Did You Know...
...that to encourage use of his new invention, the shopping cart, market owner Sylvan Goldman hired fake shoppers to push the carts around his store in Oklahoma City? Seems his customers were reluctant to give up their hand-carried baskets.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8093518 | Switching element relying on nanogap electrodes A switching element 100 includes an insulating substrate 10, a first electrode 20 provided on the insulating substrate 10, a second electrode 30 provided on the insulating substrate 10, and an interelectrode gap 40 pr... | 01/10/2012 |
| 7339127 | Contact piece made of tungsten provided with a corrosion-resistant layer made of a base metal A contact piece is formed by a tungsten overlay soldered onto a support, wherein at least portions of the solder layer and optionally of the support are covered by a layer of a less noble metal than tungsten. The corrosion resistance of the tungsten overlay is consi... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7317232 | MEM switching device A MEM device and method for fabricating a MEM device. A MEM device comprising a lever mechanism residing along a substrate is disclosed. A contact material is deposited on a first surface of the lever mechanism. In one arrangment, the first surface is disposed towar... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7230513 | Planarized structure for a reliable metal-to-metal contact micro-relay MEMS switch A planarized substrate structure for an electromechanical device comprising a substrate layer; a dielectric layer formed on the substrate layer, the dielectric layer formed with conductor spaces therein, the dielectric layer further including a dielectric top surfac... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7070458 | Spring-loaded contact connector The present invention relates to a spring-loaded contact connector comprising two joinable connector members of which at least a first connector member comprises a plurality of spring-loaded contact pins that are supported in an axially displaceable manner in the co... | 07/04/2006 |
| 6960971 | Microelectro mechanical system switch Provided is a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS). The provided MEMS switch includes a substrate; a signal line formed on the substrate; a beam deformed by an electrostatic force to electrically switch with the signal line; and a spring type contact unit formed on... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6875937 | Recessed electrical outlet assembly A recessed electrical outlet installation comprises a wall an electrical outlet device box, an electrical outlet device and a cover plate. The wall defines a first open region behind an opening formed within the wallboard and a second open region located below the o... | 04/05/2005 |
| 6706981 | Techniques to fabricate a reliable opposing contact structure A switch structure having multiple contact surfaces that may contact each other. One or more of the contact surfaces may be coated with a resilient material such as diamond. ... | 03/16/2004 |
| 6655012 | Fabrication method of surge protector device and the device fabricated by the method In the fabrication of a surge protector device which utilizes breakdown phenomena of a resistive film, a case which fixes metal bars in it, makes electrical contacts with the metal bars and contains oxidizing and refractory agents, a cap, metal bars and o... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6621022 | Reliable opposing contact structure A switch structure having multiple contact surfaces that may contact each other. One or more of the contact surfaces may be coated with a resilient material such as diamond.... | 09/16/2003 |
| 6608268 | Proximity micro-electro-mechanical system A proximity micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) utilizing a gaseous capacitive gap between two conductive members. The gaseous gap is maintained by insulating structures that prevent the two conductive members from shorting. Once actuated, the gaseous ... | 08/19/2003 |
| 6180900 | Contact key switch and method for its manufacturing the same A contact key switch according to the present invention is a highly reliable contact key switch allowing the prevention of rise of a resistance, easy integral molding, no need of selection of an adhesive and adhesion process for use accomplished by formin... | 01/30/2001 |
| 5876862 | Sliding contact material, clad compoosite material, commutator employing said material and direct current motor employing said commutator Sliding contacts comprising alloys such as Pd/Cu/Ag, Pt/Cu/Ag, Pd/Cu/Ag/Ni, Pt/Cu/Ag/Ni, Ag/Pd/Cu,Au, Ag/Pt/Cu/Au and two-layered composites comprising a surface layer of one of the foregoing alloys and a base layer comprised of copper or a copper-contain... | 03/02/1999 |
| 5679471 | Silver-nickel nano-composite coating for terminals of separable electrical connectors A thin film silver-nickel coating for use as a protective coating on electrical terminals of separable electrical connectors. The silver-nickel coating is a silver-nickel nano-composite material characterized by silver and nickel grains having an average ... | 10/21/1997 |
| 5660570 | Micro emitter based low contact force interconnection device An interconnection device is disclosed for providing electrical connection between two conducting elements that requires less applied force than a standard ohmic connection device of the same connection area. A surface of at least a first conducting eleme... | 08/26/1997 |
| 5484971 | Electrical contact having a precious metal extrusion extending from a contact surface An electrical contact comprises a body formed of a precious metal in which the precious metal defines a contact surface of the body. At least one projection of the precious metal is formed generally centrally of the contact surface so as to extend therebe... | 01/16/1996 |
| 5416969 | Sliding contact producing method A sliding contact producing method is provided wherein noble metal balls are easily positioned on a metal plate; the weld strength between the noble metal ball and the metal plate can be obtained sufficiently; and a noble metal mounting jig can be prevent... | 05/23/1995 |
| 5338905 | Acceleration sensor An accelerator sensor is formed of a cylinder of a conductive material, a magnetized inertial member mounted in the cylinder so as to be movable longitudinally of the cylinder, a conductive member mounted at least on the end surface of the inertial member... | 08/16/1994 |
| 5272295 | Electric contact and method for producing the same An electric contact is provided on at least one of a pair of conductors and includes a surface which is coated with a ceramic layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of nitrides, carbides and borides of high melting point... | 12/21/1993 |
