US4423464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable capacitance type push-button switch
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1981-04-13
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Granted: 1983-12-27
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Expires: 2001-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A capacitance type push-button switch which includes a movable member carried by the lower end of a key stem and including a holding member made of an elastic material of high compressibility and having a convex lower surface, a movable electrode made of an electrically conductive and flexible material held to the lower surface of the holding member, a dielectric film carried by the movable electrode and comprised of a synthetic resin of a fluoride type which can be brought into contact with two stationary electrodes to vary the capacitance therebetween, means including a pair of suspending pieces each carrying at their lower end portions a respective pawl adapted to engage the holding member when it is raised to its upper position for holding it in place, and means for releasing the pawls to bring the dielectric film into pressed contact with the stationary electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryutaro Tamura
- 👤 Yasushi Endo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01G; H01G5/00; H01G5/01; H01G5/013; H01G5/0134; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a variable capacitance type push-button switch comprising a case made of an insulating material; an insulating substrate held to said case and carrying stationary electrodes; a key stem movable vertically within said case; and a movable member carried by the lower end of said key stem; the improvement wherein said movable member includes a holding member made of an elastic material of high compressibility and having a lower surface substantially convex in section, a movable electrode made of an electrically conductive and flexible material held to said lower surface of said holding member, and a dielectric film carried by said movable electrode and comprised of a synthetic resin of a fluoride type having a relative premittivity of at least eight; and means for depressing said key stem to bring said movable member into engagement with said substrate to deform said lower surface into a more planar configuration and press said dielectric film into pressed contact with said stationary electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a variable capacitance type push-button switch comprising a case made of an insulating material; an insulating substrate held to said case and carrying stationary electrodes; a key stem movable vertically within said case; and a movable member carried by the lower end of said key stem; the improvement wherein said movable member includes a holding member made of an elastic material of high compressibility and having a lower surface substantially convex in section, a movable electrode made of an electrically conductive and flexible material held to said lower surface of said holding member, and a dielectric film carried by said movable electrode and comprised of a synthetic resin of a fluoride type having a relative premittivity of at least eight; and means for depressing said key stem to bring said movable member into engagement with said substrate to deform said lower surface into a more planar configuration and press said dielectric film into pressed contact with said stationary electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the dielectric film is a homopolymer produced by polymerizing one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, ethylene trifluoride and vinylidene chlorofluoride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the dielectric film is made of polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 3, wherein the dielectric film made of polyvinylidene fluoride is formed by biaxial drawing and has a relative permittivity in the range of 10 to 13 at 1 kHz at normal temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the dielectric film is made of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and another monomer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 5, wherein the dielectric film is made of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and ethylene trifluoride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 1, said case including a pair of suspending pieces extending downwardly from a top surface thereof and each carrying at their lower end portions a respective pawl adapted to engage said holding member when it is raised to its upper position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
186 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch comprising a case made of an insulating material; an insulating substrate held to said case and carrying stationary electrodes; a key stem movable vertically within said case; and a movable member carried by the lower end of said key stem; the improvement wherein said movable member includes a holding member made of an elastic material of high compressibility, a movable electrode made of an electrically conductive and flexible material held to said holding member, and a dielectric film formed on the lower surface of said movable electrode and comprised of a synthetic resin of a fluoride type; means including a pair of suspending pieces extending downwardly from a top surface of said case and each carrying at their lower end portions a respective pawl adapted to engage said holding member when it is raised to its upper position for holding it in place; and means for depressing said key stem to release said holding member from said pawls to bring said movable member into engagement with said substrate to bring said dielectric film into pressed contact with said stationary electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
186 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch comprising a case made of an insulating material; an insulating substrate held to said case and carrying stationary electrodes; a key stem movable vertically within said case; and a movable member carried by the lower end of said key stem; the improvement wherein said movable member includes a holding member made of an elastic material of high compressibility, a movable electrode made of an electrically conductive and flexible material held to said holding member, and a dielectric film formed on the lower surface of said movable electrode and comprised of a synthetic resin of a fluoride type; means including a pair of suspending pieces extending downwardly from a top surface of said case and each carrying at their lower end portions a respective pawl adapted to engage said holding member when it is raised to its upper position for holding it in place; and means for depressing said key stem to release said holding member from said pawls to bring said movable member into engagement with said substrate to bring said dielectric film into pressed contact with said stationary electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 8, wherein the dielectric film is a homopolymer produced by polmerizing one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, etyhlene trifluoride and vinylidene chlorofluoride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 8, wherein the dielectric film is made of polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 10, wherein the dielectric film made of polyvinylidene fluoride is formed by biaxial drawing and has a relative premittivity in the range of 10 to 13 at 1 kHz at normal temperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 8, wherein the dielectric film is made of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and another monomer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A variable capacitance type push-button switch as defined in claim 12, wherein the dielectric film is made of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and ethylene trifluoride.
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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) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |