Patent ID: 7067750

Claim:
A float switch assembly for use in association with a fluid collection container having a top edge to shut off the system providing fluid to the container once a pre-determined fluid depth has been reached, said assembly comprising: at least three threaded fasteners; a front part and a rear part configured and dimensioned for forming an inverted J-shaped slot therebetween when joined together with said fasteners; said front part having a protective housing with a top surface and an open bottom end, said front part also having a rear surface, at least one air vent opening through said rear surface, a plurality of front ribs that are substantially vertically-extending and rearwardly depending from said rear surface and which form a part of said inverted J-shaped slot, at least two spaced-apart laterally positioned and rearwardly-extending bracing protrusions, and an upper threaded opening centrally positioned between said bracing protrusions, said upper threaded opening configured and dimensioned for secure engagement with one of said threaded fasteners; said rear part having at least two lower threaded openings each dimensioned for secure engagement with one of said threaded fasteners, two spaced-apart receptacles each laterally positioned and dimensioned to receive one of said bracing protrusions, an upper pass-through opening that is positioned centrally to said receptacles and dimensioned for insertion therethrough of one of said threaded fasteners, and a plurality of rear ribs that form a part of said inverted J-shaped slot; a shaft with an upper threaded portion secured within said top surface of said protective housing, said shaft also having a bottom end with a stop; a float switch body concentric with said shaft and positioned for free movement along said shaft; and fastening means adapted for securely attaching said shaft to said housing so that when electrical wiring is connected between said float switch body and the system providing fluid to the collection container with which said assembly is associated, and when the top edge of the collection container is positioned within said J-shaped slot, said fasteners fixedly secure said front part to said rear part for level positioning of said float switch body and free movement along said shaft between said stop and said fastening means in response rising and falling fluid levels in the attached container, and whereby when a pre-determined maximum desired depth of fluid accumulation is reached in said attached container, said float switch body shuts off the system, with airlock malfunction being averted by said at least one air vent opening and said front and rear ribs.