Patent ID: 7067749
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A float switch and mounting bracket assembly for use in association with a fluid collection container having a top edge and an outside surface to shut off the system providing fluid to the container once a pre-determined fluid depth has been reached, said assembly comprising: a housing having an open bottom end, a top surface, an interior space between said open bottom end and said top surface, at least two air vent openings through said top surface of sufficient size and spaced apart positioning to prevent airlock within said interior space as fluid rises therein, a substantially planar rear wall having a height dimension extending between said top surface and said open bottom end, and said housing also having a threaded bore centrally through said top surface; a substantially U-shaped mounting device depending laterally outward from said housing, said mounting device having an upwardly-extending slot extending between two opposed arms, one of said opposed arms being positioned remotely from said housing and the other of said opposed arms depending from nearly the entire portion of said height dimension of said planar rear wall, and said mounting device further having at least one threaded opening through said remotely positioned arm; a shaft with a threaded top portion secured within said threaded bore in said top surf ace of said housing, said shaft also having a bottom end with a stop extending below said open bottom end of said housing; a float switch body concentric with said shaft and positioned for free movement along said shaft, said float switch body having a large surface area that enhances its buoyancy and substantially fills said interior space of said housing, said float switch body also extending in part below said open bottom end of said housing when the fluid collection container to which said assembly is connected contains no fluid; threaded fastening means adapted for securely attaching said shaft to said threaded bore of said housing; at least one thumbscrew configured and dimensioned to engage said at least one threaded opening through said remotely positioned arm; and lead wires connected between said float switch body and the system providing fluid to the collection container with which said assembly is associated, so that when the top edge of the container is positioned within said slot of said mounting device and said at least one thumbscrew is tightened in said at least one threaded opening through said remotely positioned arm and supported by said remotely positioned arm in a position where it is able to engage the outside surface of the fluid collection container, said float switch body is positioned to move freely along said shaft between said stop and said fastening means in response to rising and falling fluid levels in the attached container, and whereby when a pre-determined maximum depth of fluid accumulation is reached said float switch body shuts off the system to prevent fluid overflow in the container.