Magnetic switch assembly

Abstract

A magnetic switch assembly comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatable between a first position and a second position, at least one set of magnets including a first magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the toggle bar and a second magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the switch actuator and a corresponding pair of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact coupled to a first electrical conductor and a second electrical contact coupled to a second electrical conductor wherein the toggle bar is normally bias in the first position when the switch actuator is in the first position with the first magnet disposed in spaced relationship relative to the second magnet when each is in the first position and having a gap therebetween such that the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact engage each other to complete an electrical circuit between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor and when the switch actuator is moved from the first position to the second position decreasing the gap between the first magnet and the second magnet as the magnetic attraction therebetween overcomes the toggle bar bias disengaging the second electrical contact from the first electrical contact to create an open electrical circuit.

Claims

1. A magnetic switch assembly to selectively control the flow of electricity to a first electrical load or a second electrical load comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatably a between a first position and a second position coupled to a base, a toggle magnet mounted on a proximal end portion of said toggle bar and a switch actuator magnet mounted on a proximal end portion of said switch actuator, said magnetic switch assembly further includes a first set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to the first electrical load and a second set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to the second electrical load, said first set of electrical contacts comprises a first upper electrical contact coupled to the first electrical load by a first conductor and a first lower electrical contact mounted on said proximal end portion of said toggle bar and selectively coupled to the first electrical load by a toggle bar conductor mounted on said toggle bar and a conductor coupled to said first electrical load when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said first position and said second set of electrical contacts comprises a second upper electrical contact coupled to the second electrical load by a second conductor and a second lower electrical contact mounted on a distal end portion of said toggle bar and selectively coupled to the second electrical load by said toggle bar conductor mounted on said toggle bar and said conductor coupled to the second electrical load when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said second position wherein when said toggle bar is biased in said first position by a toggle bar bias and said switch actuator is disposed in said first position, said toggle magnet is disposed in spaced relationship relative to said switch actuator magnet having a gap therebetween when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said first position such that said first upper electrical contact and said first lower electrical contact engage each other to complete the electrical circuit to the first electrical load said second upper contact and said second lower contact are disposed in spaced relationship relative to each other to create a gap therebetween to create an open electrical circuit with the second electrical load and wherein when said switch actuator is rotated from said first position to said second position decreasing the gap between said toggle magnet and said switch actuator magnet thereby increasing the magnetic attraction therebetween to overcome the bias of said toggle bar bias disengaging said first lower electrical contact from said first upper electrical contact to create an open electrical circuit with the first electrical load and when said toggle bar has rotated to said second position due to the magnetic attraction between said toggle magnet said switch actuator magnet, said second lower electrical contact engages said second upper electrical contact completing the electrical circuit with the second electrical load, said toggle bar comprises a toggle member including at least one upper mounting post to secure said toggle bar conductor to said toggle member and a recess to receive said toggle bar bias mounted on a retainer post to bias said toggle bar in said first position.

2. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lower electrical contact includes an upper surface inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of said toggle bar toward said proximal end portion of said toggle bar to engage said first upper electrical contact when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said first position to complete the electrical circuit to the first electrical load and second lower electrical contact includes an upper surface inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of said toggle bar toward said proximal end portion of said toggle bar to engage said second upper electrical contact when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said second position to complete the electrical circuit to said second electrical load.

3. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said toggle bar is rotatably held in position on a pivot post extending through an aperture when engaging a concave detent formed on a midportion of said toggle bar by a toggle bias mounted on a corresponding retainer post.

4. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 1 further including a second toggle retention member mounted to said base and disposed to attract said toggle magnet to retain said toggle bar in said first position when said switch actuator is in said first position.

5. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said toggle magnet includes a lower surface inclined downwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of said toggle bar toward said distal end portion relative to said toggle bar and said switch actuator magnet includes an upper surface inclined downwardly relative to said proximal end portion relative to said switch actuator.

6. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 5 wherein said lower surface of said first magnet and said upper surface of said second magnet are substantially parallel to each other when said toggle bar and said switch actuator and each in said second position.

7. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 1 wherein rotation of said switch actuator is limited in a counter-clockwise direction by a lower switch actuator limit when in said first position and in a clockwise direction by an upper switch actuator limit when in said second position.

8. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said toggle magnet includes a lower surface and said switch actuator magnet includes an upper surface wherein said lower surface of said toggle magnet and said upper surface of said switch actuator magnet are inclined relative to each other when said toggle bar and said switch are each in said first position.

9. A magnetic switch assembly to selectively control the flow of electricity to a first electrical load or a second electrical load comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatably a between a first position and a second position coupled to a base, a toggle magnet including a lower surface mounted on a proximal end portion of said toggle bar and a switch actuator magnet including an upper surface mounted on a proximal end portion of said switch actuator, said magnetic switch assembly further includes a first set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to the first electrical load and a second set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to the second electrical load, said first set of electrical contacts comprises a first upper electrical contact coupled to the first electrical load by a first conductor and a first lower electrical contact mounted on said proximal end portion of said toggle bar and selectively coupled to the first electrical load by a toggle bar conductor mounted on said toggle bar and a conductor coupled to said first electrical load when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said first position and said second set of electrical contacts comprises a second upper electrical contact coupled to the second electrical load by a second conductor and a second lower electrical contact mounted on a distal end portion of said toggle bar and selectively coupled to the second electrical load by said toggle bar conductor mounted on said toggle bar and said conductor coupled to the second electrical load when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said second position wherein when said toggle bar and said switch actuator are each in said first position, said toggle magnet is biased in spaced relationship relative to said switch actuator magnet of opposite polarity by a toggle bar bias to maintain a gap therebetween such that said first upper electrical contact and said first lower electrical contact engage each other to complete the electrical circuit to the first electrical load and said second upper contact and said second lower contact are disposed in spaced relationship relative to each other to create an open electrical circuit with the second electrical load and wherein when said switch actuator is rotated upwardly from said first position to said second position decreasing the gap between said toggle magnet and said switch actuator magnet thereby increasing the magnetic attraction therebetween to overcome the bias of said toggle bar bias rotating said toggle bar downward as said switch actuator magnet rotate upward disengaging said first lower electrical contact from said first upper electrical contact to create an open electrical circuit with the first electrical load and as said toggle bar rotates downward to said second position due to the magnetic attraction between said toggle magnet and said switch actuator magnet, said second lower electrical contact engages said second upper electrical contact completing the electrical circuit with the second electrical load.

10. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 9 wherein said toggle bar comprises a toggle member to support said toggle bar conductor.

11. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 10 wherein said toggle bar bias comprises a spring disposed to engage said toggle member to bias said toggle bar in said first position when said switch actuator is in said first position.

12. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 11 wherein said toggle member includes at least one upper mounting post to secure to said toggle bar conductor to said toggle member and a recess to receive said spring mounted on a retainer post to bias said toggle bar in said first position.

13. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 11 further including a second toggle bias disposed to bias said toggle magnet to retain said toggle bar in said first position when said switch actuator is in said first position.

14. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 13 wherein said second toggle bias comprises a magnetically attracted member disposed above said proximal end portion of said toggle bar.

15. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 13 wherein said toggle bar is rotatably held in position on a pivot post engaging a concave detent formed on a midportion of said toggle bar by a toggle bias mounted on a corresponding retainer post.

16. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 9 wherein said toggle bar is rotatably held in position on a pivot post engaging a concave detent formed on a midportion of said toggle bar by a toggle bias mounted on a corresponding retainer post.

17. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 9 further including a second toggle bias disposed to bias said toggle magnet to retain said toggle bar in said first position when said switch actuator is in said first position.

18. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 17 wherein said toggle bar bias comprises a spring disposed to engage said toggle member to bias said toggle bar in said first position when said switch actuator is in said first position and said second toggle bias comprises a magnetically attracted member disposed above said proximal end portion of said toggle bar.

19. The magnetic switch assembly of claim 9 wherein said lower surface of said toggle magnet and said upper surface of said switch actuator magnet are substantially parallel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of the magnetic switch assembly of the present invention comprising two sets of electrical contacts including a first set of electrical contacts in a closed position and a second set of electrical contacts in an open position.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the magnetic switch assembly of the present invention comprising two sets of electrical contacts with the second set of electrical contacts in the closed position and the first set of electrical contacts is in the open position.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the magnetic switch assembly of the present invention comprising a single set of electrical contacts in a normally closed position to supply electricity to an electrical load.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the magnetic switch assembly of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 comprising the single set of electrical contacts in the open position.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the magnetic switch assembly of the present invention comprising two sets of electrical contacts with a first set of electrical contacts in a closed position to supply electricity to an electrical load and a second set of electrical contacts in an open position.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the magnetic switch assembly of the present invention comprising two sets of electrical contacts with the second set of electrical contacts in the closed position to supply electricity to an electrical load and the first set of electrical contacts in an open position.

(8) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a magnetic switch assembly generally indicated as 10 to control the flow of electricity to a pair of electrical loads (not shown).

(10) The magnetic switch assembly 10 comprises a toggle bar generally indicated as 12 and a switch actuator generally indicated as 14 each rotatably between a first position (FIG. 1) and a second position (FIG. 2) coupled to a base generally indicated as 16.

(11) A set of magnets includes a first or toggle magnet 18 mounted on the proximal end portion 20 of the toggle bar 12 and a second or switch actuator magnet 22 mounted on the proximal end portion 24 of the switch actuator 14.

(12) The magnetic switch assembly 10 further includes a first set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to a first electrical load (not shown) and a second set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to a second electrical load (not shown). The first set of electrical contacts comprises a first upper electrical contact 26 connected or coupled to the first electrical load (not shown) by a first conductor 28 mounted on the base 16 and a first lower electrical contact 30 mounted on the proximal end portion 20 of the toggle bar 12 and selectively connected or coupled to the first electrical load (not shown) by a toggle bar conductor 32 mounted on the toggle bar 12 and a conductor 34 coupled to the first electrical load (not shown) when the toggle bar 12 and the switch actuator 14 are each in the first position. The second set of electrical contacts comprises a second upper electrical contact 36 connected or coupled to the second electrical load (not shown) by a second conductor 38 mounted on the base 16 and a second lower electrical contact 40 mounted on the distal end portion 42 of the toggle bar 12 and selectively connected or coupled to the second electrical load (not shown) by the toggle bar conductor 32 mounted on the toggle bar 12 and the conductor 34 coupled to the second electrical load (not shown) when the toggle bar 12 and the switch actuator 14 are each in the second position.

(13) As shown in FIG. 6, the substantially flat upper surface 44 of the first lower electrical contact 30 is inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis LL of the toggle bar 12 toward the proximal end portion 20 of the toggle bar 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) such that the substantially flat upper surface 44 of the first lower electrical contact 30 engages a substantially flat lower surface 46 of the first upper electrical contact 26 when the toggle bar 12 and the switch actuator 14 are each in the first position (FIG. 1) to complete the first electrical circuit through the first conductor 28, first upper electrical contact 26, first lower electrical contact 30, toggle bar conductor 32 and conductor 34 to the first electrical load (not shown).

(14) As shown in FIG. 5, the substantially flat upper surface 48 of the second lower electrical contact 40 is inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis LL of the toggle bar 12 toward the distal end portion 42 of the toggle bar 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) such that the substantially flat upper surface 48 of the second lower electrical contact 40 engages a substantially flat lower surface 50 of the second upper electrical contact 36 when the toggle bar 12 and the switch actuator 14 are each in the second position (FIG. 2) to complete the second electrical circuit through the second conductor 38, second upper electrical contact 36, second lower electrical contact 40, toggle bar conductor 32 and conductor 34 to the second electrical load (not shown).

(15) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toggle bar 12 comprises a toggle member or block 50 including a pair of upper mounting posts each indicated as 52 to secure to the toggle bar conductor 32 to the toggle member or block 50 and a first lower recess and a second lower recess indicated as 54 and 55 respectively to receive a first toggle bar bias 56 such as a spring and a second toggle bar bias 57 such as a spring each mounted on a corresponding retainer post 58. The toggle bar 32 is rotatably held in position on a pivot member or post 60 extending through an aperture 62 when engaging a concave detent 64 formed on the midportion of the toggle bar 32 by the first or toggle bias 56 mounted or held in place on the corresponding retainer post 58.

(16) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the toggle bar 12 is normally biased in the first position by the second toggle bar bias 57 mounted on the corresponding retainer post 58 and a secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 such that the substantially flat surface 44 of the first lower electrical contact 30 engages the substantially flat surface 46 of the first upper electrical contact 26. The secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 is mounted or attached to the base 16 to attract the first or toggle magnet 18 as an additional force to retain the toggle bar 12 in the first position when the switch actuator 14 is in the first position. The secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 may comprise any metal or other magnetic attracting material.

(17) The distal end portion 68 of the switch actuator 14 is rotatably mounted on a post or pin 70 mounted or formed on the base 16 extending through an aperture 72. Rotation of the switch actuator 14 is limited in a counter-clockwise direction by a first or lower switch actuator stop or limit 74 when in the first position (FIG. 1) and in a clockwise direction by a second or upper switch actuator stop or limit 75 when in the second position (FIG. 2).

(18) As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower surface 76 of the first or toggle magnet 18 is inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis LL of the toggle bar 12 toward the conductor 34 or rotation point, pivot member or post 60 and the upper surface 78 of the second or switch actuator magnet 22 is inclined downwardly relative to the toggle bar 12 away from the conductor 34 or rotation point, pivot member or post 60.

(19) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, when the toggle bar 12 is biased in the first position and the switch actuator 14 is in the first position, the first or toggle magnet 18 is disposed in spaced relationship relative to the switch actuator magnet 22 having a gap therebetween such that the first upper electrical contact 26 and the first lower electrical contact 30 engage each other to complete the electrical circuit to the first electrical load (not shown). At the same time, the second upper contact 36 and the second lower contact 40 are disposed in spaced relationship to create a gap therebetween to create an open electrical circuit with the second electrical load (not shown).

(20) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the switch actuator 14 is rotated clockwise from the first position to the second position decreasing the gap between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22 thereby increasing the magnetic attraction therebetween to overcome the bias force of the first or toggle bar bias 56 and the secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 disengaging the first lower electrical contact 30 from the first upper electrical contact 26 to create an open electrical circuit with the first electrical load (not shown).

(21) When the toggle bar 12 has rotated to the second position due to the magnetic attraction between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22, the lower surface 78 of the first or toggle magnet 18 and the upper surface 80 of the second or switch actuator magnet 22 are substantially parallel to each other and the second lower electrical contact 40 engages the second upper electrical contact 36 completing the electrical circuit with the second electrical load (not shown).

(22) Engagement of the second upper electrical contact 36 with the second lower electrical contact 40 limits the counter-clockwise rotation of the toggle bar 12 when the switch actuator 14 is rotated clockwise from the first position to the second position.

(23) Electricity is returned to the first electrical load (not shown) by rotation of the switch actuator 14 in the counter-clockwise direction thereby increasing the gap between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22 decreasing the magnetic attraction therebetween until the force exerted by the toggle bar bias 57 overcomes the magnet attraction between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22 rotating the toggle bar 12 clockwise until the first upper electrical contact 24 and the first lower electrical contact 30 again engage each other to complete the electrical circuit to the first electrical load (not shown).

(24) FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternate embodiment of the magnetic switch assembly generally indicated as 10 to control the flow of electricity to a single electrical load (not shown).

(25) The magnetic switch assembly 10 comprises a toggle bar generally indicated as 12 and a switch actuator generally indicated as 14 each rotatably between a first position (FIG. 3) and a second position (FIG. 4) coupled to a base generally indicated as 16.

(26) A set or pair of magnets includes a first or toggle magnet 18 mounted on the proximal end portion 20 of the toggle bar 12 and a second or switch actuator magnet 22 mounted on the proximal end portion 24 of the switch actuator 14.

(27) The magnetic switch assembly 10 further includes a set of electrical contacts to selectively supply electricity to a first electrical load (not shown) comprising an upper electrical contact 26 connected or coupled to the electrical load (not shown) by a first conductor 28 mounted on the base 16 and a lower electrical contact 30 mounted on the proximal end portion 20 of the toggle bar 12 and selectively connected or coupled to the electrical load (not shown) by a toggle bar conductor 32 mounted on the toggle bar 12 and a second conductor 34 coupled to the electrical load (not shown) when the toggle bar 12 and the switch actuator 14 are each in the first position.

