Pushbutton magnetic reed switch

Claim 2

A magnetically operated switch device comprising: a support structure; an elongated backing plate composed of a magnetizable material; an elongated bar magnet disposed on one side of the backing plate with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said backing plate, said magnet being polarized in a direction normal to its longitudinal axis; at least two elongated switch elements at least one of which is composed of a magnetic material, said switch elements being arranged with a free end of each overlapping a free end of another and with the longitudinal axis of each switch element parallel to the longitudinal axis of every other switch element and parallel to the longitudinal axes of said backing plate and magnet, said switch elements being spaced from said magnet; and means operable in one position to expose said magnetizable switch element to magnetic flux from said magnet and operable in another position to prevent exposure of said magnetic flux, whereby said switch may be operated.

Claim 3

A magnetically operated switch device according to claim 17 wherein said switch elements are disposed on the same side of said backing plate as said magnet.

Claim 4

A magnetically operated switch device according to claim 1 wherein said bar magnet and switch elements are disposed in spaced apart fixed relation and said backing plate is movable from a position remote from said magnet and switch elements which permits said magnetizable switch element to be exposed to magnetic flux from said magnet to a position between said magnet and switch elements in which said backing plate prevents exposure of said magnetizable switch element to said magnetic flux.

Claim 5

A magnetically operated switch device as described in claim 18 wherein the support structure is a housing having a first chamber to accommodate the switch elements; a second chamber in magnetic communication with the first chamber to accommodate the ceramic bar magnet and a third chamber to slidably accommodate the magnetizable backing plate.

Claim 6

A magnetically operated switch device as described in claim 4, wherein the top portion of the magnetizable plate extends through the top of the housing; and the means to change the orientation of the ceramic magnet with respect to the switch elements is a spring biased pushbutton arranged on the top portion of the magnetizable backing plate.

Claim 7

A magnetically operated switch device as described in claim 5 further comprising a hermetically sealed evacuated longitudinally shaped capsule in which the switch elements are sealed. 7. A magnetically operated switch device as described in claim 6 wherein the first chamber in the housing to accommodate the switch elements is horizontally diSposed with respect to the housing; the switch capsule is horizontally disposed with respect to the housing; the ceramic bar magnet is horizontally disposed with respect to the housing; the switch elements are comprised of a pair of coacting blades which extend inwardly from the respective longitudinal extremities of the switch capsule; one of the coacting blades extending inwardly thereof a major portion of the length of the switch capsule; the other coacting blade extending inwardly thereof a minor portion of the length of the switch capsule to overlie the inner terminus of the mating coacting blade and wherein the ceramic bar magnet is fixedly arranged on the slidably mounted backing plate in a position to communicate only with the coacting blade which extends a major portion of the length of the switch capsule when the pushbutton has been depressed and to communicate with neither blade when the pushbutton is in its spring biased elevated position.