Contactless switch

A contactless switch, the switch actuatable between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position, the switch comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) a linear-to-rotary motion assembly disposed within the housing for producing a rotary motion in response to a linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly;
• (c) a plurality of proximity sensors fixed within the housing;
• and
• (d) a plurality of magnets disposed on the linear-to-rotary motion assembly, the magnets being rotated into and out of close proximity to the sensors by the linear-to-rotary assembly when the switch is actuated by applying a force to the linear-to-rotary motion assembly that causes the linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly.

A contactless switch, the switch being actuatable between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position, the switch comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) a linear-to-rotary motion assembly disposed within the housing for producing a rotary motion in response to a linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly;
• (c) a plurality of Hall effect sensors fixed within the housing;
• (d) a plurality of magnets disposed on the linear-to-rotary motion assembly, the magnets being rotated into and out of close proximity to the Hall effect sensors by the linear-to-rotary assembly when the switch is actuated by applying a force to the linear-to-rotary motion assembly that causes the linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly;
• and
• (e) a hold down mechanism disposed within the housing, the hold down mechanism selectively locks the switch into the open circuit position.

A contactless switch, the switch actuatable between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position, the switch comprising:

• (a) a housing;
• (b) a linear-to-rotary motion assembly disposed within the housing for producing a rotary motion in response to a linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly;
• (c) a plurality of proximity sensors fixed within the housing;
• (d) a plurality of magnets disposed on the linear-to-rotary motion assembly, the magnets being rotated into and out of close proximity to the sensors by the linear-to-rotary assembly when the switch is actuated by applying a force to the linear-to-rotary motion assembly that causes the linear displacement of the linear-to-rotary motion assembly;
• and
• (e) a tactile response mechanism formed with the linear-to-rotary motion assembly to produce a tactile response when the contactless switch is actuated between the open and closed circuit positions.