Patent ID: 8648720

Claim:
Magnetic switch apparatus for detecting relative movement between first and second members from a close position wherein the members are proximal, and an open position where the members are separated, said apparatus comprising: a switch assembly for mounting on one of said members including— a housing configured and presenting a central axis and having first and second, spaced apart, electrically conductive switch elements; a shiftable, electrically conductive body within said housing and movable between a first switch state wherein said body is in simultaneous contact with said first and second switch elements, and a second switch state wherein said body is not in simultaneous contact with said first and second switch elements; a biasing member proximal to said housing, said biasing member and said body being magnetically correlated such that when the first and second members are in said open position, said biasing member magnetically maintains said body in one of said switch states; and an operating magnet configured for mounting on the other of said members, said operating magnet and said switch assembly being magnetically correlated such that when said first and second members are in said close position, said operating magnet magnetically maintains said body in the other of said switch states against the magnetic correlation between said body and said biasing means, said switch assembly housing being oriented with the central axis thereof at an oblique angle relative to the horizontal so that, if a defeat magnet is placed adjacent said switch assembly when the first and second members are in said close position, said defeat magnet will magnetically move said body to said one switch state notwithstanding the close position of said first and second members.