US3732389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch entry switch array
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A touch entry switch array comprising a layer of non-conductive material is sandwiched between two conductive layers. Orthogonally disposed conductors are arranged in a matrix and adapted to make electrical connection by deforming an upper resilient, transparent or translucent layer through respective apertures to establish electrical contact. Indicator means is provided to indicate through the apertures the actuation of the associated switch. In one form of the device, the orthogonal conductors are supported on the lower layer and the upper layer is constructed of transparent or translucent conductive material which may be deformed through the apertures to operate the associated switch. In another form of the invention, one set of conductors is supported on the upper layer to be deformed through the apertures to contact conductors on the lower layer.
Inventors
- 👤 G Kaelin
- 👤 D Piatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/83; H01H13/703; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/018; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/028; H01H2203/032; H01H2205/00; H01H2205/032; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/024; H01H2209/038; H01H2209/046; H01H2209/06; H01H2209/068; H01H2209/082; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/014; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A touch entry switch array having a plurality of individual switches arranged in a matrix, said array comprising: first, second and third layers, said second layer being sandwiched between said first and third layers; a plurality of first conductor means supported on said first layer; a plurality of second conductor means supported on one of said first and third layers; a plurality of third conductor means supported on said first layer means; said first, second and third conductor means being mutually electrically insulated from each other; a plurality of apertures through said second layer means, each aperture encompassing a region adjacent a pair of conductors comprising individual ones of said first and second conductor means; a plurality of indicator means supported on said first layer and electrically connected to said third conductor means; and operator means on said third layer for establishing electrical contact through said apertures between the first and second conductor means encompassed in the respective region, said third layer being translucent whereby the indicator means juxtapositioned each aperture may be viewed through said third layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A touch entry switch array having a plurality of individual switches arranged in a matrix, said array comprising: first, second and third layers, said second layer being sandwiched between said first and third layers; a plurality of first conductor means supported on said first layer; a plurality of second conductor means supported on one of said first and third layers; a plurality of third conductor means supported on said first layer means; said first, second and third conductor means being mutually electrically insulated from each other; a plurality of apertures through said second layer means, each aperture encompassing a region adjacent a pair of conductors comprising individual ones of said first and second conductor means; a plurality of indicator means supported on said first layer and electrically connected to said third conductor means; and operator means on said third layer for establishing electrical contact through said apertures between the first and second conductor means encompassed in the respective region, said third layer being translucent whereby the indicator means juxtapositioned each aperture may be viewed through said third layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of first conductor means comprises a plurality of first conductors disposed in a substantially parallel relationship and said plurality of second conductor means comprises a plurality of second conductors disposed in a substantially parallel relationship orthogonal to said first conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second conductors are supported on said first layer, contact means associated with each of said first and second conductors, said contact means being arranged in pairs of contacts, each pair of contacts being electrically connected to mutually exclusive first and second conductors, each pair of contacts being exposed to mutually exclusive regions encompassed by mutually exclusive apertures in said second layer; and said third layer comprises a resilient translucent conductive layer adapted to establish electrical connection between the contacts of each of said pairs of contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said indicator means comprises a plurality of light emitting indicators each connected between mutually exclusive ones of said first and third conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second conductors are supported on said third layer, said apertures each being positioned between projected intersections between mutually exclusive first and second conductors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said indicator means comprises a plurality of light emitting indicators each connected between mutually exclusive ones of said first and third conductors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3290439A
Cited
US3591749A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |