Patent US4405849A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4405849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Switching contact
Assignee: Brady Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-08
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Granted: 1983-09-20
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Expires: 2002-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A flexible multilayered membrane switch having electrically conducting contacts comprising Ti 2-x N or Ta 2-x N, to reduce oxidation of the surfaces of the contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman J. Frame
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H13/702; H01H13/703; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/026; H01H2201/03; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/006; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/018; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/012; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/028; H01H2229/058; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/922; Y10S428/9265; Y10S428/929; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A multilayered membrane switch comprising a pair of plastic layers carrying pairs of opposing electrically conducting contacts connected to external circuitry by conducting portions on the surfaces of said plastic layers, a spacer layer between said pair of plastic layers and having openings aligned with said pairs of opposing contacts to normally space said contacts from each other and to permit them to be brought together upon the application of an external force, and coatings on and extending over said contacts onto adjacent portions of said plastic layers and onto portions of said conducting portions within said openings, said coatings being made of one of Ti 2-x N or Ta 2-x N material to reduce oxidation of the surfaces of said contacts and conducting portions, where x is less than or equal to 1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A multilayered membrane switch comprising a pair of plastic layers carrying pairs of opposing electrically conducting contacts connected to external circuitry by conducting portions on the surfaces of said plastic layers, a spacer layer between said pair of plastic layers and having openings aligned with said pairs of opposing contacts to normally space said contacts from each other and to permit them to be brought together upon the application of an external force, and coatings on and extending over said contacts onto adjacent portions of said plastic layers and onto portions of said conducting portions within said openings, said coatings being made of one of Ti 2-x N or Ta 2-x N material to reduce oxidation of the surfaces of said contacts and conducting portions, where x is less than or equal to 1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The switch of claim 1 in which said material is sputtered in the presence of nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch of claim 2 in which said material is Ti 2-x N radio frequency sputtered in the presence of nitrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch of claim 1 in which said contacts and conducting portions are vacuum deposited thin films.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The switch of claim 4 in which said material is coated on copper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 3 comprising a thin layer of titanium beneath said material.
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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) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-03-21 | 1987-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-19 | 1991-03-21 | 1991-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-19 | 1995-03-21 | 1995-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |