US1234354A - Float-controlled circuit-closer. - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT armor.

SAMUEL E. LEMIN'G AND CHRISTIAN C. ELLENBERGER, OF ISLAND HEIGHTS, NEVT JERSEY.

FLOAT-CONTROLLED CIRCUIT-CLOSER.

Application filed April 7, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL E. LEMING, and CHRISTIAN C. ELLENBERGER, citizens of the United States, residing at Island Heights, in the county of Ocean and State of New Jersey, have'invented new and useful Improvements in Float-Controlled Circuit-Closers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide an electric signal primarily intended for use in connection with gasolene tanks for automobiles and operable when the gasolene reaches a predetermined low level, thus warning the operator that the tank needs recharging.

To this end the invention provides a float controlled circuit closer embodying among other features a pivotally mounted arm controlled in its movements by means of a float, and carrying a contact for engagement with fixed contacts to close the circuit and sound the alarm upon a predetermined position of the float.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a float controlled circuit closer of the above mentioned character, with means for automatically returning the arm from its active to its normal position while the tank is being recharged.

Another object of importance resides in the provision of a mechanism for the above mentioned purpose wherein the float is adjustably connected with the pivotally mounted arm to accommodate tanks of different capacities.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of means for preventing oscillating movement of the float in the tank under any circumstances.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this specification like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections and float connections.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2- 2 of Fig. 1;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2 1, 1917.

Serial No. 89,688.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

41 is a detail view of the arm.

Flg. 5 is a similar view of the bridging plate.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an auxiliary base plate.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the same.

Before entering into a detail description of what is herein shown we desire to have it understood that the same is merely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention to which we do not limit ourselves, and that such construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Referring more particularly to the drawins in detail 10 indicates a base plate preferably of insulating material, which is adapted to be secured to the gasolene tank 11, or upon the machine in close proximity to the tank. Projecting from the base 10 is a post 12 constituting a pivot for the arm 13, the post being secured in any suitable manner to the base 10, but preferably having a reduced threaded extremity 14: passed through an opening in the base, and having associated with its free end a nut 15 to hold the parts associated.

Encirclin the post 12 is a coil spring 16 having one of its terminals connected to the post in any suitable manner, and its opposite terminal connected to the arm 13, the spring being very sensitive and tensioned to normally maintain the arm 13 in inactive position. The forward end of the arm is provided with a threaded aperture 17 to adjustably receive a threaded eye bolt 18 to one extremity of which is secured a flexible element 19 such as a chain or the like. The flexible element passes through a suitable o enin in the tank and has secured to its opposite end a float 21 arranged therein. It might here be stated that the spring 16 is sufficiently strong to support the combined weights of the arm 13, eye bolt 18 and flexible element 19, so that only the float 21 is actuated by the rise and fall of the liquid within the tank, the float in turn rocking the arm 13 on its pivot in one direction to sound the alarm in the manner to be presently describe-fl, when the float is automati- 'cally lowered to its predetermined position within the tank. By reason of the adjustment between the arm 13 and eye bolt 18, it will be manifest that the mechanism can be used in conjunction with tanks of different capacities, for the purpose intended.

Secured to the base 10 in any suitable manner are relatively spaced fixed contacts 22 forming the terminals of a signal circuit, having secured thereto the current wires 23 which are suitably connected in circuit with the signal 24, a block of insulating material 25 holding the wires in spaced relation. Carried by the arm 13 is a bridging plate 26 which may be of any suitable construction, and having an apertured lug 27 pivoted within a groove in one edge of the arm, so that the plate will automatically assume the proper angular position with respect to the arm 13 to properly bridge the fixed contacts 22, when the arm 13 is moved upon its pivot to active position, during which time the alarm will be sounded to warn the operator of the machine that the tank should be recharged. Connected in circuit is a switch 28 which may be arranged in convenient reach of the operator, and by means of which the alarm may be silenced.

