bearing socket, by varying the offset from the socket pivot point of the bearing socket of an extension of the weight that actually engages the float ball.

Abstract: An automatic valve motor for shutting off utilities, such as gas, in the event of an earthquake. The valve motor is self-contained and can be mounted by unskilled persons on a conventional residential gas installation adjacent the main valve without modifying the valve or interfering with the operation of the gas line. An omnidirectionally movable pendulum acting on a pivotal latch is used to release for rotation a wheel whose hub has a key slot which engages the actuator bar of the gas valve. The wheel is driven by a linear spring arrangement which exerts a generally tangential turning force on the wheel for maximum leverage throughout an arc of rotation of about 90.degree..

Abstract: A liquid reservoir, such as an oil tank, for use in missiles or aircraft which are subjected to extreme flight attitudes. The reservoir has a wall rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the reservoir, and the liquid content of the reservoir is rotated about the longitudinal axis to provide, by centrifugal force, a central space within the reservoir which is essentially free of liquid. Air is vented from the reservoir through a fixed vent located within the central space created when the liquid content is rotated.

Abstract: The invention contemplates the shutting down of such fields of endeavor which otherwise would likely be injurious to life or property on occasions of earthquakes and the like, and comprises a system wherein disuse in the said fields of endeavor occurs automatically upon the major vibration of one or more essential parts or components of a device causing the said components or parts to be disengaged from the remainder of the system and the shut-off operation thereof. As will appear from the disclosure hereinafter set forth in this application of a light duty and a heavy duty embodiment of the device, the systems set forth rely upon a spring loaded wheel which has a specially shaped under-section so to engage a valve or the like in the supply line of the field of endeavor, and being a part of a system which is very sensitive to vibration, and through slippage the parts of the system are released and the valve is shut off. The system, it is clear, is applicable to numerous fields of use.

Abstract: A shut-off valve which has a body (20) containing a seat 22 and a through passageway. A plug (32) is attached to a stem (36) which is spring loaded in a retracted position disposed above the valve in a housing 46. A severable link (70) is connected to the end of the stem (36) opposite the plug (32) with an arm (60) further extending the assembly terminating with a weight (68) on top. The arm (60) also contains a ball swivel (64) within a seat (66). Upon receiving external vibratory oscillation, such as a seismic shock wave, the weight (68) rotates axially about the swivel breaking the link (70) allowing the plug (32) attached to the stem (36) to be extended by the spring (58) into the valve seat (22) blocking flow of fluid through the passageway in the valve body.

Abstract: A valve device serving to prevent overfilling of portable containers, particularly liquid gas cylinders, includes a ball which is freely rotatable relative to a spherical seating face in a casing having a filling channel extending to said seating face. The ball has a through passage which in the prescribed filling position communicates with the channel, and the ball is connected to a load member tending to keep the ball, and thus its passage, in a given orientation so that the communication is broken when the container is tilted away from the prescribed filling position.The device further includes a valve member controlled by a float and operative to interrupt the filling operation after a predetermined filling level has been reached in the container.

Abstract: A valve device serving to prevent overfilling of portable containers, particularly liquid gas cylinders, includes a ball which is freely rotatable relative to a spherical seating face in a casing having a filling channel extending to said seating face. The ball has a passage which in the prescribed filling position communicates with the channel, and the ball is through a rod and a flexible link connected to a load member. As long as this load member is above the liquid level, it tends to keep the ball, and thus its passage in a given orientation so that the communication is broken if the container is tilted away from the prescribed filling position.When the liquid level has reached a predetermined height, the load member acts as a float so as to interrupt the filling operation by causing the ball to change its orientation.

Abstract: A device for turning a valve stem or the like between two positions in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces, and including a member which is spring urged rotatively in a predetermined direction relative to a body structure and which has a lost motion connection with the valve stem or other element to be turned in order to enable initial movement of the member by the spring to develop momentum before applying force to the stem, a latch element releasably retaining the member against spring induced movement, and inertia actuated weight means responsive to shock forces to release the latch element and permit movement of the member to turn the valve stem.

Abstract: A device for venting fuel tanks, especially of automotive vehicles, of the type having a volume equalizing vessel arranged in an upper zone of the interior of the fuel tank that communicates with the atmosphere is provided with inertial operated blocking members for sealing orifices into the equalizing vessel that are disposed at an upstream side of the orifices into the equalizing vessel relative to the interior of the tank. Additional venting conduits may be provided that are preferably inclined height wise and may either be mounted interiorly of the equalizing vessel so as to extend outwardly through an end wall thereof into close proximity with an end wall of the fuel tank or may be externally formed as a unitary formation of the equalizing vessel.

Abstract: A release structure is disclosed for automatically closing or opening a valve on the happening of an earthquake. The release structure includes a pendulum, which is biased upwardly against stop means formed for pivotal contact with an upper end of the pendulum, the stop means and the upper end having relatively small contact area. Biasing means urges a closure member within the valve toward an open or closed position, and the closure member is releasably retained against the urging of the biasing means by latch means. A member connecting the latch means to the pendulum provides a lever which urges the pendulum upward in response to the biasing means and which releases the latch means in response to vibrationally induced swinging motion of the pendulum.

Abstract: A hand held power tool, particularly of the type of a dental handpiece or the like is provided with power shut-off means disposed directly within the handle. The shut-off means is mechanically connected with a suspension means for suspending the hand piece or the like power tool such that the weight of the tool shuts off power supply to the tool. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a dental handpiece is disclosed wherein the suspension means is a magnet, whereby the handpiece can be suspended on any ferromagnetic surface without having to reach to a suspension fork which, in the known devices, is itself associated with a shut-off valve. The basic idea of the invention has broad application in many different fields of technology.

Abstract: Earthquake tremors dislodge a pedestal-mounted ball which then blocks the outlet passage of a casing installed in a gas line. To make the device more sensitive, the pedestal is spring-supported in the casing. Further, several balls may be suspended from wires in such position that, when they sway because of tremor, they knock the shut-off ball from the pedestal. The ball may be knocked from the pedestal in an emergency by kicking or rapping it. Additionally, the pedestal may be mounted on horizontal ball bearings with an adjustable compressive force which makes the shut-off ball especially sensitive both to vertical and horizontal tremors. In a severe emergency, such as an earthquake, the device saves lives and property by minimizing potential leakage and explosion from ruptured pipes.

Abstract: A device adapted to respond to a mechanical shock as in an earthquake or the like, and including a first movable element to be controlled, a second element which normally blocks movement of the first element but is displaceable by shock-induced movement of a weight to permit movement of the first element, together with resetting mechanism operable to move the first element back toward its initial position and operable also to deflect the second element laterally back to an active position again blocking movement of the first element from its normal setting. The weight is preferably supported by a universal connection including a ball and socket joint in which the ball has an upper truncated portion defining a surface engageable with a movable part in a manner shifting that part axially in response to shock-induced pivotal movement of the weight structure.

Abstract: A hose water leveling instrument in which a thin hose is filled with liquid and has an end to which a fixable reference instrument is connected. Another end of this hose has connected to it a freely-movable reading instrument. The housing of the reference instrument has on its rear side, a mounting surface with adhesive characteristics. A contacting section next to this mounting surface has a measuring scale which is easily read from different directions. An automatically opening and closing venting valve prevents run out of this measuring liquid, and is located in the reference instrument which is permanently filled with measuring liquid. The venting valve is in the form of a plane-convex body located in a valve chamber.

Abstract: A fuel cut-off switch is disclosed which comprises a collapsible fuel line for conveying fuel when the switch is in a first position and a device for collapsing the collapsible fuel line along at least a portion thereof to cut off fuel flow therethrough when the switch is tilted a predetermined amount from the first position. The collapsible fuel line may be in the form of a cut-off finger of rubber or plastic which is suspended for movement relative to the device for collapsing the flexible rubber finger, the latter may take the form of a ring surrounding the collapsible fuel line. A weight is attached to the collapsible fuel line for pulling it under force of gravity against the ring to collapse the finger and cut-off fuel flow therethrough.

Abstract: A fuel tank vent apparatus is described with an improved gravity actuated valve for preventing liquid fuel spillage. A weight pivotally supported above the valve acts as a plumb weight for operating a movable valve member connected thereto to close the valve when the vent apparatus is tipped. In the one embodiment the plumb weight is hung on a chain that is also connected to the valve member. The fuel vent apparatus is especially useful on the fuel tank of an automobile or truck in that it enables gaseous fuel vapor to be vented from the tank through a passageway, thereby preventing pressure buildup within the tank while also employing in such passageway the gravity operated valve which is closed when the truck turns over or tips at an angle greater than a predetermined angle to prevent the leakage of liquid fuel through such vent.

Abstract: A gravity-controlled flow valve of the pendulum-type, having a valve body with two chambers which communicate through gaps formed in a separating wall between the chambers and an adjoining outer circumferential surface of a rotary slide valve. A pendulum is connected to the rotary slide valve for movement within the valve body whereby flow apertures in a sleeve-like member are either opened or closed by the rotary slide valve in cooperation with flow apertures in that valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating a liquid tank in which ventilation pipes are arranged so that the orifice of at least one ventilation pipe is above the liquid level and the orifice of at least one ventilation pipe is below the liquid level. The remaining ends of the ventilation pipes connected to separate chambers which are sealed off from the tank interior. These chambers are associated with a rotary slide valve which can be controlled by the flight attitude. The control slots of this valve are staggered (offset) in such a way that with simultaneous free flow passage via at least one ventilation pipe located above the liquid level, flow passage via at least one ventilation pipe located below the liquid level is blocked.

Abstract: A vehicle cruise control device in the form of a Bowden cable connection to the engine throttle so as to be movable therewith as the operator controls the accelerator pedal, and a locking device selectively movable to various predetermined positions at which it can capture the cable connection and prevent the throttle from returning to closed position while still allowing normal opening of the throttle. The cruise speed is adjusted by selecting the predetermined position at which the locking device captures the cable connection. An inertial mass responds to braking or deceleration force on the vehicle to release the cable connection from its captured condition.

Abstract: A seismic safety cutoff device responsive to external forces such as earthquakes, for use with a valve for controlling the flow of gases or liquids including a housing adaptable to a valve mechanism having a spring-biased valve stem, the safety cutoff device also having a substantially vertically-mounted rod which is pivotable near its upper end to permit movement in any horizontal direction of a weight suspended at its lower end for releasing the spring-biased valve stem upon its deflection by an external force. A vertical stem-positioning rod is positioned between the valve stem and the pivotable rod for easy visual inspection and for ease of re-setting the device upon actuation.

Abstract: A safety sensor device for automatically shutting off the flow of fluids such as water, gas, oil or steam, or shutting off electric power, or actuating an alarm in the event of an earthquake or other violent shock. The device includes a spring-loaded shut-off member normally held in a retracted position by a latch. A pendulum is connected to the latch so that upon the occurrence of an earthquake or other violent shock, movement of the pendulum will release the latch. The latch will then be spring activated to an extended shut-off position. The sensitivity of the device is controllable.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an improvement in a hydraulic steering system for an articulated vehicle of the type which comprises a main steering valve system which directs fluid introduced thereto from a fluid source to a steering motor system responsive to an output of a steering pump apparatus. The improvement comprises an articulation angle pump and an associated conduit system connecting the articulation angle pump parallel to the steering pump system to make the steering valve system responsive to a difference in flow between the steering pump system and the articulation angle pump. Alternately or additionally the improvement can comprise a hydraulic accelerometer and associated accelerometer conduit system in parallel to the steering pump system to make the steering valve system responsive to the output of the steering pump system plus a signal determined by the hydraulic accelerometer.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for a carburetor comprising a float chamber having a float therein following the liquid level of the fuel and provided above the float is a fuel valve arranged to be pushed to closed position by the float on upward movement thereof. A pendulum type weight is pivotably mounted below the float within the chamber to close the fuel valve and prevent fuel outflow if the vehicle is overturned.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing fuel from leaking on accidental turnover of a vehicle, the latter having a fuel tank, a carburetor and a passage communicating the tank with the carburetor, the apparatus comprising an ordinarily open safety valve such as a ball valve interposed in the passage, so arranged that, on the turnover of the vehicle, a pendulum-type weight detects the inclination of the vehicle, operating a cam to automatically close the safety valve. An optional fuel cock may be provided, for manual operation, interposed in the fuel passage, while the safety valve has a housing integrally formed therewith on one of its sides.

Abstract: A tilt-responsive valve particularly suited for use in a fuel supply system in a motor vehicle for preventing leakage of fuel in the event of upset of the vehicle. The valve includes a closure member biased to a closed position and a pendulum control member for preventing sealing of the closure member when the valve is in a normal range of inclination from the vertical and permitting the closure member to check flow through the valve when the valve is tilted beyond a critical angle.

Abstract: A velocity rate change sensitive fluid valve wherein the valve is comprised of a pendulum member pivotally supported in a reservoir of fluid. The pendulum member is arranged to intercommunicate an input port and an output port with the fluid reservoir upon pendulous movement. The pendulum is supported by a fixed shaft which is ported along its axis to define fluid input and output passages. The pendulum member includes an intercommunicating passage which, upon displacement of the pendulum by a predetermined amount of rotation, as for example by an acceleration or deceleration, will intercommunicate the input and output passages of the support shaft. Fluid flow or fluid pressure may then be communicated through the valve as an acceleration or deceleration indicative signal.

Abstract: A vibration or shock (acceleration) responsive lever is normally held by magnetic attraction in a latched position for closing a control fluid (air) vent valve. The lever is resiliently biased to a tripped vent valve opening position by a force of lesser magnitude than the magnetic latching force. The unit may be mounted vertically or horizontally and possesses manual and remote lever reset means. A sensitivity adjustment is directly accessible through the cover plate of the body or housing of the device. Fewer parts of simpler construction are employed compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A hydraulic controller is disclosed which includes a housing assembly hermetically enclosing a hydraulic fluid, conduits for transporting hydraulic fluid into and out of the housing assembly, a valve control assembly for regulating the hydraulic fluid in selected conduits and a float unit for activating the valve control assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle leveling system in which the four ends of the axles of a vehicle have air-lift type shock absorbers into which compressed air can be injected or removed. Each of the shock absorbers are connected by tubing to a central chamber which is level with the vehicle floor. Inside of the chamber is a heavy plumb bob which comprises a vertical shaft suspended by a flexible straight wire. The bob is an inverted truncated cone. The supporting wire is sealed through the closed roof of the chamber and can be raised and lowered. Four valves are placed around the circumference of the chamber, 90 degrees apart, with valve stems that project radially inwardly, and are just barely in contact with the circumferential surface of the plumb bob.