# US 2017/0256376 A1 · Actuation apparatus for magnetically-triggered proximity switches

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- Number: US 2017/0256376 A1
- Document ID: US20170256376A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/058,880
- Filed: 2016-03-02
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-02
- Assignees: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc., d/b/a TopWorx, Inc.
- Applicants: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. d/b/a TOPWORX, INC.
- Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain; Brian Hampton; James McDill; Bruce Rigsby; Michael Simmons
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170256376A1

## CPC

- H01H 36/0073: {actuated by relative movement between two magnets}
- H01H 11/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches (processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88)
- H01H 36/008: {Change of magnetic field wherein the magnet and switch are fixed, e.g. by shielding or relative movements of armature (for reed switches H01H36/002)}
- H01H 36/02: actuated by movement of a float carrying a magnet
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

Actuation apparatus for use with magnetically-triggered proximity switches are described herein. An example apparatus includes an actuator shaft having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment intersecting the second segment. The first segment defines a first end of the actuator shaft, and the second segment defines a second end of the actuator shaft opposite the first end. The second segment further defines a slot. The apparatus further includes a detector magnet assembly coupled to the first segment of the actuator shaft adjacent the first end. The apparatus further includes a switch arm coupled to the second segment of the actuator shaft. The switch arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm. The portion of the switch arm is positioned in the slot of the actuator shaft.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising:
an actuator shaft including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment intersecting the second segment, the first segment defining a first end of the actuator shaft, the second segment defining a second end of the actuator shaft opposite the first end and further defining a slot, the second segment including a base segment, a first leg segment, and a second leg segment, the second leg segment being spaced apart from the first leg segment;
a detector magnet assembly coupled to the first segment of the actuator shaft adjacent the first end of the first segment; and
a switch arm coupled to the second segment of the actuator shaft, the switch arm including a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the switch arm, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm, the portion being positioned in the slot of the actuator shaft.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second segments are integrally formed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first segment further defines a longitudinal axis of the actuator shaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first segment includes a mechanical stop, the detector magnet assembly abutting the mechanical stop.

### Claim 5

(canceled)

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first segment intersects the first leg segment of the second segment.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base segment includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first leg segment extending from the first end of the base segment at a first angle, the second leg segment extending from the second end of the base segment at a second angle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base segment of the second segment is substantially parallel to the first segment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first leg segment is substantially parallel to the second leg segment.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the first leg segment is substantially perpendicular to the base segment.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the detector magnet assembly includes a detector magnet and a detector magnet retainer, the detector magnet including a first aperture configured to receive the detector magnet retainer, the detector magnet retainer including a second aperture configured to be positioned within the first aperture of the detector magnet and further configured to receive the first end of the first segment of the actuator shaft.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the switch arm includes a ring segment adjacent the first end of the switch arm and a common contact adjacent the second end of the switch arm.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the switch arm is configured to be pivotably movable between a first switch position and a second switch position.

### Claim 14

A method, comprising:
coupling a detector magnet to a detector magnet retainer to form a detector magnet assembly, the detector magnet including a first aperture configured to receive the detector magnet retainer;
coupling the detector magnet assembly to a first segment of an actuator shaft, the detector magnet assembly abutting a mechanical stop positioned on the first segment of the actuator shaft; and
coupling a switch arm to a second segment of the actuator shaft, the second segment intersecting the first segment, the switch arm including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm, the portion configured to be positioned in a slot defined by the second segment of the actuator shaft.

### Claim 15

(canceled)

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method as defined in claim 14, wherein coupling the detector magnet to the detector magnet retainer includes swaging the detector magnet retainer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method as defined in claim 14, wherein coupling the detector magnet assembly to the first segment of the actuator shaft includes swaging the first segment of the actuator shaft, the detector magnet retainer including a second aperture configured to be positioned within the first aperture of the detector magnet and further configured to receive the first segment of the actuator shaft.

### Claim 18

An apparatus, comprising:
an actuator shaft including a first segment and a second segment, the first segment intersecting the second segment, the first segment defining a first end of the actuator shaft, the second segment defining a second end of the actuator shaft opposite the first end and further defining a slot, the first segment including a mechanical stop, the first segment configured to be coupled to a detector magnet assembly to be positioned adjacent the first end of the first segment, the detector magnet assembly to abut the mechanical stop of the first segment, the second segment including a base segment, a first leg segment, and a second leg segment, the second leg segment being spaced apart from the first leg segment, the second segment configured to be coupled to a switch arm, the switch arm including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm, the slot of the second segment configured to receive the portion of the switch arm.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the first segment intersects the first leg segment of the second segment.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the base segment includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first leg segment extending from the first end of the base segment at a first angle, the second leg segment extending from the second end of the base segment at a second angle.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the base segment of the second segment is substantially parallel to the first segment.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the detector magnet assembly includes a detector magnet and a detector magnet retainer, the detector magnet including a first aperture configured to receive the detector magnet retainer, the detector magnet retainer including a second aperture configured to be positioned within the first aperture of the detector magnet and further configured to receive the first end of the first segment of the actuator shaft.