Patent US1788905A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4317013A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4317013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane switch with universal spacer means
Assignee: Oak Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1980-04-09
•
Granted: 1982-02-23
•
Expires: 2000-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for forming a membrane switch of the type having a flexible membrane, a substrate, first and second conductors formed on the membrane and substrate and spacing means disposed between the first and second conductors. The spacing means is applied to either the membrane or substrate in a uniform pattern of individual spacer areas. The spacer areas are applied in liquid form which is cured or allowed to dry. The pattern of spacer areas can be applied without regard to the location of the conductors. The size, spacing and thickness of the spacer areas allow contact between aligned first and second conductors when the exterior of the membrane is subjected to pressure. Thus the same pattern of spacer areas can be used with any arrangement of conductors.
Inventors
- 👤 Willis A. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/703; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/006; H01H2211/01; H01H2211/014; H01H2213/00; H01H2213/01; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/024; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/028; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a plurality of first conductors formed on the membrane, a plurality of second conductors formed on the substrate and spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors, the improvement characterized in that said spacer means is a universal spacer means which can be used with any arrangement of first and second conductors, said universal spacer means comprising a pattern of individual, non-conductive spacer areas on either the membrane or substrate, said spacer areas having a size, spacing and thickness that allows contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane while otherwise maintaining said conductors in non-contacting spaced relation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a plurality of first conductors formed on the membrane, a plurality of second conductors formed on the substrate and spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors, the improvement characterized in that said spacer means is a universal spacer means which can be used with any arrangement of first and second conductors, said universal spacer means comprising a pattern of individual, non-conductive spacer areas on either the membrane or substrate, said spacer areas having a size, spacing and thickness that allows contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane while otherwise maintaining said conductors in non-contacting spaced relation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the spacer areas are further on both the membrane and substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the first conductor is a shorting bar and the second conductor includes a pair of spaced electrodes having interdigitated fingers connected to separate lead lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a membrane switch of the type having a flexible membrane with a plurality of first conductors formed thereon, a substrate with a plurality of second conductors formed thereon, and non-conductive spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors, a method of forming said non-conductive spacer means so as to form a universal spacer means which can be used with any arrangement of first and second conductors, said method including the step of applying to either the membrane or substrate without regard to where the conductors lie, a pattern of individual spacer areas applied in liquid form which is then dried, said spacer areas having a size, spacing and thickness that allows contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane while otherwise maintaining said conductors in non-contacting spaced relation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a membrane switch of the type having a flexible membrane with a plurality of first conductors formed thereon, a substrate with a plurality of second conductors formed thereon, and non-conductive spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors, a method of forming said non-conductive spacer means so as to form a universal spacer means which can be used with any arrangement of first and second conductors, said method including the step of applying to either the membrane or substrate without regard to where the conductors lie, a pattern of individual spacer areas applied in liquid form which is then dried, said spacer areas having a size, spacing and thickness that allows contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane while otherwise maintaining said conductors in non-contacting spaced relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 further including the step of further applying spacer areas to both the substrate and membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 further characterized in that the first conductor is a shorting bar and the second conductor includes a pair of spaced electrodes having interdigitated fingers and individual lead lines.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of preparing a membrane switch keyboard of the type having a flexible membrane with a plurality of first conductors formed thereon, a substrate with a plurality of second conductors formed thereon and non-conductive spacing means disposed between the first and second conductors, the method comprising the steps of: (1) applying the first and second conductors to the membrane and substrate; (2) applying to either the membrane or substrate, a pattern of individual spacer areas without regard to where the conductors lie, said areas being applied in liquid form which is then dried; (3) applying adhesive material to the spacer areas; and (4) placing the membrane on the substrate to complete the keyboard, said spacer areas having a size, spacing and thickness that allows contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane while otherwise maintaining said conductors in non-contacting spaced relation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of preparing a membrane switch keyboard of the type having a flexible membrane with a plurality of first conductors formed thereon, a substrate with a plurality of second conductors formed thereon and non-conductive spacing means disposed between the first and second conductors, the method comprising the steps of: (1) applying the first and second conductors to the membrane and substrate; (2) applying to either the membrane or substrate, a pattern of individual spacer areas without regard to where the conductors lie, said areas being applied in liquid form which is then dried; (3) applying adhesive material to the spacer areas; and (4) placing the membrane on the substrate to complete the keyboard, said spacer areas having a size, spacing and thickness that allows contact between aligned first and second conductors in response to pressure upon the exterior of said membrane while otherwise maintaining said conductors in non-contacting spaced relation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of applying the spacer areas to both the substrate and membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of applying adhesive to all the spacer areas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 further characterized in that the first conductor is a shorting bar and the second conductor includes a pair of spaced electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 further characterized in that the first and second conductors are applied in liquid form.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 further characterized in that spacer areas are silk-screened onto the membrane or substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a set of first conductors on the membrane including a plurality of switch sites, a set of second conductors on the substrate including a plurality of switch sites in facing relation with the switch sites of the first conductors, and a universal spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors and normally holding said conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation, the spacer means having a plurality of openings through which the first conductors may move into contact with the second conductors in response to pressure on the exterior of the membrane, none of the openings being necessarily associated with any particular switch site or conductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a set of first conductors on the membrane including a plurality of switch sites, a set of second conductors on the substrate including a plurality of switch sites in facing relation with the switch sites of the first conductors, and a universal spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors and normally holding said conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation, the spacer means having a plurality of openings through which the first conductors may move into contact with the second conductors in response to pressure on the exterior of the membrane, none of the openings being necessarily associated with any particular switch site or conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a set of first conductors on the membrane including a plurality of switch sites, a set of second conductors on the substrate including a plurality of switch sites in facing relation with the switch sites of the first conductors, and a universal spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors and normally holding said conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation, said spacer means comprising a pattern of non-conductive spacer areas, none of which is necessarily associated with any particular switch site or conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a set of first conductors on the membrane including a plurality of switch sites, a set of second conductors on the substrate including a plurality of switch sites in facing relation with the switch sites of the first conductors, and a universal spacer means disposed between the first and second conductors and normally holding said conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation, said spacer means comprising a pattern of non-conductive spacer areas, none of which is necessarily associated with any particular switch site or conductor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a set of first conductors on the membrane including a plurality of switch sites, a set of second conductors on the substrate including a plurality of switch sites in facing relation with the switch sites of the first conductors, and a universal spacer means which normally maintains the first and second conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation while permitting pressure-responsive contact between aligned switch sites which can be anywhere on the membrane and substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a membrane switch, a flexible membrane, a substrate, a set of first conductors on the membrane including a plurality of switch sites, a set of second conductors on the substrate including a plurality of switch sites in facing relation with the switch sites of the first conductors, and a universal spacer means which normally maintains the first and second conductors in spaced, non-contacting relation while permitting pressure-responsive contact between aligned switch sites which can be anywhere on the membrane and substrate.
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) | 1985-02-22 | 1985-08-24 | 1986-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-22 | 1989-08-24 | 1990-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-08-24 | 1994-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |