Importance

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Abstract

A sensing edge for causing a closing door to open by actuating a device upon force being applied to the sensing edge. The sensing edge includes a first sheet of resiliently compressible material, a first sheet of electrically conductive material, a layer of non-conductive material, a second sheet of electrically conductive material, a second sheet of resiliently compressible material and an elongate inner core arranged in the recited order. The inner core has a predetermined elastic compressibility which is selected in accordance with the desired sensitivity of the sensing edge, such that the sensitivity of the sensing edge directly corresponds to the elastic compressibility of the inner core. The first and second sheets of flexible, electrically conductive material are spaced apart by the layer of non-conductive material and present opposed portions to each other through an opening in the layer of non-conductive material whereby upon the application of force to the sheath, the inner core compresses until its elastic compressibility is less than the elastic compressibility of said first and second layers of resiliently compressible material and said layer of non-conductive material, whereupon a portion of the first sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material deflects into the opening in the second layer of non-conductive material and into contact with a portion of the second sheet of flexible, electrically conductive material to thereby actuate the device.

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First Claim