US4627736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin card-type electronic apparatus
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1984-11-26
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Granted: 1986-12-09
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Expires: 2004-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A thin electronic apparatus comprises as its primary structural components a substrate carrying key counter contacts and a first wiring pattern thereon, and an elastic sheet carrying key symbols on one surface thereof and a second wiring pattern on the other surface thereof. The thin electronic apparatus consists primarily of the substrate bonded to the elastic sheet and electronic components housed in cavities in the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeki Komaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:09
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C3/00; G04C3/001; G04G; G04G17/00; G04G17/02; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/0216; H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/18; H05K1/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An electronic apparatus consisting essentially of: a substrate having a first wiring pattern on a first surface thereof, said first wiring pattern including first key contacts and first electrically conductive paths connected to said first key contacts; at least one recess in said first surface of said substrate for receiving an electronic component; at least one electronic component positioned within said at least one recess, said electronic component having electrical conductor leads; a flexible layer having a second wiring pattern on a first surface thereof, said second wiring pattern comprising second key contacts and second electrically conductive paths connected to said second key contacts; said flexible layer being positioned on said substrate such that said first surface of said flexible layer faces said first surface of said substrate and said first key contacts are aligned with said second key contacts and said flexible layer covers said at least one recess; spacer means interposed between said substrate and said flexible layer at least adjacent said first and second key contacts to space said key contacts from each other; and power supply means; wherein said electrical conductor leads of said electronic component and said power supply means are each electrically engaged with at least one of said first and second electrically conductive paths of said first and second wiring patterns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An electronic apparatus consisting essentially of: a substrate having a first wiring pattern on a first surface thereof, said first wiring pattern including first key contacts and first electrically conductive paths connected to said first key contacts; at least one recess in said first surface of said substrate for receiving an electronic component; at least one electronic component positioned within said at least one recess, said electronic component having electrical conductor leads; a flexible layer having a second wiring pattern on a first surface thereof, said second wiring pattern comprising second key contacts and second electrically conductive paths connected to said second key contacts; said flexible layer being positioned on said substrate such that said first surface of said flexible layer faces said first surface of said substrate and said first key contacts are aligned with said second key contacts and said flexible layer covers said at least one recess; spacer means interposed between said substrate and said flexible layer at least adjacent said first and second key contacts to space said key contacts from each other; and power supply means; wherein said electrical conductor leads of said electronic component and said power supply means are each electrically engaged with at least one of said first and second electrically conductive paths of said first and second wiring patterns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said substrate is rigid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising an electrically insulating layer interposed between said substrate and said first wiring pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, comprising filler material within said at least one recess and surrounding said electronic component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said spacer means comprises a bonding layer for securing said flexible layer to said substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, comprising indicia on a second surface of said flexible layer in alignment with said second key contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said flexible layer comprises plastic sheet such as vinyl chroride film or polyester film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of recesses in said substrate, at least a first said recess having a solar cell, which comprises said power supply means, therewithin and at least a second said recess having a visual display therewithin, wherein said flexible layer is transparent at least at the portions thereof aligned with said first and second recesses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said apparatus is an electronic calculator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of recesses in said substrate, at least a first said recess having said power supply means therewithin and at least a second said recess having a visual display therewithin, wherein said flexible layer is transparent at least at the portion thereof aligned with said first recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said apparatus is a timepiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, wherein a second surface of said substrate is substantially flat for stably supporting said apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises stainless sheet and insulative film such as polyimide film.
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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) | 1989-12-08 | 1990-06-09 | 1990-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-06-09 | 1994-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-08 | 1998-06-09 | 1998-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |