US4339644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low-power electric contact
Assignee: WC Heraus GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1980-10-01
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Granted: 1982-07-13
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Expires: 2000-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A low-power electrical contact particularly suitable for switching and plug-in connections. The contact comprises an outer contact layer and a substrate composed of a copper base alloy. The contact layer consists essentially of an alloy of 35-55% by weight gold, 18-33.5% silver, 30-40% palladium, and (i) 1-6% indium, or (ii) 0.5-2% tin together with 0.5-2% indium. An intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel may be interposed between the contact layer and the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Fritz Aldinger
- 👤 Elke Biberbach
- 👤 Albrecht Bischoff
- 👤 Nils Harmsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/03; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/023; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12583; Y10T428/1259; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12882; Y10T428/12903; Y10T428/1291; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/3188; Y10T428/31884; Y10T428/31895
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 22% silver, 37% palladium, and 2% indium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 22% silver, 37% palladium, and 2% indium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 20% silver, 37% palladium, and 4% indium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 20% silver, 37% palladium, and 4% indium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 22.5% silver, 30% palladium, 1% tin, and 0.5% indium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 22.5% silver, 30% palladium, 1% tin, and 0.5% indium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 29.5% silver, 30% palladium, 1% tin, and 0.5% indium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consists essentially of 39% gold, 29.5% silver, 30% palladium, 1% tin, and 0.5% indium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The contact of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein said substrate comprises between 6% and 8% by weight tin and the balance essentially copper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The contact of claim 5, wherein said substrate consists essentially of 94% copper and 6% tin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The contact of claim 5, wherein said substrate consists essentially of 92% copper and 8% tin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The contact of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein said contact comprises said outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said substrate, forming an integral composite of said three layers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The contact of claim 5, wherein said contact comprises said outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said substrate, forming an integral composite of said three layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The contact of claim 6, wherein said contact comprises said outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said substrate, forming an integral composite of said three layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The contact of claim 7, wherein said contact comprises said outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said substrate, forming an integral composite of said three layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprises between 6% and 8% by weight tin and the balance essentially copper, and said contact layer consisting essentially of 35-55% by weight gold, 18-33.5% silver, 30-40% palladium, and (i) 1-6% indium, or (ii) 0.5-2% tin together with 0.5-2% indium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an outer contact layer integrally bonded to a substrate, said substrate comprises between 6% and 8% by weight tin and the balance essentially copper, and said contact layer consisting essentially of 35-55% by weight gold, 18-33.5% silver, 30-40% palladium, and (i) 1-6% indium, or (ii) 0.5-2% tin together with 0.5-2% indium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The contact of claim 12, wherein said contact comprises said outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said substrate, forming an integral composite of said three layers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an integral composite of three layers bonded together, said composite comprising an outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said intermediate layer integral with said outer contact layer and with a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consisting essentially of 35-55% by weight gold, 18-33.5% silver, 30-40% palladium, and (i) 1-6% indium, or (ii) 0.5-2% tin together with 0.5-2% indium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an integral composite of three layers bonded together, said composite comprising an outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said intermediate layer integral with said outer contact layer and with a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consisting essentially of 35-55% by weight gold, 18-33.5% silver, 30-40% palladium, and (i) 1-6% indium, or (ii) 0.5-2% tin together with 0.5-2% indium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an integral composite of three layers bonded together, said composite comprising an outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said intermediate layer integral with said outer contact layer and with a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consisting essentially of 20-29.5% by weight silver, 30-37% palladium, and (i) 2-4% indium, or (ii) 0.5-1% tin together with 0.5-1% indium, and the balance gold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
78 words
A low-power electrical contact comprising an integral composite of three layers bonded together, said composite comprising an outer contact layer integral with an intermediate layer of nickel or copper-nickel and said intermediate layer integral with said outer contact layer and with a substrate, said substrate comprising a copper-base alloy, and said contact layer consisting essentially of 20-29.5% by weight silver, 30-37% palladium, and (i) 2-4% indium, or (ii) 0.5-1% tin together with 0.5-1% indium, and the balance gold.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-12 | 1986-01-11 | 1986-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-12 | 1990-01-11 | 1990-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-12 | 1994-01-11 | 1994-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |