Patent ID: 7421793

Claim:
A tilt sensor, comprising: a first electrically conductive element, having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the first electrically conductive element, where the second diameter of the first electrically conductive element is smaller than the first diameter of the first electrically conductive element; a second electrically conductive element, having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the second electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the second electrically conductive element, where the second diameter of the second electrically conductive element is smaller than the first diameter of the second electrically conductive element, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element faces the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element; an electrically insulative element connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element; and a plurality of electrically conductive weights located within a cavity of the tilt sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element, wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element is separated from the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element by a gap, and wherein none of the electrically conductive weights is capable of falling into the gap.