With a view of preventing oscillatory movement of the float within the tank, I preferably employ a casing 29 arranged within the tank 11 and adapted to receive the float, the casing having a plurality of slots 30 to permit the liquid within the tank to seek its own level within the casing. The lower edge of the casing rests upon a base plate 31 which may be screw threaded, soldered or otherwise secured within an opening 32 in the bottom of the tank and having its peripheral edge extended upwardly to provide a circumferential flange 33. A cap 34 is removably secured within an opening in the top of the tank, preferably threaded therein, the cap being provided with a central opening through which the flexible element 19 extends. The cap is formed to provide an annular groove 35 which receives the adjacent or upper edge of the casing 29 and assists the base plate 31 in holding the casing properly positioned within the tank 11. A modification of the base plate is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 in which instance the base plate 36 is provided with an annular wall or flange 37 rising from the inner surface of the plate, while depending exteriorly therefrom is a threaded stem '38 having associated therewith a nut39. This form ,of base plate is employed only when the signaling device is being associated ,with a tank .of ,ordinary construction, or in other words with a tank already in use, in which instance the bottom of the tank is provided with a suitable opening for the reception of the threaded stem 38, while the nut 39 will serve to hold the base plate 36 properly associated with thebottom of he tank, so

that the lower edge of the casing 29 will rest upon the marginal edge of the base exteriorly of the wall 36. If so desired the cap 34 may be provided witha spout 39 to guide the flexible element 19 in the proper direction, it being understood that the spout can be swung into any direction by adjusting the cap 34.

It is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent although I desire to have it understood that the component parts of the invention may be constructed from any suitable material, design and proportions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A float controlled circuit closer comprising a base plate, an arm pivoted at one end upon the base plate, a bridging plate secured to said arm, contacts carried by the plate and disposed in the path of movement of said bridging plate and forming the terminals of a signal circuit, a float adapted to rise and fall with a body of liquid, a flexible connection between said float and the opposite end of said arm whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate with said contacts on the downward movement of said float, and means for automatically returning said arm to normal position independently of the float.

2. A float controlled circuit closer comprising a base plate, an arm pivoted at one end upon the base plate, a spring having one terminal connected to the arm and its opposite terminal connected to the pivot thereof, and operating to normally support the arm in inactive position, a bridging plate secured to said arm, contacts carried by said plate and disposed in the path of movement of said bridging plate and forming the terminals of a signal circuit, a float adapted to rise and- ,fall with the body of liquid, a connection between said float and the other end of said arm whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate with said contacts on the downward movement of the float, and said spring operating to automatically return the arm to normal position upon a rise of the float with the body of liquid.

'3. A float controlled circuit closer comprising a base, an arm pivoted at one end upon the base plate, a spring connected with the arm and pivot thereof for holding said arm normally in inactive position, fixed contacts carried by said plate and forming the terminals of a signalcircuit, a bridging plate freely pivoted upon said arm, a float adapted to rise and fall with the body of liquid, a connection between said float and the other end of said arm whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate with said contacts on the downward movement of the float, and said spring operating to automatically return the arm to normal position 011 rise of the float with the body of liquid.

a. A float controlled circuit closer, comprising a base plate, an arm pivoted at one end upon the base plate, a bridging plate secured to said arm, contacts carried by said plate and disposed in the path of movement of said bridging plate and forming the terminals of a signal circuit, a flexible element suspended from the opposite end of said arm, and adjustably connected therewith, a float supported by said flexible element, and adapted to rise and fall with the body of liquid whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate of said contacts on the downward movement of the float, and means for automatically returning the arm to normal position upon rise of the float with the body of liquid.

5. A float controlled circuit closer, comprising a base plate, an arm pivoted at one end upon the base plate, a spring connected to said arm and to the pivot thereof and operating to normally hold the arm in inactive position, a flexible element suspended from the opposite end of said arm and ad justably associated therewith, a bridging plate carried by said arm, contacts carried by the plate and disposed in the path of movement of said bridging plate and forming the terminals of a signal circuit, a float supported by said flexible element and adapted to rise and fall with the body of liquid, whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate with said contacts on downward movement of the float, and said spring operating to automatically return the arm to normal position upon rise of the float with the body of liquid.

In testimony whereof we afflx our signatures.

SAMUEL E. LEMING. CHRISTIAN C. ELLENBERGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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