Abstract: A mercury switch has two spaced apart electrical contacts mechanically supported by its glass envelope and electrically connected to external terminals. A third conductor passes through the glass envelope at the opposite end. A housing for mercury is formed by divergent plates supported on the third conductor, which housing extends into the mercury reservoir near its support so as to draw mercury into the space between the divergent plates. A magnetic partition is supported from the third conductor by a flexible hinge which allows the partition to move back and forth between the divergent plates of the housing alternately into each of a pair of stops between said two spaced apart electrical contacts. Whichever wall of the housing the partition is closest to, the space is narrowed so that the mercury rises under capillary attraction and contacts the electrical contact between the wall and the partition.

Abstract: A mercury tilt switch is provided with electrodes which during operation are oriented in a vertical plane projecting through an end wall of an elongated insulating envelope. The lower electrode is longer than the other and terminated with a blunt end of area of such size and shape as to provide resistance to the surrounding movement of the mercury pool past the end and the subsequently reduced steps of the electrode. When the switch is tilted to close the contacts, the blunt end opposes the mercury pool until the switch is sufficiently tilted that the weight component of the mercury in direction opposed to the blunt end is sufficient to overcome surface tension of the mercury pool, at which point the mercury pool will flow down along the stepped electrode and into contact with the other electrode closing the switch.

Abstract: A movable magnetic armature of a size to nest within stepped faces on a fixed magnetic pole piece and on the armature support, respectively, is attached to the armature support by a conductive spring member which normally biases the armature away from the nested position in which it contacts a contact and stop member on the fixed pole. Imposition of the magnetic field causes the armature to move into closed contact position. The position of the armature even when in open contact position is close to the steps of the fixed pole piece as well as the armature support providing a low reluctance, short throw, quick action switch.

Abstract: The magnetic elements of a mercury reed switch are supported within their non-magnetic capsule so that, instead of coming into contact in initially overlapping relationship, under the influence of a magnetic field they become essentially aligned with one another. The reeds are so constructed that by selection of the size or shape of their respective opposed ends, the magnetic flux pattern is modified to maintain desired relative alignment to achieve desired spacing between solid contacts. In a preferred form at least one of the magnetic elements carries a substantially non-magnetic conductive extension means, conductively affixed to its supporting element in position to complete an electrical circuit from its supporting element through intermediate conductive liquid and the other reed element in some switch condition.

Abstract: The magnetic elements of a reed switch are supported within their non-magnetic capsule so that, instead of coming into contact in initially overlapping relationship, under the influence of a magnetic field they become essentially aligned with one another. The reeds may be so constructed that by selection of the size or shape of their respective opposed ends, the magnetic flux pattern is modified to maintain desired relative alignment to achieve desired contact. The invention relates to a mercury wetted switch which employs mercury to complete electrical contact between the non-contacting ends of the reeds.

Abstract: A micro-miniature mercury tilt-type inertia switch which may be utilized in a light-emitting, solid state, digital-display watch to activate a digital read-out circuit by a "flick-of-the-wrist" motion. The switch is normally in a closed position, i.e., a globule of mercury contacts both electrodes, and a tilt force of approximately 1.4 G's is required to open the circuit. A movement of the switch back to 2.degree. or less below horizontal will reclose the circuit.