Force-responsive detectors and systems

A force-responsive longitudinally extending sensor, comprising

• a flexible longitudinally extending support having a predetermined width and being a substantially planar base,
• first and second force-responsive sensing means mounted on the support and spaced apart across the width of the support and extending therealong in substantially parallel configuration so as each to produce a respective signal in response to a respectively applied force,
• each force-responsive sensing means comprising first and second longitudinally extending electrically conductive means which are normally resiliently spaced apart from each other by longitudinally distributed electrically insulating means but which can be flexed into contact with each other against the resilience in response to an applied force,
• the electrically insulating means being applied by a printed circuit technique.

A force-responsive longitudinally extending sensor, comprising

• a flexible longitudinally extending support having a predetermined width and being a substantially planar base,
• first and second force-responsive sensing means mounted on the support and spaced apart across the width of the support and extending therealong in substantially parallel configuration so as each to produce a respective signal in response to a respectively applied force,
• each force-responsive sensing means comprising first and second longitudinally extending electrically conductive means which are normally resiliently spaced apart from each other by longitudinally distributed electrically insulating means but which can be flexed into contact with each other against the resilience in response to an applied force,
• one of the electrically conductive means being applied by a printed circuit technique to the base.

A force-responsive longitudinally extending sensor, comprising

• a flexible longitudinally extending support having a predetermined width and being a substantially planar base, and
• first and second force-responsive sensing means mounted on the support and spaced apart across the width of the support and extending therealong in substantially parallel configuration so as each to produce a respective signal in response to a respectively applied force,
• each force-responsive sensing means comprising first and second longitudinally extending electrically conductive means which are normally resiliently spaced apart from each other by longitudinally distributed electrically insulating means but which can be flexed into contact with each other against the resilience in response to an applied force, and including
• cross-connection means electrically connecting at least one of the electrically conductive means of one of the sensing means with one of the electrically conductive means of the other sensing means.

A force-responsive longitudinally extending sensor, comprising

• a flexible longitudinally extending support having a predetermined width and being a substantially planar base,
• first and second force-responsive sensing means mounted on the support and spaced apart across the width of the support and extending therealong in substantially parallel configuration so as each to produce a respective signal in response to a respectively applied force,
• each force-responsive sensing means comprising first and second longitudinally extending electrically conductive means which are normally resiliently spaced apart from each other by longitudinally distributed electrically insulating means but which can be flexed into contact with each other against the resilience in response to an applied force, and
• a substantially planar cover sheet of substantially the same size as and overlaying the base with each sensing means positioned between the base and the cover sheet, one of the electrically conductive means being applied by a printed circuit technique to the base and the other electrically conductive means being applied by a printed circuit technique to the cover sheet.

A safety system for detecting an obstruction in a framed opening closable by a motor-driven slidable closure member, comprising

• a force-responsive longitudinally extending sensor, the sensor comprising a flexible longitudinally extending support having a predetermined width and being a substantially planar base, first and second force-responsive sensing means mounted on the support and spaced apart across the width of the support and extending therealong in substantially parallel configuration so as each to produce a respective signal in response to a respectively applied force, a third force-responsive sensing means substantially the same as the first and second sensing means and being positioned on the base between the first and second sensing means, and a substantially planar cover sheet of substantially the same size as and overlying the base with each sensing means positioned between the base and the cover sheet, the sensor being mounted on or adjacent to the frame of the opening and so positioned that a said force is applied to at least one of the first and second sensing means of the sensor when an obstruction within the opening is carried towards the frame by the sliding closable member to produce a respective said signal,
• first control means responsive to the said signal to arrest motor-driven movement of the closable member, and
• second control means responsive to a said signal produced by the third sensing means by a said force applied thereto by the closing closable member to arrest motor-driven movement thereof.