US3707690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reed switch apparatus
Assignee: Sigma Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-29
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1991-03-29
Abstract
Abstract Two or more reed switches project through a single magnetic body. Winding means surround the reed switches to make them alternately pick up and drop out. The flux of the magnetized body latches the switches in the conductive state and, when the switch is made to drop out, allows it to remain in the non-conductive state.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Sakatos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H51/00; H01H51/28; H01H51/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A reed switch apparatus, comprising permanent magnet means for producing a constant magnetic field whose flux density varies with the location relative to the permanent magnet means, a plurality of reed switches in the vicinity of said magnet means within the magnetic field, winding means in the vicinity of said reed switches for producing magnetic fields which aid and retard the flux densities at the magnetic field produced by said magnet means, each of said switches having an ''''on'''' condition and an ''''off'''' condition and having a magnetically sensitive zone, said switches each assuming one of the conditions when a flux density of a field at its zone is substantially zero, said switches each assuming the other of the conditions when the flux density at its zone arises beyond a given value and retains the other position when the flux density of the filed drops to a lower second value, each of said switches switching to the first position when the flux density of the field drops to a third value below the second value and retaining the one condition when the flux density rises to the second value, each of said switches being movable relative to said magnet means from a location where the field of said permanent magnet means subjects the zone of the switch to a flux density less than the third value to a location where the zone is subjected to a flux density greater than the second value, said winding means being operative to increase the flux density of the magnetic field at the zone of each switch to and beyond the first value and to decrease the flux density to and below the third value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A reed switch apparatus, comprising permanent magnet means for producing a constant magnetic field whose flux density varies with the location relative to the permanent magnet means, a plurality of reed switches in the vicinity of said magnet means within the magnetic field, winding means in the vicinity of said reed switches for producing magnetic fields which aid and retard the flux densities at the magnetic field produced by said magnet means, each of said switches having an ''''on'''' condition and an ''''off'''' condition and having a magnetically sensitive zone, said switches each assuming one of the conditions when a flux density of a field at its zone is substantially zero, said switches each assuming the other of the conditions when the flux density at its zone arises beyond a given value and retains the other position when the flux density of the filed drops to a lower second value, each of said switches switching to the first position when the flux density of the field drops to a third value below the second value and retaining the one condition when the flux density rises to the second value, each of said switches being movable relative to said magnet means from a location where the field of said permanent magnet means subjects the zone of the switch to a flux density less than the third value to a location where the zone is subjected to a flux density greater than the second value, said winding means being operative to increase the flux density of the magnetic field at the zone of each switch to and beyond the first value and to decrease the flux density to and below the third value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said switches are adjustable relative to each other and to said permanent magnet means so as to establish a predetermined order of switching from one condition to the other in response to said winding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said permanent magnet means includes a body of permanent magnet material and said switches pass through said permanent magnet material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said winding means surrounds said switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said switches each include a pair of reeds, at least one of which is movable relative to the other so as to contact the other and break contact with the other in response to magnetic fields, said reeds forming a gap relative to each other when contact is broken and a contact area when contact is made, said zone being located at the gap and contact area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein one of said reeds is substantially longer than the other, said other reed being relatively movable in comparison with the movable reed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said permanent magnet means incluDes a permanent magnet, said switches passing through said permanent magnet, said winding means surrounding said switches, said switches being elongated, said magnet extending along each of said switches for a minor portion of the length of each of said switches, said winding means being located along said switches adjacent said magnet and covering a major portion of the length of each of said switches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the zones in each of said switches are located closer to said magnet than said winding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the switches are off in the one condition so that the switches pull in in switching from the one condition to the other condition and drop out in switching from the other condition to the one condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said magnet means includes an elongated body, said switches extending transversely to the direction of the elongated body and extending through the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said body forms a plurality of openings, and wherein each of said reed switches extend through respective ones of the openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said magnet means includes a body forming an opening, said switches extending through said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said body comprises a single integral body of a flexible magnetic rubber-like material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said reed switches are adjusted within said body and the flux pattern of said body so as to pull in a predetermined order as the total magnetic flux density to which said body and said winding means expose said switches increases.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said reed switches are adjusted within said body and the flux pattern of said body so as to drop out in a predetermined order, as the total magnetic flux density to which said body and said winding means expose said body, decreases.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
167 words
A system comprising network means, a plurality of circuit means, switch means selectively connecting said network means to said circuit means; said switch means including a permanent magnetic body exhibiting a given magnetic flux, a plurality of reed switches each connecting said network means with one of said circuit means and changeable between a conductive state and a non-conductive state by application of aiding and bucking magnetic fluxes, winding means surrounding said reed switches for adding and subtracting magnetic flux and from the magnetic flux of said magnetic body; said network means including selector means connected to said winding means for applying a current through said winding means, sufficient to change the state of one of said switches, said switch means each being adjustable relative to said body from a position in which said body has substantially no effect on said switch and to a position wherein the field of the magnetic body is sufficient to latch the switches in response to current in said winding means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
167 words
A system comprising network means, a plurality of circuit means, switch means selectively connecting said network means to said circuit means; said switch means including a permanent magnetic body exhibiting a given magnetic flux, a plurality of reed switches each connecting said network means with one of said circuit means and changeable between a conductive state and a non-conductive state by application of aiding and bucking magnetic fluxes, winding means surrounding said reed switches for adding and subtracting magnetic flux and from the magnetic flux of said magnetic body; said network means including selector means connected to said winding means for applying a current through said winding means, sufficient to change the state of one of said switches, said switch means each being adjustable relative to said body from a position in which said body has substantially no effect on said switch and to a position wherein the field of the magnetic body is sufficient to latch the switches in response to current in said winding means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said switches responds to different flux densities to change conditions and wherein the position of each switch is adjusted according to its response.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
A system as in claim 16, wherein said magnetic body exhibits a flux density according to a pattern which varies about and within said body, wherein said reed switches each pull in when subjected to one flux density and drop out at a lower flux density, the maximum and minimum flux density of the body and said winding means being sufficient to cause said switches to pull in and drop out respectively, said switches being adjusted in the flux pattern of said body so as to be subjected to a flux density between the pull-in and the drop-out densities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2630506A
Cited
US2902558A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |