US4111690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical contacts with gold alloy
Assignee: WC Heraus GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1977-07-26
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Granted: 1978-09-05
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Expires: 1997-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a gold, silver and nickel alloy particularly useful for electrical contacts. The alloy consists essentially of 10-40% by weight silver, 2-25% palladium, 1-5% nickel, 0.1-10% indium, 0.1-3% tin, and the balance substantially gold. The invention also provides contacts comprising said alloy.
Inventors
- 👤 Nils Harmsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/023; C; C22; C22C; C22C5/00; C22C5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A gold, silver and nickel containing alloy particularly useful for electrical contacts consisting essentially of between 10 and 40% by weight silver, 2 and 25% palladium, 1 and 5% nickel, 0.1 and 10% indium, 0.1 and 3% tin, and the balance substantially gold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
A gold, silver and nickel containing alloy particularly useful for electrical contacts consisting essentially of between 10 and 40% by weight silver, 2 and 25% palladium, 1 and 5% nickel, 0.1 and 10% indium, 0.1 and 3% tin, and the balance substantially gold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The alloy of claim 1 consisting essentially of 64.8% gold, 25% silver, 5% palladium, 3% nickel, 2% indium, and 0.2% tin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The alloy of claim 1 consisting essentially of 54.8% gold, 25% silver, 15% palladium, 3% nickel, 2% indium, and 0.2% tin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The alloy of claim 1 consisting essentially of 64.8% gold, 25% silver, 5% palladium, 3% nickel, 0.2% indium, and 2% tin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The alloy of claim 1 consisting essentially of 54.8% gold, 25% silver, 15% palladium, 3% nickel, 0.2% indium, and 2% tin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical contact particularly useful as a low current contact comprising as the contact material an alloy consisting essentially of between 10 and 40% by weight silver, 2 and 25% palladium, 1 and 5% nickel, 0.1 and 10% indium, 0.1 and 3% tin, and the balance substantially gold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical contact particularly useful as a low current contact comprising as the contact material an alloy consisting essentially of between 10 and 40% by weight silver, 2 and 25% palladium, 1 and 5% nickel, 0.1 and 10% indium, 0.1 and 3% tin, and the balance substantially gold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical contact of claim 6 wherein said alloy consists essentially of 64.8% gold, 25% silver, 5% palladium, 3% nickel, 2% indium, and 0.2% tin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical contact of claim 6 wherein said alloy consists essentially of 54.8% gold, 25% silver, 15% palladium, 3% nickel, 2% indium, and 0.2% tin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical contact of claim 6 wherein said alloy consists essentially of 64.8% gold, 25% silver, 5% palladium, 3% nickel, 0.2% indium, and 2% tin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical contact of claim 6 wherein said alloy consists essentially of 54.8% gold, 25% silver, 15% palladium, 3% nickel, 0.2% indium, and 2% tin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The alloy of claim 1 consisting essentially of between about 20% and 30% silver, 5% and 20% palladium, 2% and 4% nickel, 0.2% and 5% indium, and 0.2% and 2% tin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical contact of claim 6 wherein said alloy consists essentially of between about 20% and 30% silver, 5% and 20% palladium, 2% and 4% nickel, 0.2% and 5% indium, and 0.2% and 2% tin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB683004A
Cited
US3849543A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-04 | 1982-03-06 | 1982-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-04 | 1986-03-06 | 1986-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-04 | 1990-03-06 | 1990-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |