A rotation angle detection sensor detects the rotation angle of a rotating part attached to a structure including a fixed part and a rotating part that rotates around a rotary shaft. The rotation angle detection sensor includes a reed switch attached to the fixed or rotating part with reeds placed near the rotary shaft. An annular magnet is attached to the rotating or fixed part. A magnetic circuit is formed with respect to the reed switch, with its central axis arranged concentrically with the rotary shaft. When the magnet rotates around the central axis with respect to the reed switch, if the same poles of the magnet are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the reed switch, the reed switch is turned off. If opposite poles of the magnet are lined up in the longitudinal direction of the reed switch, the reed switch is turned on.

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Discharge ports of liquid floor finish applicators are known to clog if proper steps are not taken immediately after use. Complicating this clogging problem are the facts that floor finishes are formulated to dry quickly when exposed to air and applicator cleaning creates waste and takes considerable time and effort. Accordingly, applicant's invention addresses the problem of clogging by using a liquid reservoir to enclose the applicator's discharge port thus preventing it from clogging when not in use. To illustrate applicant's invention, a backpack floor finish applicator system dispenses liquid floor finish through a hose and a pump that forces the finish through a nozzle onto the floor. The invention uses a non-contact switch that activates a light which alerts the operator when the nozzle is exposed to air which will cause clogging thereby reminding the operator to position the nozzle within the liquid reservoir when not in use.

A transportable container assembly including a transportable container defining an enclosed interior space and having an opening member cooperatively engaging a mounting frame. The opening member has a closed position and an open position and access to the interior space is permitted in the open position. A localized device or system is attached to the transportable container and is coupled to an electrical power source. A reed switch apparatus coupled to the transportable container communicates the position of the opening member to the localized device or system. The localized device or system provides a localized function depending on the reported position of the opening member. The localized function includes at least one of a group consisting of a local lighting function, local locking mechanism action and local refrigeration system action/function. The localized device or system communicates the position of the opening member to a remote device or system at a location remote from the transportable container. The remote device or system is capable of providing remote monitoring and control functions or actions at the transportable container depending on the communicated position of the opening member.

Various embodiments described in the disclosure relate to wireless sensor systems. Some embodiments specifically relate to unitary modules for sensing, power, processing, communication, and data storage; and that may be connected by a common interface to form a wireless sensor system.

A magnet reed switch assembly. The magnetic reed switch assembly includes a reed switch having a body and a pair of electrical contacts disposed in the body. A ring magnet has a bore, and a portion of the body of the reed switch is disposed within the bore, with the ring magnet positioned close to the pair of electrical contacts. The ring magnet is movable along the axis of the body between a first position and a second position. A plunger includes a proximal end coupled to the ring magnet and a distal end having a sensing magnet. When a ferrous target is disposed near the sensing magnet, the plunger moves toward the ferrous target causing the ring magnet to move from the first position to the second position, and the reed switch to move from an open state to a closed state.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a coolant level sensor device for application in vehicles, comprising three interoperable component parts: a housing component, an interchangeable cartridge assembly, and a resistor pigtail. The housing component may be configured to permanently and/or semi-permanently reside within the engine cooling system such that the housing component may receive the interchangeable cartridge assembly selectively connected with the resistor pigtail. The interchangeable cartridge assembly may comprise a reed switch that may be replaceable when damaged. Further, the interchangeable cartridge mechanism may be configured to connect with the resistor pigtail, which may include at least one resistor, such that the at least one resistor may be removed from close proximity to the high temperatures generated by the engine, thus increasing the life of the resistor components. This three part configuration may allow for the easy replacement of elements of the coolant level sensor prone to failure, without the need to replace functioning components.

A safety power connector includes a male section that has contacts for carrying electric current, one or more magnets, and a protrusion. A female section has a receptacle for receiving the protrusion and contacts that mate with contacts of the male section. When the male section is absent, no hot electrical potential is present at the contacts of the female section, thereby reducing potential for an electric shock. When the male section aligns with the female section and the protrusion inserted into the centrally located receptacle of the female section causes closure of a switch in the female section and a magnetic field from the one or more magnets of the male section cause closure of a magnetically actuated switch caused, providing electrical potential to the contacts of the female section that are now in contact with the contacts of the male section.