US4895771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical contact surface coating
Assignee: AB Electronic Components Ltd
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Filing: 1988-06-14
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Granted: 1990-01-23
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Expires: 2008-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A surface for providing an electrically conductive surface coating on an electrical contact body. The process resulting in such a coating comprises the steps of depositing upon the body surface in sequence, (a) a nickel layer, (b) a first gold layer, (c) a palladium/nickel alloy layer which may be an alloy containing nickel up to a proportion of 50% by weight, and (d) a second gold layer. All the layers may be deposited by an electrodeposition process. The resulting surface coating has excellent corrosion and wear resistance properties.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Souter
- 👤 Michael C. Nottingham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:06
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/10; C25D5/12; C25D5/60; C25D5/623; H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/922; Y10S428/9265; Y10S428/929; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12875; Y10T428/12889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A process for providing an electrically conductive surface coating on an electrical contact body comprising the steps of depositing upon the surface of said body in sequence, (a) a nickel layer, (b) a first soft, pure gold layer, (c) a palladium/nickel alloy layer containing nickel up to a proportion of 50% by weight, and (d) a second gold layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for providing an electrically conductive surface coating on an electrical contact body comprising the steps of depositing upon the surface of said body in sequence, (a) a nickel layer, (b) a first soft, pure gold layer, (c) a palladium/nickel alloy layer containing nickel up to a proportion of 50% by weight, and (d) a second gold layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of said layers is deposited by an electrodeposition process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said nickel layer is a deposit of a pure, soft, low stress nickel coating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said first gold layer has a thickness of between 0.05 to 0.1 micrometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said second gold layer is of a pure gold metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which said second gold layer is a gold alloy containing metal hardening additives selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel and iron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical contact body comprising a surface coating deposited upon said body by a first deposition of a nickel layer, a second deposition of a first soft, pure gold layer, a third deposition of a palladium/nickel alloy layer, said alloy layer further comprising nickel up to a proportion of 50% by weight, and a fourth deposition of a second gold layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
An electrical contact body comprising a surface coating deposited upon said body by a first deposition of a nickel layer, a second deposition of a first soft, pure gold layer, a third deposition of a palladium/nickel alloy layer, said alloy layer further comprising nickel up to a proportion of 50% by weight, and a fourth deposition of a second gold layer.
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) | 1993-01-22 | 1993-07-24 | 1994-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-22 | 1997-07-24 | 1998-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-07-24 | 2002-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |