Electrical connection

• US 6,974,935 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inditherm Plc (Inspiration Healthcare Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Inditherm Plc (Inspiration Healthcare Group Plc)
• Inventors: O'Grady, Patrick James
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Robin O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, VINOD D
• Application Number:
  US10/959,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20050077287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 219/541, 219/543, 219/549, 219/203, 219/522, 219/528, 219/553, 338306-309, 439886-887
• US Class Current: 219/541
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/04 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/24 the conductive material comprising carbon-silicon compounds, carbon or silicon
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/145 Carbon only, e.g. carbon black, graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/146 Conductive polymers, e.g. polyethylene, thermoplastics

Abstract

A device for connecting a source of electrical power to a coating or film incorporating carbon particles, an objective met by providing a coating of a nickel compound to the coating or film of carbon particles, and applying to the nickel coating a tin-copper tape coated with a silver-loaded conductive adhesive. What results is a uniform heating effect over a relatively wide area, substantially free from hot and cold spots or areas.

Claims

1. An electrical connection to a coat or a film incorporating carbon particles comprising an area of the coat or film provided with a coating of a nickel compound, and a tin-copper tape coated with a silver-loaded adhesive applied to the coating of the nickel compound.

2. An electrical connection as in claim 1, wherein the tin-copper tape is overlaid by an antifaying compound.

3. An electrical connection as in claim 2, wherein the antifaying compound is of a width greater than that of the tin-copper tape.

4. An electrical connection as in claim 1, wherein co-operating apertures are provided through the coat or film containing carbon particles, the coating of nickel compound and the tin-copper tape through which extends a conductive stud from a stud base secured to the rear of the coat or film to a cap, the cap being secured to the stub whereby to secure an electrical lead to the stud and to the tin-copper tape.

5. An electrical connection as in claim 4, wherein the coat or film incorporating carbon particles is applied to a flexible support material, the flexible support material having a hole to co-operate with the holes in the coat or film and in the tin-copper tape, to allow the passage of the stud, the stud base being secured to the face of the support material opposite to the face provided with the coat or film containing carbon particles.