Omnidirectional response cable switch

• US 6,107,580 A
• Filed: 02/09/1999
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shinmei Rubber Industries Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Shinmei Rubber Industries Company Limited
• Inventors: Ishiwatari, Seishiro, Sasaki, Tadamitsu, Hoshikawa, Kyofu, Tanahashi, Mitsuru
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US09/247,014
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 A, 200/61.43, 200/61.44, 200/86 R, 200/511, 200/85 R
• US Class Current: 200/61.43
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/142 of the elongated strip type

Abstract

This invention provides an omnidirectionally responsive cable switch (5) capable of snake-like or twisted wiring or layout and comprising a tubular outer cover (1) made of an insulating material and 2-4 separate conductive rubbers (3a-3d) fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap (2) therebetween, the separate conductive rubbers being spaced apart from each other, and the outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers may contact with each other when substantial compressive pressure is applied thereon at any point of the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween. The air gap (2) may be substantially of a cross-shaped, Y-shaped, V-shaped, S-shaped, or arrow-head-shaped form. The omnidirectionally responsive cable switch may be further protected or guarded by a reinforcing member or material.

Claims

1. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and two separate conductive rubbers of irregular shape, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap therebetween, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween, said air gap being substantially S-shaped in cross-sectional view having two portions extending towards the outer cover and a third portion interconnecting said two portions, said two portions and said third portion being of substantially uniform width.

2. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch according to claim 1, wherein the cable switch includes two electric wires, and each of the electric wires pierces through one of the separate conductive rubbers.

3. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and four separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap between every two of said four separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween, said air gap being substantially cross-shaped in cross-sectional view.

4. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of longitudinal protrusions are provided on the outer surface of the outer cover for the purpose of ensuring a stable wiring or lay out.

5. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and three separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap between every two of said three separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween, said air gap being substantially Y-shaped in cross-sectional view.

6. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and two separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap therebetween with one of said two conductive rubbers having two equal length sides and the other of said two conductive rubbers having two equal length sides, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween, said air gap being substantially V-shaped in cross-sectional view.

7. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch according to claim 6, wherein the cable switch includes only one electric wire, and the electric wire pierces through one of the separate conductive rubbers.

8. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and three separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap between every two of said three separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween, said air gap having a shape of an arrowhead.

9. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and 2-4 separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap therebetween, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween,

a reinforcing member and a reinforcing material being fixedly laid on the outer surface of the outer cover for the purpose of protecting or guarding the cable switch, the reinforcing member being one or more aramid fibers longitudinally laid on the outer surface of the outer cover and the reinforcing material being at least one knitted glass fiber further coated with silicone.

10. An omnidirectionally responsive cable switch which comprises a tubular outer cover made of an insulating material and at least two separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being fixed on the inner surface of the outer cover leaving an air gap between every two separate conductive rubbers, said separate conductive rubbers being apart from each other, and said outer cover being capable of being distorted together with the conductive rubbers so that the separate conductive rubbers contact each other when compressive pressure from any direction is applied thereto at any point on the outer cover, thereby forming a switching contact therebetween, said air gap being of substantially uniform width.