Patent ID: 7079005
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: H01C

Abstract:
1. An electric device comprising: a medium that comprises generally parallel opposite surfaces, at least one of which is substantially flat, and low resistance electric conductors electrically separated by solid dielectric and aligned to conduct anisotropically in a favored direction between the opposite surfaces, the medium being interposed between first and second electric elements to provide a region of anisotropic, low resistance electrical connection between the first element and a defined reference point of the second element throughout a defined range of sliding travel of one of the elements alon a flat one of the surfaces of the medium in a direction that is transverse to the favored anisotropic direction, wherein the second element comprises a surface on which is printed, deposited, or otherwise bonded a lengthwise extending conductive track, and the one element is arranged for sliding travel along a path on a flat one of the surfaces of the medium whose length parallels the length of the conductive track, wherein the conductive track comprises one or more discontinuities at locations alan its length, and the medium extends along the lengthwise extent of the track to both cover the track and bridge the discontinuities, and wherein the medium comprises a random or patterned array of the electric conductors disposed, aligned, and electrically insulated from each other within the solid dielectric such that each electric conductor extends from the one surface of the medium along which the one element slides to the opposite surface of the medium that is contacting the second element, with the solid dielectric providing low conductivity laterally between conductors.