US3823355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contactless switch device
Assignee: Northern Illinois Gas Co
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Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A contactless switch device for coupling one or more electrical input signals of predetermined phase to an output sensing circuit wherein a plurality of parallel spaced insulating members are movable relative to each other upon depressing a control plate and have electrical conductive surface areas selectively disposed thereon. Excitation signals of predetermined phase are directly connected to selected of the conductive surface areas and are capacitive coupled to sensor elements upon depressing the control plate, electrostatic shield means minimizing coupling of the signals to the sensor elements when the control plate is in its normal nondepressed position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Batz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:59
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
In a contactless switch device for selectively coupling at least one electrical input signal of predetermined phase to an output sensing circuit, the combination comprising, at least one fixed insulating member, at least one insulating member movable in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of the first element, first electrical conductive surface means supported on one of said fixed or movable insulating members for direct connection to an AC excitation signal, electrical conductive sensor means supported on said one of said fixed or movable insulating members spaced from said first conductive surface means thereon and electrically insulated from said first electrical conductive surface means, electrostatic shield means supported on said one of said fixed or movable insulating members intermediate said first conductive surface means and said sensor means to minimize direct capacitive coupling therebetween, second conductive surface means supported on the other of said fixed or movable insulating members in opposed spaced relation to said first conductive surface means for capacitive coupling therewith when said movable member is disposed in a first position, said second conductive surface means being adapted to effect capacitive coupling of the AC excitation signal between said first electrical conductive surface means and said sensor means over said second conductive surface means when said movable insulating member is moved to a second switching position, and means for moving said movable insulating member between said first and second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a contactless switch device for selectively coupling at least one electrical input signal of predetermined phase to an output sensing circuit, the combination comprising, at least one fixed insulating member, at least one insulating member movable in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of the first element, first electrical conductive surface means supported on one of said fixed or movable insulating members for direct connection to an AC excitation signal, electrical conductive sensor means supported on said one of said fixed or movable insulating members spaced from said first conductive surface means thereon and electrically insulated from said first electrical conductive surface means, electrostatic shield means supported on said one of said fixed or movable insulating members intermediate said first conductive surface means and said sensor means to minimize direct capacitive coupling therebetween, second conductive surface means supported on the other of said fixed or movable insulating members in opposed spaced relation to said first conductive surface means for capacitive coupling therewith when said movable member is disposed in a first position, said second conductive surface means being adapted to effect capacitive coupling of the AC excitation signal between said first electrical conductive surface means and said sensor means over said second conductive surface means when said movable insulating member is moved to a second switching position, and means for moving said movable insulating member between said first and second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said fixed and movable insulating members are generally planar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said first conductive surface means is supported on said fixed insulating member adjacent one end thereof, said sensor means being supported on said fixed insulating member spaced from said first conductive surface means, and said electrostatic shield means being supported on said fixed insulating member intermediate said first conductive surface means and said sensor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said second conductive surface means is supported on said movable insulating member and has a conductive surface area sufficient to establish capacitive coupling with said first conductive surface means when said movable insulating member is in its said first position, said second conductive surface means further being sufficient to effect capacitive coupling with said sensor means when said movable insulating member is moved to its said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a contactless switch device for selectively coupling electrical input signals of predetermined phase to an output sensing circuit, the combination comprising, a plurality of insulating members supported in parallel spaced relation, alternate ones of said insulating members being fixed and the remaining insulating members being movable in a direction parallel to the planes of the fixed elements, means interconnecting said movable insulating members for movement thereof between first and second positions relative to said fixed insulating members, first electrical conductive surface means supported on selected ones of the said fixed or movable insulating members and adapted for direct conductive connection to at least one AC excitation signal of predetermined phase, electrical conductive sensor means supported on said selected ones of said insulating members in spaced relation from said first conductive surface means thereon, and second conductive surface means supported on the remaining insulating members for capacitive coupling with said first conductive surface means when said movable insulating members are in their said first positions, said second conductive surface means being sufficient in area to effect capacitive coupling of signals from said first conductive surface means into said sensor means when said movable insulating members are disposed in their second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a contactless switch device for selectively coupling electrical input signals of predetermined phase to an output sensing circuit, the combination comprising, a plurality of insulating members supported in parallel spaced relation, alternate ones of said insulating members being fixed and the remaining insulating members being movable in a direction parallel to the planes of the fixed elements, means interconnecting said movable insulating members for movement thereof between first and second positions relative to said fixed insulating members, first electrical conductive surface means supported on selected ones of the said fixed or movable insulating members and adapted for direct conductive connection to at least one AC excitation signal of predetermined phase, electrical conductive sensor means supported on said selected ones of said insulating members in spaced relation from said first conductive surface means thereon, and second conductive surface means supported on the remaining insulating members for capacitive coupling with said first conductive surface means when said movable insulating members are in their said first positions, said second conductive surface means being sufficient in area to effect capacitive coupling of signals from said first conductive surface means into said sensor means when said movable insulating members are disposed in their second positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said insulating members comprise thin generally planar members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said means interconnecting said movable insulating members includes a control plate fixedly secured to end surfaces of said movable insulating members for effecting simultaneous movement thereof upon movement of said control plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said selected ones of said fixed or movable insulating members and their associated first electrical conductive surface means are grouped for connection of each group to an AC excitation signal of a predetermined phase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said first electrical conductive surface means are supported on each of said fixed insulating members generally adjacent end portions thereof, said conductive sensor means being supported on each of said fixed insulating members spaced from said first conductive surface means thereon, and including electrostatic shield means supported on each of said fixed insulating members intermediate the sensor means and first conductive surface means thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said second conductive surface means are supported on each of said movable insulating members and include conductive surface areas disposed in opposed relation to the first conductive surface means disposed on the next adjacent fixed insulating members, said second conductive surface means being adapted to effect capacitive coupling of an AC excitation signal of like phase as received from said first conductive surface means into said sensor means upon movement of said movable insulating members to their said second positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a contactless switch device for providing coded output signals which identify said switch device, input means including a first and a second input member, means for extending signals of a first phase to said first input member and signals of a second phase to said second input member, sensor means including a first sensor element associated with said first input member and a second sensor element associated with said second input member, signal coupling means including first and second signal coupling members, and key means for moving said first and second signal coupling members from a first position to a second position to bring said first signal coupling member to a juxtapositioned, spaced relationship with said first input member and said first sensor element and said second signal coupling member to a juxtapositioned, spaced relationship with said second input member and said second sensor element to provide a first electrostatic path for the signals of said first phase between said first signal coupling member and said first sensor element and a second electrostatic path for the signals Of said second phase between said second input member and said second sensor element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a contactless switch device for providing coded output signals which identify said switch device, input means including a first and a second input member, means for extending signals of a first phase to said first input member and signals of a second phase to said second input member, sensor means including a first sensor element associated with said first input member and a second sensor element associated with said second input member, signal coupling means including first and second signal coupling members, and key means for moving said first and second signal coupling members from a first position to a second position to bring said first signal coupling member to a juxtapositioned, spaced relationship with said first input member and said first sensor element and said second signal coupling member to a juxtapositioned, spaced relationship with said second input member and said second sensor element to provide a first electrostatic path for the signals of said first phase between said first signal coupling member and said first sensor element and a second electrostatic path for the signals Of said second phase between said second input member and said second sensor element.
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) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |