Patent ID: 8242392

Claim:
A multi-directional momentum-change sensor, comprising: a base member adapted to be able to be fixedly mounted to a surface; a column member, having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said base member; a substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of electrical-contact surfaces disposed radially about the outer surface of the substantially discoid assembly, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said second end of said column member; and an inertial switching assembly, comprising: a pivotable boom member, having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being the end closest to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, and having a longitudinally disposed channel, an electrical contact fixedly disposed at said proximal end of said boom member, an spring member configured to resist extension, having a first end and a second end, fixedly coupled on its first end at or near said proximal end of said pivotable boom member, said spring member adapted to be able to be extendable to a length of at least approximately equal to that of said longitudinally disposed channel when predetermined stretching force is applied, a weighted, sliding electrical contact, fixedly coupled to said second end of said spring member, adapted to be movable along said longitudinal channel, and electrically in continuous communication with said proximal-end electrical contact, and a distal-end electrical contact fixedly disposed at the end of said longitudinally disposed channel, at said distal end of said boom member, said distal-end electrical contact positioned such that said weighted, sliding electrical contact can electrically couple with said distal-end contact when said spring member is extended; wherein said inertial switching assembly is adapted to be pivotably coupled about the longitudinal axis of said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly; and wherein said inertial switching assembly's proximal-end electrical contact on said boom member is adapted to make surface-to-surface electrical contact with at least one of said plurality of electrical-contact surfaces, depending on the pivoted position of said boom member relative to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly.