US3879593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane switch
Assignee: Magic Dot Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-29
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract In order to provide a sensitive, touch responsive electronic membrane switch, a pair of electrodes are disposed in a unique configuration and are coupled to a high gain amplifier. A membrane, having a conductive coating on a side facing the electrodes, is disposed over the pair of electrodes to perform a bridging function when the membrane is pressed against the electrodes to thus cause a positive switching condition at the output terminals of the high gain amplifier. In a first embodiment of the invention, the pair of electrodes comprises a first centrally disposed electrode encompassed by a second, circular electrode concentrically to, but longitudinally offset from the first electrode. The bridging of the electrodes is sensed and differentiated from the substantially infinite resistance normally existing between the two electrodes by the hight current gain amplification to provide a sharp change in current flow through a load connected to the output terminals of the high gain amplifier. The sharply differentiated state of the output terminals of the high gain amplifier may be utilized to control switching functions in any manner desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Willis A Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Electrical membrane switch apparatus comprising: a housing; first electrode means having a top surface and substantially centrally disposed in the housing; second annular electrode means having a top surface and disposed in the housing and encompassing the first electrode means, with the level of the top surface of the first electrode means vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the second electrode means; and elastic membrane means provided with a conductive coating on one of its surfaces, the elastic membrane means being normally supported by the housing closely spaced from, but not touching, the first and second electrode means, the elastic membrane means being adapted to deflect under pressure such that the conductive coating touches both the first and second electrode means to provide a conductive path therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Electrical membrane switch apparatus comprising: a housing; first electrode means having a top surface and substantially centrally disposed in the housing; second annular electrode means having a top surface and disposed in the housing and encompassing the first electrode means, with the level of the top surface of the first electrode means vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the second electrode means; and elastic membrane means provided with a conductive coating on one of its surfaces, the elastic membrane means being normally supported by the housing closely spaced from, but not touching, the first and second electrode means, the elastic membrane means being adapted to deflect under pressure such that the conductive coating touches both the first and second electrode means to provide a conductive path therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
Electrical membrane switch apparatus comprising: a housing; first electrode means having a top surface and substantially centrally disposed in the housing; second annular electrode means having a top surface and disposed in the housing and encompassing the first electrode means, with the level of the top surface of the first electrode means vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the second electrode means; and elastic membrane means provided with a conductive coating on one of its surfaces, the elastic membrane means being normally supported by the housing closely spaced from, but not touching, the first and second electrode means, the elastic membrane means being adapted to deflect under pressure such that the conductive coating touches both the first and second electrode means to provide a conductive path therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
Electrical membrane switch apparatus comprising: a housing; first electrode means having a top surface and substantially centrally disposed in the housing; second annular electrode means having a top surface and disposed in the housing and encompassing the first electrode means, with the level of the top surface of the first electrode means vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the second electrode means; and elastic membrane means provided with a conductive coating on one of its surfaces, the elastic membrane means being normally supported by the housing closely spaced from, but not touching, the first and second electrode means, the elastic membrane means being adapted to deflect under pressure such that the conductive coating touches both the first and second electrode means to provide a conductive path therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical membrane switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein the level of the top surface of the second electrode means is spaced vertically above the level of the top surface of the first electrode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
180 words
Electronic membrane switch apparatus, comprising in combination: insulating media having a top surface; first electrOde means immovably arranged with the insulating media with the top surface of the first electrode means exposed upon the top surface of the insulating media; second electrode means immovably arranged with the insulating media laterally around and about the first electrode means with the top surface of the second electrode means exposed upon the top surface of the insulating media laterally from the first electrode means with the level of the top surface of the second electrode means vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the first electrode means; elastic membrane means disposed in a spaced relation above and adjacent to the level of the top surfaces of the electrode means; and conductive means associated with the membrane at least on a portion thereof adjacent the top surfaces of the electrode means, such that when the elastic membrane is deflected toward the top surfaces of the electrode means the conductive means contacts both the electrode means and provides a conductive path therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
180 words
Electronic membrane switch apparatus, comprising in combination: insulating media having a top surface; first electrOde means immovably arranged with the insulating media with the top surface of the first electrode means exposed upon the top surface of the insulating media; second electrode means immovably arranged with the insulating media laterally around and about the first electrode means with the top surface of the second electrode means exposed upon the top surface of the insulating media laterally from the first electrode means with the level of the top surface of the second electrode means vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the first electrode means; elastic membrane means disposed in a spaced relation above and adjacent to the level of the top surfaces of the electrode means; and conductive means associated with the membrane at least on a portion thereof adjacent the top surfaces of the electrode means, such that when the elastic membrane is deflected toward the top surfaces of the electrode means the conductive means contacts both the electrode means and provides a conductive path therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 3 wherein the top surface of the first electrode means extends from the top surface of insulating media and wherein the top surface of the second electrode means extends from the top surface of the insulating media.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 3, wherein the insulating media includes; space for a direct current amplifier; and coupling means for connecting the first and second electrode means to the input terminals of any direct current amplifier within the space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 3 including means for coupling the first and second electrode means to input terminals of an amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 3 wherein the vertical spacing between the level of the top surface of the first electrode means and the level of the top surface of the second electrode means is sufficient to establish a desired touch threshold for the switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical membrane switch apparatus of claim 3 wherein the level of the top surface of the first electrode means is spaced vertically below the level of the top surface of the second electrode means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 8 wherein the vertical spacing between the level of the top surface of the first electrode means and the level of the top surface of the second electrode means is sufficient to establish a desired touch threshold for the switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical membrane switch apparatus of claim 9 wherein the top surface of the first electrode means extends from the top surface of insulating media and wherein the top surface of the second electrode means extends from the top surface of the insulating media.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical membrane switch apparatus of claim 8 wherein the top surface of the first electrode means extends from the top surface of insulating media and wherein the top surface of the second electrode means extends from the top surface of the insulating media.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
220 words
Electronic membrane switch apparatus, comprising in combination: insulating media having a top surface; first electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media with the top surface of the first electrode means extending above the top surface of the insulating media; second electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media and the first electrode means laterally around and about, spaced, and insulated from the first electrode means with the top surface of the second electrode means extending above the top surface of the insulating media laterally from the first electrode means and such that the level of the top surface of the second electrode means is vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the first electrode means; an elastic membrane means disposed in a spaced relation above and adjacent to the level of the top surface of the electrode means; conductive means associated with the membrane means at least on a porTion thereof adjacent the top surfaces of the electrode means such that when the membrane is deflected toward the top surfaces of the electrode means, the conductive means thereon contacts both the electrode means and provides a conductive path therebetween; first means for providing an electrical connection to the first electrode means; and second means for providing an electrical connection to the second electrode means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
220 words
Electronic membrane switch apparatus, comprising in combination: insulating media having a top surface; first electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media with the top surface of the first electrode means extending above the top surface of the insulating media; second electrode means laterally immovably arranged with the insulating media and the first electrode means laterally around and about, spaced, and insulated from the first electrode means with the top surface of the second electrode means extending above the top surface of the insulating media laterally from the first electrode means and such that the level of the top surface of the second electrode means is vertically spaced from the level of the top surface of the first electrode means; an elastic membrane means disposed in a spaced relation above and adjacent to the level of the top surface of the electrode means; conductive means associated with the membrane means at least on a porTion thereof adjacent the top surfaces of the electrode means such that when the membrane is deflected toward the top surfaces of the electrode means, the conductive means thereon contacts both the electrode means and provides a conductive path therebetween; first means for providing an electrical connection to the first electrode means; and second means for providing an electrical connection to the second electrode means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 12 wherein the level of the top surface of the second electrode means is spaced vertically above the level of the top surface of the first electrode means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first connection means comprises means for providing an electrical connection between the first electrode means and the input of a direct current amplifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second connection means comprises means for providing an electrical connection between the second electrode means and a means for supplying DC voltage to the direct current amplifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 15 wherein vertical spacing between the level of the top surface of the first electrode means and the level of the top surface of the second electrode is sufficient to establish a desired touch threshold for the switch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 12 wherein the second connection means comprises means for providing an electrical connection between the second electrode means and a means for supplying DC voltage to the direct current amplifier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electronic membrane switch apparatus of claim 12 wherein the vertical spacing between the level of the top surface of the first electrode and the level of the top surface of the second electrode is sufficient to establish a desired touch threshold for the switch.
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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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |