US5438175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric outlet element having double flash
Assignee: WC Heraus GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1993-12-02
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Granted: 1995-08-01
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Expires: 2013-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A thin galvanically deposited gold-containing surface layer is backed by a support layer containing a palladium alloy and having a thickness between 0.05 μm and 0.5 μm. In a preferred embodiment the surface layer and the support layer have a combined thickness of less than 0.5 μm.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Herklotz
- 👤 Bernd Gehlert
- 👤 Thomas Frey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/023; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/03; H01H11/00; H01H11/04; H01H11/041; H01H2011/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
Electric contact element comprising a base, a contact layer over said base, said contact layer consisting of one material selected from the group consisting of palladium, a palladium-nickel alloy, and a silver-tin alloy, a support layer over said contact layer, said support layer consisting of a palladium alloy which is different from said material of said contact layer, said support layer having a thickness between 0.05 μm and 0.5 μm, and a gold containing surface layer directly over said support layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
Electric contact element comprising a base, a contact layer over said base, said contact layer consisting of one material selected from the group consisting of palladium, a palladium-nickel alloy, and a silver-tin alloy, a support layer over said contact layer, said support layer consisting of a palladium alloy which is different from said material of said contact layer, said support layer having a thickness between 0.05 μm and 0.5 μm, and a gold containing surface layer directly over said support layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Contact element according to claim 1 wherein the support layer is galvanically deposited.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Contact element according to claim 1 wherein the support layer has a thickness of less than 0.2 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Contact element as in claim 3 wherein said support layer has a thickness of 0.1 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Contact element according to claim 1 wherein the surface layer and the support layer have a combined thickness of between 0.1 μm and 1 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Contact element as in claim 5 wherein the surface layer and the support layer have a combined thickness of less than 0.5 μm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Contact element according to claim 1 wherein the support layer consists of a palladium-silver alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Contact element according to claim 7 wherein the support layer has a silver content in the range of between 20 and 70% by weight and a palladium content in the range of between 30 and 80 by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Contact element according to claim 1 wherein the support layer consists of a palladium-nickel alloy, with a nickel content in the range of between 5 and 60% by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Contact element according to claim 1 wherein the support layer consists of a palladium-tin alloy with a tin content in the range of between 5 and 60% by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Contact element as in claim 1 further comprising an intermediate layer between said base and said contact layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
Contact element as in claim 11 wherein said intermediate layer consists of nickel.
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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) | 1998-07-31 | 1999-01-30 | 1999-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-31 | 2003-01-30 | 2003-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-31 | 2007-01-30 | 2007-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |