Abstract: A push-button switch in which a resilient conductive elastomer bridging contact member is compressed directly against two or more printed conductors between which it is desired to selectively make and break electrical continuity. The conductive elastomer member is used as a beam having a central portion in contact with the printed circuit board for mechanical support. The member is formed so that it diverges from the plane of the conductors on the circuit board outwardly from the central mechanical support portion, mechanical compression as by a push-button arrangement elastically deforming the member into contact with the printed circuit conductors. Release of this compressive force permits the member to resume its initial shape correspondingly breaking the electrical continuity.

Abstract: A fail-safe multiple transfer contact assembly including a plurality of front, back and heel contact elements. The contact elements include elongated leaf spring members which are fixed to a molded insulative contact block. A silver contact button is rivoted to the free ends of the front and back leaf spring members while a silver impregnated carbon contact block is soldered to the free end of the heel leaf spring member so that neither the front and back contacts cannot become welded to the heel contact.

Abstract: A resilient insulative layer of a plastic foam material is sandwiched between a dimpled carbon powder loaded plastic sheet and a resilient carbon powder loaded plastic foam pad. The dimples extend part way through holes provided therefor in the insulative layer. This sandwich assembly being placed under a bed mattress serves as a mattress-switch indicating electrically by contact between the sheet and the pad the presence of an occupant in the bed or his absence by lack of such contact. The characteristic time of the pad material for returning to its original shape is substantially longer than the corresponding return time of the insulative layer. Reliable operation is obtained for a wide range of occupant weights regardless of the weight(s) of the previous occupants.

Abstract: An ignition distributor for an internal combustion engine is provided with a novel rotor electrode which substantially reduces radio frequency interference generated by spark discharges across the rotor gap. At least the tip segment of the rotor electrode is formed of a composite material consisting of a first phase of fibers of a dielectric material interspersed with a second phase of a conductive material. In operation, dielectric fibers protrude from the conductive phase into the gap promoting ionization therein so that electrical discharge occurs at voltages where radio frequency signal production is substantially suppressed.

Abstract: An ignition distributor for an internal combustion engine is provided with a novel rotor electrode which substantially reduces radio frequency interference generated by spark discharges across the rotor gap. At least the tip segment of the rotor electrode is formed of a composite material consisting of a dielectric phase interspersed with a conductive metal phase. In operation, the dielectric phase protrudes from the surface of the electrode promoting ionization in the rotor gap so that electrical discharge occurs at voltages where radio frequency signal production is substantially suppressed.

Abstract: A selector switch of the type having a thumbwheel selector journalled for rotation in a frame for selecting any one of a plurality of interconnections among external circuits to be connected to electrical contacts mounted in the frame, the selector including a first part of dielectric material and a second part of non-metallic electrically conductive material carried by the first part and having a pattern configured in accordance with a predetermined code and contacted by various ones of the electrical contacts in different positions of the selector to connect and disconnect the contacts in accordance with the pattern of conductive material so as to selectively close and open the interconnections among the external circuits.

Abstract: An electrical contact material which is particularly well suited for use in circuit breaker switches consisting essentially of silver in the amount of about 20% to 50% by weight, nickel in the amount of about 2% to 13% by weight, phosphorus in the amount of about 90 ppm to 1000 ppm, and the remainder tungsten. In one embodiment of the contact material forming method provided by the invention, starting particle sizes and liquid phase sintering parameters are selected to yield a relatively coarse grain size in the contact material microstructure with an optimum combination of resistance to oxidation, electrical erosion and distortion associated with high-current interruptions.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive switch has a thermally conductive body within which is a chamber into which extends at least one electrically conductive terminal. Occupying the chamber is an elastomeric body which is expansible and contractile in response to increases and decreases, respectively, in its temperature. The elastomeric body may be normally conductive or normally nonconductive, but in either event is conductive when in its expanded condition. When in its expanded, conductive condition, the body engages the terminal and is operable to establish a current path through the body to the terminal. The body may function as an on-off switch or as a rheostat, depending upon the composition of the body.

Abstract: An impregnated sintered material for making electrical contact members which have a low fusing force and little burning in which a powder mixture of W, Ag and/or Cu, a wetting promoting metal, and 2 to 5 percent by weight graphite is granulated thermically, and another 1 to 6 percent by weight graphite admixed to the granules, after which the mixture is compacted to form a skeleton and impregnated with Ag and/or Cu. The carbon contained in the finished material is partly in bound form as WC and partly free carbon in a 1:5 to 5:1 ratio.

Abstract: An electrical contact suitable for use in high-current switching or circuit breaking, comprising a mixture of silver or copper with an alloy of tungsten carbide and titanium carbide. The contact material preferably uses from about 10% to about 90% silver by weight, the remainder being (WTi)C alloy, and preferably the alloy component comprises from about 35% to about 50% of WC, the remainder of the alloy being TiC. The contact is preferably made by a powder metallurgical process, and provides not only good impact resistance, weld resistance and erosion resistance but, even more importantly, provides low contact resistance, i.e. low electrical resistance when current flows through the closed contacts even after repeated cycling, as shown by the low temperature rise of the contact in use.

Abstract: A movable switch contact of a switch for connecting in a circuit at least a pair of stationary contacts which may be the lands or terminal pads of a printed circuit on a printed circuit board includes an actuating member and a bridging portion. The actuating member is supported for movement in at least two directions and the bridging portion is attached for movement with the actuating member. The bridging portion includes a body of a deformable material having a capacity to conduct current and provide electrical continuity between the stationary contacts when the actuating member shall have been moved to a switch closed position. The actuating member may be adapted for movement toggle fashion as well as for sliding movement. Movement of the actuating member toggle fashion may be through snap action and momentarily whereby the return memory of the body causes the actuating member to return to a neutral or switch open position.

Abstract: A three position switch which selectively interconnects isolated conductors on a printed circuit board is disclosed. In one embodiment, pressure sensitive conductive elastomer pads, disposed in the switch, are brought into contact with isolated conductors on a substrate. A sliding switch actuator, having a cam surface with indentations, is then used to selectively apply pressure to the conductive elastomer pads and thereby selectively connect the isolated printed circuit board conductors. In another embodiment, a three position switch is shown including a plurality of conductive pads, flexibly attached to a switch casing, which are positioned above printed circuit board isolated conductors and then selectively flexed downward into contact with the printed circuit board conductors by moving a sliding actuator arm having a cam surface.

Abstract: This application describes a method of preparing cadmium-containing refractory metal-silver alloys by using a liquid phase sintering technique featuring a cadmium vapor over-pressure. The resultant alloys are useful as electric contacts in high electric current applications.

Abstract: A switch means for electrically operating a device in a photographic camera is composed of a mechanical switch and a semiconductor switching element connected with the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch has a pair of contacts made of resilient conductive material and increases its conductivity as the pressure applied thereto increases. By the increase of the conductivity of the mechanical switch an input voltage supplied to the semiconductor switching element is raised and the switching element is turned on when the input voltage has reached a predetermined level. Thus, chattering and large consumption of electric power are prevented.

Abstract: A method for producing multilayered contacts for medium-voltage vacuum power circuit breakers is provided comprising impregnating under vacuum with oxygen-free, liquid copper, a composite body of metal powders consisting of at least 35% by volume of a metal selected from the group consisting of chromium and vanadium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, vanadium, cobalt, nickel and iron, in a crucible comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, steel, and chromium-nickel steel; and removing at least part of the crucible to expose a contact surface.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device includes an arrangement of conductors in combination with a pressure sensitive electrically conductive material. The conductors appear in a cross-wire matrix imprinted on the top and bottom surfaces of a rigid printed circuit board. The pressure sensitive electrically conductive material is positioned over the cross-wire matrix of spaced electrical conductors. The resulting arrangement defines a plurality of touch sensitive locations which may be used for uniquely entering information in a data entry system.

Abstract: A current switching device for use in printed circuit board application includes a terminal contact board sandwiched with respect to a foamed spring pad that supportingly receives a pivotal contactor plate in juxtaposed relationship therewith and wherein the switch includes a rotatable rocker engageable with the contactor plate and pivotal to cause the contactor plate to be shifted into electrical bridging engagement with the terminal board and wherein the foamed pad yields in both compression and shear to produce a bias on the contactor plate for return thereof to a spaced relationship with the terminal board when the rocker is in a neutral position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid relay assembly in which all the electrical connections are located on one end thereof. The solenoid relay assembly of the invention is attached to a printed circuit board by a spring clip member. The relay assembly of the invention includes a bobbin with an electromagnetic coil wound thereon, a stationary core located in the bore of the bobbin, and a movable core slidably located in the bore which is attracted to the stationary core when the electromagnetic coil is energized. An electrical contact is located on the opposing faces of the stationary and movable core members such that an electrical circuit through the two is completed when the coil is energized. A bias force on the movable core member is provided by a spring which urges the movable core away from the stationary core. A pressure plate member carrying a plurality of electrical contacts thereon makes electrical contact to the spring which, in turn, is electrically connected to the contact on the movable core member.

Abstract: A contact material for vacuum switches comprising a composite inclusion metal of at least two metal components in which a first component has an electric conductivity of at least 10 m/ohm mm.sup.2, the share of this component being between 35 and 60% by volume. At least one component has a melting point of at least 1400.degree. C and at least one component is effective as a getter. These components are embedded in the first component, with only isolated bridges existing between the finely distributed inclusions. The porosity of the composite inclusion metal is less than 2% by volume.

Abstract: An improved push-button assembly for a watch, particularly suitable for an electrical switch in a digital watch. A resilient sealing member disposed in a counter bore provides spring means and sealing means for a push-button member. In one embodiment the resilient member is conductive to assure electrical contact between the push-button member and the watch case.

Abstract: A contact member for high electrical loads has a plurality of component parts. One of these parts is made of a non-welding material resistant to burn-off and another part is made of a solderable material having electrically conductive properties. The material of each of the parts is configured as a porous skeleton structure. The parts are disposed next to each other and an impregnating metal impregnates both of the parts to preclude the occurrence of a boundary layer at the interface of the parts.

Abstract: An on-off switch comprising a contact element of conductive elastomeric material for establishing a current path between a plurality of terminals, and an actuating member for imparting a compressing force to the contact element. When the actuating member is manipulated to compress the contact element, the contact element is rendered electrically conductive to electrically connect the terminals with each other thereby turning on the switch.

Abstract: Electric contact material having good solderability, consists of a porous matrix of sintered powder particles of a refractory metal, such as tungsten or molybdenum, with its pores impregnated with a metal alloy consisting of a telluride-forming metal, such as copper, silver or lead, and a sufficient amount of a telluride of such metal to form a brittle deposit of tellurium and the telluride-forming metal, both in elemental form, on the material's surface, apparently produced by decomposition and vaporization of the telluride due to electrical arcing, and which vapor after the arcing and rapid cooling of the material, condenses on the material's surface to form the deposit. This brittle deposit provides an effective reduction in the contact welding force of the material as compared to prior art electric contact materials of good solderability.

Abstract: A switching apparatus in which at least one pair of contact electrodes is printed on an insulator base fixed to a switch casing, and a contact element of conductive elastomeric material is disposed at a suitable position opposite to these contact electrodes to be compressed by a compressing force imparted by a pressure imparting member. The switch is turned on when the contact element is compressed and turned off when the contact element is not compressed.

Abstract: An on-off switch comprising a contact element of conductive elastomeric material for establishing a current path between a pair of terminals, a movable member for imparting a compressing force to the contact element, and an actuator for actuating the movable member. When the movable member is actuated by the actuator to compress the contact element, the contact element is rendered electrically conductive to electrically connect the terminals with each other thereby turning on the switch.

Abstract: A push button switch for setting the time display of electronic timepieces utilizes a conductive elastomeric material such as silver filled silicone rubber as a conductive spring in its moving contact. The elastomer biased contact may be seated in a port in the watch frame and bonded thereto to make the frame waterproof. Momentary electrical contact is secured by pressing the moving contact against a metal contact portion of the printed circuit time keeping substrate within the watch frame. The watch frame is electrically connected to ground in the electronic watch circuit.

Abstract: A housing having key portions of a resilient pad extending therethrough with a metal impregnated elastomer pad overlying the rear surface thereof, a sheet of insulating material having openings therethrough corresponding with the key portions and a plurality of contact areas on a printed circuit board overlying the insulating sheet and having a plurality of contacts on the rear surface thereof, a connecting link formed of a second sheet of insulating material having a plurality of areas of metal impregnated elastomeric material extending therethrough and corresponding in position with the contacts, a second PC board having a plurality of contacts in contact with the elastomeric areas of the connecting link and a frame compressing all of the components together to provide an electrical contact to the elastomeric material in the connecting link and complete a circuit between various contacts on the two printed circuit boards and provide a weather-tight multi-push button switch.

Abstract: A two-stroke switch to be actuated by two stroke operations comprises a first stationary terminal, a second stationary terminal, a contact element of conductive elastomeric material for establishing a current path between the first and second terminals, and an actuating member provided with a moving terminal for imparting a compressing force to the contact element. When the actuating member is first manipulated to compress the contact element axially thereof, the contact element is rendered electrically conductive, and when the actuating member is secondly manipulated to further compress the contact element which is then enlarged radially thereof, the contact element may be electrically connected to the first and/or second terminals thereby turning on the switch.

Abstract: A push button switch comprises a key top having a recess and a resilient member provided so as to surround the recess of the key top. The resilient member has a projected portion extending therefrom in the direction away from the recess of the key top, and at least the end of the projected portion is formed of conductive material. A contact member is secured to a base plate in opposed relationship with the projected portion. A holder member holds the key top in such a manner that the projected portion of the resilient member is normally spaced apart from the contact member but engages the contact member upon depression of the key top.

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.

Abstract: An electric switch which is constructed, with the exception of two metallic conductors, entirely of elastomeric or thermoplastic materials wherein relative motion between switch operating parts is confined to a resilient deformation and wherein the switching function occurs within a sealed recess or chamber.