Magnetic switch assembly

A magnetic switch for detecting relative movement between first and second members when the members are moved from a first, substantially adjacent position to a second position where the members are separated, said switch comprising:

• a switch assembly for mounting to the first member, including
• a housing presenting a chamber with a circumscribing sidewall, a concavo-convex bottom wall, and a top cover, said top cover including a relatively weak first attractive component, said bottom wall having a contact surface;
• an elongated, electrically conductive element extending downwardly through said top cover and into said chamber,
• said elongated element and said contact surface defining first and second switch elements, respectively;
• and
• a shiftable body within said chamber, said body shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with said first and second switch elements, and a second position where the body is out of said simultaneous contact with both of the switch elements;
• and
• a second attractive component for coupling to said second member,
• said first and second attractive components being selected and located so that, when the first and second members are in an initial relative orientation wherein the second attractive component is proximal to said switch assembly, said body will be shifted to said second position thereof by virtue of a magnetic attraction between said body and said second attractive component, and so that, when the first and second members are in a different relative orientation wherein the second attractive component is remote from the switch assembly, said body is shifted to said first position thereof by virtue of a magnetic attraction between the body and said first attractive component.

A magnetic switch for detecting relative movement between first and second members, said switch comprising:

• a switch assembly for mounting to the first member, including a first switch element, a second switch element in spaced relationship to the first element, an electrically conductive body and a first attractive component,
• said body shiftable between a first position where the body is in simultaneous contact with said first and second switch elements, and a second position where the body is out of said simultaneous contact with both of the switch elements;
• and
• a second attractive component for mounting to said second member,
• said first and second attractive components being selected and located so that, when the first and second members are in an initial relative orientation wherein the second attractive component is proximal to said switch assembly, said body will be shifted to said second position thereof by virtue of a magnetic attraction between said body and said second attractive component, and so that, when the first and second members are in a different relative orientation wherein the second attractive component is remote from the switch assembly, said body is shifted to said first position thereof by virtue of a magnetic attraction between the body and said first attractive component,
• said first switch element presenting an elongated, rod-like configuration which is oriented in a substantially upright manner, said second switch element disposed below the first switch element and generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first switch element.