Electrically conductive element, system, and method of manufacturing

Abstract

An electrically conductive element, including an insulator and a first conductor, is provided, which can be affixed to a second conductor consisting of conductive structural element, wherein the insulator is positioned between the first and second conductors to electrically isolate them. A power supply may be connected between the first and second conductors to provide power thereto, and an electrical device may be connected across the first and second conductors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrically conductive element comprising:
 an insulator having first and second sides; and   a first conductor connected to the first side of the insulator.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second conductor connected to the second side of the insulator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the insulator is printed on the second conductor. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the first conductor is printed on the first side of the insulator. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first conductor is comprised of an electrically conductive coating. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said electrically conductive coating is comprised of conductive ink. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first conductor is printed on the first layer of the insulator. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive element is formed as a film. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising an adhesive layer applied to the second layer of the insulator. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making an electrically conductive element comprising the steps of:
 providing a second conductor;   applying an insulator to the second conductor; and   applying a first conductor to the insulator.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the applying the insulator step includes printing the insulator on the second conductor. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the applying the first conductor step includes printing the first conductor on the insulator. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making an electrically conductive element comprising the steps of:
 providing a first conductor;   applying an insulator to one side of the first conductor; and   connecting the first conductor to a second conductor, wherein the insulator is positioned between the first and second conductor to electrically isolate them.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein connecting the first conductor includes crimping the first conductor and insulator onto the second conductor. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an electrically conductive element comprising the steps of:
 providing a second conductor;   applying an electrically conductive film to the second conductor, the film comprising:
 an insulator having first and second sides; and 
 a first conductor connected to the first side of the insulator, wherein the second side of the insulator is connects to the second conductor. 
   
     
     
         16 . An electrically conductive system comprising:
 a plurality of conductive elements, each comprised of an insulator having first and second sides and a first conductor connected to the first side of the insulator;   and plurality of second conductors respectively connected to the second sides of the insulators.   
     
     
         17 . The electrical conductive system of  claim 16 , further comprised of a power supply, with one side of the power supply connected to one of the first conductors, and another side of the power supply connected to one of the second conductors. 
     
     
         18 . The electrical conductive system of  claim 17 , further comprised of a capacitive switch connected in series between the power supply and the first and second conductors. 
     
     
         19 . The electrical conductive system of  claim 16 , wherein the first conductors of the conductive elements interlock with each other and the second conductors of the conductive elements interlock with each other.