Appeal No. 1998-3081
Application No. 08/587,292
BACKGROUND
The appellant's invention relates to a mechanical shock sensor using twisted contacts to
reduce bounce. An understanding of the invention can be derived from a reading of
exemplary claim 1, which is reproduced below.
1. A shock sensor comprising:
a) a housing;
b) a first conductive lead extending into the housing
c) a second conductive lead extending into the housing
d) a spring defining a plane, wherein the spring has a fixed end mounted to the
first lead, and a movable end, the movable end having portions defining a
moveable contact for completing an electrical circuit, the moveable contact
defining a moveable contact plane;
e) a fixed contact electrically connected to the second lead, wherein the fixed
contact has portions defining a fixed contact plane, and wherein the
moveable and fixed contact planes are in spaced parallel relation so that
movement of the moveable contact normal to the plane defined by the spring
brings the moveable and fixed contacts into electrical engagement, and
wherein the moveable and fixed contact planes are inclined with respect to
the plane defined by the spring; and
f) an acceleration sensing mass mounted to the spring, wherein acceleration
of the housing by a shock inducing event in a direction normal to the plane
defined by the spring causes the spring to bend in a direction aligned with
the accelerative force, to cause the moveable contact to engage the fixed
contact and thereby make electrical connection, wherein the inclination of the
moveable and fixed contact planes from the plane defined by the spring
results in a frictional engagement therebetween and serves to reduce
closure bounce and increase the duration of the electrical connection.
2
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