Abstract: A bounceless switch apparatus having a junction resistance which varies inversely with the pressure applied normally thereto which includes a first conductor member, a pressure-sensitive layer including a semiconducting material covering the first conductor member in intimate electrically conducting contact therewith and a second conductor member positioned in nonelectrically conducting relationship to the pressure-sensitive layer. The pressure-sensitive layer has a first surface with a multiplicity of microprotrusions of the semiconducting material which provide a multiplicity of surface contact locations. As the normally open switch is closed in response to a pressing force applied to urge the second conductor member and the first surface together, the physical contact between the microprotrusions and the second conductor increases thereby variably increasing conduction between the first conductor member and the second conductor member.

Abstract: A tactile sensor in which the sensor elements are discrete, elastomeric, electrically conductive, electrically force-sensitive forcel units electrically insulated from one another, each forcel unit defining a local force-resolution region (forcel) for resolving a deflection pattern in the surface of the sensor, each sensor element being connected between a pair of electrical channels which produce a set of signals representative of the deflection pattern in the surface; a sensing system for determining a parameter of an object being contacted by the tactile sensor; and a method of fabricating the sensor.

Abstract: A touch controlled membrane device producing an output signal which is a function of any dual coordinate location resulting from an applied pressure in a two dimensional resistive field. In one preferred embodiment a single resistive film is spaced from a coextensive conductive film. First and second source voltages are alternately applied across orthogonal axis directions of the resistive film to establish voltage gradients in both directions. Pressure applied to the conductive film brings the conductive and resistive films into contact so that a unique two component output signal appears on the conductive film which defines the X and Y coordinates of the location of the applied pressure. In a second embodiment, two resistive films are mounted opposite to two conductive surfaces applied onto opposite sides of an insulative film, and voltage is applied to the resistive films in orthogonally related directions.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided which enable the assessment of mobility of human and/or animal joints to be carried out. A flexible transducer includes a conductive elastomer which, when stretched, provides a change in an electrical output signal. The transducer is located over the joint to be investigated and during movement of the joint electrical signals from the transducer output which are a function of joint mobility, are produced. The signals are digitized and stored in a memory and are compared with a bank of data from normal and pathological subjects stored in a continuously updated memory. When the comparison locates the `best fit` between the joint movement and the stored data, the type of joint movement is classified and the result is presented on a visual display unit. The movement signal can be conditioned so that the angular displacement of the joint, the rate of joint movement, acceleration of the joint can be estimated and classified.

Abstract: The flexible force sensor having an electrical conductor releasably attachable to a test site and a plurality of relatively spaced electrical contacts supported for varying contact with the conductor such that when a force is applied to the force sensor, the electrical contacts and electrical conductor move into and out of varying areas of electrical contact to produce electrical resistances therebetween corresponding to the extent of such contact and as a function of the applied force.

Abstract: Variable resistance switch of a continuously-variable resistance pressure-dependent measurement sensor for triggering a switching operation of an electrical evaluating circuit through a compressive loading, including an elastic layer being formed of elastomeric material interspersed with electrically conductive particles and being deformable with increasing application of force, and a conductive surface disposed opposite the elastic layer.

Abstract: A free-standing, self-supporting layer of glass-ceramic or crystallized glass is applied by thick-film technology over a presintered layer made of a vaporizable or etchable material which, after sintering the thick-film glass-ceramic or crystallized glass layer (3) to a substrate (1), is removed by heating or etching. The layer (2) to be removed is preferably applied in past form with the glass-ceramic thick-film layer (3) thereover either in form of a crossing bridge, as a partially covering cantilever, or entirely surrounding the layer 2, in which latter case the thick-vaporizable film layer (3) is of porous construction so that the volatile or components of the underlying layer (2) can escape through the thick-film layer (3). A typical layer which is volatile or vaporizable includes carbon black, a resin binder and a solvent, applied to a substrate, for example of ceramic or enameled metal, over which the glass-ceramic layer is applied.

Abstract: An electric contact or circuit breaker device comprises a base member and an operating member. In a surface of the base member, there is provided at least one elongated indentation wherein an electric conductor is inserted and is without electrical connection with the base member. The operating member includes a cover layer of a resilient material which extends over each indentation in the base member. The cover layer is electrically conducting in order to establish electric connection between the cover layer and the conductor, when a pressure is applied to the cover layer in a direction towards or into the indentation. When the pressure ceases, the resiliency of the cover layer will break the electric connection. The electric contact device thus provided can be sealed in a simple and effective manner against intrusion of dirt and damp and the parts of the device are subjected to minimum mechanical wear.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel composition capable of giving an electrically conductive, flexible shaped body having stability in the applied voltage vs. current performance. The composition comprises an electrically insulating polymeric material having flexibility such as a diorganopolysiloxane, a finely divided particulate or fibrous metallic silicon such as a finely powdered semiconductor grade high purity metallic silicon dispersed in the insulating polymeric material as the matrix and an organosilicon compound having at least one functional group directly bonded to the silicon atom or at least one peroxy linkage directly bonded to the silicon atom in a molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel push-button switching means for producing an electric signal free from the problems of chattering or bouncing unavoidable in the conventional switches relying on the principle of mechanical contacting and coming apart of the contact points. The inventive push-button switching means comprises a pressure-sensitive unit composed of a resistor body formed of an electroconductive rubbery elastomer exhibiting a minimum in its electric resistivity when subjected to compression with an increasing pushing force reaching a strength in excess of a certain critical strength and a pair of electrodes provided on the surface of the resistor body.

Abstract: A pressure responsive, variable resistance, analog switch has first and second conductors interleaved in spaced-apart relationship and disposed on a base member. An insulative spacer ring is positioned around and rises above the first and second conductors. A resilient cover sheet is attached to the top of the insulative spacer ring in spaced relationship over the conductors to define an enclosure between the resilient cover sheet and the base member. A pressure sensitive resistive conductor composition is disposed on the resilient cover sheet or on the conductors in the enclosure to interconnect a resistance between the first and second conductors when the resilient cover sheet is depressed against the conductors. The amount of resistance so interconnected varies inversely to the amount of pressure exerted.

Abstract: A pressure responsive, variable resistance, analog switch has first and second conductors interleaved in spaced-apart relationship and disposed on a base member. An insulative spacer ring is positioned around and rises above the first and second conductors. A resilient cover sheet is attached to the top of the insulative spacer ring in spaced relationship over the conductors to define an enclosure between the resilient cover sheet and the base member. A pressure sensitive resistive conductor composition is disposed on the resilient cover sheet or on the conductors in the enclosure to interconnect a resistance between the first and second conductors when the resilient cover sheet is depressed against the conductors. The amount of resistance so interconnected varies inversely to the amount of pressure exerted.

Abstract: A pressure transducer device particularly useful in an electronic musical instrument includes a flexible base folded to define upper and lower flexible base portions, a donut-shaped first spacer between the upper and lower base portions and a resiliently deformable diaphragm attached about its periphery to the upper flexible base portion with a second donut-shaped spacer therebetween. A center region of the diaphragm laterally spaced from the second spacer is adhesively attached to a central region of the upper flexible base portion so that the upper flexible base portion moves inwardly and outwardly in response to the movement of the diaphragm. A pair of conductors are disposed on the folded flexible base member to face one another. A pressure responsive composition disposed over the conductors provides a contact resistance across the pair of conductors which varies inversely with the amount of pressure force exerted against the diaphragm.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a support member having first and second support regions and an intermediate region located therebetween, a resistive member supported on the support member at the first support region thereof and having a longitudinal dimension extending transversely of a line from the first support region to the second support region, and a resilient contact member secured to the support member at the second support region and extending over the intermediate region and terminating superjacent the resistive member.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive conductor consists essentially of (I) an electrically insulating rubber (excluding addition reaction type liquid silicone rubber), (II) 25 to 50% by volume of electrically conductive metal particles (preferably 40 to 200.mu. in particle size) and (III) 5 to 20% by volume of carbon black, and having a JIS A hardness of at least 40. Said conductor may optionally contain (IV) 0.1 to 5% by volume of a mono-, di- or trialkyl titanate. This pressure sensitive conductor has high mechanical strength, a rapid electrical response to deformations, a low hysteresis of the electrical resistance variation on application and release of pressure, and minimized change of the pressure-resistivity curve under repeated deformations.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive conductor comprising an elastomer containing from 3 to 40% by volume of electrically conductive magnetic particles, which particles are dispersed in the elastomer so that high-sensitivity pressure sensitive conductor portions and insulator portions or low-sensitivity pressure sensitive conductor portions are both present therein. A method of manufacturing the pressure sensitive conductor comprises forming a sheet of a mixture containing electrically conductive magnetic particles in an elastomer, and subjecting the sheet to the action of magnetic fields before or during cross linking, thereby allowing the conductive magnetic particles to be uniformly dispersed in the sheet in a selected pattern.

Abstract: Faithful replication of a drummer's hits on an electric drum, free of cogeneration of spurious signals by acoustic coupling of the drum pick-up with extraneous energy sources such as nearby musical instruments is achieved by employing as the drum hit pick-up a variable resistance transducer comprising a foamed dielectric matrix, e.g. polymer, having electroconductive particles therein, sandwiched between conductive members one of which is contiguous with the drum head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure-sensitive, electrically conductive elastomeric composition comprising a substrate composed of an organic flexible material and electrically conductive particles consisting of angle-chipped, roundish pebble-like particles of artificial graphite incorporated and dispersed therein. An elastomeric material comprising this composition has such a characteristic property that the electric resistivity is conspicuously and gradiently reduced under application of a pressure from the level maintained when no pressure is applied. This characteristic property is very durable and therefore, the material can be used advantageously for switch elements and the like.

Abstract: A multi-function touch switch apparatus has a first semiconductor composition layer disposed on top of a first conductor layer which is affixed to a first base member. A second semiconductor composition layer opposing the first semiconductor in spaced relationship thereto is disposed on a second conductor layer which is itself disposed on the bottom surface of a second support member. A third conductor layer is also disposed on the top surface of the second support member in opposing spaced-apart relationship to a fourth conductor layer disposed on the bottom surface of a third support member. The second and third support members and the affixed conductor layers and semiconductor layers are resiliently deformable in a transverse axis in response to a transverse touch force to thereby cause electrical contact between the second and third conductor layers to provide a closed switch and the first and second semiconductor layers to provide a closed switch in series with a pressure sensitive resistance.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive electric conductive sheet material is provided, which comprises at least one layer of a rubbery elastic material wherein are substantially uniformly distributed fine particles of electric conductive metal.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument incorporates one or more pressure sensitive push-button controllers actuable independent of the keys or other note selecting elements of the instrument to vary a corresponding number of musical parameters. The specific controllers provide a sensitive, smooth, repeatable parameter variation in response to both the location and the force of the player's touch.

Abstract: Anisotropically pressure-sensitive electroconductive composite sheets are provided which have a very low electric conductive resistance in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet when compressed with an adequate pressure in the direction but a high insulating resistance in all directions within the plane of the sheet. The composite sheets are constructed so that electrically conductive fibers are uniformly dispersed in the matrix of an electrically insulating substance, the average length of the fibers ranging from 20 to 80% of the thickness of the sheet, and are aligned in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. They are useful as a switching material in various miniaturized electronic circuits.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive resistor elements are provided which serve as an on-off switching device and comprise an anisotropically electroconductive sheet which is formed of an insulating rubbery elastomer as a matrix within which many electroconductive fibers are dispersed and oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, an electrode provided on each surface of the sheet, and an insulating layer interposed between at least one of the electrodes and the sheet. The resistor elements can remain insulating in the absence of a compressive force between the electrodes and contribute to electric conduction in the presence of the compressive force.

Abstract: A sensor panel for sensing the location and/or shape of a load superimposed on one face of the panel includes a plate consisting essentially of an electrically conductive material varying in electric conductivity in response to a pressure applied in the direction of plate thickness. Two groups of transversely spaced conductors elongated in respective common directions perpendicular to each other are secured to the two faces of the plate in electrically conductive contact.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive multiple resistor element is proposed whereby two or more variations of resistance can be obtained simultaneously by applying a single compressive force. It comprises an anisotropically electroconductive composite sheet exhibiting varied resistance between its opposite surface as a result of the compressive force applied thereto, a set of electrodes provided on one surface of the composite sheet, another set of electrodes provided on the other surface, and a means for applying the compressive force to the composite sheet through the electrodes. The anisotropically electroconductive composite sheet is formed of an electrically insulating rubbery elastomer as the matrix within which many electroconductive fibers are dispersed and oriented in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.

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: The pressure-sensitive resistor comprising an electroconductive elastomer, in which an electroconductive particulate material is dispersed, two electrodes placed on the opposing surfaces of the elastomer, a means for providing a compressive force between the electrodes and a means for adjusting the compressive force, works on a novel principle that the elastomer composite exhibits a positive coefficient in the curve of compression vs. resistance relationship when the compressive force is varied in a region exceeding an inversion point at which the resistance of the elastomer as measured in the direction of compression is minimal. The coefficient in this positive region is smaller than in the ordinary negative region, so that the variable resistance of the resistor can be controlled very delicately together with the decreased contribution of the uncontrollable contact resistance.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive flexible resistors comprising an elastomeric material containing a controlled resistive element or material are prepared by impregnating an elastomeric material such as a rubber with a semiconducting carbonaceous pyropolymeric inorganic refractory oxide material.

Abstract: An improved pressure-sensitive resistance element is provided which is composed of an electrically non-conductive matrix of a rubbery elastomer and electrically conductive particles dispersed therethrough to have a gradient of distribution from one side to the other of the matrix. Such resistance elements can be manufactured by preliminarily mixing a fluid silicone rubber composition with the conductive particles to be uniformly dispersed therein and subsequently subjecting the mixture to curing to form a rubbery elastomer while, concurrently, the particles are naturally or by force allowed to settle to form the gradient of distribution within the matrix.The resistance elements are superior in easily obtaining the desired resistivity in a wide range by adjusting pressure applied thereto as well as a long service life, compared to products of the kind hitherto known.

Abstract: A potentiometer includes a conductive member and a resistive member both enclosed in a flexible fluid-filled bag so that depression of a point on the bag causes the conductive member to touch a point on the resistive member. Latching means are provided to latch the bag in its depressed position at any point and two forms of visual indication are provided for displaying the resistance values selected.

Abstract: An improved joystick having an operating shaft mounted on a base with a ball and socket joint and a plurality of circuit elements directly actuated by the operating shaft. The circuit elements vary in impedance in correspondence to the displacement of the operating shaft so that the displacement of the operating shaft is converted into corresponding electrical signal.

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 of making a multi-circuit electrical interconnector comprises the molding of an elastomeric, non-conductive frame member having a number of openings extending therethrough corresponding to the number of circuits that are to be interconnected. Each of the openings is overfilled with a module of uncured, heat curable elastomeric resin containing a plurality of electrically conductive particles. All of the modules are subjected to compression and the modules are cured while maintaining them under compression. All of the cured modules are exercised and stabilized physically and electrically by subjecting them to successive applications of compressive force.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive resistance material and process for making the same is described which is of the type comprising an elastomeric matrix with conducting metal particles dispersed therein. Improved performance and improved ranges of conductivity between the no pressure and pressure ranges are obtained by coating the metallic conducting particles with semi-conducting material and further improved results are obtained when the semi-conducting material comprises a reaction product of an organic metal compound with an aryl peroxide of similar aryl compound. The material may be made available as a coating material or as a shaped product.

Abstract: An electrical connector in which conductive rubber rods are mounted in a nonconductive substrate. The rods extend above and below the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the substrate for electrically interconnecting conductive traces on a pair of electronic components, such as a display panel and logic circuit used in a digital wrist watch. A method for making the connect is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting the armature of an electric motor against excessive temperatures comprises a resiliently compressible and expansible pad in the armature circuit and composed of thermally sensitive, non-conductive material containing a plurality of conductive particles engageable with one another when the pad is in a compressed condition to establish a conductive path through the pad. The pad normally is maintained in a compressed, conductive condition by resilient force applying means which is of such resilience as to permit expansion of the pad in response to an increase in its temperature and render the pad non-conductive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile pick-up for making contact with an object and emitting signals which are representative of the deformation caused by the object. The pick-up comprises a supple layer of variable electrical conductivity as a function of its state of compression, a matrix of measuring electrodes each connected to an output lead, and a large number of conducting elements connected to an electric source fixing their potential at a determined excitation value.

Abstract: A digital pressure/range transducer is disclosed. The transducer transforms n applied force into a mechanical movement which in turn closes a plurality of switches in ordered sequence. The number of switches closed gives a measure of the applied force. The transducer can be configured as a cable and when so configured the location of a closed switch or switches along the length of the cable can be determined.

Abstract: A multi-stage switching apparatus adapted to make and break an electrical circuit comprises a first compressible body having a resistance which varies inversely according to its state of compression and a second compressible body having a substantially uniform resistance lower than that of the first body, the two bodies being so arranged that the first body is compressed prior to compression of the second body in response to making of the circuit and is decompressed following decompression of the first body in response to breaking of the circuit.