The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 30, 1998
Applicant:
Inventor:
Peter A. Frank, London, GB;
Assignee:
Mine Safety Appliances Company, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G08B 2/300 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G08B 2/300 ;
Abstract
A motion sensor having an electrically-conductive ball and at least a second ball to damp the motion of the electrically-conductive ball. Both balls are confined within a housing. A plurality of electrical contact elements are disposed within the housing. During movement, the electrically-conductive ball successively forms electrical connection with the electrical contact elements within the housing. The motion sensor also includes detection circuitry in electrical connection with the electrical contact elements to detect if the electrically-conducting ball is moving.