US3350530A - Switches for use with flexible printed circuits - Google Patents

Switches for use with flexible printed circuits Download PDF

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Publication number
US3350530A
US3350530A US589372A US58937266A US3350530A US 3350530 A US3350530 A US 3350530A US 589372 A US589372 A US 589372A US 58937266 A US58937266 A US 58937266A US 3350530 A US3350530 A US 3350530A
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United States
Prior art keywords
flexible printed
printed circuits
projections
base
switches
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US589372A
Inventor
Fry William Lawrence
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lucas Industries Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucas Industries Ltd filed Critical Lucas Industries Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3350530A publication Critical patent/US3350530A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/44—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding with resilient mounting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/40—Contact mounted so that its contact-making surface is flush with adjoining insulation
    • H01H1/403—Contacts forming part of a printed circuit

Definitions

  • a switch for utilization with flexible printed circuits and which switch comprises a base member having projections thereon over which exposed portions of flexible printed circuits are placed, fixed contacts provided that engage the projections and movable contacts arranged for cooperation with the fixed contacts and in which the fixed contacts are carried by first insulating molding that is fixed relative to the base and the movable contacts are carried by a second insulating molding which is angularly movable relative to the base.
  • This invention relates to switches for use with flexible printed circuits.
  • a switch according to the invention comprises in combination a base having thereon projections over which exposed portions of the flexible printed circuits are placed in use, fixed contacts engaging the projections, and movable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts.
  • a base 11 having formed integrally therewith a plurality of projections 12 arranged in a circular row. Each projection is wider and longer at its base than its top, and has a groove 13 formed in its top surface.
  • a plurality of flexible printed circuits 14 extend radially from the base 11, each circuit 14 passing over a projection 12 so as to lie in the groove 13 thereof, and the conductors in the circuits 14 being exposed where they pass over the projections 12.
  • each of the projections Engaged with each of the projections is an annular insulating disc 15 having therein slots 16. At the ends of the projections are integral ribs 17 with which the ends of the slots 16 engage, the arrangement being such that when the disc 15 is in position it prevents movement of the circuit 14, relative to the base 11.
  • the contacts 19 are secured in their respective recesses 18a by rivets 21 which extend through the block 18, the heads of the rivets 21 being shaped to define contact surfaces 22 on the upper surface of the block 18.
  • a rotor 23 is pivotally connected to the block 18, and carries contacts 24 which cooperate with the contact surfaces 22 as the rotor is moved angularly, to interconnect different combinations of the circuits 14.
  • a switch for use with flexible printed circuits comprising in combination a base having thereon projections over which exposed portions of the flexible printed circuits are placed, fixed contacts engaging the projections, and movable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts.
  • a switch as claimed in claim 1 including an insulating member which engages the projections to clamp the flexible printed circuits relative thereto.
  • each fixed contact comprises a conductive resilient member, which grips the exposed portion of its respective flexible printed circuit, and a conductive rivet, which secures said member to the first insulating moulding, the end of the rivet remote from said member being engaged by the movable contacts.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Description

