Durable Switches and Methods for Using Such

Various embodiments of the present invention provide switches that offer one or more features aiding in, among other things, the functionality, durability, accessibility, and/or non-clogging aspects of a switch. Some embodiments of the present invention provide switches with an actuator and a field switching element. In such embodiments, the actuator can be open such that obstructions in proximity the actuator can be removed, and in some cases the actuator can be utilized to encourage removal of the obstructions.

Some other embodiments of the present invention provide durable switches. Such durable switches include a switch housing, an actuator element, and a field element. The switch housing includes a channel defined by a channel base, at least one channel side, and at least one open end. The channel base can be one of a variety of forms including, but not limited to, a planar topography, a curvilinear topography with a rounded plane disposed in the channel, or another topography exhibiting minimal impedance to moving debris, obstructions, and/or contaminants from within the channel.

In one case, the outer point is located at an area on one of the denticles most distant from the axis of rotation. Upon rotation of the actuator element, the outer point passes nearer to the channel base than to the open end. In one or more instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the actuator element is capable of rotation through one hundred, eighty degrees, and in some instances, the actuator element is capable of rotation through three hundred, sixty degrees.

In some cases, the switch also includes a field activated switch element that is responsive to the field element. The field element can be, for example, a magnet generating a magnetic field, and the field activated switch element can be a switch element responsive to the magnetic field. Thus, as just one example, the field activated switch element can be a Reed switch.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide durable, non-clogging switches that include a switch housing, an actuator element, a magnet coupled to the actuator element, and a magnetically activated switch disposed in relation to the switch housing. The switch housing includes a channel, and at least a portion of the actuator element is within the channel. The actuator element is mounted such that it can rotate, and upon rotation is operable to displace an obstruction within the channel toward an open side of the channel. Further, rotation of the actuator element brings the magnet within switching proximity of the magnetically activated switch.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention provide factory sealed flashlights that include: a flashlight body that is factory sealed surrounding a magnetically activated switch, and a switch activator disposed in proximity to the magnetically activated switch. The switch activator includes a switch housing with an open channel and an actuator element rotatably mounted to the switch housing. A magnet is coupled to the actuator element, and rotation of the actuator element causes the magnet to move within switching proximity of the magnetically activated switch.