Patent ID: 6396010
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: E05F,H01H

Abstract:
A safety edge switch for a movable door which comprises:a) a longitudinally extending elongated base; b) a first resiliently deformable material; c) an electrode array which includes a plurality of segments of a first conductive material, each segment being separated from neighboring segments by respective gaps, the electrode array being in a fixed position relative to the base; and, d) a second array which includes a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive bridging members, the second array being movable in response to deformation of the first resiliently deformable material from a closed circuit first position wherein the bridging members are each in contact with respective segments of the first conductive material so as to bridge a respective gap between said respective segments, and a second position wherein at least one of the bridging members is not in contact with at least one respective segment of the electrode array, wherein in the closed circuit first position the segments of the electrode array are electrically connected in series so as to form an unbroken electrical path, and in the second position the electrical path is broken by at least one unbridged gap so as to form an open circuit.