Oct. 31, 1967 w. L. FRY 3,350,530
SWITCHES FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS Filed Oct. 25, 1966 United States Patent 3,350,530 SWHTCHES FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS William Lawrence Fry, Birmingham, England, assignor to Joseph Lucas (industries) Limited, Birmingham, England, a British company Filed Oct. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 589,372 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Dec. 16, 1965,
53,391/ 65 4 Claims. (Cl. 200-166) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A switch for utilization with flexible printed circuits and which switch comprises a base member having projections thereon over which exposed portions of flexible printed circuits are placed, fixed contacts provided that engage the projections and movable contacts arranged for cooperation with the fixed contacts and in which the fixed contacts are carried by first insulating molding that is fixed relative to the base and the movable contacts are carried by a second insulating molding which is angularly movable relative to the base.
This invention relates to switches for use with flexible printed circuits.
A switch according to the invention comprises in combination a base having thereon projections over which exposed portions of the flexible printed circuits are placed in use, fixed contacts engaging the projections, and movable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts.
One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a switch, FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the switch shown in FIGURE 1, and FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the switch shown in FIGURE 1 but with parts thereof omitted for clarity.
Referring to the drawings, there is provided a base 11 having formed integrally therewith a plurality of projections 12 arranged in a circular row. Each projection is wider and longer at its base than its top, and has a groove 13 formed in its top surface. A plurality of flexible printed circuits 14 extend radially from the base 11, each circuit 14 passing over a projection 12 so as to lie in the groove 13 thereof, and the conductors in the circuits 14 being exposed where they pass over the projections 12.
Engaged with each of the projections is an annular insulating disc 15 having therein slots 16. At the ends of the projections are integral ribs 17 with which the ends of the slots 16 engage, the arrangement being such that when the disc 15 is in position it prevents movement of the circuit 14, relative to the base 11.
Secured to the base 11 is a contact block 18 which is formed on its lower surface with a plurality of recesses 18a each of which houses a resilient contact 19. The contacts 19 include a pair of arms which engage the inclined sides of the projections to make good connections to the circuit 14.
The contacts 19 are secured in their respective recesses 18a by rivets 21 which extend through the block 18, the heads of the rivets 21 being shaped to define contact surfaces 22 on the upper surface of the block 18. A rotor 23 is pivotally connected to the block 18, and carries contacts 24 which cooperate with the contact surfaces 22 as the rotor is moved angularly, to interconnect different combinations of the circuits 14.
Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
1. A switch for use with flexible printed circuits comprising in combination a base having thereon projections over which exposed portions of the flexible printed circuits are placed, fixed contacts engaging the projections, and movable contacts cooperating with the fixed contacts.
2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 including an insulating member which engages the projections to clamp the flexible printed circuits relative thereto.
3. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixed contacts are carried by a first insulating moulding which is fixed relative to the base, and the movable contacts are carried by a second insulating moulding which is angularly movable relative to the base.
4. A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein each fixed contact comprises a conductive resilient member, which grips the exposed portion of its respective flexible printed circuit, and a conductive rivet, which secures said member to the first insulating moulding, the end of the rivet remote from said member being engaged by the movable contacts.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,854,502 9/1958 Richter 339-17 3,102,767 9/1963 Schneck 339-17 3,114,587 12/1963 Herrmann 339-17 3,278,887 10/1966 Travis 339-17 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A SWITCH FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS COMPRISING AN COMBINATION A BASE HAVING THEREON PROJECTIONS OVER WHICH EXPOSED PORTIONS OF THE FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS ARE PLACED, FIXED CONTACTS ENGAGING THE PROJECTIONS, AND MOVABLE CONTACTS COOPERATING WITH FIXED CONTACTS.
US589372A 1965-12-16 1966-10-25 Switches for use with flexible printed circuits Expired - Lifetime US3350530A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB53391/65A GB1158908A (en) 1965-12-16 1965-12-16 Switches for use with flexible printed circuits.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3350530A true US3350530A (en) 1967-10-31

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ID=10467637

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US589372A Expired - Lifetime US3350530A (en) 1965-12-16 1966-10-25 Switches for use with flexible printed circuits

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Country Link
US (1) US3350530A (en)
DE (1) DE1271805B (en)
FR (1) FR1502223A (en)
GB (1) GB1158908A (en)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3433916A (en) * 1967-09-29 1969-03-18 Ford Motor Co Direct electrical harness switching
US3443045A (en) * 1967-05-10 1969-05-06 Ind Onics Controls Inc Electric switch with transverse wiping action
US3478307A (en) * 1967-07-05 1969-11-11 Henry Raymond Testo Method and apparatus for providing an external connection to an electrical component
US3581024A (en) * 1969-12-01 1971-05-25 Oak Electro Netics Corp Wafer disc rotary switch with stator printed circuit contact structure and rotor
US3581023A (en) * 1969-12-01 1971-05-25 Oak Electro Netics Corp Improved wafer rotary switch with stator printed circuit contact structure and rotor
US3683132A (en) * 1970-09-08 1972-08-08 Oak Electro Netics Corp Flexible printed circuit forming contact surface around stator of rotary switch
US3753207A (en) * 1971-10-07 1973-08-14 Bell Electric Research Ltd Connector for the electrical connection of flexible conductors
US3772775A (en) * 1972-07-17 1973-11-20 Methods Electronics Inc Method of making flat conductor cable assemblies
US3778753A (en) * 1972-05-05 1973-12-11 Bunker Ramo Electrical connector
US3851294A (en) * 1972-10-31 1974-11-26 Fiat Spa Connector for sealingly interconnecting a multiple core electric cable and a printed circuit
US3999826A (en) * 1975-06-30 1976-12-28 General Motors Corporation Connector for flexible printed circuit
US4052573A (en) * 1975-02-17 1977-10-04 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Rotary or slide type switch assembly having recessed printed circuit substrate, interposed resilient bridging contact and movable printed circuit disc
US4364619A (en) * 1981-04-09 1982-12-21 Mattel, Inc. Interconnection system for printed circuit board devices
US4788393A (en) * 1986-01-29 1988-11-29 Copal Electronics Co. Ltd. DIP rotary code switch
US5230218A (en) * 1988-06-22 1993-07-27 Clulow Malcolm G Snow making equipment
US20090042453A1 (en) * 2007-08-10 2009-02-12 Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc. Contact spring assembly for electronic devices

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2854502A (en) * 1956-12-05 1958-09-30 Tape Cable Corp Termination strip for electric cable
US3102767A (en) * 1960-12-08 1963-09-03 Kent Mfg Co Electrical connector for flat conductor cable
US3114587A (en) * 1961-10-02 1963-12-17 Adolf L Herrmann Flat cables and corresponding connector
US3278887A (en) * 1964-03-16 1966-10-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electrical circuit assembly and method of manufacture

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2854502A (en) * 1956-12-05 1958-09-30 Tape Cable Corp Termination strip for electric cable
US3102767A (en) * 1960-12-08 1963-09-03 Kent Mfg Co Electrical connector for flat conductor cable
US3114587A (en) * 1961-10-02 1963-12-17 Adolf L Herrmann Flat cables and corresponding connector
US3278887A (en) * 1964-03-16 1966-10-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electrical circuit assembly and method of manufacture

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3443045A (en) * 1967-05-10 1969-05-06 Ind Onics Controls Inc Electric switch with transverse wiping action
US3478307A (en) * 1967-07-05 1969-11-11 Henry Raymond Testo Method and apparatus for providing an external connection to an electrical component
US3433916A (en) * 1967-09-29 1969-03-18 Ford Motor Co Direct electrical harness switching
US3581024A (en) * 1969-12-01 1971-05-25 Oak Electro Netics Corp Wafer disc rotary switch with stator printed circuit contact structure and rotor
US3581023A (en) * 1969-12-01 1971-05-25 Oak Electro Netics Corp Improved wafer rotary switch with stator printed circuit contact structure and rotor
US3683132A (en) * 1970-09-08 1972-08-08 Oak Electro Netics Corp Flexible printed circuit forming contact surface around stator of rotary switch
US3753207A (en) * 1971-10-07 1973-08-14 Bell Electric Research Ltd Connector for the electrical connection of flexible conductors
US3778753A (en) * 1972-05-05 1973-12-11 Bunker Ramo Electrical connector
US3772775A (en) * 1972-07-17 1973-11-20 Methods Electronics Inc Method of making flat conductor cable assemblies
US3851294A (en) * 1972-10-31 1974-11-26 Fiat Spa Connector for sealingly interconnecting a multiple core electric cable and a printed circuit
US4052573A (en) * 1975-02-17 1977-10-04 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Rotary or slide type switch assembly having recessed printed circuit substrate, interposed resilient bridging contact and movable printed circuit disc
US3999826A (en) * 1975-06-30 1976-12-28 General Motors Corporation Connector for flexible printed circuit
US4364619A (en) * 1981-04-09 1982-12-21 Mattel, Inc. Interconnection system for printed circuit board devices
US4788393A (en) * 1986-01-29 1988-11-29 Copal Electronics Co. Ltd. DIP rotary code switch
US5230218A (en) * 1988-06-22 1993-07-27 Clulow Malcolm G Snow making equipment
US20090042453A1 (en) * 2007-08-10 2009-02-12 Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc. Contact spring assembly for electronic devices
US7578712B2 (en) * 2007-08-10 2009-08-25 Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc. Contact spring assembly for electronic devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1158908A (en) 1969-07-23
DE1271805B (en) 1968-07-04
FR1502223A (en) 1967-11-18

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