Patents by Inventor Karl M. Eckrich

Karl M. Eckrich has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5403980
    Abstract: A touch sensitive switch pad. The switch pad includes a flexible film with a two conductive ink patterns on one side and an adhesive on the other. The adhesive backing can be of the peel off type such that a user simply peels off a protective backing to reveal the adhesive. The conductive ink patterns are disposed sufficiently close to each other such that there is a high probability that when a user touches the pad, a closed circuit occurs between the two patterns. Each conductive ink pattern is connected to an electrical contact which in turn can be connected to switching circuitry which is sensitive enough to sense the high resistance closed circuit. An extra adhesive-backed flap connected to the film and disposed in close proximity to the electrical contacts can be used to help protect the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl M. Eckrich