GB2495087A

GB2495087A - Fabric switch

Info

Publication number: GB2495087A
Application number: GB201116589A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Neil Postlethwaite
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-27
Filing date: 2011-09-27
Publication date: 2013-04-03
Also published as: GB201116589D0

Abstract

A switch device 10 comprises a first conductor 14a to be attached to a surface of a fabric 16, a non-conductive spacer 20 to be attached in a position substantially over the first conductor 14a, an aperture or cutaway 22 through the spacer 20 which is aligned with the first conductor 14a beneath, and a second conductor 14b to be attached to an upper surface of the spacer 20 in a position over the aperture or cutaway 22. Depression of the second conductive element 14b at the position of the aperture or cutaway 22, causes electrical contact between the first and second conductors 14a,14b. The conductors can be lengths of conductive thread that can be stitched to the textile. The spacer can be a fabric such as a felt pad and have a circular aperture and self-adhesive backing for attaching it to the fabric. The first conductor can be a battery 26 and the conductors can be connected to first and second terminals of an electrical device such as a LED 24. A textile kit for children can comprise a battery, an electrically operated device, conductive thread, an insulating spacer and one or more fabrics.

Description

SWITCH DEVICE

The present invention relates to a switch device and particularly to a switch device and switch device kit for use with fabrics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When teaching children sewing skills, it is desirable to demonstrate different techniques using projects that are of interest to them. It is also helpful to be able to incorporate teachings from other disciplines, for example, physics, in projects to make them more interesting for the children. When making, for example a textile animal, it is desirable to include lights in the eyes of the animal. It is also desirable to be able to demonstrate the ideas of conductivity and switching of electrical cunent, without having to use materials which are incongruous with the end product of a soft toy. For example, it is not desirable to have to use solder and soldering irons or crimp connectors in a textile teaching environment.

It is an object of the invention to provide a switch device and kit of electncal parts which substantially overcomes or mitigates these problems.

SUMMARY OF TI-IF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a switch device comprising a first conductive element adapted to be attached to a surface of a fabnc, a non-conductive spacer element adapted to be attached in a position substantially over the first conductive element, an aperture or cutaway provided through the spacer element which is adapted to be aligned, in use, with the first conductive element beneath, and a second conductive element adapted to be attached to an upper surface of the spacer element in a position extending over the aperture or cutaway. depression of the second conductive element at the position of the aperture or cutaway, in use.

causing electrical contact between the first and second conductive elements.

The switch device is advantageous because it utilises the "give" or "flexibility" in the assembled materials to provide the switching means.

The first conductive element may be a battery and the second conductive element may be a length of conductive thread.

Preferably the conductive thread includes a proportion of silver. The use of conductive thread is beneficial because it can be tied to the tentnals of electrical components and stitched to a textile to hold it in position and also to form part of the structure of a product. such as a soft toy.

The spacer element may be a fabric and is preferably a felt pad. The felt pad may have a circular aperture there-through. The pad itself may also be circular, oval or of any desired shape. It may be made from several layers of felt and may have a thickness, ideally of around Smmm. However, the thickness may be varied, as desired and may be of my suitable thickness to provide separation between the first and second conductive elements.

The spacer element may have a self adhesive backing for attaching to the fabric.

Alternatively it may be bonded with other adhesive.

Alternatively, the first conductive element may be a length of conductive thread.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical circuit provided on a textile comprising the switch device as claimed in any preceding claim, the first conductive element being connected to one terminal of an electrical device and the second conductive element being connected to the a second terminal of the electrical device.

The electrical device may be at least one LED, a pair of LEDs or a pair of flashing LEDs connected via a battery or cell holder and battery, as required.

The electrical connections may be made using conductive thread, which is stitched to the textile.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a switch device comprising placing a first conductive element on the surface of a piece of fabric, attaching a non-conductive spacer element having an aperture or cutaway ci therein over the first conductive element, the aperture or cutaway being aligned with the first conductive element beneath, and attaching a second conductive element to an upper surface of the spacer element in a position extending over the aperture or cutaway. depression of the second conductive element at the position of the aperture or cutaway, in use, causing electrical contact between the first and second conductive elements.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a textile kit for children comprising a battery, at least one electrically operated component, electrically conductive thread and a spacer member made from electrically insulating material.

The textile kit may be part of a larger kit for producing, for exampk, a soft toy, and may include fabrics and other materials, such as thread and patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION Of THE DRAWINGS

for a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: figure 1 show's a schematic diagram of a switch device incorporated in a circuit diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to single Figure 1, a switch device 1 0 is shown connected into an electrical circuit generally indicated at 12. The electrical circuit 12 is connected by lengths of conductive thread 14a,14b,14c which are stitched to a fabric backing 16. The conductive thread is preferably silver, or has a silver content, for example, a silver plated nylon thread. A first length of conductive thread 14a is stitched to the fabric backing 16 and extends between the switch device 10 and a cell holder 18, which is also stitched to the fabric 16. It may alternatively, be bonded to the fabric or held on with hook and eye fastener. The conductive thread 14a is knotted onto a first terminal of the cell holder 18.

A non-conductive spacer element 20 formed, for example, from felt is bonded to the fabric backing 16 and has an aperture 22 there-through, which overlies part of the conductive thread I 4a. A longer stitch in the conductive thread 14a on top of the material can be made at the position of the aperture 20. Optionally, the aperture could be replaced by a cut-away in the side of the spacer element 20. The felt pad may be made from several layers and is preferably self-adhesive backed, to enable it to be positioned and stuck with ease onto the fabric backing 16, over the first conductive thread.

A second conductive thread 14b is stitched between the switch device 10 and the ternilnals on one side of a pair of LEDs 24. The LEDs 24 may have built in circuitry to make the flash, when energised. The second conductive thread 14b passes over the top of the felt pad 20 and a portion of the thread 14b is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the first conductive thread 14a.

A third piece of conductive thread i4c is stitched and connected between the second terminal of the cell holder 18, where it is knotted, and the LEDs 24. The conductive threads 14b and 14c are knotted to the terminals of the LEDs 24. A battery 26, for example a 3 volt DC battery, more particularly a CR2032 is held in the cell holder 18 to power up the circuit. Any suitable battery and holder can be utilised, as desired.

In use, when it is desired to illuminate the LEDs, the second conductive thread 14b is depressed using one's finger onto thc first conductive thread 14a at the position of the aperture 22 in the felt pad 20. When the conductive elements I 4a, I 4b touch, the circuit is made and the LEDs illuminate.

In an alternative embodiment, the battery 26 can be positioned underneath the felt pad and be retained by the pad. The first conductive thread 14a connects to the underside of the battery 26 and the second conductive thread I 4b is depressed and connects to the upper surface of the batteiy 26. This saves the need to use a battery or cell holder 18 and is more cost effective.

The switch device 20 can be provided as a kit of parts for assembly in a textile project, as desired. In one example. the LEDs 24 can be used as the eyes of an animal soft toy. The switch device 20 and associated circuit 12 is ideal for explaiiiing to children how a DC electrical circuit functions and the parts of the kit do not require soldenng or other connection means, which may cause problems for young children.

Furthermore, the circuit, including the switch device 20 can be covered by another layer of fabric to conceal it. In this case, the upper layer of fabric is pressed to connect the conductive threads 14a, 14b and indicator means such as a tab may optionally be stitched on to the upper fabric layer to indicate to a user, where to press.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSI. A switch device comprising a first conductive element adapted to be attached to a surface of a fabric, a non-conductive spacer element adapted to be attached in a position substantially over the first conductive element, an aperture or cutaway provided through the spacer element which is adapted to be aligned, in use, with the first conductive element beneath, and a second conductive element adapted to be attached to an upper surface of the spacer element in a position extending over the aperture or cutaway, depression of the second conductive element at the position of the aperture or cutaway, in use, causing electrical contact between the first and second conductive elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A switch device as claimed in claim 1, in which the first conductive element is a battery.</claim-text> <claim-text>3, A switch device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the second conductive element is a length of conductive thread.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A switch element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the spacer element is a fabric.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A switch element as claimed in claim 4, in which the spacer member is a felt pad.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A switch element as claimed in claim 5, in which the felt pad has a circular aperture there-through.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A switch element as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the spacer element has a self adhesive backing for attaching to the fabric.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A switch element as claimed in claim 1, in which the first conductive element is a length of conductive thread.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. An electrical circuit provided on a textile comprising the switch device as claimed in any preceding claim, the first conductive element being connected to one terminal of an electrical device and the second conductive element being connected to the a second terminal of the e1ectrica device.</claim-text> <claim-text>10, An electrical circuit as claimed h claim 9, in which the electrical device is at least one LED.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. An electrical circuit as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the electrical connections are made using conductivc thread, which is stitched to the textile.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A method of making a switch device comprising placing a first conductive element on the surface of a piece of fabric, attaching a non-conductive spacer element having an aperture or cutaway therein over the first conductive element, the aperture or cutaway being aligned with the first conductive element beneath, and attaching a second conductive element to an upper suitace of the spacer element in a position extending over the aperture or cutaway, depression of the second conductive element at the position of the aperture or cutaway, in use, causing electrical contact between the first and second conductive elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A textile kit for children comprising a batteiy, at least one dectrically operated component, electrically conductive thread and a spacer member made from electrically insulating material.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A textile kit for children as claimed in claim 13, further including one or more fabrics.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A switch device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure i of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An electrical circuit substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A method of making a switch device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure I of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A textile kit substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>