The mailbox delivery notification system is configured for use with a mailbox and a personal data device. The mailbox delivery notification system monitors the mailbox. The mailbox delivery notification system transmits a message to the personal data device when the mailbox delivery notification system detects that the mailbox door has been opened to deliver the mail. The mailbox delivery notification system comprises a housing, a reed switch, and a control circuit. The housing contains the control circuit and a portion of the reed switch. The reed switch electrically connects to the control circuit. The reed switch generates an electric signal indicating that the mailbox door is open. The control circuit monitors the reed switch. The control circuit transmits a message to the personal data device when the control circuit detects the electric signal indicating that the mailbox door is open.

A multi-function key system and method is provided that includes key identification system, a first key, and a second key. The multi-function key system is in communication with an item of power equipment, and comprises first and second sensors for detecting magnetic fields. The first key is configured to interact with the key identification system, the first key comprises a first magnet generating a first magnetic field. The second key is configured to interact with the key identification system. The second key comprises a second magnet generating a second magnetic field. Wherein the first and second sensors differentiate between the first and second key based upon the first and second magnetic fields. The key identification system initiates a first functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the first key, and initiates a second functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the second key.

An exemplary apparatus includes a switch, an arm, and a rod. The switch is housed by a housing and includes an actuating tab. The arm is housed by the housing and carries an arm magnet. The arm magnet includes first and second opposed surfaces and an edge surface. The rod carries a float and a rod magnet. The rod is movable between a first rod position and a second rod position at which the rod magnet is in the housing. As the rod moves from the first position to the second position, the edge surface of the arm magnet is configured to move across a facing surface of the rod magnet, thereby moving the arm from a first arm position in which the arm does not actuate the actuating tab to a second arm position in which the arm actuates the actuating tab.

A reed switch assembly having a customizable length of activation is disclosed. One embodiment of the reed switch assembly may comprise a reed switch comprising a first reed contact, a second reed contact, a reed switch body enclosing the first reed contact and the second reed contact, and a bias magnet. The bias magnet may be positioned a certain distance away from the reed switch body to close the reed switch by a magnetic field. The reed switch assembly may further comprise a diversion blade that is configured to move in and out of a space between the reed switch body and the bias magnet. The diversion blade positioned in the space may open the reed switch by diverting the magnetic field applied by the bias magnet.

The first transmission mechanism of the present invention includes a first permanent magnet, a first rocking member with a rod-like shape that includes one end at which the first permanent magnet is disposed and is extended in Z-axis direction, and two supporting bodies that rockably support the first rocking member at two different positions in Z-axis direction of the first rocking member. The first rocking member is rocked to move the first permanent magnet by an amount of displacement smaller than an amount of displacement inputted to the first supporting body, which is located on a side of the other end of the first rocking member in the two supporting bodies.

A trigger arrangement for a scanning system can include a sealed housing configured to support a scanning device, a trigger, and an actuation device configured to control functionality of the scanning device. A first magnet can be positioned outside of the sealed housing and can be configured to be selectively moved by the trigger. A second magnet configured to be repelled by the first magnet can be positioned inside of the sealed housing. A connecting member that supports the second magnet can be configured to transfer force from the second magnet to the actuation device. Some configurations can provide tactile feedback to a user when the trigger is used.

Embodiments are disclosed of an adapter for coupling an implement to a tremor cancellation platform. The adapter includes a first section attached to the tremor cancellation platform, the first section comprising an elongated tapered key having a base and a tip, the base having a greater transverse dimension than the tip and the base being attached to the tremor cancellation platform. The adapter also includes a second section coupled to the implement, the second section including a tapered cavity sized and shaped to receive the first section, and a latch to lock the second section onto the first section.

A method of converting a switch assembly from a non-contact switch assembly to a contact switch assembly to detect an event. The method includes securing an adapter body outside of an enclosed housing of the switch assembly, with an actuation body connected to the adapter body, so that a target connected to the actuation body is supported outside of the enclosed housing by the adapter body and so that the actuation body is disposed to be moved relative to the adapter body from a first orientation to second orientation, upon occurrence of the event, to activate the switch assembly by moving the target between a first location outside of the enclosed housing and a second location outside of the enclosed housing. In one example, the target may be one or more of a magnetic target or a ferrous target.

A slidable magnetic switch for controlling the electronic functions of an appliance on the Jewish Sabbath is disclosed herein. A housing with an integrated magnetic slider is permanently attached to the appliance surface directly adjacent to and above its embedded magnetic sensor, whereupon the magnetic force of the extended slider opens the sensor's electrical circuit and disables various auxiliary electronic functions whose operation is prohibited on the Sabbath. The slider is pushed back inside the housing after the Sabbath ends, allowing the sensor's electrical circuit to return to its regularly closed position, enabling the appliance's electronic functions for normal weekday operation. A timer alarm switch mounted within the housing provides an audible reminder to manually activate the magnetic switch each week before the Sabbath begins, or alternatively, to automatically extract the slider from the housing before the Sabbath commences, and retract the slider into the housing after the Sabbath concludes.

A compact fall detection sensor includes a case. A magnet is housed in the case. A reed switch with a pair of reeds are integrally positioned around the central axis of the case at the bottom of the case. In an upright state, the magnet is gravitationally positioned in the longitudinal direction of the reed switch around the central axis of the curved surface of the case, each magnetic pole magnetizing the corresponding reed of the reed switch, allowing one of the reeds to be magnetized to N pole and the other reed to S pole to turn on the switch. When inclined from the upright state, the magnet slides along the curved surface of the case and deviates from the central axis, to position only one of the magnetic poles of the magnet around the central axis to turn off the reed switch.