Patent ID: 6455793
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H01H,Y10T

Abstract:
A continuous-length switch comprising:a first continuous-length electrode plate extending in a longitudinal direction and a second continuous-length electrode plate extending in a longitudinal direction, said first and second continuous-length electrode plates being constructed and arranged to be contacted with one another or separated from one another for performing a switching operation, wherein at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates has a conductive portion continuing in the longitudinal direction of said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates, and wherein said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates has protrusions extending from said conductive portion toward a contact surface of the other of said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates, and also extending across said conductive portion, such that upon bending of the switch about a line said protrusions either expand or contract along the longitudinal direction of said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates to accommodate for a difference between a length from said line to said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates and a length from said line to the other of said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates, to thereby prevent buckling of said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates or the other of said at least one of said first and second continuous-length electrode plates.