US5128641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic switches
Assignee: HERMETIC SWITCH Inc A CORP OF OKLAHOMA
•
Filing: 1987-06-08
•
Granted: 1992-07-07
•
Expires: 2007-06-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for proximity magnetic switching wherein magnet assemblies are used in combination with magnetic reed switches by placement of the reed switch axis in a magnetic field null position which is shifted or unbalanced by proximation of certain magnetic materials to actuate the magnetic reed switch. In particular, such proximity magnetic switch is made weather proof and entirely sealed from its environment by molding the magnet assembly and reed switch assembly in fixed orientation within a potted compound which then exposes an actuating surface for sensing the presence of a magnetically permeable material.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Posey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H36/00; H01H36/0006; H01H36/0013; H01H36/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A magnetic switch actuatable by proximity of a permeable object, comprising: first and second bars of magnet material having interface surfaces joined in overlay with each having a mating groove formed longitudinally on the respective interface surfaces thereby to form a bore through the joined magnet material, said first and second bars forming a bar of magnet material having first and second ends and being oppositely polarized transversely through the first and second ends to form first and second axes of polarity and polarity neutral zone in alignment with said bore; and magnetic reed switch means having first and second ends aligned generally perpendicular to said axes of polarity and being normally open and disposed in said neutral zone; wherein said permeable object presence in said magnetic force field shifts the neutral zone to place the reed switch means in a magnetic force field sufficient to actuate the reed switch means closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A magnetic switch actuatable by proximity of a permeable object, comprising: first and second bars of magnet material having interface surfaces joined in overlay with each having a mating groove formed longitudinally on the respective interface surfaces thereby to form a bore through the joined magnet material, said first and second bars forming a bar of magnet material having first and second ends and being oppositely polarized transversely through the first and second ends to form first and second axes of polarity and polarity neutral zone in alignment with said bore; and magnetic reed switch means having first and second ends aligned generally perpendicular to said axes of polarity and being normally open and disposed in said neutral zone; wherein said permeable object presence in said magnetic force field shifts the neutral zone to place the reed switch means in a magnetic force field sufficient to actuate the reed switch means closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
A magnetic switch actuatable by proximity of a permeable object, comprising: first and second magnets of similar size and polarity joined at respective interface surfaces and positioned with said interface aligned with a switch axis, said magnets having respective north and south poles and defining respective axes of polarity while normally producing a magnetic force field having a polarity neutral zone; first and second reed contacts of selected magnetic permeability; and means defining an elongated switch axis and having first and second ends for securing said reed contacts, said switch axis being aligned generally perpendicular to said axes of polarity with said reed contacts normally open and disposed in said neutral zone; wherein said permeable object presence in said magnetic force field shifts the neutral zone to place the reed contacts sufficiently within a magnetic force field to actuate the contacts closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
A magnetic switch actuatable by proximity of a permeable object, comprising: first and second magnets of similar size and polarity joined at respective interface surfaces and positioned with said interface aligned with a switch axis, said magnets having respective north and south poles and defining respective axes of polarity while normally producing a magnetic force field having a polarity neutral zone; first and second reed contacts of selected magnetic permeability; and means defining an elongated switch axis and having first and second ends for securing said reed contacts, said switch axis being aligned generally perpendicular to said axes of polarity with said reed contacts normally open and disposed in said neutral zone; wherein said permeable object presence in said magnetic force field shifts the neutral zone to place the reed contacts sufficiently within a magnetic force field to actuate the contacts closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A switch as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the first magnet is shifted relative to the second magnet on the interface to unbalance the magnetic force field and normally close the first and second reed contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A switch as set forth in claim 5 wherein said at least one magnet means comprises: first and second magnets of dissimilar size and same polarity joined at an interface and positioned with said interface aligned with said switch axis whereby the magnetic force field is unbalanced to normally close the first and second reed contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A switch as set forth in claim 2 which further includes: third magnetic means disposed adjacent to said first and second magnets to bias the magnetic field to a predetermined neutral zone position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A switch means as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said first and second magnets are formed from ceramic magnet material of the barium ferrite type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A sealed proximity switch comprising: an enclosed reed switch having first and second aligned reed contacts and external connecting leads; at least one magnetic means defining an axis of polarity disposed adjacent said reed switch with said axis of polarity perpendicular to said first and second aligned reed contacts and producing a magnetic force field having a neutral zone at the position of said reed switch; a molding compound enclosing said reed switch and magnet means to form a switch body extending said external connecting leads; and a switch arm of permeable material movably secured on said switch body for movement through the magnetic force field to control closure of said reed contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A sealed proximity switch comprising: an enclosed reed switch having first and second aligned reed contacts and external connecting leads; at least one magnetic means defining an axis of polarity disposed adjacent said reed switch with said axis of polarity perpendicular to said first and second aligned reed contacts and producing a magnetic force field having a neutral zone at the position of said reed switch; a molding compound enclosing said reed switch and magnet means to form a switch body extending said external connecting leads; and a switch arm of permeable material movably secured on said switch body for movement through the magnetic force field to control closure of said reed contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A switch as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said magnetic means is ceramic magnet material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A switch as set forth in claim 7 wherein said enclosed reed switch comprises: a hermetically sealed, elongated enclosure having first and second ends and an axial chamber; a first reed contact of permeable conductive material secured through the first end along said chamber; a second contact of permeable conductive material secured through the second end along said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A switch as set forth in claim 7 wherein said at least one magnetic means comprises: first and second magnets of same size and polarity joined at an interface in polarity aiding alignment and positioned with said interface aligned generally with said reed contacts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A switch as set forth in claim 9 wherein said at least one magnetic means comprises: first and second magnets of same size and polarity joined at an interface in polarity aiding alignment and positioned with said interface aligned with one of said first and second reed contacts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as set forth in claim 11 wherein: said magnet interface and reed contact are in physical contact.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
A switch as set forth in claim 11 wherein said switch arm comprises: an actuating arm having first and second ends with the first end pivotally attached to said switch body and the second end extending to an area adjacent the switch body where the magnetic force field is present; and spring means urging said actuating arm away from the switch body and out of said magnetic force field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
A magnetic switch actuatable by proximity of a permeable object, comprising: magnet means defining an axis of polarity and normally producing a magnetic force field having a polarity neutral zone consisting of a bar of magnet material having first and second ends and being oppositely polarized transversely through the first and second ends, and having an axial bore formed longitudinally between said first and second ends; and magnetic reed switch means having first and second ends and being disposed in said axial bore aligned generally perpendicular to said axis of polarity, said switch means being normally open and disposed in said neutral zone; wherein said permeable object presence in said magnetic force field shifts the neutral zone to place the reed switch means in a magnetic force field sufficient to actuate the reed switch means closed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
136 words
A magnetic switch actuatable by proximity of a permeable object, comprising: magnet means defining an axis of polarity and normally producing a magnetic force field having a polarity neutral zone consisting of a bar of magnet material having first and second ends and being oppositely polarized transversely through the first and second ends, and having an axial bore formed longitudinally between said first and second ends; and magnetic reed switch means having first and second ends and being disposed in said axial bore aligned generally perpendicular to said axis of polarity, said switch means being normally open and disposed in said neutral zone; wherein said permeable object presence in said magnetic force field shifts the neutral zone to place the reed switch means in a magnetic force field sufficient to actuate the reed switch means closed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3205323A
Cited
US3560846A
Cited
US4038620A
Cited
US3967224A
Cited
US4039985A
Cited
US4038926A
Cited
US4271763A
Cited
US4210888A
Cited
US4213110A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |