US4006364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch pad arrangement for signalling arrivals in swimming competitions
Assignee: SSIH Management Services SA
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Filing: 1975-09-30
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Granted: 1977-02-01
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Expires: 1995-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of contacts, each comprising two electrodes, are arranged beh a plate to be used as a touch pad in a swimming competition timing device. Closing of a contact results in a signal being transmitted from a transistor to control electronic chronometric equipment. The contacts are connected in parallel and are coupled between the emitter and base of the transistor. The voltage across the contact is thereby held to the base-emitter voltage of the transistor, which is below the decomposition voltage of the electrodes. In a second embodiment, contacts are connected to either of two transistors which are in series to act as an "OR" circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Suter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:42
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F8/00; G04F8/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A touch pad arrangement for signalling arrivals in swimming competitions by means of electrical contacts, each comprising two electrodes, wherein such contacts are arranged in parallel and coupled between the emitter and base of at least one associated transistor to thereby clamp a voltage across the contacts to a voltage below the decomposition voltage of the electrodes forming the contacts, said transistor being further connected in circuitry including an electric supply to amplify the voltage variation across the contact arising from the closing of a contact and at the same time to modulate the electric supply current in response to that voltage variation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A touch pad arrangement for signalling arrivals in swimming competitions by means of electrical contacts, each comprising two electrodes, wherein such contacts are arranged in parallel and coupled between the emitter and base of at least one associated transistor to thereby clamp a voltage across the contacts to a voltage below the decomposition voltage of the electrodes forming the contacts, said transistor being further connected in circuitry including an electric supply to amplify the voltage variation across the contact arising from the closing of a contact and at the same time to modulate the electric supply current in response to that voltage variation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a low-pass filter is interposed between the contacts and the associated transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a source of constant current is placed between the base and the collector supply of each transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of transistors of the same type are connected in series, each transistor being associated with a predetermined number of contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 4, wherein a low pass filter is interposed between the contacts and each associated transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The arrangement of claim 4 wherein a source of constant current is placed between the base and the collector supply of each transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes forming the contacts are fashioned from stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said stainless steel electrodes have a composition low in carbon and rich in chromium and nickel.
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) | 1980-02-01 | 1980-08-02 | 1981-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-01 | 1984-08-02 | 1985-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-01 | 1988-08-02 | 1989-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |