US3600528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple switch construction
Assignee: Lematex Corp
•
Filing: 1969-09-25
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Granted: 1971-08-17
•
Expires: 1989-09-25
Abstract
Abstract Multiple switches produced as a flat panel embodying the basic principle of laminates of electrical conductors in desired patterns assembled as stratifications in close proximity but separated by spacers and covered by resilient material facilitating momentary pushbutton operation of companion switch elements thereof, the separators isolating companion switch elements of the stratified laminates within switching zones identified by indicia or pushbutton pads on the resilient cover.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne V Leposavic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/12; H01H13/702; H01H13/80; H01H13/703; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/004; H01H2201/01; H01H2201/014; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/026; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/018; H01H2203/022; H01H2205/00; H01H2205/032; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/022; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/01; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/026; H01H2211/03; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/024; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/05; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/002; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/008; H01H2229/016; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination: 1. an electrically nonconductive base panel having one surface thereof divided into a plurality of switching areas; 2. a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon; 3. depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon; 4. a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and 5. each of said fixed electrically conductive elements within a switching area comprising a plurality of fixed contact members arranged on said base panel for collective engagement by said flexible electrically conductive element upon movement thereof under depression of said depressible means toward said base panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination: 1. an electrically nonconductive base panel having one surface thereof divided into a plurality of switching areas; 2. a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon; 3. depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon; 4. a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and 5. each of said fixed electrically conductive elements within a switching area comprising a plurality of fixed contact members arranged on said base panel for collective engagement by said flexible electrically conductive element upon movement thereof under depression of said depressible means toward said base panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
spacers mounted on said one surface of said base panel for dividing the same into a plurality of switching areas;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
spacers mounted on said one surface of said base panel for dividing the same into a plurality of switching areas;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
a plurality of spider legs having base ends thereof equally spaced about said medial contact means, said spider legs being integral to the framelike portions supported on said spacers and extending inwardly therefrom into the switching area defined by the spacers; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
a plurality of spider legs having base ends thereof equally spaced about said medial contact means, said spider legs being integral to the framelike portions supported on said spacers and extending inwardly therefrom into the switching area defined by the spacers; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
nonconductive extensions on said spacers disposed on the framelike portions of the flexible electrically conductive element;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
nonconductive extensions on said spacers disposed on the framelike portions of the flexible electrically conductive element;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
a fixed electrically conductive switch element fixed upon said surface of said base panel within each of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
A multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 2 in which each of said fixed electrically conductive elements within a switching area confined within said spacers comprises a plurality of fixed contact members arranged as a grid on said base panel for collective engagement by said flexible electrically conductive element upon movement thereof under depression of said depressible means toward said base panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
a plurality of integrated frames formed in said spring laminate conforming to said nonconductive extensions of said spacers and secured thereto;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
a plurality of integrated frames formed in said spring laminate conforming to said nonconductive extensions of said spacers and secured thereto;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
each of said spider legs being of a length greater than the shortest distance between its base end and said medial contact element to thereby facilitate flexing of said spider legs toward said base panel while supporting said medial contact element parallel thereto for substantially linear movement upon depression thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said panel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
each of said spider legs being of a length greater than the shortest distance between its base end and said medial contact element to thereby facilitate flexing of said spider legs toward said base panel while supporting said medial contact element parallel thereto for substantially linear movement upon depression thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said panel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
a plurality of spring spider legs extending inwardly of each of said spring framelike portions and having inwardly bowed ends terminating in a common central ring; and
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
a plurality of spring spider legs extending inwardly of each of said spring framelike portions and having inwardly bowed ends terminating in a common central ring; and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon; and
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
depressible means supported on said base panel in spaced relation to said surface thereof and selectively depressible toward the latter within any one of said switching areas thereon; and
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
149 words
The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 2 in which each of said integral movable switching elements comprises: a. a medial contact element; b. two or more spider legs each having its base end equidistant from that of the other spider legs an integral to the framelike portions supported on said spacers and extending inwardly therefrom into the switching area defined by the spacers; and c. each of said spider legs being of a length greater than the shortest distance between its base end and said medial contact element to thereby facilitate flexing of said spider legs toward said base panel while spirally supporting said medial contact element parallel thereto for during perpendicular movement toward said base panel and wiping contact of the medial contact element with the fixed electrical contact element within a switching area upon depression of said depressible means into such switching area.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
47 words
a flexible electrically conductive switching element supported in spaced relation to said base panel with said depressible means for movement by the latter into electrical contact with the particular fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed; and
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
each of said fixed electrically conductive elements within a switching area comprising a plurality of fixed contact members arranged on said base panel for collective engagement by said flexible electrically conductive element upon movement thereof under depression of said depressible means toward said base panel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
each of said fixed electrically conductive elements within a switching area comprising a plurality of fixed contact members arranged on said base panel for collective engagement by said flexible electrically conductive element upon movement thereof under depression of said depressible means toward said base panel.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
a flexible electrically conductive element comprising a stamping of substantially flat-rigid electrically conductive material having framelike portions thereof conforming to and supported on said spacers and integral movable switch elements suspended from said framelike portions for flexing movement into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
60 words
a flexible electrically conductive element comprising a stamping of substantially flat-rigid electrically conductive material having framelike portions thereof conforming to and supported on said spacers and integral movable switch elements suspended from said framelike portions for flexing movement into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive switch element within the switching area into which said depressible means is selectively depressed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
A multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 4 in which said medial contact element includes a plurality of substantially radially disposed fingers adapted to flexingly engage said fixed electrically conductive element on said base panel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
49 words
a spring laminate of resilient material interposed between said depressible means and said flexible switching element, said spring laminate including a plurality of spring stampings corresponding in number and location to each of said plurality of switching areas providing a positive spring return for each of said depressible means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
a spring laminate of resilient material interposed between said depressible means and said flexible switching element, said spring laminate including a plurality of spring stampings corresponding in number and location to each of said plurality of switching areas providing a positive spring return for each of said depressible means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
65 words
a depending central annular pushbutton projection on the underside of said depressible means within each of said switching areas and supported on said common central ring and extending therethrough for engaging the movable medial contact element therebelow for moving the latter into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive element on said base panel upon depression of said depressible means in the respective switching area.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
65 words
a depending central annular pushbutton projection on the underside of said depressible means within each of said switching areas and supported on said common central ring and extending therethrough for engaging the movable medial contact element therebelow for moving the latter into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive element on said base panel upon depression of said depressible means in the respective switching area.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
79 words
A multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 5 in which each of said fixed electrically conductive elements in a switching area comprises a plurality of segmental contact members arranged on said base panel within the peripheral reach of the radially disposed fingers on said medial contact element for flexing said fingers upon engagement thereof with said segmental contact members upon perpendicular movement of said medial contact element relative to and into engagement with said base panel.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
65 words
The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 6 in which said segmental contact members are rounded bead like projections above said one surface of the fixed electrical contact element on said base panel whereby to effect a wraparound wiping engagement of said radially disposed fingers during flexing thereof upon downward movement of said medial contact member into engagement with said base panel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
171 words
The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 7 including a spring steel laminate disposed between said flexible electrically conductive element and said depressible means for supporting the latter and comprising in combination: a. nonconductive extensions on said spacers disposed on the framelike portions of the flexible electrically conductive element; b. a plurality of integrated frames formed in said spring steel laminate conforming to said nonconductive extensions of said spacers and secured thereto; c. a plurality of spring steel spider legs extending inwardly of each of said spring steel framelike portions and having inwardly bowed ends terminating in a common central ring; and d. a depending central annular pushbutton projection on the underside of said depressible means within each of said switching areas and supported on said common central ring and extending therethrough for engaging the movable medial contact element therebelow for moving the latter into electrical contact with the fixed electrically conductive element on said base panel upon depression of said depressible means in the respective switching area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a multiple switch construction in which stratified laminates superimposed in spaced relation and in close proximity one upon another comprise in combination:
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 9, including in combination:
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a multiple switch construction having nonconductive spacers defining independent switching areas, the improvement comprising switching elements constructed of a panel divided into a plurality of framelike portions having integral movable switch elements suspended from said framelike portions for flexing movement, said integral movable switching elements including:
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a multiple switch construction having nonconductive spacers defining independent switching areas, the improvement comprising switching elements constructed of a panel divided into a plurality of framelike portions having integral movable switch elements suspended from said framelike portions for flexing movement, said integral movable switching elements including:
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A multiple switch construction in accordance with that of claim 11 in which said medial contact element includes a plurality of substantially radially disposed fingers.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The multiple switch construction of claim 11 in which the spider legs extend across one side of said framelike portions and then inwardly toward the center thereof.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multiple switch construction of claim 13 in which the inner ends of said spider legs of each frame include a plurality of elongated fingers for providing multiple contact.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multiple switch construction of claim 13 in which the inner ends of said spider legs of each frame are interconnected and include a Plurality of elongated fingers for providing multiple contact.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The multiple switch of claim 15 in which the elongated fingers extend substantially radially inwardly.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
The multiple switch of claim 15 in which the elongated fingers extend substantially radially outwardly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2966559A
Cited
US3240885A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |