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:
Mar. 28, 1995
Filed:
Apr. 25, 1994
Joseph L Asta, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A membrane switch including first and second substantially flexible electrical contacts and a first layer of dielectric material deposited between and on one surface of one of the first and second contacts, the first layer being deposited in a predetermined geometric pattern including a plurality of cells defined by cell walls, the cell walls being broken in predetermined positions about the perimeter of each cell so that during and after actuation of the switch, air within a cell between the first and second contacts can vent to one or more adjoining cells to enable activation and prevent a vacuum from forming between the first and second contacts thereby enabling the switch to break contact after being released.