Abstract: A linear switch having 360 degree circumferential activation is provided. The switch includes first and second resilient strips separated by an actuator that defines two separate longitudinal channels. A pair of conductive strips, separated by perforated foam, extend the entire length of each channel. An external force applied anywhere along the exterior length or perimeter of the switch will activate it.

Abstract: A low-cost, easy to manufacture and maintain pressure responsive switch. The switch includes a pressure responsive diaphragm made from latex rubber that is mounted in a housing base. An annular groove in the housing base communicates with an annular shoulder in a housing cover to compress an O-ring for forming upper and lower chambers, sealing the housing and securing the diaphragm.

Abstract: A continuous linear contact switch is provided. The continuous linear contact switch includes first and second resilient strips, each having first and second longitudinal edges, an outer surface and an inner surface. The respective first and second longitudinal edges of the first and second resilient strips are joined to each other at first and second seams along an entire longitudinal length thereof. Beads are located along the seams on the inner surfaces of the first resilient strip so that the first resilient strip remains generally flat and the second resilient strip is arched to form an inner cavity between the generally flat first resilient strip and the arched second resilient strip. A first flexible, electrically conductive strip is located on the inner surface of the first resilient strip. A second flexible, electrically conductive strip is located along the inner surface of the second resilient strip, spaced from the first flexible, electrically conductive strip.

Abstract: A fastening device for securing a sensing edge to a door edge. The fastening device includes a mounting plate having a first surface for being attached to the door edge and a second surface for attachment of the sensing edge. The sensing edge detects objects in proximity to the door edge and includes an elongate sheath compressible upon application of external pressure and a switch for actuating an electrical device upon compression of the sheath. A pair of male and female members are interconnected between the mounting plate and the sheath to releasably secure the sensing edge to the mounting plate and to thereby allow the sensing edge to be releasably secured to the door edge.

Abstract: A flexible, electrically conductive contact for a switch which is actuated upon force being applied thereto includes a first plurality of generally flexible fibers. One portion of the first plurality of fibers is constructed of an electrically nonconductive material. Another portion of the first plurality of fibers is constructed of an electrically conductive material. The flexible, electrically conductive contact further includes a second plurality of generally flexible fibers. One portion of the second plurality of fibers is constructed of an electrically nonconductive material. Another portion of the second plurality of fibers is constructed of an electrically conductive material. The second plurality of fibers is interwoven with the first plurality of fibers in the form of a sheet with the electrically conductive first plurality of fibers in engagement with the electrically conductive second plurality of fibers to form a flexible, electrically conductive sheet.

Abstract: A sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes a first sheet of resiliently compressible material, a first sheet of electrically conductive material, a layer of non-conductive material, a second sheet of electrically conductive material, a second sheet of resiliently compressible material and an elongate inner core arranged in the recited order. The inner core has a predetermined elastic compressibility which is selected in accordance with the desired sensitivity of the sensing edge, such that the sensitivity of the sensing edge directly corresponds to the elastic compressibility of the inner core.

Abstract: A sensing edge having increased sensitivity is disclosed. The sensing edge is for causing a closing door to open by actuation of a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge comprises a compressible outer sheath having a grooved wall surface and at least a portion of a switch assembly positioned within the sheath. The grooved wall surface renders the sheath more easily compressible thereby increasing the sensitivity of the sensing edge.

Abstract: A redundant sensing edge for a door to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage by actuating a device upon detecting an object in proximity to the door edge. The sensing edge includes an elongate outer sheath compressible upon application of external pressure. A force sensing switch is positioned within the elongate outer sheath for sensing the application of force to the sheath. Upon force being applied to the sheath, the force sensing switch actuates the device for controlling the door. The sensing edge also includes a proximity sensing switch for detecting the presence of an animate object in proximity to the door edge. The proximity sensing switch includes an electrical circuit positioned near the elongate sheath and a control circuit for detecting changes in the capacitance of the electrical circuit. An animate object in proximity to the elongate sheath changes the capacitance of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A redundant sensing edge for a door causes a closing door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes a flexible air-impervious elongate outer sheath which is compressible upon application of external pressure. A substantially sealed air-impervious first chamber is positioned within the elongate sheath. A pressure-sensitive switch is in fluid communication with the first chamber for sensing pressure change within the chamber, such that upon application of external pressure to the sheath, the pressure switch is actuated. A second chamber is positioned within the sheath proximate the first chamber.

Abstract: A redundant sensing edge for a door to protect persons, equipment and the door from impact damage by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes a flexible air impervious elongate outer sheath which is compressible upon application of external pressure. An air impervious sealed first chamber is positioned within the elongate sheath. A pressure sensitive switch is in fluid communication with the chamber for sensing pressure change within the chamber, such that upon application of external pressure to the sheath, the pressure switch is actuated. A second chamber is positioned within the sheath proximate the first chamber. A second switch is positioned within the second chamber and includes a first sheet of resiliently compressible material, a first sheet of electrically conductive material, a layer of non-conductive material, a second sheet of electrically conductive material and a second sheet of resiliently compressible material layered in the recited order.

Abstract: A highly, sensitive switch for actuation of a device upon force being applied to the switch and method for making the same. The switch includes a first layer of non-conductive material, a first sheet of resiliently compressible material, a first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material, a second layer of non-conductive material, a second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material, a second sheet of resiliently compressible material and a third layer of non-conductive material arranged in the recited order. The first, second and third layers of non-conductive material are constructed of a polymeric material and have the same general thickness. The first and second layers of flexible, electrically conductive material include electrical conductors attached thereto for connection with a circuit for controlling the actuation of the device in response to the application of force to switch.

Abstract: A high sensitivity door edge switch including an openwork or perforate spacer for extension along a door edge, flexible conductors on opposite sides of the spacer in spaced apart confronting relation through the spacer perforations, and a resiliently compressible deflection element in facing relation with the spacer, the deflection element being elastically deformable into the spacer perforations to flex the conductive elements into engagement with each other upon low unit pressure applied to the deflection element, even over a large extent.

Abstract: A sensing edge for a door comprised of a pressure sensitive switch. The sensing edge protects persons, equipment and the door from impact damage. The sensing edge includes an outer sheath which is compressible upon application of external pressure. An elongate inner tubular member fabricated of resiliently compressible air impervious material is longitudinally positioned and enclosed within the sheath. A pressure sensitive switch is operatively associated with the inner tubular member. Upon application of external pressure to the sheath, pressure within the tube is increased and thereby communicated to the pressure switch for actuation of the switch to effect a desired result. A substantially rigid transverse structure within a portion of the outer sheath proximate the pressure switch prevents damage to the pressure switch.

Abstract: A safety door edge switch including a flexible sheath, an internal resiliently compressible foam formation in the sheath and providing fluid communication therealong, a relatively rigid transverse structure at one region in the sheath and containing a pressure sensitive switch element communicating with the inner formation for sensing pressure throughout the sheath and a pair of spaced confronting flexible contact sheaths engageable to provide a secondary switch.

Abstract: A mat switch of high sensitivity including outer sheets which may be relatively stiff for wear resistance, an intermediate open work spacer sheet, conductive sheets interposed between the outer sheets on opposite sides of the spacer sheet for contacting on flexure through the space sheet, and a compressible deflection sheet interposed between one conductive sheet and the adjacent outer sheet, the deflection sheet being resiliently compressible for protrusion through the spacer sheet to contact the conductor sheets upon movement of the outer sheets in parallelism toward each other.

Abstract: A pressure change sensor includes a flexible hollow body to receive pressure changes, an inner body in said flexible hollow body, the inner body being of a size less than and a shape different from the hollow of said hollow body to prevent total occlusion of the hollow body interior under pressure, and a fluid operated switch in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body responsive to pressure changes applied to the hollow body.

Abstract: An electric mat switch including a pair of outer wear layers, a pair of inner moisture barrier layers between the wear layers and a separator layer between the moisture barrier layers; all of which layers are substantially congruent and sealed together about their peripheral margins as by heat sealing, radio frequency welding or the like; and a pair of conductor layers each located between the separator layer and a respective barrier layer and spaced inwardly from the sealed margins; the separator layer being resiliently compressible and openly configured for flexure therethrough of the conductor layers into contact with each other.

Abstract: A self-sealing valved bag including elongate facing outer walls periphally secured together except for an unsecured end region, an inner wall between the outer walls extending across the unsecured end region, the inner wall being secured to one outer wall partially across the unsecured end region to leave an access passageway between the inner and said one outer wall, the inner wall being secured to the other outer wall entirely across the unsecured end region to close the latter between the inner and said other outer wall, and a pocket exteriorly on an outer wall opening toward an end thereof and terminating in a closure medially of the outer walls.

Abstract: A valved bag including elongate facing outer walls peripherally secured together except for an unsecured end region, an inner wall between the outer walls extending across the unsecured region and secured to one outer wall partially across the unsecured region to leave an access passageway, extensions on the inner and other outer wall extending across the unsecured region and secured together to close the unsecured region, and a sealing flap exteriorly of the inner wall extension and the adjacent region of the secured outer wall and secured thereto for removable sealing engagement with the later by internal pressure of the bag.

Abstract: A door edge including an elongate hollow resiliently flexible body for securement to a door generally in the plane of the door, the body having an outer wall remote from the door of a cross-sectional configuration generally sinuous or corrugated, and a compression actuable switch extending longitudinally within the hollow body for actuation upon compression by a trough or depression of the sinuous outer wall.