Author: claimsbot

1. An electrical contact element, comprising:
a polygonal base surface;
a primary axis piercing said polygonal base surface; and
a contact bushing disposed around said primary axis and having a top surface and a orifice formed therein, said orifice of said contact bushing opening into said top surface disposed on a side of the contact element lying opposite to said polygonal base surface, said top surface being spherically curved and spans said polygonal base surface, said contact bushing having an outer surface connecting said polygonal base surface to said top surface and merges continuously from said polygonal base surface into said top surface being a spherical top surface, said outer surface completely surrounding all space between said polygonal base surface and said top surface in a stepless manner.
2. The electrical contact piece according to claim 1, wherein on a side facing said polygonal base surface, said outer surface is configured at least partially in a manner of an outer surface of a truncated pyramid, and said spherical top surface, rounded in a manner of an ellipsoid, merges continuously with said outer surface of said truncated pyramid and defines body edges.
3. The electrical contact element according to claim 2, wherein a continuous transition to said spherical top surface takes place using sections which lie on said outer surface of a circular cylinder.
4. The electrical contact element according to claim 2, wherein said body edges are formed in a rounded manner.
5. The electrical contact element according to claim 1, wherein on a side facing said base surface, said outer surface is configured at least partially in a manner of an outer surface of a prism, and said spherical top surface, rounded in a manner of an ellipsoid, merges continuously with said outer surface of said prism and defines body edges.
6. The electrical contact element according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface is curved concavely.
7. The electrical contact element according to claim 1, wherein said polygonal base surface and said top surface are connected to one another in one piece.
8. The electrical contact element according to claim 1, wherein said polygonal base surface and said top surface are electrically conducting.
9. The electrical contact element according to claim 1, wherein said contact bushing opens into both said top surface and into said base surface.
10. An electrical contact element, comprising:
a polygonal base surface, said polygonal base surface having threaded holes formed therein, a number of said threaded holes corresponding to a number of corners of said polygonal base surface;
a primary axis piercing said polygonal base surface; and
a contact bushing disposed around said primary axis and having a top surface and a orifice formed therein, said orifice of said contact bushing opening into said top surface disposed on a side of the contact element lying opposite to said polygonal base surface, said top surface being spherically curved and spans said polygonal base surface, said contact bushing having an outer surface connecting said polygonal base surface to said top surface and merges continuously from said polygonal base surface into said top surface being a spherical top surface.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A separating plate for a fuel cell stack, comprising:
a channel section including a plurality of cooling water flow channels penetratingly formed therein, a plurality of hydrogen flow channels formed on one outer surface thereof and a plurality of air flow channels formed on the other outer surface thereof, the hydrogen flow channels and the air flow channels being alternately arranged with the cooling water flow channels in such a fashion as to confront each other;
an introduction section integrally formed at one end thereof with both ends of the channel section, respectively, and having an inner space formed therein so as to fluidically communicate with each of the plurality of cooling water flow channels; and
a manifold section integrally formed with the other end of the introduction section and having cooling water inlet and outlet manifolds,
wherein a partitioning plate is disposed between the manifold section and the introduction section so as to divide cooling water inlet and outlet manifolds of the manifold section and the inner space of the introduction section, the partitioning plate having cooling water inlets and cooling water outlets penetratingly formed therein.
2. The separating plate according to claim 1, wherein the channel section, the introduction section and the manifold section are integrally molded with each other by means of a composite material which is any one selected from a carbon fiber prepreg using a thermoplastic and thermosetting resin as a matrix, and a polymer containing a conductive carbon fiber, a carbon black, graphite particles and metal particles.
3. The separating plate according to claim 1, wherein a elongated hollow member is inserted into each of the cooling water flow channels of the channel section.
4. The separating plate according to claim 3, wherein the elongated hollow member is any one selected from a metal pipe, a composite material pipe and a PVC pipe.
5. A method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the steps of:
providing two sheets of composite material which have undergone a slitting and cutting process to conform to a desired size of the separating plate and is in a semi-cured state;
seating the two sheets of composite material and a plurality of elongated hollow members equidistantly spaced therebetween on the obverse surface of a lower-half mold of a hot press, the obverse surface having a concavo-convex section for formation of hydrogen or air flow channels, or seating the two sheets of composite material and a plurality of inserts equidistantly spaced therebetween on the obverse surface of the lower-half mold of the hot press, the inserts being provided for formation of cooling water flow channels;
lowering the an upper-half mold of the hot press, whose reverse surface has a concavo-convex section for formation of hydrogen or air flow channels toward the lower-half mold, and then integrally boning the two sheets of composite material to each other into a single sheet of composite material while pressing and simultaneously curing them by means of a high-temperature press process;
removing from the upper-half mold and the lower-half mold a separate plate fabricated in such a fashion that the hydrogen and air flow channels are formed on both outer surfaces of the single sheet of composite material, respectively, and simultaneously, the inner spaces of the elongated hollow members embedded in the single sheet of composite material define the cooling water flow channels, or a separate plate fabricated in such a fashion that the hydrogen and air flow channels are formed on both outer surfaces of the single sheet of composite material, respectively, with the inserts embedded in the single sheet of composite material; and
removing the inserts embedded in the single sheet of composite material so as to allow the corresponding portions from which the inserts are removed to define the cooling water flow channels.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the each insert is fabricated of a material which is dissolved or decomposed in a specific solvent, or a material having a melting point of 200 C or less.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein if the insert is fabricated of the material which is dissolved or decomposed in the specific solvent, the step of integrally boning the two sheets of composite material to each other further comprises a step of removing the inserts by separately dissolving or decomposing the inserts in the specific solvent.
8. The method according to claim 5, wherein if the insert is fabricated of the material having a melting point of 200 C or less, it is removed by being melt in the step of integrally boning the two sheets of composite material to each other.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein if the insert is fabricated of the material which is dissolved or decomposed in the specific solvent, the step of integrally boning the two sheets of composite material to each other further comprises a step of removing the inserts by separately dissolving or decomposing the inserts in the specific solvent.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein if the insert is fabricated of the material having a melting point of 200\xb0 C. or less, it is removed by being melt in the step of integrally boning the two sheets of composite material to each other.
11. A separating plate for a fuel cell stack, comprising:
a channel section including a plurality of cooling water flow channels penetratingly formed therein, a plurality of hydrogen flow channels formed on one outer surface thereof and a plurality of air flow channels formed on the other outer surface thereof;
an introduction section integrally formed at one end thereof with both ends of the channel section, respectively; and
a manifold section integrally formed with the other end of the introduction section and having cooling water inlet and outlet manifolds,
wherein a partitioning plate is disposed between the manifold section and the introduction sections the partitioning plate having cooling water inlets and cooling water outlets penetratingly formed therein.
12. The separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 11, wherein in the channel section, the hydrogen flow channels and the air flow channels are alternately arranged with the cooling water flow channels in such a fashion as to confront each other.
13. The separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 11, wherein the introduction section has an inner space formed therein so as to fluidically communicate with each of the plurality of cooling water flow channels.
14. The separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 11, wherein the partioning plate is disposed so as to divide cooling water inlet and outlet manifolds of the manifold section and the inner space of the introduction section.
15. A method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the steps of:
providing two sheets of composite material;
seating the two sheets of composite material and a plurality of elongated hollow members equidistantly spaced therebetween on the obverse surface of a lower-half mold of a hot press;
lowering the an upper-half mold of the hot press toward the lower-half mold, and then integrally boning the two sheets of composite material to each other into a single sheet of composite material while pressing and simultaneously curing them;
removing from the upper-half mold and the lower-half mold a separate plate fabricated in such a fashion that the hydrogen and air flow channels are formed on both outer surfaces of the single sheet of composite material, respectively, and simultaneously, the inner spaces of the elongated hollow members embedded in the single sheet of composite material define the cooling water flow channels, or a separate plate fabricated in such a fashion that the hydrogen and air flow channels are formed on both outer surfaces of the single sheet of composite material, respectively, with the inserts embedded in the single sheet of composite material; and
removing the inserts embedded in the single sheet of composite material wherein the corresponding portions from which the inserts are removed define the cooling water flow channels.
16. The method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 15, wherein the two sheets of composite material have undergone a slitting and cutting process to conform to a desired size of the separating plate.
17. The method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 15, wherein the two sheets of composite material are in a semi-cured state.
18. The method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 15, wherein the obverse surface has a concavo-convex section for formation of hydrogen or air flow channels.
19. The method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 15, wherein the inserts are provided for formation of cooling water flow channels.
20. The method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 15, wherein the reverse surface of the upper-half mold of the hot press has a concavo-convex section for formation of hydrogen or air flow channels.
21. The method of manufacturing a separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 15, wherein the step of pressing and simultaneously curing them is carried out by means of a high-temperature press process.
22. A motor vehicle comprising the separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 1.
23. A motor vehicle comprising the separating plate for a fuel cell stack of claim 11.

1-23. (canceled)
24. An alphabetic character inputting device based on an array of 3\xd74 keypad buttons of a phone, using a character inputting interface, comprising:
a keypad including a plurality of key buttons to which alphabetic characters are assigned in such a manner that alphabetic characters which are found on adjacent keys in a QWERTY keyboard are arranged on one or adjacent key buttons in the keypad by dividing alphabetic characters into a Group I for left hand inputting and a Group II for right hand inputting on the QWERTY keyboard and into a 1st Character Set, a 2nd Character Set, and a 3rd Character Set according to usage frequency, selecting one alphabetic character from each Character Set to form character combinations, and distributing these character combinations over the key buttons such that the alphabetic characters of Group I are arranged in a left column or a middle column of the keypad array and the alphabetic characters of Group II are arranged in a right column or a middle column of the keypad array; and
an input key processing unit for processing the character inputting operation through the keypad and outputting corresponding characters.
25. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the Group I consists of characters \u2018Q\u2019, \u2018W\u2019, \u2018E\u2019, \u2018R\u2019, \u2018T\u2019, \u2018A\u2019, \u2018S\u2019, \u2018D\u2019, \u2018F\u2019, \u2018G\u2019, \u2018Z\u2019, \u2018X\u2019, \u2018C\u2019, \u2018V\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019, which are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20181\u2019, \u20182\u2019, \u20184\u2019, \u20185\u2019, \u20187\u2019, and \u20188\u2019, and the Group II consists of characters \u2018Y\u2019, \u2018U\u2019, \u2018I\u2019, \u2018O\u2019, \u2018P\u2019, \u2018H\u2019, \u2018J\u2019, \u2018K\u2019, \u2018L\u2019, \u2018N\u2019, and \u2018M\u2019, which are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20182\u2019, \u20183\u2019, \u20185\u2019, \u20186\u2019, \u20188\u2019, and \u20189\u2019, such that at least one character is assigned to each key button.
26. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018E\u2019, \u2018W\u2019, \u2018Q\u2019, \u2018A\u2019, \u2018D\u2019, \u2018Z\u2019, \u2018S\u2019, \u2018C\u2019, and \u2018X\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20181\u2019, \u20184\u2019, and \u20187\u2019 which are in the left column of the keypad, such that at least one character is assigned to each key button.
27. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018T\u2019, \u2018F\u2019, \u2018Y\u2019, \u2018R\u2019, \u2018G\u2019, \u2018V\u2019, \u2018H\u2019, \u2018U\u2019, and \u2018B\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20182\u2019, \u20185\u2019, and \u20188\u2019, which are in the middle column of the keypad, such that at least one character is assigned to each key button.
28. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018O\u2019, \u2018P\u2019, \u2018I\u2019, \u2018L\u2019, \u2018J\u2019, \u2018N\u2019, \u2018M\u2019, and \u2018K\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20183\u2019, \u20186\u2019, and \u20189\u2019, which are in the right column of the keypad, such that at least one character is assigned to each key button.
29. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018E\u2019, \u2018A\u2019, and \u2018S\u2019 are respectively assigned to three different numeral key buttons selected from among a group of numeral key buttons comprising the numeral key buttons \u20181\u2019, \u20184\u2019, and \u20187\u2019.
30. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018S\u2019 are respectively assigned to two different numeral key buttons selected from among a group of numeral key buttons comprising the numeral key buttons \u20184\u2019 and \u20187\u2019.
31. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018E\u2019, \u2018A\u2019, and \u2018S\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20181\u2019, \u20184\u2019 and \u20187\u2019, respectively.
32. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018T\u2019 and \u2018R\u2019 are respectively assigned to two different numeral key buttons selected from among a group of numeral key buttons comprising the numeral key buttons \u20182\u2019 and \u20185\u2019.
33. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018T\u2019, \u2018R\u2019 and \u2018H\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20182\u2019, \u20185\u2019 and \u20188\u2019, respectively.
34. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018O\u2019 and \u2018I\u2019 are respectively assigned to two different numeral key buttons selected from among a group of numeral key buttons comprising the numeral key buttons \u20183\u2019 and \u20186\u2019.
35. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018O\u2019, \u2018I\u2019, and \u2018N\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20183\u2019, \u20186\u2019 and \u20189\u2019, respectively.
36. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the 1st Character Set is an assembly of the most frequently used characters and comprises characters \u2018A\u2019, \u2018E\u2019, \u2018H\u2019, \u2018I\u2019, \u2018N\u2019, \u2018O\u2019, \u2018R\u2019, \u2018S\u2019, and \u2018T\u2019, each of which is inputted using a single key button operation.
37. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the 2nd Character Set consists of characters \u2018C\u2019, \u2018D\u2019, \u2018F\u2019, \u2018G\u2019, \u2018L\u2019, \u2018M\u2019, \u2018P\u2019, \u2018U\u2019, and \u2018W\u2019 and the 3rd Character Set consists of characters \u2018B\u2019, \u2018J\u2019, \u2018K\u2019, \u2018Q\u2019, \u2018V\u2019, \u2018X\u2019, \u2018Y\u2019, and \u2018Z\u2019.
38. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein all of the characters \u2018E\u2019, \u2018W\u2019, and \u2018Q\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20181\u2019 and the character \u2018E\u2019 is inputted using a single key button operation.
39. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein both of the characters \u2018O\u2019 and \u2018P\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20183\u2019 and the character \u2018O\u2019 is inputted using a single key button operation.
40. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018D\u2019, \u2018C\u2019, and \u2018X\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20184\u2019 and \u20187\u2019, the characters \u2018L\u2019, \u2018J\u2019, \u2018M\u2019, and \u2018K\u2019 to numeral key buttons \u20186\u2019 and \u20189\u2019, and the characters \u2018F\u2019, \u2018G\u2019, \u2018V\u2019, and \u2018B\u2019 to numeral key buttons \u20182\u2019, \u20185\u2019 and \u20188\u2019, such that at least one character is assigned to each key button.
41. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the characters \u2018T\u2019, \u2018H\u2019 and \u2018E\u2019 are assigned to numeral key buttons \u20182\u2019, \u20188\u2019 and \u20181\u2019, respectively, and each of the characters is inputted using a single operation of the corresponding key button.
42. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein all of the characters \u2018E\u2019, \u2018W\u2019 and \u2018Q\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20181\u2019, all of the characters \u2018A\u2019, \u2018D\u2019, and \u2018Z\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20184\u2019, and all of the characters \u2018S\u2019, \u2018C\u2019 and \u2018X\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20187\u2019.
43. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein all of the characters \u2018T\u2019, \u2018F\u2019 and \u2018Y\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20182\u2019, all of the characters \u2018R\u2019, \u2018G\u2019 and \u2018V\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20185\u2019, and all of the characters \u2018H\u2019, \u2018U\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20188\u2019.
44. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein both of the characters \u2018O\u2019 and \u2018P\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20183\u2019, all of the characters \u2018I\u2019, \u2018L\u2019 and \u2018J\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20186\u2019, and all of the characters \u2018N\u2019, \u2018M\u2019 and \u2018K\u2019 are assigned to the numeral key button \u20189\u2019.
45. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in claim 24, wherein when a predetermined key button is pressed during the inputting of characters using the keypad, the input key processing unit alters the keypad from a character input mode to a symbol input mode to provide an array of symbols for processing symbol inputting operation through the keypad, and returning to the previous character input mode after the input of a symbol.
46. The alphabetic character inputting device as set forth in any of claim 24, wherein the input key processing unit displays a currently active keypad array on a screen and outputs characters and symbols in response to key inputs corresponding to the characters or symbols.
47. A symbol character inputting device, based on a keypad including a plurality of key buttons to each of which is assigned a numeral, wherein symbol characters are arranged on the key buttons in consideration of the shape of symbols and numerals by dividing symbol characters into a 1st Character Set, a 2nd Character Set, and a 3rd Character Set according to usage frequency, selecting one symbol character from each Character Set to form symbol character combinations, and distributing these symbol character combinations over the key buttons; and
an input key processing unit for processing the character inputting operation through the keypad and outputting corresponding symbol characters.
48. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the 1 st Character Set is an assembly of the most frequently used symbol characters and comprises symbol characters \u2018!\u2019, \u2018?\u2019, \u2018-\u2019, \u2018\u2018\u2019, \u2018\u201c\u2019, \u2018@\u2019, \u2018;\u2019, \u2018:\u2019, \u2018,\u2019 and \u2018.\u2019, each of which is inputted using a single key button operation.
49. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the 2nd Character Set comprises the symbol characters \u2018\u2019, \u2018-\u2019, \u2018+\u2019, \u2018=\u2019, \u2018<\u2019, \u2018>\u2019, \u2018(\u2019, \u2018)\u2019 and \u2018&\u2019 and the 3rd Character Set comprises the symbol characters \u2018\\\u2019, \u2018|\u2019, \u2018\u2019, \u2018\u2019, \u2018_\u2019, \u2018{\u2019, \u2018}\u2019 and \u2018$\u2019.
50. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein when a predetermined key button is pressed during the inputting of characters using the keypad, the input key processing unit alters the keypad from a character or numeral input mode to a symbol input mode to provide an array of symbols for processing symbol inputting operation through the keypad, and returning to the previous character or numeral input mode after the input of a symbol.
51. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 50, wherein the predetermined key button is the key button \u2018*\u2019.
52. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the symbol characters \u2018!\u2019 and \u2018?\u2019 are respectively assigned to numeral key buttons \u20181\u2019 and \u20182\u2019.
53. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the symbol characters \u2018<\u2019 and \u2018>\u2019 are respectively assigned to the numeral key buttons \u20184\u2019 and \u20187\u2019.
54. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the symbol characters \u2018(\u2019 and \u2018)\u2019 are respectively assigned to the numeral key buttons \u20186\u2019 and \u20189\u2019.
55. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the symbol characters \u2018\u2018\u2019 and \u2018\u201c\u2019 are respectively assigned to the numeral key buttons \u20184\u2019and \u20185\u2019.
56. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the symbol characters \u2018;\u2019, \u2018:\u2019, \u2018,\u2019, and \u2018.\u2019 are respectively assigned to the numeral key buttons \u20187\u2019, \u20188\u2019, \u20189\u2019 and \u20180\u2019.
57. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20181\u2019, \u2018!\u2019, and \u2018\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
58. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20182\u2019, \u2018?\u2019 and \u2018\u02dc\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
59. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20184\u2019, \u2018\u2018\u2019, and \u2018<\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
60. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20185\u2019, \u2018\u2018\u2019, and \u2018=\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
61. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20186\u2019, \u2018@\u2019, and \u2018(\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
62. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20187\u2019, \u2018;\u2019, and \u2018>\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
63. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20188\u2019, \u2018:\u2019, and \u2018&\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
64. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20189\u2019, \u2018,\u2019, and \u2018)\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
65. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u20180\u2019 and \u2018.\u2019 are assigned to the same key button.
66. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in claim 47, wherein the characters \u2018\u2019 and \u2018{\u2019 are respectively assigned to two different numeral key buttons selected from among a group of numeral key buttons comprising the numeral key buttons \u20184\u2019 and \u20186\u2019, and the characters \u2018\u2019 and \u2018}\u2019 are respectively assigned to two different numeral key buttons selected from among a group of numeral key buttons comprising the numeral key buttons \u20187\u2019 and \u20189\u2019.
67. The symbol character inputting device as set forth in one of claims 47, wherein the input key processing unit displays a currently active keypad array on a screen and outputs characters and symbols in response to key inputs corresponding to the characters or symbols.
68. A method for inputting alphabetic characters through a character inputting interface based on an array of 3\xd74 keypad buttons of a phone, comprising:
inputting alphabetic characters using a keypad, said keypad including a plurality of key buttons on which alphabetic characters are assigned in such a manner that alphabetic characters which are found on adjacent keys in a QWERTY keyboard are arranged on one or adjacent key buttons in the keypad by dividing alphabetic characters into a Group I for left hand inputting and a Group II for right hand inputting on the QWERTY keyboard and into a 1st Character Set, a 2nd Character Set, and a 3rd Character Set according to usage frequency, selecting one alphabetic character from each Character Set to form character combinations, and distributing these character combinations over the key buttons such that the alphabetic characters of Group I are arranged in a left column or a middle column of the keypad array and the alphabetic characters of Group II are arranged in a right column or a middle column of the keypad array; and
processing the signals inputted through the keypad and outputting characters corresponding to the inputted signals.
69. The method as set forth in claim 68, wherein the alphabetic characters of the 1 st Character Set and the 2nd Character Set are inputted by pressing corresponding key buttons for a time that is shorter or longer than a predetermined time, respectively, and the alphabetic characters of the 3rd Character Set are inputted by pressing the key button \u2018#\u2019 and corresponding key buttons in succession.
70. A method for inputting symbol characters using a keypad including a plurality of key buttons to each of which is assigned a numeral, comprising:
inputting symbol characters by use of the keypad on which the symbol characters are arranged in consideration of the shape of symbols and numerals by dividing symbol characters into a 1st Character Set, a 2nd Character Set, and a 3rd Character Set according to usage frequency, selecting one symbol character from each Character Set to form symbol character combinations, and distributing these symbol character combinations over the key buttons; and
processing the signals inputted through the keypad and outputting characters corresponding to the inputted signals.
71. The method as set forth in claim 70, wherein the symbol characters of the 1st Character Set and the 2nd Character Set are inputted by pressing corresponding key buttons for a time that is shorter or longer than a predetermined time, respectively, and the alphabetic characters of the 3rd Character Set are inputted by pressing the key button \u2018#\u2019 and corresponding key buttons in succession.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A mixture for making a moldable intumescent elastomeric thermoplastic material, comprising based on one hundred parts of said mixture:
about 40 to about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 5 to about 10 parts of a plasticizer;
about 10 to about 20 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, water intercalated graphite, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof; and
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof.
2. The mixture of claim 1 wherein:
said chlorinated polyethylene is present at about 55 parts;
said plasticizer is present at about 7 parts;
said ammonium dihydrogen phosphate is present at about 8 parts;
said hydrated magnesium oxide is present at about 15 parts;
said filler is graphite;
and said stabilizer is a mixture of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol and is present at about 1 part.
3. The mixture of claim 1 wherein said high-density polyethylene is present at about 5 to about 10 parts.
4. The mixture of claim 3 wherein said chlorinated polyethylene is present at about 45 to about 50 parts.
5. The mixture of claim 4 wherein:
said plasticizer is present at about 7 parts;
said ammonium dihydrogen phosphate is present at about 8 parts;
said hydrated magnesium oxide is present at about 15 parts;
said antimony oxide is present at about 5 parts; and
said char former is pentaerythritol and is present at about 5 parts.
6. The mixture of claim 4 wherein said filler is a graphite which contains intercalated water and is present at greater than about 10 parts.
7. The mixture of claim 6 wherein said mixture is free of an ammonia producing compound.
8. The mixture of claim 6 wherein said hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof are present at a level of less than about 15 parts.
9. The mixture of claim 4 wherein said stabilizer contains equal parts of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol.
10. The mixture of claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises:
about 50 parts of said chlorinated polyethylene;
about 5 parts of said high-density polyethylene;
about 7 parts of said plasticizer;
about 15 parts of said hydrated magnesium oxide;
about 0.5 parts of said distearylthiodipropionate;
about 0.5 parts of said hindered phenol;
about 5 parts of said antimony oxide;
about 5 parts of said pentaerythritol; and
about 12 parts of said water intercalated graphite.
11. A moldable intumescent thermoplastic composition, comprising based on one hundred parts of said composition:
about 40 to about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 5 to about 10 parts of a plasticizer;
about 10 to about 20 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof;
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof;
up to about 5 parts of a curing agent; and
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an accelerator.
12. The composition of claim 11 wherein:
said chlorinated polyethylene is present at about 55 parts;
said plasticizer is present at about 7 parts;
said ammonium dihydrogen phosphate is present at about 8 parts;
said hydrated magnesium oxide is present at about 15 parts;
said filler is graphite;
and said stabilizer is a mixture of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol and is present at about 1 part;
said curing agent is selected from the group consisting of a peroxide based curing system, sulfur based curing system, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing, and is present at about 0.001 to about 55 parts; and
13. The composition of claim 11 wherein said high-density polyethylene is present at about 5 to about 10 parts.
14. The composition of claim 13 wherein said chlorinated polyethylene is present at about 45 to about 50 parts.
15. The composition of claim 14 wherein:
said plasticizer is present at about 7 parts;
said ammonium dihydrogen phosphate is present at about 8 parts;
said hydrated magnesium oxide is present at about 15 parts;
said antimony oxide is present at about 5 parts;
said char former is pentaerythritol and is present at about 5 parts;
said curing agent is selected from the group consisting of a peroxide based curing system, sulfur based curing system, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing, and is present at about 0.001 to about 5 parts.
16. The composition of claim 14 wherein said filler is a graphite which contains intercalated water and is present at greater than about 10 parts.
17. The composition of claim 16 wherein said composition is free of an ammonia producing compound.
18. The composition of claim 16 wherein said hydrated magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide or mixtures thereof is present at a level of less than about 15 parts.
19. The composition of claim 14 wherein said stabilizer contains equal parts of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol.
20. The composition of claim 11 wherein said composition comprises:
about 50 parts of said chlorinated polyethylene;
about 5 parts of said high-density polyethylene;
about 7 parts of said plasticizer;
about 15 parts of said hydrated magnesium oxide;
about 0.5 parts of said distearylthiodipropionate;
about 0.5 parts of said hindered phenol;
about 5 parts of said antimony oxide;
about 5 parts of said pentaerythritol;
about 12 parts of said water intercalated graphite;
about 0.001 to about 5 parts of said curing agent, said curing agent is selected from the group consisting of a peroxide based curing system, sulfur based curing system, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.
21. The composition of claim 11, wherein said composition has a tension set of about zero after being stretched to 100% elongation when measured on a sample of 50 millimeters by 6.25 millimeters by 2 millimeters according to ASTM D412.
22. An intumescent elastomeric thermoplastic composition, comprising based on one hundred parts of said composition:
about 55 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 7 parts of a plasticizer;
about 15 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
about 8 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, graphite having intercalated water, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof;
about 0.25 to about 5 parts of a stabilizer comprising a mixture of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol in equal parts;
about 0.001 to about 5 parts of a curing agent; and
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an accelerator.
23. A molded article, comprising based on one hundred parts of said article:
about 40 to about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 5 parts of a curing agent;
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an accelerator;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 5 to about 10 parts of a plasticizer;
about 10 to about 20 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof; and
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof.
24. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said curing agent is selected from the group consisting of peroxide based curing system, sulfur based curing system, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing, and is present at about 0.05 to about 5 parts.
25. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said curing agent and said co-curing agent are present in equal amounts.
26. The molded article of claim 23 wherein:
said chlorinated polyethylene is present at about 55 parts;
said plasticizer is present at about 7 parts;
said ammonium dihydrogen phosphate is present at about 8 parts;
said hydrated magnesium oxide is present at about 15 parts;
said filler is graphite;
said stabilizer is a mixture of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol and is present at about 1 part;
said curing agent is present at about 0.005 to about 5 parts.
27. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said high-density polyethylene is present at about 5 to about 10 parts.
28. The molded article of claim 27 wherein said chlorinated polyethylene is present at about 45 to about 50 parts.
29. The molded article of claim 28 wherein:
said plasticizer is present at about 7 parts;
said ammonium dihydrogen phosphate is present at about 8 parts;
said hydrated magnesium oxide is present at about 15 parts;
said antimony oxide is present at about 5 parts; and
said char former is pentaerythritol and is present at about 5 parts.
30. The molded article of claim 29 wherein said hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof is present at a level of less than about 15 parts.
31. The molded article of claim 28 wherein said stabilizer contains equal parts of distearylthiodipropionate and hindered phenol.
32. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said filler is a graphite which contains intercalated water and is present at greater than about 10 parts.
33. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said molded article is free of an ammonia producing compound.
34. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said mixture comprises:
about 50 parts of said chlorinated polyethylene;
about 5 parts of said high-density polyethylene;
about 7 parts of said plasticizer;
about 15 parts of said hydrated magnesium oxide;
about 0.5 parts of said distearylthiodipropionate;
about 0.5 parts of said hindered phenol;
about 5 parts of said antimony oxide;
about 5 parts of said pentaerythritol; and
about 12 parts of said water intercalated graphite.
35. The molded article of claim 23 wherein said molded article is selected from the group consisting of a ceiling tile, floor tile, wall tile, gasket, dashboard, tubing, floor covering, kick panel, bulkhead, interior trim, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.
36. A composite material, comprising:
a reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of steel, plastic, wood, carbon, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing;
an intumescent polymer binder comprising based on one hundred parts of said binder:
about 60 parts chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 5 parts of a curing agent;
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an accelerator;
up to about 15 parts high-density polyethylene;
about 7 parts plasticizer;
about 15 parts hydrated magnesium oxide;
about 0.5 parts distearylthiodipropionate;
about 0.5 parts hindered phenol;
about 5 parts antimony oxide;
about 5 parts pentaerythritol; and
about 4 to about 12 parts graphite.
37. The composite material of claim 37 further comprising up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof.
38. The composite material of claim 36 wherein said graphite is a graphite which contains intercalated water.
39. The composite material of claim 36 wherein said composite material is free of an ammonia producing compound.
40. A coated article, comprising:
a substrate having an intumescent polymer applied thereupon, wherein said intumescent polymer comprises based on one hundred parts of said polymer:
about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 5 to about 10 parts plasticizer;
about 15 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 2 to about 5 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, graphite containing intercalated water, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof; and
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof.
41. The coated article of claim 40 further comprising a primer disposed on said substrate, and between said substrate and said intumescent polymer.
42. The coated article of claim 40 further comprising an adhesive disposed on said substrate, and between said substrate and said intumescent polymer.
43. The coated article of claim 40 wherein said filler material is graphite which contains intercalated water.
44. The coated article of claim 40 wherein the coated article is flexible.
45. A method for forming a moldable intumescent elastomeric thermoplastic composition, comprising based on one hundred parts of said composition:
combining under shear at a temperature and for a time sufficient in order to form said composition about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene,
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene,
about 5 to about 10 parts plasticizer,
about 10 to about 20 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof,
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof,
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide,
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof,
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof,
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof,
up to about 5 parts of a curing agent, and
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an acclerator.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein combining under shear comprises combining under a first shear for about 1 to about 10 minutes and at about 100 to about 200 C.
47. The method of claim 45 wherein combining under shear comprises combining under a second shear for about 1 to about 10 minutes and at about 75 to about 200 C.
48. A moldable intumescent elastomeric thermoplastic composition formed according to the method of claim 45, wherein said composition has a tension set of about zero after being stretched to 100% elongation when measured on a sample measuring 50 millimeters by 6.25 millimeters by 2 millimeters according to ASTM D412.
49. A molded article comprising the intumescent elastomeric composition of claim 48, wherein the molded article is flexible.
50. A method for forming a molded article composed in part of an intumescent elastomeric composition, comprising:
introducing an elastomeric intumescent thermoplastic composition into a mold, wherein said elastomeric intumescent thermoplastic composition comprises based on one hundred parts of said composition:
about 40 to about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 5 parts of a curing agent;
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an accelerator;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 5 to about 10 parts plasticizer;
about 10 to about 20 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof; and
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants and hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof; and
forming said molded article.
51. The method of claim 50 wherein forming is selected from the group consisting of extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, and vacuum forming.
52. A method for forming a coated article, comprising:
disposing an intumescent elastomeric thermoplastic composition onto an article; and
forming a coating on said article;
wherein said intumescent elastomeric composition comprises based on one hundred parts of said composition:
about 40 to about 60 parts of chlorinated polyethylene;
up to about 5 parts of a curing agent;
up to about 3 parts of a co-curing agent or an accelerator;
up to about 15 parts of high-density polyethylene;
about 5 to about 10 parts plasticizer;
about 10 to about 20 parts of a water emitting substance selected from the group consisting of hydrated magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide and mixtures thereof;
up to about 10 parts of at least one gas generating compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate and mixtures thereof;
about 3 to about 10 parts of a char former selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates, starch and mixtures thereof;
about 1 to about 7 parts of antimony oxide;
about 2 to about 12 parts of a filler material selected from the group consisting of graphite, mica, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof; and
about 0.25 to about 2 parts of a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of thio based antioxidants, hindered phenol antioxidants and mixtures thereof.
53. The method of claim 52 wherein said forming is selected from the group consisting of heating, extruding, curing and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing methods.
54. The method of claim 52 wherein said disposing is selected from the group consisting of laminating, hot plate welding, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing methods.
55. The method of claim 52 further comprising disposing an adhesive on said article prior to disposing said intumescent elastomeric composition.
56. The method of claim 52 further comprising disposing a primer on said article prior to disposing said intumescent elastomeric thermoplastic composition.
57. The method of claim 52 wherein said disposing comprises disposing a solution or a suspension of the intumescent elastomeric composition and a solvent onto an article.
58. The method of claim 57 wherein said disposing is selected from the group consisting of dipping, spraying, thermal drying, chemical dessication, physical dessication, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.