US4504700A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Input device
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-07-01
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Granted: 1985-03-12
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Expires: 2003-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A new and efficient input device of an electrode contact type which has a high mechanical strength and durability and can assure accurate detection of coordinates. The input device comprises an elastic flexible insulator spacer having a conductive element embedded therein which may be a gauze of thin wires of a good conductive material knit into the form of a grid. Upon depression of an insulator protective sheet, a portion of the spacer under the sheet is deformed to expose the conductive element downwardly therefrom thereby to short-circuit the element to a resistor layer under the spacer.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshizo Kubo
- 👤 Ikuo Utagawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An input device, comprising: an insulator sheet (1); a resistor layer (2) formed uniformly on said insulator sheet; a plurality of terminal leads (4) connected to opposite ends of said resistor layer; an elastic, flexible insulator spacer (8) on said resistor layer having a conductive element (7) embedded therein; and an insulator protective sheet (9) mounted in overlapping relationship to cover said insulator spacer; a position in coordinates being detected from a potential associated with a position of contact between said conductive element and said resistor layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An input device, comprising: an insulator sheet (1); a resistor layer (2) formed uniformly on said insulator sheet; a plurality of terminal leads (4) connected to opposite ends of said resistor layer; an elastic, flexible insulator spacer (8) on said resistor layer having a conductive element (7) embedded therein; and an insulator protective sheet (9) mounted in overlapping relationship to cover said insulator spacer; a position in coordinates being detected from a potential associated with a position of contact between said conductive element and said resistor layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An input device according to claim 1, wherein said conductive element embedded in said insulator spacer is a gauze of thin wires of a good conductive metal material which are knit into the form of a grid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An input device according to claim 1, wherein said insulator spacer is made of a foamed silicon material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An input device according to claim 1, further comprising a diode connected to each of said terminal leads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-11 | 1988-09-10 | 1989-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-11 | 1992-09-10 | 1993-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-11 | 1996-09-10 | 1997-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |