§
Luxuse
Patent Intelligence
Sign In
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4414452A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Means for attaching auxiliary devices to a membrane switch

Assignee: Oak Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1982-12-13
•
Granted: 1983-11-08
•
Expires: 2002-12-13
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A membrane switch has a substrate, a flexible membrane and an intervening spacer. Switch contacts are formed on the top surface of the substrate and the underside of the membrane in spaced, facing relation. A hole in the spacer in register with the switch contacts allows the contacts to move together in response to pressure exerted on the membrane. An auxiliary electrical device can be incorporated into the membrane switch through an opening in the membrane which provides access to a current supply circuit which is formed on the top surface of the spacer. The auxiliary device is held in place in electrical contact with the current supply circuit on the spacer. A pair of current supply leads provide electrical power to the current supply circuit. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the current supply leads is formed on the underside of the membrane, in contact with the current supply circuit and also connected to the switch contact on the membrane.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ronald S. Denley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 22:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/028; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/014; H01H2219/036; H01H2219/04; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/022

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 151 words
In a membrane switch of the type having a substrate, a first switch contact on the top surface of the substrate, a flexible membrane, a second switch contact on the bottom surface of the membrane and aligned with the first switch contact, a spacer between the substrate and membrane having an aperture in register with the switch contacts such that the contacts are normally in spaced, facing relation while pressure on the membrane top surface moves the second contact through the aperture and into engagement with the first contact thereby closing the switch, the improvement comprising means for incorporating a discrete electrical component into the membrane switch including a current supply circuit formed on the top surface of the spacer, an opening in the membrane providing access to the current supply circuit, and means for retaining the discrete component in the opening and in electrical contact with the current supply circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 151 words
In a membrane switch of the type having a substrate, a first switch contact on the top surface of the substrate, a flexible membrane, a second switch contact on the bottom surface of the membrane and aligned with the first switch contact, a spacer between the substrate and membrane having an aperture in register with the switch contacts such that the contacts are normally in spaced, facing relation while pressure on the membrane top surface moves the second contact through the aperture and into engagement with the first contact thereby closing the switch, the improvement comprising means for incorporating a discrete electrical component into the membrane switch including a current supply circuit formed on the top surface of the spacer, an opening in the membrane providing access to the current supply circuit, and means for retaining the discrete component in the opening and in electrical contact with the current supply circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 37 words
The structure of claim 1 further comprising at least one current supply lead formed on the underside of the membrane and in contact with the current supply circuit to provide electrical power to said current supply circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein the current supply lead is also connected to the second switch contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The structure of claim 2 further comprising a second current supply lead formed on the top surface of the spacer and in contact with the current supply circuit to provide electrical power to said current supply circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein the current supply circuit comprises a pair of spaced electrodes, generally surrounding the spacer aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the current supply circuit includes a pair of spaced electrodes, generally surrounding the spacer aperture.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3681723A Cited
US4056701A Cited
US4352963A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-11-07 1987-05-09 1987-11-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-11-07 1991-05-09 1991-11-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-11-07 1995-05-09 1995-11-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag