US3594522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elastic diaphragm switch
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-07-24
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-07-24
Abstract
Abstract An elastic diaphragm switch has a diaphragm assembly formed as an airtight interface between a substantially rigid substrate material and a diaphragm of highly flexible film to which is adhered a copper conductive pattern designed to withstand large deflections without fatigue. This is accomplished by an extended length conductor such as a spiral conductor path extending from the diaphragm supported contact to a stationary conductor. Thus the diaphragm switch may be formed of a single thin film and activated by very low-pressure levels.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F Colglazier
- 👤 Myron E Snesrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H13/702; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/03; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/022; H01H2203/036; H01H2203/05; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/012; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/006; H01H2213/00; H01H2213/002; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/008; H01H2221/02; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A diaphragm switch assembly comprising: a first contact carried by a substantially rigid insulating support element; a diaphragm assembly including a flexible, electrically insulating diaphragm, supported in spaced relation to said support element; a second contact carried by said diaphragm and aligned with said first contact; a conductive lead adhered to the surface of said diaphragm which connects to said second contact and extends therefrom by an indirect route along at least a portion of the surface of said diaphragm subject to operational flexing; and means for selectively varying the fluid pressure at one side of said diaphragm assembly second contact carrying portion to selectively engage and disengage said first and second contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A diaphragm switch assembly comprising: a first contact carried by a substantially rigid insulating support element; a diaphragm assembly including a flexible, electrically insulating diaphragm, supported in spaced relation to said support element; a second contact carried by said diaphragm and aligned with said first contact; a conductive lead adhered to the surface of said diaphragm which connects to said second contact and extends therefrom by an indirect route along at least a portion of the surface of said diaphragm subject to operational flexing; and means for selectively varying the fluid pressure at one side of said diaphragm assembly second contact carrying portion to selectively engage and disengage said first and second contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The diaphragm switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm comprises an elastic film and said conductive lead comprises a metal surface portion plated on said elastic film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diaphragm switch assembly of claim 2 wherein said conductive lead is disposed in a substantially spiral configuration from said second contact along the said diaphragm surface subject to flexure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid-actuated switch of claim 3 wherein said lead extends from a stationary location to the diaphragm carried contact at an angle to the direction of diaphragm material elongation approaching Perpendicular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The diaphragm switch assembly of claim 2 wherein said elastic diaphragm material overlies a substantially rigid member; with an adhesive bond between said diaphragm and said member defining a closed fluidtight nonadhering interface therebetween; and passage means through said member communicating with said fluidtight interface, said lead extending in a generally spiral path from said contact across the boundary between said adhesively bonded and nonadhesively bonded interfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
The diaphragm switch assembly of claim 2 further comprising: a substantially rigid nonconductive board member; a nonstick material applied to discrete areas of one major surface of said board, said diaphragm material overlying said one major surface of said board and selectively adhered to said board at least in area portions margining said discrete area to form a fluidtight interface between said board and diaphragm material; and passage means formed in said board member communicating with each of said fluidtight interfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The diaphragm switch assembly of claim 6 wherein said electrical contact is adhered to said diaphragm material on the nonadhered surface centrally of said fluidtight interface and said conductive lead extends substantially spirally from said electrical contact across the boundary of said fluidtight interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
A diaphragm switch assembly comprising: a stationary first electrical contact; a thin film elastic diaphragm; a second electrical contact carried by said diaphragm in spaced confronting relation with respect to said first contact; an elongated conductor adhered to the surface of said diaphragm and extending from said second electrical contact by an indirect route along the surface of said diaphragm and means for varying the fluid pressure at one side of said diaphragm to cause deflection thereof to move said second contact into and out of engagement with said first contact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A diaphragm switch assembly comprising: a stationary first electrical contact; a thin film elastic diaphragm; a second electrical contact carried by said diaphragm in spaced confronting relation with respect to said first contact; an elongated conductor adhered to the surface of said diaphragm and extending from said second electrical contact by an indirect route along the surface of said diaphragm and means for varying the fluid pressure at one side of said diaphragm to cause deflection thereof to move said second contact into and out of engagement with said first contact.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The diaphragm switch assembly of claim 8 wherein said second contact and said elongated conductor comprises a conductive pattern adhered to said diaphragm and said conductor extends from said second contact in a generally spiral path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |