Tensioned touch panel and method of making same
First Claim
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1. A tensioned touch panel comprising:
- a support structure comprising a substrate having a generally planar conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of said substrate; and
a flexible, elastic, conductive membrane overlying said support structure and secured thereto, said spacer separating said conductive membrane and said conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween, said conductive membrane being stressed to a level of pretension prior to being secured to said support structure that is selected to maintain the separation between the conductive membrane and the conductive surface and inhibit slack from developing in said conductive membrane over time and as a result of changes in environmental conditions, after said conductive membrane has been secured to said support structure.
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Abstract
A tensioned touch panel includes a support structure having a substrate with a generally planer conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of the substrate. A pretensioned conductive member overlies the support structure. The spacer separates the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. A conductive membrane is secured to the support structure under sufficient tension to inhibit slack from developing in the conductive membrane as a result of changes in environmental conditions. A method of assembling a tensioned touch panel is also provided.
16 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A tensioned touch panel comprising:
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a support structure comprising a substrate having a generally planar conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of said substrate; and a flexible, elastic, conductive membrane overlying said support structure and secured thereto, said spacer separating said conductive membrane and said conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween, said conductive membrane being stressed to a level of pretension prior to being secured to said support structure that is selected to maintain the separation between the conductive membrane and the conductive surface and inhibit slack from developing in said conductive membrane over time and as a result of changes in environmental conditions, after said conductive membrane has been secured to said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tensioned touch panel comprising:
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a support structure having a conductive surface disposed thereon; and a flexible, elastic, conductive membrane overlying said conductive surface in spaced apart relation, said conductive membrane being permanently secured to said support structure, said conductive membrane being stressed to a level of pretension prior to being secured to said support structure, the level of pretension being selected to maintain separation between the conductive membrane and the conductive surface and inhibit slack from developing in said conductive membrane over time and over a variety of environmental conditions, after said conductive membrane has been secured to said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A tensioned touch panel comprising:
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a support structure comprising a substrate having a generally planar conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of said substrate; and a flexible, elastic, conductive membrane overlying said support structure and secured thereto, said spacer separating said conductive membrane and said conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween, said conductive membrane being stressed to a level of pretension prior to being secured to said support structure, said level of pretension being selected to maintain the separation between the conductive membrane and the conductive surface and compensate for the coefficient of thermal and hydroscopic or hygroscopic expansion of said conductive membrane over a variety of temperature and humidity conditions, after said conductive membrane has been secured to said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification