US3794784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary wafer switch having rotor mounted, spiral arranged axial bridging contacts
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1973-05-07
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1993-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A switch for stepping in rotation a plurality of inputs to a corresponding plurality of outputs includes first, second, and third wafers of electrical insulating material. The first wafer presents a number of coaxial rings of an electrically conducting material printed onto the first wafer. The third wafer presents a plurality of electrical conductors radially extending from a central axis point. Intermediate the first and third wafers is a second wafer which carries a plurality of electrically conducting contacting members each contacting a respective one of the plurality of rings of the first wafer and one of the plurality of radially extending electrical conductors on the third wafer. As the second wafer is rotated, each of the contacting members of the second wafer remains in electrical contact with its respective ring, but is switched to a different radially extending member.
Inventors
- 👤 R Snider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:50
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/54; H01H19/56; H01H19/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A switch comprising: first, second, and third wafers of electrically insulating material, means for mounting said first, second, and third wafers on a common axis whereby said first and third wafers are held in a fixed parallel position and said second wafer is disposed intermediate and parallel to said first and third wafers, and is rotatable on said axis with respect to said first and third wafers, a plurality of electrical conductor rings affixed concentrically with said axis to said first wafer on a side toward said second wafer, a plurality of electrical conductors affixed to said third wafer on a face toward said second wafer, radially extending outwardly from said axis, and a plurality of electrical contactor means extending between the faces of said second wafer, each contacting an associated one of said plurality of electrical conductor rings on said first wafer and one of said plurality of radially extending electrical conductors of said second wafer to establish an electrical conduction path therebetween, whereby when said second wafer is rotated with respect to said first and third wAfers, each of said plurality of electrical contactor means of said second wafer remains in electrical contact with its associated ring of said first wafer, and is brought into contact with a different radially extending contact of said third wafer to establish an electrical conduction path with said different radially extending contact of said third wafer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
A switch comprising: first, second, and third wafers of electrically insulating material, means for mounting said first, second, and third wafers on a common axis whereby said first and third wafers are held in a fixed parallel position and said second wafer is disposed intermediate and parallel to said first and third wafers, and is rotatable on said axis with respect to said first and third wafers, a plurality of electrical conductor rings affixed concentrically with said axis to said first wafer on a side toward said second wafer, a plurality of electrical conductors affixed to said third wafer on a face toward said second wafer, radially extending outwardly from said axis, and a plurality of electrical contactor means extending between the faces of said second wafer, each contacting an associated one of said plurality of electrical conductor rings on said first wafer and one of said plurality of radially extending electrical conductors of said second wafer to establish an electrical conduction path therebetween, whereby when said second wafer is rotated with respect to said first and third wAfers, each of said plurality of electrical contactor means of said second wafer remains in electrical contact with its associated ring of said first wafer, and is brought into contact with a different radially extending contact of said third wafer to establish an electrical conduction path with said different radially extending contact of said third wafer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrical conductor rings and said plurality of said radially extending electrical conductors are metallic layers printed respectively upon said first and third layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrical contactor means extending between the faces of said second wafer comprises a plurality of clips, each including first and second elongated portions and a portion joining said first and second elongated portions to bias the free ends of said elongated portions together, whereby said elongated portions are adapted to be disposed on opposite faces of said second wafer to maintain the position of said clip, said elongated and joining portions being of electrical conducting material, each of said first and second elongated portions having a protrusion at corresponding locations along their elongated length adapted to respectively contact one of said rings and one of said radially extending electrical conductors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The switch of claim 3 wherein said clips are gold plated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said rings and radially extending electrical conductors are of gold plated copper etched on said first and third wafers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrical conductor means of said second wafer extend through said wafer from one face to the other; are disposed in an angular relationship corresponding to the angular relationship of said radially extending conductors of said third wafer; and are each disposed a distance from the axis of said second wafer corresponding to the radius of its associated ring on said first wafer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch of claim 6 wherein said radially extending conductors are disposed at equal angles on said second wafer about said axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third wafers are of plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third wafers are fiberglass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third wafers are Bakelite.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |