The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 30, 1980
Filed:
Aug. 31, 1978
Barney D Hunts, Mountain Lakes, NJ (US);
The Singer Company, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A proximity switch arrangement for an appliance having a multiplicity of operating capabilities, functions and conditions which are selected or adjusted through actuation of proximity switches by the presence of an operator's finger. Indicia representative of the operating capabilities, functions and conditions of the appliance are provided on a display panel. A plurality of proximity pads, which are interconnected in several groups, are arranged with respect to the indicia in the display so as to have a pair of pads from separate groups unique for each indicium and closely adjacent each side of the indicium. When an operator touches an indicium on the display, the proximity pads on each side of the indicium are actuated and by means of a decoder the unique indicium designated by the unique pair of groups of proximity switches is determined. Furthermore, the arrangement of the proximity pads are such that nearly every pad has an indicium on either side of it. As a result, each pad effectively becomes part of two switch devices. It is this dual role performed by each pad that permits the high density arrangement.