Reed switch actuated circuit

• US 5,422,628 A
• Filed: 12/02/1993
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James D. Cheung
• Original Assignee: Nicholas A. Rodgers
• Inventors: Rodgers, Nicholas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/160,185
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/689, 340/323 R, 340/326, 340/331-332, 340/626, 36/137, 36/139, 362/103, 446/26, 446/129-130, 446/71, 446/81, 335/205-207, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.45 M, 200/61.48, 455/100, 235/105, 331/64-65
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0054 provided with magnets, magnetic parts or magnetic substances
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/50 with sound or music sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2515 with magnetically controlled switches, e.g. by movement of a magnet

Abstract

An movable article carries a circuit including a normally OFF reed switch. In the ON state of the switch, the circuit is adapted to emit an audible or a visible signal. A magnet, mounted on the article to move during normal movement moves over a designed locus which include positions which will cause the reed switch to be ON and OFF.

Claims

1. A flexible article comprising:

a circuit comprising a normally open reed switch connected in series with a battery and with signalling means,

said signalling means .being adapted, on closure of said reed switch, to emit a signal exteriorly of said article,

a permanent magnet mounted in said article to move relative to said reed switch between an ON position where said magnet closes said reed switch and an OFF position where said magnet allows said reed switch to open,

wherein there is mounted on said article, a bladder opening into a cylindrical bore, wherein said magnet is shaped to act as a piston adapted to slide in said bore, said article further comprising means adapted to bias said magnet toward said bladder, wherein said bladder is designed to alternately expand and contract when said article is flexed and unflexed,

wherein said magnet, which is under the influence of said biasing means and of the pressure existing within said bladder is adapted to assume said OFF position when said article is unflexed and to pass through said ON position when said article is flexed.

2. In combination, an article which is normally moved in use,

a circuit mounted on said article comprising a normally open reed switch, connected in series with a battery and with signalling means,

said signalling means being adapted, on closure of said reed switch, to emit a signal exteriorly of said article, and

a permanent magnet mounted in said article to move relative to said reed switch under forces developed by the normal movement of said article, between an ON position where said magnet closes said reed switch and an OFF position where said magnet allows said reed switch to open,

wherein said magnet is biased to assume said OFF position, and

wherein said magnet is mounted in a bore and adapted to slide therein, and is spring biased toward said OFF position.

3. In combination:

an article which is normally moved in use,

a circuit mounted on said article comprising a normally open reed switch connected in series with a battery and with signalling means,

said signalling means being adapted, on closure of said reed switch, to emit a signal exteriorly of said article, and

a permanent magnet mounted in said article to move relative to said reed switch under forces developed by the normal movement of said article, between an ON position, where said magnet closes said reed switch and an OFF position where said magnet allows said reed switch to open,

wherein said magnet is biased to assume said OFF position,

wherein said article includes a bladder opening into a cylindrical bore, wherein said magnet is shaped to act as a piston adapted to slide in said bore, said article further comprising means adapted to bias said magnet toward said bladder, wherein said bladder is designed to alternately expand and contract when said article is flexed and unflexed, and

wherein said magnet, which is under the influence of said biasing means and of the pressure existing within said bladder, is adapted to assume said OFF position when said article is unflexed and to pass through said ON position when said article is flexed.

4. An article which is normally moved in use having a magnet located therein,

said magnet being mounted to be reciprocated between an ON position and an OFF position relative to a reed switch during motion of said article, by forces generated when said article is so normally moved,

circuit means including a battery and said reed switch, located in said article,

said reed switch being mounted to be closed and opened, when said magnet is in said ON position and said OFF position, respectively,

said circuit means being connected, responsive to a closed state of said reed switch, to produce a sensible signal exterior to said article,

wherein said magnet is biased to said OFF position, and

wherein said magnet is mounted in a bore and adapted to slide therein.

5. An article which is normally moved in use having a magnet located therein,

said magnet being mounted to be reciprocated between an ON position and an OFF position relative to a reed switch during motion of said article, by forces generated when said article is so normally moved,

circuit means including a battery and said reed switch, located in said article,

said reed switch being mounted to be closed and opened, when said magnet is in said ON position and said OFF position, respectively,

said circuit means being connected, responsive to a closed state of said reed switch, to produce a sensible signal exterior to said article,

wherein said magnet is biased to said OFF position,

wherein said article includes a bladder opening into a cylindrical bore, wherein said magnet is shaped to act as a piston adapted to slide in said bore, said article further comprising means adapted to bias said magnet toward said bladder, wherein aid bladder is designed to alternatively expand and contract when said article is flexed and unflexed, and

wherein said magnet, which is under the influence of said biassing means and of the pressure existing within said bladder, is adapted to assume said OFF position when said article is unflexed and to pass through said ON position when said article is flexed.