US3616281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective plating of reeds in bulk
Assignee: STC PLC
•
Filing: 1970-02-11
•
Granted: 1971-10-26
•
Expires: 1990-02-11
Abstract
Abstract This concerns the bulk electroplating with gold of reed contact blades. The blades are located in insulating pots with their contact tips uppermost and extending beyond the rims of the pots. The rim and the base of the pots are metallized and, with the blades, form the cathode of the plating surface. During plating the major parts of the reeds are screened from the plating flow by the insulating sidewalls of the pots, gold being plated only on the exposed contact tips.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Ernest Head
- 👤 Colin Stratford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:48
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D7/00; C25D5/00; C25D5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for selectively electroplating a batch of elongated members each over a region adjacent one end, wherein the members are positioned in a container having walls of insulating material with the said one ends projecting out of an opening of the container, the container having at least one cathode making electrical contact with the batch of members, immersing the container in an electrolyte to completely cover the elongated members, applying a potential difference between the cathode and an anode arranged outside the container, the arrangement being such that the plating flow is screened from the major part of each member by the insulating walls but not from the said one ends, and agitating the members to expose them to sUbstantially uniform plating flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the container is open-topped and the said one ends project out of the open top.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 3 wherein the elongated members are reeds which are located in the container with their contact blades uppermost.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method claimed in claim 4 wherein the blades are to be plated with gold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method claimed in claim 3 wherein the container is of circular cross section.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for selectively electroplating a batch of reeds with gold each over a region adjacent the end of its contact blade, wherein the reeds are located in a circular container having an opening at the top and sidewalls of insulating material with the contact blades projecting out of the opening, the container having at least one cathode making electrical contact with the batch of reeds, and while the reeds are completely immersed in a goldplating electrolyte applying a potential difference between the cathode and an anode arranged to the side of the container, the arrangement being such that the plating flow is screened from the major part of each reed by the insulating sidewalls but not from the end of its blade, and the container is vibrated to agitate the reeds to expose them substantially uniformly to the plating flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the container is vibrated with a high-speed horizontal orbital movement to agitate the members or reeds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method claimed in claim 7, wherein a cathode is located at the base of the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method claimed in claim 7, wherein a cathode is located around the inside of the container at or near its opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-25 | 1975-04-26 | 1975-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-25 | 1979-04-26 | 1979-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-25 | 1983-04-26 | 1983-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |