US4575618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch unit for use with heat-recoverable articles
Assignee: Central Plastics Co
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Filing: 1984-07-25
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Granted: 1986-03-11
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Expires: 2004-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A heat-recoverable article which can be connected to a power supply and a switch unit which comprises a thermally-responsive member which can be thermally coupled to the article. The thermally-responsive member, when so coupled, regulates the passage of current through the article. The article heats and recovers and current through the article is regulated automatically.
Inventors
- 👤 Nachum Rosenzweig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:39
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5221; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0625; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/34; B29C65/3404; B29C65/3408; B29C65/3412; B29C65/66; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/5229; B29C66/90; B29C66/91; B29C66/912; B29C66/9121; B29C66/91221; B29C66/914; B29C66/9141; B29C66/91411; B29C66/9161; B29C66/91651; B29C66/91655; B29C66/919; B29C66/9192; B29C66/91921; B29C66/91931; H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/74; H01H37/76; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/14; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/40; H05B3/54; H05B3/58; B29C65/3472; B29C65/3484; B29C65/3488; B29C66/91211; B29C66/91216; B29C66/92; B29C66/929; B29C66/94; B29C66/949; B29C66/96; B29C66/961
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An assembly comprising (a) a heat-recoverable article which can be connected to a power supply to cause electrical current to pass through the article and to cause the article to heat and recover; and (b) a switch unit which comprises (i) an electrical switch which can be connected into a circuit comprising the recoverable article and a power supply, and which, when so connected, regulates the flow of current through the heat-recoverable article, and (ii) a thermally-responsive member which can be thermally coupled to the heat-recoverable article and which, when so coupled, controls the electrical switch in response to change in the temperature of the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An assembly comprising (a) a heat-recoverable article which can be connected to a power supply to cause electrical current to pass through the article and to cause the article to heat and recover; and (b) a switch unit which comprises (i) an electrical switch which can be connected into a circuit comprising the recoverable article and a power supply, and which, when so connected, regulates the flow of current through the heat-recoverable article, and (ii) a thermally-responsive member which can be thermally coupled to the heat-recoverable article and which, when so coupled, controls the electrical switch in response to change in the temperature of the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the article comprise a heat-recoverable element which is composed of a sintered conductive polymer composition comprising (a) a matrix consisting essentially of organic polymer particles which have been sintered together so that the particles have coalesced without losing their identity, and (b) a particulate conductive filler which is dispensed in said matrix but is present substantially only at or near the boundaries of the coalesced particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thermally responsive member is a plastic fuse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thermally-responsive member comprises a material that contacts the article and holds the electrical switch in a closed position when the article is within a predetermined temperature range and enables the electrical switch to move to an open position when the material is above the predetermined temperature range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the electrical switch moves to an open position when the material melts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the material comprises a polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the polymer comprises nylon filament.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrical switch is a toggle microswitch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the article is adapted to be connected to an AC power supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the article is adapted to be connected to a DC power supply.
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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) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-09-09 | 1990-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-10 | 1993-09-09 | 1994-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-09-09 | 1998-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |