Abstract: A foot switch includes a lower case made of a synthetic resin and having an engaging bent portion on an integrally formed strip; and a tread plate made of a synthetic resin and having an integrally formed strip with an engaging slit in which the engaging bent portion is inserted. A microswitch is operated when the tread plate is downwardly pressed by a foot.

Abstract: A pressure switch and method of manufacture wherein a resiliently yieldable intermediate open layer is sandwiched between flexible conductive layers, all of which is enclosed between flexible outer layers, so that in the unstressed or relatively unstressed condition the contact layers are spaced apart by the intermediate layer, while flexure or other sufficient stressing of the assembly effects contact of the contact layers through the open intermediate layer.

Abstract: A touch pad as used in swimming pools for timing competitions has instead an integrally formed striker plate or one comprising independently mounted panels, a plurality of hollow extruded plastic panels each with a hook portion on one edge and a hook receiving portion on the other edge whereby said panels may be readily assembled to form the striker plate.

Abstract: A strip switch assembly or switch array formed in a flat configuration with minimal depth and of relatively small size wherein the array is formed of a number of individual switches and the switches are formed of components used in common, and wherein the number of components in the array effectively revolves itself into less than one component per switch.

Abstract: A specialized switch particularly suited for use by the disabled is disclosed. The inventive switch comprises a resilient contacting assembly, having a pair of electrically conducting members, in a housing. The contacting members are maintained out of electrical contact with each other by suitable means associated with the assembly. Application of pressure to the housing brings the members into contact with each other, closing the switch.

Abstract: A monitoring device in the form of a ribbon or tape switch used to detect the distance an object is hit out in a field or open area. The switch consists of two conductor contacts mounted continuously on an insulated synthetic material to provide electrical continuity when an object touches it or rolls across it. The switch is sensitive enough to close from the weight of one ounce avoirdupois. The switch is constructed with a low profile angular shape so an object can roll over it without impeding its destination. The switch is made of simple enough construction to allow economic large scale manufacturing.

Abstract: Keyboard construction using a sheet of flexible and resilient non-conductive material preferably non-conductive plastic which is preformed in a predetermined manner for supporting both contact means and contactor means and which is adapted to be folded so that the contact and contactor means are positionable in spaced apart alignment whereby upon depression electrical contact may be made between said contact means and said contactor means.

Abstract: This is concerned with a switch device which is quite thin and can be used on either a flat or a contoured surface that includes a backing member which may be dimensionally stable, either as a flexible or a stiff membrane, with a flexible membrane spaced therefrom by a flexible filled adhesive material providing one or more openings so that a circuit pattern on the backing member is spaced from a conductive shorting bar on the flexible membrane such that manual or mechanical deformation of the membrane will cause electrical conduction across or between the contacted surface in the circuit pattern with deformation being provided by the flexibility of the membrane, as well as deflection or flexing of the intermediate adhesive material.

Abstract: A pressure actuated continuous switch in the form of a cable having two coaxial wires, which form the contacts of the switch, separated by a helically wound strip of insulating material. The pitch of the turns of the helical material determines the sensitivity of the switch. In a preferred form of the switch, a layer of semiconductive material is interposed between the insulating material and the other conductor.

Abstract: A mat switch includes top and bottom cardboard sheets having opposed faces on which are formed complementary electrodes. Each electrode is a plurality of elongated generally parallel first bands of metal foil adhesively secured to the opposed faces which are electrically interconnected by a pair of second bands perpendicularly directed to the first bands. A relatively thin dielectric sheet is laminated between the opposed faces and includes a plurality of parallel elongated apertures in register with the first bands.

Abstract: A tabulator keyboard of simplified design may be fabricated from a single flexible circuit and a minimum of other mechanical structures. The flexible circuit combines in one piece an array of deformable upper contacts, an array of stationary lower contacts, as well as the required interconnections between the elements of these arrays and the electronics module. The flexible circuit may be made of a reasonable transparent dielectric film (e.g. polyamide). The flexible circuit is folded in use such that the lower stationary array has its conductive surface opposite the upper deformable array. Means are provided for making electrical contact between a selected element in said lower array with a selected element in said upper array.

Abstract: Vehicle-detection apparatus, for installation at highway toll-booth, parking-area, and like sites, includes elongated thin-strip electrical switching sensors disposed near a road surface and oriented transversely to traffic directions, for responses to tire-transmitted loadings, the switching sensors each being in the form of a pair of narrow highly-elongated flat conductive strips, at least the upper one of which is springy and both of which are cartridged in a minutely-spaced substantially parallel relationship within a shallow open-topped flat-bottomed rigid channel member, the minute spacing being maintained by plastic insulating tape sandwiched between the strips only near their edges; the plural sensors are cast into a tough but somewhat flexible plastic mass in side-by-side relationship atop a stiff backing plate, with the upper strip being parted from the mass by a thin plastic sheathing, and the top surface of the cast assembly is rendered non-skidding by way of abrasive particle embedments.

Abstract: A keyboard device which includes a frame having a plurality of bores in which there is positioned a core for slideable motion therein, and a keyboard top positioned over the bores and preferably sealing each of the cores within the bores of the frame so that no particles of food or dust can accumulate between the cores and the frame while still permitting the cores to be depressed to cause a contactor means to engage contact means. In the preferred embodiment the cores are loose within the bores and are held therein from the top by said keyboard top. In addition, a mask to simulate the appearance of a frame about the portions of the top is provided. In addition, the preferred embodiment is sealed on the top and bottom to protect the in words from the environment.

Abstract: A multiple switching apparatus comprising two spring-like switching members disposed in a tandem array with each integral with its metallic support base. The central area of each of the switching members is defined by a plurality of slots formed in the support base with the length and displacement of the slots defining the force-displacement characteristics of each switching member and, accordingly, of the tandem array. The top switching member moves downward until it produces a first switching function, with further movement of the top switching member effecting movement of the second switching member such that a second switching function is produced.

Abstract: A swimming pool touch pad seats on a swimming pool wall and is adapted to close an external electric circuit when contacted by a swimmer. The pad includes a nonconductive baseplate adapted to be mounted on a swimming pool wall. A normally nonconductive generally planar pressure sensitive elastomeric pad is seated on the baseplate and is adapted to become selectively conductive through the pad from the front to the rear surface upon application of pressure by a swimmer. When conductive it will provide an electrical current path in the area of pressure application. Electrodes secured to the front and rear surfaces of the elastomeric pad and insulated conductors connected between the electrodes and the external circuit complete the electrical path from the elastomeric pad to the external circuit. A nonconductive waterproof flexible cover member is secured to the baseplate and covers the elastomeric pad with the insulated conductors passing through the cover member.