(28) As shown in FIG. 6, the substantially flat upper surface 44 of the lower electrical contact 30 is inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis LL of the toggle bar 12 toward the proximal end portion 20 of the toggle bar 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) such that the substantially flat upper surface 44 of the lower electrical contact 30 engages a substantially flat lower surface 46 of the upper electrical contact 26 when the toggle bar 12 and the switch actuator 14 are each in the first position (FIG. 1) to complete the first electrical circuit through the first conductor 28, upper electrical contact 26, lower electrical contact 30, toggle bar conductor 32 and conductor 34 to the electrical load (not shown).

(29) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toggle bar 12 comprises a toggle member or block 50 including a pair of upper mounting posts each indicated as 52 to secure to the toggle bar conductor 32 to the toggle member or block 50 and a first lower recess and a second lower recess indicated as 54 and 55 respectively to receive a first toggle bar bias 56 such as a spring and a second toggle bar bias 57 such as a spring each mounted on a corresponding retainer post 58. The toggle bar 32 is rotatably held in position on a pivot member or post 60 extending through an aperture 62 when engaging a concave detent 64 formed on the midportion of the toggle bar 32 by the first toggle bar bias 56 mounted or held in place on the corresponding retainer post 58.

(30) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the toggle bar 12 is biased in the first position by the second toggle bar bias 57 mounted on the corresponding retainer post 58 and a secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 such that the substantially flat surface 44 of the lower contact 30 engages the substantially flat surface 46 of the upper contact 26. The secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 is mounted or attached to the base 16 to attract the first or toggle magnet 18 as an additional force to retain the toggle bar 12 in the first position when the switch actuator 14 is in the first position. The secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 may comprise any metal or other magnetic attracting material.

(31) The distal end portion 68 of the switch actuator 14 is rotatably mounted on a post or pin 70 mounted or formed on the base 16 extending through an aperture 72. Rotation of the switch actuator 14 is limited in a counter-clockwise direction by a first or lower switch actuator stop or limit 74 when in the first position (FIG. 3) and in a clockwise direction by a second or upper switch actuator stop or limit 75 when in the second position (FIG. 4).

(32) As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower surface 76 of the first or toggle magnet 18 is inclined downwardly relative to the longitudinal axis LL of the toggle bar 12 toward the conductor 34 or rotation point, pivot member or post 60 and the upper surface 78 of the second or switch actuator magnet 22 is inclined downwardly relative to the toggle bar 12 away from the conductor 34 or rotation point, pivot member or post 60.

(33) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the toggle bar 12 is biased in the closed or first position and the switch actuator 14 is in the first position, the first or toggle magnet 18 is disposed in spaced relationship relative to the switch actuator magnet 22 having a gap therebetween such that the upper electrical contact 26 and the lower electrical contact 30 engage each other to complete the electrical circuit to the electrical load (not shown).

(34) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, when the switch actuator 14 is rotated clockwise from the first position to the second position decreasing the gap between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22 thereby increasing the magnetic attraction therebetween to overcome the bias force of the first or toggle bar bias 56 and the secondary toggle bar retention member or bias 66 disengaging the lower electrical contact 30 from the upper electrical contact 26 to create an open electrical circuit with the electrical load (not shown).

(35) Engagement of the distal end portion 42 of the toggle bar 12 engages an upper toggle bar stop or limit 80 to limit the counter-clockwise rotation of the toggle bar 12 when the switch actuator 14 is rotated clockwise from the first position to the second position.

(36) When the toggle bar 12 has rotated to the second position, the lower surface 78 of the first or toggle magnet 18 and the upper surface 80 of the second or switch actuator magnet 22 are substantially parallel to each other.

(37) Electricity is returned to the electrical load (not shown) by rotation of the switch actuator 14 in the counter-clockwise direction thereby increasing the gap between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22 decreasing the magnetic attraction therebetween until the force exerted by the toggle bar bias 57 overcomes the magnet attraction between the first or toggle magnet 18 and the second or switch actuator magnet 22 rotating the toggle bar 12 clockwise until the upper electrical contact 24 and the lower electrical contact 30 again engage each other to complete the electrical circuit to the electrical load (not shown).

(38) It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

(39) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

(40) In describing the invention, certain terms are used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations should be inferred beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different structural and functional elements, apparatuses, devices, compositions, and methods described herein may be used alone or in combination with other structural and functional elements, apparatuses, devices, compositions, systems and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims hereinafter.