US3718876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed contact matrix switch having a flexible membrane at a crosspoint opening
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-15
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1992-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A flexible membrane is disclosed which extends over an aperture in a support plate in an electromagnetic sealed contact matrix or ferreed type switch. The ferreed switch includes at least one circuit path element and the flexible membrane joins the circuit path element to the support plate and extends the circuit path element over the aperture to a point of rigid contact with a conductor lead projecting from an associated sealed contact switch.
Inventors
- 👤 R Fletcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H67/00; H01H67/22; H01H67/24; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/14; H05K1/147; H05K1/0271; H05K1/11; H05K1/115; H05K1/116; H05K1/141; H05K1/18; H05K1/189; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/04; H05K2201/049; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09063; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10742; H05K2201/1075; H05K2201/10863; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3447; H05K3/36; H05K3/361; H05K3/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device including a support plate having at least one enlarged aperture, at least one circuit path element extending over said aperture, at least one sealed contact switch small enough to pass through said aperture, a conductor lead from said sealed contact switch projecting through said aperture and making rigid contact with said circuit path element and support means for positioning said circuit path element over said aperture CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support means includes a flexible membrane covering said aperture and joining said circuit path element to said support plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device including a support plate having at least one enlarged aperture, at least one circuit path element extending over said aperture, at least one sealed contact switch small enough to pass through said aperture, a conductor lead from said sealed contact switch projecting through said aperture and making rigid contact with said circuit path element and support means for positioning said circuit path element over said aperture CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said support means includes a flexible membrane covering said aperture and joining said circuit path element to said support plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuit path element is an integral part of said flexible membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flexible membrane comprises a flexible printed circuit tape bonded to said support plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible membrane is perforated to allow insertion and removal therefrom of sealed contact switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 4 wherein each perforation includes a major portion having dimensions large enough to accommodate passage of a sealed contact switch and a minor portion extending into said circuit path element to form a keyway for accepting said conductor lead.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 1 wherein a second sealed contact switch is located at each aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said aperture comprises two large openings linked by a narrow neck and one sealed contact switch is disposed centrally in each large opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electromagnetic matrix switching device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said flexible membrane has circuit path elements on both sides thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3454911A
Cited
US3576507A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |