Anti-vibration tilt detector
The tilt detector has a container with a receptacle located therein. The receptacle has open and closed ends. In its normal, upright orientation, a first mass is located inside of the receptacle. A second mass is located adjacent to the open end of the receptacle. When the receptacle is in its normal, upright orientation, the second mass is located above the receptacle and blocks the exit of the first mass from the receptacle even when the first mass moves in response to vibration frequencies to which the first mass is sensitive. When the receptacle is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, the second mass moves from its blocking position so as to allow the first mass to exit the receptacle. A tilting indication occurs when the first mass has exited the receptacle.
1. A tilt detector comprising:
a container;
a receptacle having a closed end, an open end, and sides extending between the closed and open ends, the receptacle located within the container;
a first mass located within the receptacle when the receptacle is upright with the open end above the closed end, the first mass capable of exiting the receptacle when the receptacle tilts beyond a predetermined angle;
a second mass located above the receptacle open end when the receptacle is upright, whereby the second mass blocks the exit of the first mass from the upright receptacle, the second mass moving when the receptacle tilts beyond the predetermined angle so as to allow the first mass to exit the receptacle.
2. The tilt detector of claim 1 wherein the second mass is suspended from a pivot point spaced from and located over the receptacle open end when the receptacle is upright, the second mass pivoting away from the receptacle open end when the receptacle tilts beyond its predetermined angle.
3. The tilt detector of claim 1 wherein the first mass responds to first vibrational frequencies, the second mass responds to second vibrational frequencies, the second vibrational frequencies being different from the first vibrational frequencies.
4. The tilt detector of claim 3 wherein the first and second masses have different masses.
5. The tilt detector of claim 3 wherein the first and second masses are made of different materials.
6. The tilt detector of claim 1 wherein the second mass has extensions forming at least two outside lateral cavities having dimensions larger than the first mass and for blocking reentry of the first mass into the receptacle after exiting the receptacle.
7. A tilt detector comprising:
a container;
a receptacle having a closed end, an open end, and sides extending between the closed and open ends, the receptacle located within the container;
a first mass located within the receptacle when the receptacle is upright with the open end above the closed end, the first mass capable of exiting the receptacle when the receptacle tilts beyond a predetermined angle;
a pivot pin coupled to the container located adjacent to the open end of the receptacle;
a second mass pivotally coupled to the pivot pin;
the second mass having a blocking portion, the blocking portion blocking the open end of the receptacle when the receptacle is upright.
8. The tilt detector of claim 7 wherein the container is thin so that the first mass moves within the container in only two dimensions.
9. The tilt detector of claim 8 wherein the second mass has ribs on at least one side.
10. The tilt detector of claim 8 wherein the second mass has ribs on both sides, the ribs on one side being offset from the ribs on the other side.
11. The tilt detector of claim 7 wherein the second mass has extensions forming at least two outside lateral cavities having dimensions larger than the first mass and for blocking reentry of the first mass into the receptacle after exiting the receptacle.
12. The tilt detector of claim 7 further comprising a removable arming pin which can be inserted into a notch in the second mass to prevent movement of the second mass.
13. The tilt detector of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the face of the container is transparent.
14. The tilt detector of claim 13 wherein the first mass is of a first color and the inside surface of a back of the container is of a second color.
15. The tilt detector of claim 7 wherein the pivot pin has plural radii circumscribed by a single circle.
16. The tilt detector of claim 7 wherein a lower edge of the second mass has a radius and a flat portion.
17. A method of preventing accidental activation of a tilt detector due to vibration, comprising the steps of:
providing a receptacle with a first mass located therein, the receptacle having a closed end and an open end;
blocking the exit of the first mass from the receptacle through the open end due to vibration by locating a blocking mass over the open end;
moving the blocking mass away from the receptacle open end when the receptacle is tilted beyond a predetermined angle to allow the first mass to exit.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving the blocking mass further comprises the step of swinging the blocking mass away from the open end.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of blocking the exit of the first mass from the receptacle open end by locating a blocking mass over the open end further comprises the step of suspending the blocking mass over the receptacle open end.