US4403122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane switch assembly with modular switch and spacer portions
Assignee: BROCKSON INVESTMENT Co
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Filing: 1981-10-26
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2001-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Custom membrane switch assemblies comprising switch modules and spacer modules.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiram J. Wise, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A membrane switch assembly comprising at least two modular switch portions, each said modular switch portion comprising upper and lower plastic layers, paired, opposing electrical contacts adhered to said layers at switching zones, and a spacer element between said layers, each said modular switch portion having at least one column of switching zones, the center-to-center distance between said switching zones being X, each said modular switch portion having an edge at a distance of X/2 from said column of switching zones in a direction transverse to an axis passing through said one column of zones, and a modular spacer portion between said two modular switch portions, said modular spacer portion having a dimension that is an integer multiplied by X in said direction, whereby said modular switch portions can be remote from each other in said assembly while spacing is maintained between switching zones in different switch portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A membrane switch assembly comprising at least two modular switch portions, each said modular switch portion comprising upper and lower plastic layers, paired, opposing electrical contacts adhered to said layers at switching zones, and a spacer element between said layers, each said modular switch portion having at least one column of switching zones, the center-to-center distance between said switching zones being X, each said modular switch portion having an edge at a distance of X/2 from said column of switching zones in a direction transverse to an axis passing through said one column of zones, and a modular spacer portion between said two modular switch portions, said modular spacer portion having a dimension that is an integer multiplied by X in said direction, whereby said modular switch portions can be remote from each other in said assembly while spacing is maintained between switching zones in different switch portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said switch portion and said spacer portion are of the same thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said modular switch portions and said modular spacer portion include alignment indicia along their edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein one said modular switch portion has at least two columns of switching zones in rows and columns, the center-to-center distance between said switching zones being X.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3900712A
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US4115839A
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US4127740A
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US4303811A
Cited
US4267417A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |