US3728501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch sensitive electronic switch
Assignee: Magic Dot Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-16
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1992-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A touch sensitive electronic switch which has no moving parts and is actuated by the skin resistance of an operator causing a lowering of D.C. resistance across the face of the switch is disclosed. The electronic switch, in the preferred embodiment shown, includes three electrodes spaced and arranged with respect to each other upon an insulator. The second electrode is laterally spaced and insulated from the first electrode and arranged around and about the first electrode with the level of the top surface of the second electrode rising above the level of the top surface of the first electrode. The third electrode is laterally spaced and insulated from one electrode and vertically spaced from the other electrode to provide a conductive electrical shielding electrode between the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes are exposed to the finger of an operator upon the top surface of the insulator in a manner that the operator''s finger bridging between the fist and second electrodes allows a direct current path to be set up laterally between the first electrode and the second electrode to thereby provide an activation of the switch through a lowering of the D.C. resistance across the face of the switch. When the operator''s finger is removed, the shielding effect of the third electrode prevents any leakage currents from flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode and establishing such a direct current path.
Inventors
- 👤 W Larson
- 👤 S Tell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:04
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/96; H03K17/9645; H03K17/945; H03K2017/9602; H03K2017/9604; H03K2017/9615; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
Electronic switch apparatus operable by the lateral bridging of the switch electrodes by the skin resistance of an operator, comprising in combination: insulating media having a top surface; first electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media with the top surface of the first electrode exposed to the finger of an operator upon the top surface of the insulating media; second electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media and the first electrode laterally around and about, spaced, and insulated from the first electrode with the top surface of the second electrode exposed to the finger of an operator upon the top surface of the insulating media laterally from the first electrode and with the top surface of the second electrode arranged above the level of the top surface of the first electride in a manner that the finger of an operator touches the second electrode before contact is made between the finger and the first electrode to thereby allow good contact of the operator''s finger with the second electrode before contact is made with the first electrode and thereby allow the harmless discharge of voltage in an operator''s body and allow a direct current path to be set up laterally between the first electrode and the second electrode as soon as the finger of the operator touches the first electrode; third electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media, with the first electrode, and with the second electrode, electrically between the first and second electrodes, spaced vertically and insulated from one of the first and second electrodes and laterally spaced and insulated from the other of the first and second electrodes as a conductive electrical shielding electrode allowing leakage current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode to be conducted to a reference point to aid in preventing a flow of leakage current between the first electrode and second electrode tending to set up a non-actuated direct current path from the first electrode to the second electrode: first means for providing an electrical connection to the first electrode; second means for providing an electrical connection to the second electrode; and third means for providing an electrical connection to the third electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
Electronic switch apparatus operable by the lateral bridging of the switch electrodes by the skin resistance of an operator, comprising in combination: insulating media having a top surface; first electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media with the top surface of the first electrode exposed to the finger of an operator upon the top surface of the insulating media; second electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media and the first electrode laterally around and about, spaced, and insulated from the first electrode with the top surface of the second electrode exposed to the finger of an operator upon the top surface of the insulating media laterally from the first electrode and with the top surface of the second electrode arranged above the level of the top surface of the first electride in a manner that the finger of an operator touches the second electrode before contact is made between the finger and the first electrode to thereby allow good contact of the operator''s finger with the second electrode before contact is made with the first electrode and thereby allow the harmless discharge of voltage in an operator''s body and allow a direct current path to be set up laterally between the first electrode and the second electrode as soon as the finger of the operator touches the first electrode; third electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media, with the first electrode, and with the second electrode, electrically between the first and second electrodes, spaced vertically and insulated from one of the first and second electrodes and laterally spaced and insulated from the other of the first and second electrodes as a conductive electrical shielding electrode allowing leakage current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode to be conducted to a reference point to aid in preventing a flow of leakage current between the first electrode and second electrode tending to set up a non-actuated direct current path from the first electrode to the second electrode: first means for providing an electrical connection to the first electrode; second means for providing an electrical connection to the second electrode; and third means for providing an electrical connection to the third electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first connection means comprises means for providing an electrical connection between the first electrode and the input of a D. C. amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third connection means comprises means for providing an electrical connection between the third electrode and a reference point within the D. C. amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electronic switch apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second connection means comprises means for providing an electrical connection between the second electrode and a means for supplying D. C. voltage to the D. C. amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3207905A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |