Patent US4251683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4251683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interconnect tail for a membrane switch
Assignee: Oak Industries Inc
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Filing: 1979-04-23
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Granted: 1981-02-17
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Expires: 1999-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A connecting tail for a switching device, for example a membrane switch, includes a substrate having a plurality of spaced parallel silver conductors formed thereon. To prevent migration of silver between the spaced conductors there are a plurality of parallel notches, one between adjacent silver conductors. At least a portion of the conductors are covered by an adhesive, with the notches extending into the adhesive.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray L. Oughton, Jr.
- 👤 Willis A. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H13/702; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/118; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/024; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/056; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/004; H05K1/09; H05K1/092; H05K1/095; H05K1/14; H05K1/142; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/05; H05K2201/053; H05K2201/07; H05K2201/0753; H05K2201/0769; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09063; H05K2201/09145; H05K2201/09172; H05K2201/20; H05K2201/2009; H05K3/00; H05K3/0058; H05K3/22; H05K3/28; H05K3/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A connecting tail for a switching device, said tail including a substrate having a plurality of spaced parallel silver conductors formed thereon, a portion of each silver conductor being covered by an insulating resin while another portion of each silver conductor is exposed, and means for preventing silver migration between adjacent conductors including a plurality of parallel notches, one between adjacent silver conductors, said notches extending throughout the extent of the exposed portion of the conductors and into the area of said insulating resin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A connecting tail for a switching device, said tail including a substrate having a plurality of spaced parallel silver conductors formed thereon, a portion of each silver conductor being covered by an insulating resin while another portion of each silver conductor is exposed, and means for preventing silver migration between adjacent conductors including a plurality of parallel notches, one between adjacent silver conductors, said notches extending throughout the extent of the exposed portion of the conductors and into the area of said insulating resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connecting tail of claim 1 further characterized by and including a backing strip attached to said substrate on the opposite side from said silver conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A membrane switch having a substrate with a plurality of conductive elements formed thereon, a connecting tail extending outwardly from said substrate and having formed thereon a plurality of spaced silver conductors, in circuit with said conductive elements, a portion of said conductors being exposed, and a plurality of notches, one between adjacent silver conductors, said notches extending throughout the extent of the exposed portion of the conductors to prevent migration of silver therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A membrane switch having a substrate with a plurality of conductive elements formed thereon, a connecting tail extending outwardly from said substrate and having formed thereon a plurality of spaced silver conductors, in circuit with said conductive elements, a portion of said conductors being exposed, and a plurality of notches, one between adjacent silver conductors, said notches extending throughout the extent of the exposed portion of the conductors to prevent migration of silver therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The membrane switch of claim 3 further characterized in that a portion of said silver conductors, adjacent said substrate, is covered by insulating resin, said notches extending into said insulating resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The membrane switch of claim 3 further characterized by and including a backing strip attached to said connecting tail on the side opposite said silver conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The membrane switch of claim 5 further characterized in that said backing strip is formed of a polyester material adhesively attached to said tail, with said notches extending through said backing strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connecting tail for a switch device including substrate means having a plurality of silver conductors formed thereon, a portion of said conductors being exposed, and means for preventing migration of silver between conductors including means for separating said conductors at the exposed portion thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connecting tail for a switch device including substrate means having a plurality of silver conductors formed thereon, a portion of said conductors being exposed, and means for preventing migration of silver between conductors including means for separating said conductors at the exposed portion thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The connecting tail of claim 7 further characterized in that said silver conductors are arranged side by side on said substrate means, with said separating means including a plurality of notches, there being a notch between adjacent silver conductors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connecting tail of claim 7 further characterized in that said substrate means includes spaced and parallel substrates, each having spaced silver conductors formed thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connecting tail of claim 9 further characterized in that said spacer is adhesively secured to said substrates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connecting tail of claim 10 further characterized in that said silver conductors are in facing relationship with each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3239916A
Cited
US3391246A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-17 | 1984-08-18 | 1985-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-17 | 1988-08-18 | 1989-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-17 | 1992-08-18 | 1993-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |