US3668337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Matrix switch with improved flexible insulative spacer arrangement
Assignee: ABB Installation Products Inc
•
Filing: 1971-01-18
•
Granted: 1972-06-06
•
Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A matrix switch comprises an orthagonal arrangement of two sets of parallel conductors spaced from one another by a plurality of resilient elements. Preferably, the switch is made by securing together two one-sided flat conductor cables, each of which comprises a plurality of alternating, parallel conductors and elastomeric elements, with the heights of said elastomeric elements being greater than the heights of said conductors. Each cross-over point of the spaced conductors forms a switch point which is activated upon depression of the upper conductor into contact with the lower conductor. The orthogonally disposed flat conductor cables are held in a suitable housing including printed circuit board pads to which the conductors are connected, thereby facilitating simultaneous connection of the conductors to conventional multi-pin printed circuit board connectors for connection to the electronics used in conjunction with the matrix switch.
Inventors
- 👤 William Y Sinclair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/703; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/022; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/046; H01H2209/058; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/006; H01H2211/016; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/018; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/002; H01H2221/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A matrix switch comprising: a first one-sided flat conductor cable including an alternating arrangement of parallel elongated conductors and elongated, non-electrically conductive resilient members bonded to a sheet of resilient insulation material, the height of said resilient members being greater than the height of said conductors; a second one-sided flat conductor cable including an alternating arrangement of parallel elongated conductors and elongated, non-electrically conductive resilient members bonded to a sheet of resilient insulation material, the height of said resilient members being greater than the height of said conductor; said first and second one-sided flat cables being secured together in such manner that the respective resilient members are in abutting engagement and extend angularly relative to one another thereby defining a plurality of cross-over points between the respective conductors of said first and second flat conductor cables.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A matrix switch comprising: a first one-sided flat conductor cable including an alternating arrangement of parallel elongated conductors and elongated, non-electrically conductive resilient members bonded to a sheet of resilient insulation material, the height of said resilient members being greater than the height of said conductors; a second one-sided flat conductor cable including an alternating arrangement of parallel elongated conductors and elongated, non-electrically conductive resilient members bonded to a sheet of resilient insulation material, the height of said resilient members being greater than the height of said conductor; said first and second one-sided flat cables being secured together in such manner that the respective resilient members are in abutting engagement and extend angularly relative to one another thereby defining a plurality of cross-over points between the respective conductors of said first and second flat conductor cables.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A matrix switch as in claim 1 wherein the elongated conductors and resilient members of said first one-sided flat conductor cable are disposed perpendicular to the elongated conductors and elongated resilient members of said second one-sided flat conductor cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A matrix switch as in claim 1 wherein said resilient members comprise elastomeric members having a circular cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A matrix switch as in claim 1 wherein each one-sided flat conductor cable is secured to one-half of a housing assembly, which housing assembly includes electrically conductive pads to which the conductors of said flat conductor cables are electrically connected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A matrix switch as in claim 4 wherein a flexible keyboard cover is provided to enclose said housing, which keyboard cover includes depressible keys aligned with the cross-over points of the conductors of said first and second flat conductor cables.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
A matrix switch comprising: a first member including a plurality of generally parallel elongated electrical conductors bonded to a sheet of flexible insulation material; a second member including an alternating arrangement of generally parallel elongated electrical conductors and elongated, non-electrically conductive resilient members bonded to a sheet of flexible insulation material, the height of said resilient members being greater than the height of said conductors; said first and second members being secured together in such manner that the resilient members of said second member engage the conductors of said first member and extend angularly relative thereto, thereby defining a plurality of cross-over points between the conductors of said first and second members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A matrix switch comprising: a first member including a plurality of generally parallel elongated electrical conductors bonded to a sheet of flexible insulation material; a second member including an alternating arrangement of generally parallel elongated electrical conductors and elongated, non-electrically conductive resilient members bonded to a sheet of flexible insulation material, the height of said resilient members being greater than the height of said conductors; said first and second members being secured together in such manner that the resilient members of said second member engage the conductors of said first member and extend angularly relative thereto, thereby defining a plurality of cross-over points between the conductors of said first and second members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A matrix switch as in claim 6 wherein the conductors of said first and second members are disposed perpendicular to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A matrix switch as in claim 6 wherein the resilient members of said second member comprise elastomeric members having circular cross-sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A matrix switch as in claim 6 wherein said first and second members are disposed in a flexible housing assembly including electrically conductive pads to which the respective conductors of said first and second members are electrically connected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A matrix switch as in claim 9 wherein a flexible keyboard cover is provided to enclose said housing, which keyboard cover includes depressible keys aligned with the cross-over points of the conductors of said first and second members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A matrix switch as in claim 1 wherein said resilient members comprise an elastomeric member having a triangular cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A matrix switch as in claim 1 wherein each one-sided flat conductor cable is secured to one-half of a housing assembly, which housing assembly includes Electrically conductive paths to which the conductors of said flat conductor cables are electrically connected and wherein each half of said housing assembly comprises a planar surface having longitudinally extending side rails, with the flat conductor cable disposed on the planar surface position between said side rails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |