Magnetically operable momentary switch assembly

Claim 2

An electrical switch assembly comprising: a switch having an electrical contact movable between first and second modes; a permanent magnet arranged for movement between a first station and a second station spaced from said first station for moving said contact between said first and second modes; means for moving said magnet from said first station to said second station to produce one of said modes; means responsive to said moving means for urging said magnet to a third station in which said contact is in the other of said modes; and means for returning said magnet to said first station from said third station.

Claim 3

A combination according to claim 1 wHerein said urging means is arranged for tensioning as said magnet moves between said first station and said second station and characterized by a restraint associated with said magnet and arranged for releasing tension of said urging means.

Claim 4

A combination according to claim 2 wherein said moving means is arranged for reciprocation between a first position in which said magnet is disposed at said first station, a second position in which said magnet is disposed at said second station and a third position in alignment with said first and second positions in which said restraint has released spring tension.

Claim 5

A combination according to claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises a plunger arranged for linear reciprocation between a first position in which said magnet is at said first station and a second position in which said magnet is in said second station, and characterized by: a carrier for said permanent magnet pivotally secured from said plunger; and means for rocking said magnet between first and second angular aspects as said plunger moves between first and second positions.

Claim 6

A combination according to claim 4 wherein said urging means comprises a spring associated with said carrier and arranged for tensioning as said plunger moves from said first position toward said second position.

Claim 7

A combination according to claim 5 wherein said plunger is arranged for movement between said second position and a third position and said rocking means comprises a camming assembly associated with said magnet for releasing spring tension as said plunger moves toward said third position from said second position.

Claim 8

An electrical switch assembly comprising: a housing; a manually operable self-restoring plunger mounted for depression in said housing; a magnetic assembly including a permanent magnet mounted for movement responsively to depression of said plunger; a reed switch supported such that at a selected station of said permanent magnet the mode of said switch will change in response to the flux field of said permanent magnet; and cam means for tensioning said magnetic assembly as said magnet is moved toward said selected position and for releasing tension thereon to restore said switch as said plunger is depressed after said magnet reaches said selected position.

Claim 9

An electrical switch assembly comprising: a housing; a manually operable self-restoring plunger mounted for depression in said housing; a magnetic assembly including a permanent magnet mounted for movement responsively to depression of said plunger; a reed switch supported such that at a selected station of said permanent magnet the mode of said switch will change in response to the flux field of said permanent magnet; and cam means for tensioning said magnetic assembly as said magnet is moved toward said selected position and for releasing tension thereon to restore said switch as said plunger is depressed after said magnet reaches said selected position.

Claim 10

A combination according to claim 7 wherein said cam means comprises: a fixed track; a follower engaging said track for moving said magnet between a first angular aspect and a second angular aspect at said selected station as said plunger is depressed; and a spring associated with said magnetic assembly for moving said magnet away from said second angular aspect as said plunger is further depressed.

Claim 11

A combination according to claim 8 wherein said magnetic assembly is rockably carried from said plunger, said follower secured from said magnetic assembly.

Claim 12

A combination according to claim 9 wherein said track is of substantially triangular configuration and has a first course through which said follower moves as said magnet moves between said first angular aspect and said second angular aspect and a return course disposed at a level different from said first course for preventing follower movement therein as said plunger is depressed following plunger restoration.

Claim 13

A combination according to claim 10 wherein said magnetic assembly comprises a carrier for said magnet and mounted from said plunger, said combination further characterized by a flexible arm carried from said carrier for supporting said follower, said follower having a channel, said track comprising a projection adapted for passage through said channel to enable restoration of said plunger following release from depression.

Claim 14

A combination according to claim 10 wherein said magnetic assembly comprises a carrier for said magnet and rockably mounted from said plunger, said combination further characterized by a flexible arm secured from said carrier and supporting said folloWer in said track, said arm bendable in response to variations in elevations of said courses.

Claim 15

A momentary switch assembly comprising: a magnetically responsive switch having first and second modes; a magnetic flux field arranged for reciprocation adjacent said switch between start stroke and end stroke positions in which said switch is in said first mode past a medial position in which said switch is in said second mode; said flux field arranged for movement independently of reciprocation between a first angular aspect at which said switch is in said first mode and a second aspect in which switch is in said second mode, means for reciprocating said flux field between said start stroke and end stroke positions; means for moving said flux field from said first angular aspect and to said second angular aspect as it moves from its start stroke position to its medial position; means for rocking said flux field from said second angular aspect to said first angular aspect as it moves from said medial position to said end stroke position; and means for returning said flux field from its end stroke position to its start stroke position.

Claim 16

A momentary switch assembly comprising: a magnetically responsive switch having first and second modes; a magnetic flux field arranged for reciprocation adjacent said switch between start stroke and end stroke positions in which said switch is in said first mode past a medial position in which said switch is in said second mode; said flux field arranged for movement independently of reciprocation between a first angular aspect at which said switch is in said first mode and a second aspect in which switch is in said second mode, means for reciprocating said flux field between said start stroke and end stroke positions; means for moving said flux field from said first angular aspect and to said second angular aspect as it moves from its start stroke position to its medial position; means for rocking said flux field from said second angular aspect to said first angular aspect as it moves from said medial position to said end stroke position; and means for returning said flux field from its end stroke position to its start stroke position.

Claim 17

A combination according to claim 13 further characterized by means for preventing change of switch mode as said flux field moves from said end stroke to said start stroke position.

Claim 18

A combination according to claim 14 wherein the rocking means comprises the tension of a spring arranged for generation in response to movement of said flux field from said start stroke position to said medial position.

Claim 19

A combination according to claim 15 wherein said moving means comprises a cam having a course fashioned for generating said tension and fashioned for release of said tension as said flux field moves from said medial position toward said end stroke position.