Magnetic switch assembly for detecting unauthorized opening of doors or windows

A switch assembly for electrically coupling with an electrical circuit of an alarm system for detecting relative movement between first and second adjacent members and for defeating attempted magnetic manipulation of the switch assembly by an intruder's magnet, the switch assembly comprising:

• first switch means for sensing the presence of the intruder's magnet in the vicinity of the switch assembly and for changing the state of the electrical circuit to an alarm state in response thereto;
• and
• second switch means electrically coupled with said first switch means for detecting relative movement between the first and second adjacent members and for changing the state of the electrical circuit to the alarm state in response thereto independently of the first switch means:
• wherein the first switch means including:
• a ball switch for mounting on the first member, the ball switch including a pair of spaced-apart switch elements and a shiftable, ferromagnetic body disposed between said switch elements and movable between a switch closed position wherein the ferromagnetic body contacts both of the switch elements and a switch open position wherein the ferromagnetic body is moved from one of the switch elements, and
• a magnet for mounting on the second member and oriented for retaining the ferromagnetic body in one of the switch closed and switch open positions when the members are in one relative position and for permitting shifting of the ferromagnetic body to the other of the switch closed and open positions when the intruder's magnet is placed in the vicinity, of the switch assembly.