Patent ID: 8400241

Claim:
A magnetically-triggered proximity switch comprising: a switch body extending along a body longitudinal axis; a bias member non-movably secured within the switch body; a first normally-closed contact having an engagement arm; a second normally-closed contact having an engagement arm; a first normally-open contact having an engagement arm; a second normally-open contact having an engagement arm; a contact magnet disposed within the switch body, the contact magnet being movable relative to the bias member such that the contact magnet is movable between a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein in the first switch position, the contact magnet contacts a portion of the engagement arm of the first normally-closed contact and a portion of the engagement arm of the second normally-closed contact, thereby completing a circuit between the first normally-closed contact and the second normally-closed contact, wherein in the second switch position, the contact magnet contacts a portion of the engagement arm of the first normally-open contact and a portion of the engagement arm of the second normally-open contact, thereby completing a circuit between the first normally-open contact and the second normally-open contact, wherein the engagement arm of each of the first normally-closed contact, the second normally-closed contact, the first normally-open contact, and the second normally-open contact has an elongated shape having a longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the first normally-closed contact, the second normally-closed contact, the first normally-open contact, and the second normally-open contact has an elongated extension arm that extends from a distal end of the engagement arm in a direction parallel to the body longitudinal axis.