Electrical switch assembly and method of manufacture
US4446342A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1981 |
| Grant date | May 1, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H13/702
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides low cost electrical switch assemblies. The switch assembly comprises an array of resiliently flexible metallic conductors arranged in predetermined circuit pathways on a dielectric carrier panel. A plurality of apertures or cavities are provided at predetermined locations in the carrier panel. The switch contacts comprise a pair of generally L-shaped fingers which are integral extensions of the flexible conductors. The fingers extend cantilevered from opposite edge surfaces of the carrier panel defining an associated aperture or cavity, to beyond the geometric center of the said associated aperture or cavity, with the free ends of the fingers terminating adjacent one another. The free ends of the L-shaped fingers extend in part above or below the plane of the carrier panel, and are positioned in spaced relationship to one another so that the conductors they connect are normally open, but are sufficiently close to one another so that slight deflection of the fingers from their normal orientation moves the free ends in contact with each other to thereby close the switch. Alternatively, the free ends of the L-shaped fingers are positioned in contact with…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.