PRESSURE RESPONSIVE SWITCH

• US 3,718,791 A
• Filed: 09/16/1971
• Issued: 02/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Teofil Szablowski
• Original Assignee: Teofil Szablowski
• Inventors: Szablowski, Teofil
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/181,013
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 200/85,86R,86A,86.5,159B
• US Class Current: 200/85.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/141 Cushion or mat switches

Abstract

A normally open pressure responsive switch includes spaced first and second substantially planar members having opposed paddlelike configurations and composed of a dielectric generally flexible material such as plastic. First and second planar contacts of fork-like configurations are respectively laminated to the opposed faces of the planar members. The members and contacts are stamped to form depressions of frustoconical configuration. First and second terminals for connecting the switch to an electric circuit are respectively connected laterally spaced to handle portions of the contacts. The lateral spacing prevents engagement of the terminals and resultant closing of the switch. A resilient foam pad positioned between and adhesively bonded to the blade portions of the planar members includes a plurality of apertures of variable configuration whose opposite ends open to the tine portions of the respective contacts. The foam pad normally maintains a spaced relationship between the frustoconical apexes of the depressions respective the opposite ends of each aperture and deflects to allow engagement of these apexes and closing of the switch when the planar members are subjected to a normal pressure above a predetermined value.

Claims

2. A normally open pressure responsive switch comprising, spaced first and second substantially planar members of a dielectric generally flexible material, electrically conductive generally planar first and second contacts respectively laminated to the opposed faces of the planar members, resilient spacing means between the planar members and adhesively laminated by a bonding agent thereto with a plurality of apertures extending through the spacing means and opening to the contacts, and a plurality of stamped depressions formed in the planar members and their respective contacts and received within the apertures of the spacing means with portions of the contacts forming apexes of the depressions supported by the depressed portions of the planar members, the spacing means normally maintaining a spaced relationship between the apexes of the depressions respective the opposite ends of each aperture and deflecting to allow engagement of these apexes and closing of the switch when the planar members are subjected to a normal pressure above a predetermined value.

3. A normally open pressure responsive switch comprising, spaced first and sEcond substantially planar members of a dielectric generally flexible material, resilient spacing means between the planar members and adhesively laminated by a bonding agent thereto with a plurality of apertures extending through the spacing means and opening to the planar members, a plurality of frustoconical stamped depressions formed in the planar members and respectively received within the apertures of the spacing means, a plurality of generally planar contacts laminated between the spacing means and the planar members and including stamped depressions covering and supported by the depressions of the planar members, the spacing means normally maintaining a spaced relationship between the apexes of the contact depressions respective the opposite ends of each aperture while deflecting to allow engagement of these apexes and closing of the switch when the planar members are subjected to a normal pressure above a predetermined value, and the contacts defining spaces in their respective planes between the depressions thereof to reduce the rigidity imparted to the switch by the contacts.

4. A normally open pressure responsive switch comprising, spaced first and second substantially planar members of a dielectric generally flexible material and having paddle-like configurations in opposed relationship, electrically conductive generally planar first and second contacts having fork-like configurations respectively laminated to the opposed faces of the planar members with the tine portions of the contacts on the blade portions of the planar members and with the handle portions of the contacts on the handle portions of the planar members, terminal means for connecting the handle portions of each contact to an electric circuit, resilient spacing means between the planar members and adhesively laminated by a bonding agent thereto with a plurality of apertures extending through the spacing means and opening to the tine portions of the contacts, and a plurality of frustoconical stamped depressions formed in the planar members and the respective tine portions of the contacts and received within the apertures of the spacing means with portions of the contacts forming apexes of the depressions supported by the depressed portions of the planar members, the spacing means normally maintaining a spaced relationship between the apexes of the depressions respective the opposite ends of each aperture and deflecting to allow engagement of these apexes and closing of the switch when the planar members are subjected to a normal pressure above a predetermined value.

5. A normally open pressure responsive switch for use within a seat to detect occupancy of the seat, the switch comprising, spaced first and second substantially planar members of a dielectric generally flexible material and having paddle-like configurations in opposed relationship, the planar members being positionable generally parallel to a seating surface of the seat with the blade portion of the upper planar member larger than the blade portion of the lower planar member to shield the switch from liquid accidentally spilled on the seat, electrically conductive generally planar first and second contacts having fork-like configurations respectively laminated to the opposed faces of the planar members with the tine portions of the contacts on the blade portions of the planar members and with the handle portions of the contacts on the handle portions of the planar members, terminal means for connecting the handle portions of each contact to an electrical circuit, resilient spacing means between the planar members and adhesively laminated by a bonding agent thereto with a plurality of apertures extending through the spacing means and opening to the tine portions of the contacts, and a plurality of frustoconical stamped depressions formed in the planar members and the respective tine portions of the contacts and received within the apertures of the spacing means with portions of the contacts forming apexes of the depressionS supported by the depressed portions of the planar members, the spacing means normally maintaining a spaced relationship between the apexes of the depressions respective the opposite ends of each aperture and deflecting to allow engagement of these apexes and closing of the switch when the planar members are subjected to a normal pressure above a predetermined value by a seated occupant.

6. A normally open pressure responsive switch according to claim 5 wherein the stamped depressions along the tine portions are connected by strip portions having widths less than the diameter of the depressions to further reduce the rigidity of the switch.

7. A normally open pressure responsive switch according to claim 5 wherein the handle portions of the contacts are laterally offset to prevent engagement of the terminal means connected thereto and resultant closing of the switch.

8. A normally open pressure responsive switch according to claim 5 wherein the terminal means for each contact includes a connector member having a portion for connecting a lead and a flattened portion engageable with the contact handle portion and having an aperture aligned with aligned apertures in the handle portions of both the planar member and contact, and an insert having a portion received within the aligned apertures and terminating in lips respectively engageable with the outer side of the planar member handle portion and the inner side of the connector member flattened portion to maintain engagement between the connector member and the handle portion of the contact.

9. A normally open pressure responsive switch according to claim 8 wherein the insert is composed of metal and the lip engageable with the outer side of the planar member handle portion is covered with a dielectric member to prevent electrical connection of the terminal with any conductive member of the seat the switch is for use within.

10. A normally open pressure responsive switch according to claim 5 wherein the apertures of the spacing means are elongated and extend for the length of the tine portions of the contacts.

11. A normally open pressure responsive switch according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of the apertures within the spacing means open to each opposed set of tine portions of the contacts.