| 5268237 | Composite electrical contact A bimetallic or trimetallic electrical contact, only its shank portion being made of copper or copper alloy and being covered by a thin layer of silver or silver alloy for protecting the shank portion from environmental erosion. Said shank portion is pref... | 12/07/1993 |
| 5233143 | High-power gas switch with hydride electrodes A high-power, high-repetition-rate spark gap switch having metal-hydride electrodes is provided The spark gap switch is configured with a trigger and two electrodes fabricated with metal hydrides. The hydride metals may be selected from a variety of alloy... | 08/03/1993 |
| 5209195 | Ignition distributor An ignition distributor wherein at least either one of the discharge element of a stationary electrode and the discharge element of a rotary electrode are composed of a sintered body comprising at least a ferrite and silicon oxide and have a surface preci... | 05/11/1993 |
| 5199553 | Sliding contactor for electric equipment A movable electrical contactor having a surface thereof in slidable contact with a mating conductor, the surface being coated with a composite material in which particles of graphite (C) are dispersed in a matrix of silver (Ag). The coating film is formed... | 04/06/1993 |
| 5165529 | Switch A switch comprises a housing having an upper member and a lower member, an actuator disposed in the housing and rockably supported on the upper member, switch means for connecting and disconnecting a movable contact with a stationary contact when the actu... | 11/24/1992 |
| 5139890 | Silver-coated electrical components There has been provided an electrical component having resistance to oxidation and wear. The component has a copper or copper alloy substrate coated with a relatively thick layer of silver. A thin layer of gold may be deposited on the external surface of ... | 08/18/1992 |
| 5140114 | Electric contact with base metal An electric contact with a base metal used as a switch wherein the non-welded peripheral portion of the contact is prevented from bow-like bending and from peeling off. The electric contact with a base metal having a contact promoting shape is formed by d... | 08/18/1992 |
| 5006674 | Distributor and distributor rotor electrode A distributor for internal combustion engine having a mica layer fixedly provided, or a mica plate bonded by an adhesive agent, at least at one face of a discharging section of a distributor rotor electrode provided in a distributor rotor, the mica layer ... | 04/09/1991 |
| 4999464 | Molded case circuit breaker contact and contact arm arrangement A molded case circuit breaker movable contact arm electrically connects with the circuit breaker load terminal requiring only a small diameter auxiliary electrical conducting braid by pivotally arranging the contact arm within its support. The contact arm... | 03/12/1991 |
| 4922068 | Densified braided switch contact An electrical switch assembly is made with a braided electrical conductor having a densified end which has reduced porosity from the braided wire. Preferably, the densified end is formed by squeezing copper wires with a solder matrix to reduce the air in ... | 05/01/1990 |
| 4733033 | Molded case circuit breaker contact arrangement including a spring clip contact arm retainer A molded case circuit breaker movable contact arm or carrier electrically connects with the circuit breaker trip unit or load terminal without requiring a flexible electrical conducting braid. The contact carrier is pivotally arranged within a contact car... | 03/22/1988 |
| 4714804 | Rotary switch having rotary contacts with an amorphous alloy coating Rotary electrical signal generator includes fixed electric contacts and slider contacts which engage the fixed contacts. To enhance the abrasion resistance and the corrosion resistance, the surface of printed electrodes is coated with an amorphous Ni-P pl... | 12/22/1987 |
| 4707576 | Arcing contact tip and method for producing such an arcing contact tip or a comparable component The arc withstanding electrodes in an electric circuit breaker for switching high voltages attain greater mechanical strength and improved arc withstanding capabilities by forming the arc withstanding electrodes of a carbon-fiber-reinforced-graphite mater... | 11/17/1987 |
| 4652710 | Mercury switch with non-wettable electrodes A mercury switch device comprising a pool of mercury and a plurality of electrical contacts made of or coated with a non-wettable material such as titanium diboride.... | 03/24/1987 |
| 4652705 | Ignition distributor with noise suppression electrode oxide coating An ignition distributor having a radio wave noise suppressing function has a rotor electrode and counter electrodes. At least the cathodic one of the rotor electrode and the counter electrodes is provided at its end with a coating layer of a material whic... | 03/24/1987 |
| 4644115 | Compact snap action switch A miniature snap action switch comprises a movable spring sheet which is pivotally supported to a common contact member for movement with a snap action into and out of contact with a cooperative fixed contact. The movable spring sheet is plated with a pre... | 02/17/1987 |
| 4633050 | Nickel/indium alloy for use in the manufacture of electrical contact areas electrical devices This invention relates to electrical devices in which the electrical contact areas are plated with a nickel/indium alloy comprising 0.1-9 percent indium, balance nickel. The nickel/indium alloy layer may be coated with a precious metal such as gold.... | 12/30/1986 |
| 4559703 | Process for silver plating rotary contact assemblies A process for silver plating a rotary switch contact assembly wherein a brass metal plate and a plastic rotor retainer are first formed, force-fitted together and then silver-plated as an assembly.... | 12/24/1985 |
| 4547640 | Electrical contact structure of a vacuum interrupter An electrical contact structure of a vacuum interrupter wherein a pair of electrical contacts 2 are provided within a vacuum vessel 1 through a pair of contact rods 14 so that one is in contact with the other or away therefrom. The electrical contact 2 co... | 10/15/1985 |
| 4516319 | Method of making radio frequency interference suppressing ignition distributor rotor To reduce the breakdown potential magnitude between the output tip surface of an ignition distributor rotor output segment and each of the output terminals of the distributor cap, the rotor output segment is made of a low thermally conductive material 0.1... | 05/14/1985 |
| 4513186 | Vacuum interrupter contact structure and method of fabrication An electrical contact member and method of fabrication which facilitates braze connection of the electrical contact member to the conductive support stem of a vacuum interrupter structure. A high density slug of the contact material is performed. The high... | 04/23/1985 |
