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. 16, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1997
Bradley E Shutes, Maryland Heights, MO (US);
C.P. Clare Corporation, Beverly, MA (US);
Abstract
A reed switch employs contact blades which have enhanced flexibility and performance, as a result of the selective removal of material from one or more of the blades without work hardening the remaining blade material. The blades are masked and acid etched in predetermined patterns to provide either a contact region, a hinge or fulcrum region, or one or more of both. The contact region of the blade optimizes the alignment and magnetic coupling of the switch while minimizing the electrical capacitance in the space between the blades when the switch is open. The hinge or fulcrum region improves blade compliance and flexibility under an applied load. Various geometries of the contact region can be employed to improve the performance and longevity of the switch.