US3728509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Push-button switch with resilient conductive contact member with downwardly projecting ridges
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-08-18
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A push-button switch comprises a substrate on which two conductive networks are formed, those networks comprising adjacent but separated conductive paths, a push-button member with a contact member thereon being mounted on the substrate with the contact member normally above and in registration with the separated conductive paths. The contract member is formed of elastic and electrically conductive material and is adapted when it is pushed down via the push-button member to engage the substrate, and hence the separated conductive paths, over an appreciable area, thereby ensuring effective switch operation.
Inventors
- 👤 T Shimojo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; H01H1/00; H01H1/02; H01H1/021; H01H1/029; H01H13/702; H01H13/80; H01H13/703; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/002; H01H2201/016; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/032; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/02; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/026; H01H2211/028; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/01; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/002; H01H2221/064; H01H2229/00; H01H2229/024; H01H2229/026; H01H2229/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A push-button switch comprising a substrate having an upper surface, two conductive networks on said surface comprising adjacent but separated conductive paths, a terminal connection to each of said networks, a push-button member operatively connected to said substrate, normally assuming a first position remote from said substrate upper surface and being resiliently movable to a second position closer to said substrate upper surface, and a contact member operatively connected to said push-button member and movable therewith between corresponding first and second positions respectively spaced from and engaging said substrate surface in registration with said networks, said contact member being made of soft pliable elastic and electrically conductive material and being provided with a series of linear downwardly projecting ridges on the surface thereof facing said substrate upper surface, said ridges being oriented substantially at right angles to those portions of said conductive paths with which they are in registration, said ridges thereby engaging said networks at a plurality of points, thereby to complete an electric circuit between said conductive paths when engaged with said networks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A push-button switch comprising a substrate having an upper surface, two conductive networks on said surface comprising adjacent but separated conductive paths, a terminal connection to each of said networks, a push-button member operatively connected to said substrate, normally assuming a first position remote from said substrate upper surface and being resiliently movable to a second position closer to said substrate upper surface, and a contact member operatively connected to said push-button member and movable therewith between corresponding first and second positions respectively spaced from and engaging said substrate surface in registration with said networks, said contact member being made of soft pliable elastic and electrically conductive material and being provided with a series of linear downwardly projecting ridges on the surface thereof facing said substrate upper surface, said ridges being oriented substantially at right angles to those portions of said conductive paths with which they are in registration, said ridges thereby engaging said networks at a plurality of points, thereby to complete an electric circuit between said conductive paths when engaged with said networks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 1, in which said conductive paths have a cross-section which tapers upwardly toward said contact member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch of claim 2, in which said ridges have a cross-section which tapers downwardly toward said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The push-button switch of claim 1, in which said conductive networks each comprise an outside portion defining said terminal and a series of inwardly extending fingers, the fingers of the respective networks alternating with one another over said substrate upper surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The push-button switch of claim 4, in which said terminals comprise substantially concentric arcuate portions, said fingers extending generally radially inwardly and outwardly from their respective terminals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The push-button switch of claim 4, in which said outside terminals comprise portions to one side and the other of said substrate upper surface, said fingers extending generally laterally in opposite directions from their respective terminal portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The push-button switch of claim 1, in which said contact member is made of silicone rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The push-button switch of claim 1, in which said push-button member comprises a main portion to which said contact member is connected, a rim portion secured to said substrate, and an intermediate portion connected between said rim portion and said main portion and effective normally to maintain said contact member in said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The push-button switch of claim 8, in which fastening members are carried by said rim portion and extend therefrom through said substrate and engage said substrate at the lower surface thereof, thereby to secure said rim portion to said substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The push-button switch of claim 9, in which said fastening members comprise head portions embedded in said rim portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
207 words
A push-button switch comprising a substrate having an upper surface, two conductive networks on said surface comprising adjacent but separated conductive paths, a terminal connected to each of said networks, a push-button member operatively connected to said substrate, normally assuming a first position remote from said substrate upper surface and being resiliently movable to a second position closer to said substrate upper surface, and a contact member operatively connected to said push-button member and movable therewith between corresponding first and second positions respectively spaced from and engaging said substrate surface in registration with said networks, said contact member being made of elastic and electrically conductive material and engaging said networks over an appreciable area, thereby to complete an electric circuit between said conductive paths when engaged with said networks, said push-button member comprising a main portion to which said contact member is connected, a rim portion secured to said substrate, and an intermediate portion connected between said rim portion and said main portion and effective normally to maintain said contact member in said first position, and fastening members carried by said rim portion and extending therefrom through said substrate and engaging said substrate at the lower surface thereof, thereby to secure said rim portion to said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
207 words
A push-button switch comprising a substrate having an upper surface, two conductive networks on said surface comprising adjacent but separated conductive paths, a terminal connected to each of said networks, a push-button member operatively connected to said substrate, normally assuming a first position remote from said substrate upper surface and being resiliently movable to a second position closer to said substrate upper surface, and a contact member operatively connected to said push-button member and movable therewith between corresponding first and second positions respectively spaced from and engaging said substrate surface in registration with said networks, said contact member being made of elastic and electrically conductive material and engaging said networks over an appreciable area, thereby to complete an electric circuit between said conductive paths when engaged with said networks, said push-button member comprising a main portion to which said contact member is connected, a rim portion secured to said substrate, and an intermediate portion connected between said rim portion and said main portion and effective normally to maintain said contact member in said first position, and fastening members carried by said rim portion and extending therefrom through said substrate and engaging said substrate at the lower surface thereof, thereby to secure said rim portion to said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The push-button switch of claim 11, in which said fastening members comprise head portions embedded in said rim portions.
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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) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |