Abstract: An inhibiter switch is provided with a movable body 1 rotatable in accordance with an operating position of an automatic transmission device. The movable body 1 is supported rotatably by a cover 2 and a pole base 3 having magnetic sensors 9 disposed therein. A conductive body having a terminal 7b projected into a connector section 3c at one side thereof and a body section 7a electrically connected to the magnetic sensors 9 and exposed from a bottom surface 3d, is insert molded into the pole base 3. The pole base 3 forms an offset surface 3e exposing the body section 7a as a connection location with the conductive body 7 from the bottom surface 3d. The pole base 3 has notches 3f, 3g, 3h in which the magnetic sensors 9 are disposed, and a notch 3i in which a substrate 6 is disposed. The notches 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i are formed at the periphery of the offset surface 3e. The pole base 3 also forms a guide 3j for disposing the magnetic sensors 9 within the offset surface 3e.

Abstract: A rotary electrical switch for an automobile vehicle anti-theft device of the type comprising a rotor mounted free to rotate about a stator to supply electrical power to a starter, by at least one electrical strip contact, wherein the rotor comprises a surface acting as a cam to clean the electrical contact that cooperates with a portion facing the intermediate segment of a contact strip to elastically deform the contact strip globally in its median axial plane, causing relative displacement of the free lower end of the mobile segment with respect to the contact portion of the fixed contact element with which it is in contact, when the rotor closes or opens the electrical contact.

Abstract: An inhibitor switch is provided with a movable base 1 having permanent magnets 4, which is adapted to be rotatable in accordance with the transmission operating position of an automatic transmission device. The inhibitor switch also has magnetic sensors 9 for detecting the magnetic flux from the permanent magnets 4, a pole base 3, and a cover body 2 for rotatably supporting the movable base 1 in cooperation with the pole base 3. The pole base 3 has an approximate arc shape with a radius of curvature centered about the center of a shaft hole 3a. A base surface 3d is provided for forming a space for receiving a substrate 6 connected to the connecting sections 7a, on which the magnetic sensors 9 and electronic elements 10 are installed. The connecting sections 7a are used to electrically connect a conductive body 7 to the substrate 6. The shaft hole 3a is coupled with a cylindrical shaft section 1a of the movable base 1 at an end of the base surface 3d.

Abstract: An inhibitor switch is constructed such that a movable base 1 adapted to be rotatable in accordance with the transmission operating position of an automatic transmission device is supported rotatably by a cover body 2 and a pole base 3 having magnetic sensors 9. The movable base 1 is integrally formed with a yoke 5 through an injection molding method. The yoke 5 has folded sections 5c exposed to the upper surface of the movable base 1 and bottom pieces 5b for receiving the permanent magnets 4. Moreover, the yoke 5 is composed of a plurality of bottom pieces 5b connected with each other, and the folded sections 5c formed at each end of the bottom pieces 5c. With this construction, an inhibitor switch is provided with a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A rotary switch with direction-of-rotation output includes a thumbwheel (12), a first reduced-diameter ratchet wheel (14), a second reduced-diameter ratchet wheel (16), and a mounting shaft (18) upon which the thumbwheel (12), ratchet wheel (14), and ratchet wheel (16) are mounted in side-by-side frictionally engaged relationship. The ratchet wheel (14) and the ratchet wheel (16) cooperate with respective pawls (24)(30) so that the ratchet wheel (14) is constrained for rotation in one direction only about the shaft (18), and the ratchet wheel (16) is constrained for rotation in the other direction only about the shaft (18). The thumbwheel (12) is in frictional engagement with the ratchet wheel (14) and the ratchet wheel (16) so that rotation of the thumbwheel (12) will cause one of the two ratchet wheels to rotate.

Abstract: A multi-position switching actuator for a switch gear includes a control handle unit including a control protrusion and an insertion recess, a rotation member disposed at a portion spaced from a rear portion of the control handle unit and rotated by a rotation of the control handle unit, a front plate disposed between the control handle unit and the rotation member, a latch releasing member engaged to the rear surface of the rotation member, a latch driving member engaged to the latch releasing member, a location fixing member connected to the latch driving member and limiting a rotation of the latch driving member by a predetermined angle, an elastic member disposed between the latch releasing member and the latch driving member for thereby generating an instant rotation of the latch driving member, and a central shaft for being inserted from a rear portion of the latch driving member toward the front of the multi-position switching actuator.

Abstract: A rotary switch device in which fixed contacts are fixed to one face side of a base member made of a synthetic resin, contact plates in a ring shape are floatingly held by a rotor disposed opposed to the one face side of the base member, movable contacts capable switching the connection and disconnection to and from the fixed contacts in accordance with the rotation of the rotor are integrally formed at a plurality of places spaced from each other at circumferential intervals on the contact plates, and sliding faces capable of being brought into slide contact with the movable contacts are formed on the one face of the rotor side of the base member, along a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotor. The sliding faces are formed in the base member so as to avoid the loci which are drawn by portions of the movable contacts to be brought into slide contact with the fixed contacts in accordance with the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: In a rotatively-operated electric component, there is provided an Oldham's coupling between the rotary member for operating the electric component member and the operation body. The operation body is disposed with the axis of rotation thereof deviated from the axis of rotation of the rotary member so that the operation body is held by the bearing member and so that the push switch is operated by the driving member integral with the bearing member.

Abstract: A multiple operation type electrical part which is made very small in the axial direction as a result of using the space of a recess at the center portion of a first rotary member to prevent dislodgment of an inner shaft. Conventional multiple operation type electrical parts are large in the axial direction. They are large because dislodgment of the inner shaft is achieved by passing the inner shaft through five cases and an insulating plate, and by using the space in a case at the rearmost part of the electrical part. The multiple operation type electrical part of the invention makes it possible to overcome this problem present in conventional multiple operation type electrical parts.

Abstract: An operating mode switching unit for a bicycle includes a rotary knob disposed on a front surface of a panel and connected to a plate-shaped spring unit by an axle. The spring unit includes a first spring portion which can be elastically deformed in the direction toward the axle. A second spring portion which can be elastically deformed in the direction toward the panel is disposed nearer to the axle. The first spring portion has a first protrusion projecting radially outward, and the second spring portion has a second protrusion projecting in the direction away from the panel. The panel is formed in its rear surface with a wall having indentations into which the first protrusion can snap. A laminate member faces the rear surface of the spring unit and includes plural pairs of opposing switch contacts. Each pair of contacts are pressed to contact with each other by the second protrusion.

Abstract: A submersible rotary switch protects against moisture contamination and includes a housing containing an actuating mechanism and an oppositely disposed contact device confined in a contact compartment statically sealed by a flexible boot. A driver disposed between the compartments connects the actuating mechanism to the contact device to effect rotational translation therebetween.

Abstract: A switch sensor is provided including a housing. A switch circuitry is disposed within the housing. An electrical contactor carrier is movably mounted within the housing. The electrical contactor carrier includes a shear pin hole and the housing includes a corresponding hole which each receive a shear pin therein for holding the electrical contactor carrier in a predetermined position relative to the housing during installation. The shear pin is totally contained on the inside of the switch.

Abstract: A rotary electric switch having push-in wire terminals includes a hollow plastic housing having a recessed base and a cover member. The cover member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and an annular boss which is shaped to define a central bore. A plurality of resilient stationary contacts are positioned in the base. A switch handle is rotably mounted on the base between the plurality of resilient stationary contacts. The switch handle comprises a disc-shaped rotor having a top surface and a bottom surface. The switch handle further comprises an elongated shaft and an arcuate rotor stop which are formed on its top surface, the elongated shaft protruding through the central bore in the cover member and the arcuate rotor stop being disposed within a rotor recess formed in the bottom surface of the cover member. A rotatable contactor is mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor of the switch handle and serves to selectively contact the stationary contacts.

Abstract: An operating shaft which provides compensation for axial and spatial misalignment between a rotatable component mounted within an enclosure and a rotating apparatus generally outside the enclosure is disclosed. The operating shaft has a first end dimensioned to be slidably received within a receiving portion of the rotating apparatus such that the shaft is maintained in a fixed angular position with respect to the rotating apparatus. The shaft is axially slidable with respect to the rotating apparatus such that it will provide compensation for axial misalignment between the rotatable component and the rotating apparatus. The shaft has a second end configured to engage the rotatable component such that rotation of the rotating apparatus will produce a corresponding rotation of the rotatable component. The shaft also has a spatial compensation device which is integrally formed from the shaft between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A rotary electrical switch for panel mounting in a motor vehicle for control of a blower motor of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning installation, includes a set of conductive contact strips. These comprise coplanar primary strips and a secondary strip for power supply. The switch has a body mounted for rotation about an axis at right angles to the plane of the coplanar contact strips. The body supports a radial ring member which is bent back into two half rings with conductive radial projecting portions connected together electrically. Each projecting portion carries at its end an arm having two contact pads for making contact with the primary contact strips in two parallel planes. The projecting portions have at least one third pad for making a further contact with the secondary contact strip in one of the two planes.

Abstract: A rotary switch has a control knob (3) that is mounted on at least three balls (6) that move, guided by a cage disk (7), in a housing groove (8) formed by a radial wall (9) and an axial wall (10), against which the balls (6) are urged by an outward or inward conical bearing surface (11) or (12). The radial and axial wall bearing surfaces have contact segments and contact paths (13, 14) that are shorted by at least one of the balls (6). The control knob has a stop lug (15), an operational adjustment angle (4) of which is limited by housing lugs (16) and which, during operational adjustment, contacts at least one of two stop lugs (17) of the cage disk, which are positioned at an angle that corresponds approximately to one-half the maximum operational adjustment angle (4) and to a maximum contact adjustment angle (5). This structure results in reduced cost and functional improvement.

Abstract: A rotary elastic component with a push switch comprises a bearing having a through hole and a collar portion provided at the end to close a part of the through hole, a rotary electrical component having a rotating body with a hole, a push switch disposed at the rear of the rotary electrical component and having a moving contact and a stationary contact, and an operating shaft inserted into the through hole of the bearing and the hole of the rotating body and having a collar portion. The collar portion of the operating shaft is positioned within the through hole of the bearing, to thereby retain, by the collar portion of the bearing, the operating shaft from accidentally loosening from position. When the operating shaft is rotating, the rotating body is rotated to operate the rotary electrical component; the operating shaft being axially moved to actuate the push switch.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: A rotary switch device and a tester incorporating the rotary switch device are provided. A dial is rotatably mounted in a casing. Brushes are provided for rotation about a rotation axis of the dial as the dial is rotated. Electrical contacts are brought into sliding contact with the brushes by rotation of the brushes. A click mechanism controls rotation of the dial in a clicking manner. The click mechanism has a waved-surface portion formed in one of the dial and the casing and arranged in a manner concentric with the dial, and at least one click spring portion formed in another of the dial and the casing, for clicking engagement with the waved-surface portion. The at least one click spring portion has a support portion protruding axially of the dial from a base surface of the one of the dial and the casing, and at least one spring portion extending from the support portion along the base surface in a manner concentric with the dial.

Abstract: A switchable load coil case is provided having a switch assembly connected to the load coil and incoming and outgoing wire pair. The switch assembly has a switch actuator disposed in a terminal housing cavity movable between loaded and bypass positions. The switch assembly has contacts which connect the load coil in series with the incoming and outgoing wire pair when the switch actuator is in the loaded position and connect the incoming and outgoing wire pair while bypassing the load coil when the switch actuator is in the bypass position.

Abstract: A multi-position rotary switch for switching among three power sources or batteries to maintain at least one of the power sources or batteries in service while switching among positions providing separate service from each of the three power sources or batteries and service of two power sources in series while the other power sources is in service which includes a stator of suitable insulating material having a series of discrete electrical conductor segments in two concentric circular paths with the positive terminal of each of the three power sources connected to a discrete segment and with the negative terminals of two of the three power sources connected to a discrete segment and the negative terminal of the other of the three power sources connected to a discrete segment; the discrete segments are arranged in a pattern such that the switch rotor having three radial shorting conductor bars for intermittently coupling discrete segments between the two circular paths upon sequential rotation from off throug

Abstract: A pulse detection mechanism for detecting the rotation amount of a rotary member and its rotational direction with a high degree of accuracy by reducing the degree of fluctuation in the position of contact between pins and a pulse surface. A rotation shaft to which a pulse plate has been fixed is supported by a shaft insertion hole of a rotation shaft holding member and that of a pin receiving member. Pins are inserted through pin holes formed through the pin receiving member so that one end of each pin contacts the pulse surface and the other end thereof is urged by a leaf spring of a leaf spring member. The pulse surface and the pins are placed in position by the shaft insertion hole of the rotation shaft holding member and that of the pin receiving member so that the pulse detection mechanism so as to prevent a position fluctuation from being reduced greatly.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: An inhibitor switch device having an operating lever 9 equipped with a strength adjusting portion 96 near the rotating axle. The strength adjusting portion 96 has a mass which can be adjusted by using a nested-type metal molding. The strength adjusting portion 96 allows the operating lever 9 to be set to a suitable strength so that the operating lever 9 breaks when an abnormal external force is applied. Also, when an abnormal external force is applied, the strength adjusting portion 96 prevents the spread of breakage to the rotating axle, and allows easy detection of defective products by an external check of the strength adjusting portion. In addition, the strength adjusting portion allows fine adjustment of the operating lever 9 to a suitable strength during formation thereof, thereby preventing the strength adjusting portion from being broken under regular external forces.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes an insulative first housing with first and second terminals, and an insulative second housing. The first housing has a top wall with an axial hole formed therein, a bottom wall with a socket-like cavity formed therein, an upright side wall lateral to the top wall, and a shaft journalled in the axial hole to rotate stepwise relative to the top wall. The first terminals have first connecting end portions extending outwardly of the upright side wall. The second terminals have second connecting end portions extending axially from the axial hole and outwardly of the bottom wall at a distal end thereof relative to the upright side wall. The second connecting end portions are longer than the first connecting end portion so that each of the second connecting end portion forms a protracted intermediate segment and a connecting end segment for electrical connection. The second housing is molded around portions of the protracted intermediate segments of the second terminals.

Abstract: A three-way switch is composed of a base, an amature member, at least three conductive pieces, and a diode. The base is provided with a receiving space for housing the amature member, the conductive pieces, and the diode. The amature member is fastened with a bridging conductive member such that the armature member is provided with a plurality of bridging portions and an insulation portion, which are in contact with the contact ends of the conductive pieces. The first and the third conductive pieces bring about a power input while the second conductive piece brings about a power output. The diode is connected with the first and the third conductive pieces.

Abstract: An ignition switch is disclosed. The switch includes a housing defining an interior region, a cover affixed to an open back end of the housing and supporting a plurality of electrical terminals. Each terminal includes an end portion extending into the housing interior region. The switch also includes a switch assembly supported by the housing and at least partially disposed within the interior region, the switch assembly being rotatable about an axis of rotation between at least two positions. The switch assembly includes first and second conductive contact plates, the second contact plate being moveable with respect to the first contact plate along the axis of rotation. In at least one of the switch positions, the first contact plate bridges ends of the two terminals and the second contact plate bridges ends of two terminals different that the two terminals bridged by the first contact plate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof which can be opened by a motor through various interim stages by operation of a rotary switch about which graphic symbols are arranged which indicate the respective opening stages. The control is suited for triggering complex, openable motor vehicle roofs with several roof components which can be activated partially independently of one another and which can be activated by separate motors, the switch, as it turns in different peripheral areas, triggering individual or multiple motors in succession or at the same time for starting predetermined opening stages.

Abstract: An operating shaft which provides compensation axial and spatial misalignment between a rotatable component mounted within an enclosure and a rotating device generally outside the enclosure. The operating shaft has a first end which is dimensioned to be slidably received within a receiving portion of the rotating device such that the shaft is maintained in a fixed angular position with respect to the rotating device. The shaft is axially slidable with respect to the rotating device such that it will provide compensation for axial misalignment between the rotatable component and the rotating device. The shaft has a second end formed to engage the rotatable component such that an rotation of the rotating device will produce a corresponding rotation of the rotatable component. The shaft also has a spatial compensation device which is integrally formed in the shaft between its first and second ends.

Abstract: A miniature rotary electric switch having push-in wire terminals comprises a housing which is about 1 inch in length, 1 inch in width and 0.2 inches in thickness and which includes a plurality of wire receiving openings. A plurality of Z-shaped stationary contacts are positioned inside the housing and a rotatable contactor is disposed inside the housing for selectively contacting the stationary contacts. Each stationary contact is positioned to overlie at least a portion of one of the wire receiving openings for locking engagement with a wire to be inserted therethrough. Each stationary contact includes a locking tongue, a spring finger and an intermediate arm, the intermediate arm linking the locking tongue to the spring finger. The locking tongue is connected to the intermediate arm at a first bend and the intermediate arm is connected to the spring finger at a second bend.

Abstract: A rotary operation type electric device of the present invention includes: a rotary shaft; a rotary plate which is rotatable around the rotational axis; a connecting member for connecting the rotary shaft and the rotary plate, which retracts in an axial direction of the rotary shaft and does not retract in a rotary direction of the rotary plate; and an output terminal for outputting a signal in accordance with rotation of the rotary plate.

Abstract: A rotary switch knob assembly (100) includes one or more circular knobs (101) having a plurality of interspersed labeling configured radially at least partially about the knob. The labeling including a first set of characters (105) and a second set of characters (107) each configured at a predetermined distance and angle between an adjacent character. A viewing window (109) is positioned over the labeling where either the first set of characters (105) or the second set of characters (107) are displayed through the viewing window (109) depending on an angular position of the viewing window.

Abstract: A coding device includes a contact carrier (3) and a coding disk (4) that can be set in a plurality of rotary positions relative to the contact carrier (3) to set corresponding codes. Moreover, the coding disk (4) is displaceable between an inactive position, in which it is spaced apart from the contact carrier (3) and no code is effective, and an active position, in which a code corresponding to the rotary position of the coding disk (4) is set on the contact carrier (3). Because a desired code can be selected by rotating the coding disk (4) to the corresponding rotary position while the coding disk is in its inactive position, the code selection can be effected in a potential-free manner.

Abstract: A gas burner valve switch having an annular rotor engaging the valve shaft for rotation with the shaft. An annular resilient seal in a groove on the rotor flange seals against the underside of the casing cover to prevent entry of foreign matter. The rotor is journalled for rotation in the housing which has spaced terminals which connect, via insulation displacement, with a pair of continuous spaced electrical leads laid in channels and extending through the housing. In one embodiment the rotor has a cam which actuates a moveable blade arm attached to one of the pair of terminals to effect closing against the other terminals. In another embodiment an annular wiper ring acts as a shorting bar between the terminal for switching upon user rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch is disclosed having a rotary operating member (16) mounted for rotation about an axis. A first contact member (32) is mounted for movement in opposed directions along a path transverse to but not intersecting the axis, between a first position in which a contact surface (38) of the first contact member (32) is in electrical contact with a contact surface (42) of a respective second contact member (36) and a second position in which the contact surfaces are not in electrical contact. The path is approximately normal to the contact surfaces, and the operating member has a surface (44) to impart movement to the first contact member in one or both directions.

Abstract: A rotary switch is disclosed which has a ferrule, rotor and stator assembly housed within a plastic cylindrically shaped housing. The ends of the housing are uniquely folded to hold the ferrule and stator in end positions within the housing on edges located on the interior wall the housing. The rotor has a shaft which is rotatably mounted in the ferrule for relative movement over the stator. Stationary contacts are provided on the stator, while moveable ball contacts carried by the rotor seat on the stator for displacement relative to the stationary contacts upon turning of the rotor via the shaft. A detent mechanism cooperates with the interior wall of the housing to establish detent positions corresponding with predetermined electrical coupling of the stator contacts by the ball contacts.This housing arrangement provides a relatively simple and inexpensive rotary switch of relatively small sized which has a high switch capacity.

Abstract: An electric switch for toys comprises a stationary member and a member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The stationary member includes a plurality of electrical connections in the physical form of fixed, variable configured contacts with integral terminals. The contacts are bridged by conductive pattern(s) forming part of the rotatable member. Circuits are broken or made which are dependent upon the position of the rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a coupling, preferably a cruciform hole for detachably mounting a protruding lever or protruding shaft. The rotatable member can be rotated between a plurality of premarked positions when the lever or shaft is mounted within the coupling hole. The switch may be used as a building block component.

Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its face. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into electric contact with a stationary electrical contact that is connected to a source of electric potential or, in the alternative, to relieve one of the contacts from being pressed onto the stationary contact. An index wheel mounts to the shaft and has equiangularly spaced grooves. A plastic spring having parallel legs is mounted on the base of the switch. The legs have convex detents which register in successive grooves as the rotor is indexed rotationally in a stepwise fashion. The radius of the detents is greater than the radius of the grooves between the teeth of the index wheel. The legs of the spring are prohibited from moving longitudinally and tension is maintained in the spring legs at all times.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: A network interface card for a personal computer includes a controller chip and a programmable logic array that is coupled at its output terminals to the bus pull-up resistors, or to dedicated terminals of the controller chip for establishing different configurations for the controller chip on the interface card. A rotary, ten position binary coded decimal switch is coupled across the inputs of the programmable logic array. Each position of the switch establishes a different configuration for the controller. The arrangement eliminates the need for manual switches and movable jumpers for configuring the network interface card controller chip.

Abstract: A sandwich switch construction for a hearing aid includes a lower housing having a base surface with a first electrical lead formed thereon, and an elastomeric membrane with a second electrical lead formed thereon in alignment with the first electrical lead, a portion of the elastomeric membrane being spaced apart from the base surface such that the first electrical lead is not in communication with the second electrical lead; and an upper housing operable with the lower housing, the upper housing having contact mechanism for deforming the elastomeric membrane toward the base surface such that the first electrical lead is in electrical communication with the second electrical lead.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes a sensor having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by an electrical/magnetic field producing member. The apparatus also includes an elongate, flexible band capable of producing an electric/magnetic field, where the band is attached at one end to the sensor to roll over and cover or unroll from over and uncover the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the area of the operative surface covered by the band and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: An input device including a case defining an opening, a bearing member pivotally mounted in the case about an axis and disposed adjacent to the opening, a roller rotatably disposed on the bearing member and having a portion exposed through the opening, an encoder disposed adjacent the axis of the bearing member and coupled to the roller by a belt, and a push button switch disposed to contact a portion of the bearing member away from the axis, such that manual rotation of the roller causes the belt to rotate the encoder, thereby producing a first output signal, and pressing the roller causes activation of the push button switch by pivoting the bearing member, thereby producing a second signal. A water receiving member is disposed in the case between the bearing member and roller. The water receiving member has a main chamber into which is disposed the roller, and a subchamber connected to the main chamber by a cut-out passage.

Abstract: In an electronic position encoder (or other panel control) of the type having a shaft-retracted position for storage and a shaft-extended position for adjustment, an anti-backlash coupling substantially eliminates backlash between a rotor and a shaft. The anti-backlash coupling includes a first wedge member fixedly coupled to the shaft and a second wedge member fixedly coupled to the rotor. The second wedge member is adapted to mate with the first wedge member when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: A multiple switch device comprises a base having at least two switch units and supports with pawls placed on the tips of the pawls, a push button having at least two push members and supports with pawls placed on the tips of the pawls, and a spring for returning the push button to its original position. The base and the push button are assembled together through a coupling between the pawls of the supports of the base and the pawls of the supports of the push button. The push button moves in a seesaw-like motion, the fulcrum of which is derived by the two adjacent supports. The push members and the supports are arranged so that the fulcrum position is situated in the same or inside position of the push members.

Abstract: A control device and method of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a rotary switch carried on the component mounting side of a printed circuit board of the control device and having opposed sides with a central opening passing through the opposed sides thereof, and an actuator shaft having a portion thereof disposed in the central opening for operating the rotary switch upon rotation of the shaft, the shaft having structure snap fitting the portion thereof in the central opening of the rotary switch when the portion of the shaft is initially inserted into the central opening by being axially moved from the solder side of the board to the component mounting side of the board.

Abstract: A contact piece for a rotary encoder is an unitary piece having a terminal, a thin plate spring, and a bent-back section on the tip of the thin plate spring. The bent-back section is bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees in the plane. The contact brush is located on the bent-back section. In one embodiment, the terminal, thin plate spring, bent-back section and contact brush are stamped from the same metal plate. In another embodiment, the terminal, thin plate spring and bent-back section are stamped from the same metal plate and a separate contact brush is connected to the bent-back section. The contact piece is pushed in from the bottom side of the rotary encoder housing, and the contact brush is set such that contact is made with an electrode pattern. When a rotating plate turns, a pulse having a low or high signal is generated. This configuration provides the rotary encoder with an adequately long span S, which can be precisely set and easily produced.

Abstract: In an incremental encoder, a common terminal which is required always to be electrically connected to a rotary contact plate comprises a plurality of sliding contacts each having a contact point with the rotary contact plate. Respective sliding contacts are positioned so as to come into contact with the rotary contact plate with a positional shift angle. Due to this feature, even in the case where the common terminal is in contact with a signal pulse-generating region of the rotary contact plate having slits formed therein for generating the signal pulse, it is possible that a portion of at least one of the contact points provided on the plurality of sliding contacts is always in contact with the rotary contact plate. Accordingly, a common contact region which is required in a conventional incremental encoder is not necessary, whereby the miniaturization of the incremental encoder can be realized.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes an array of sensors having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the disposition of an electrical/magnetic field producing member along the sensor array. The field producing member is disposed to contact and slide over the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the position of the field producing member along the sensor array and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: An electromechanical pulse gereator having a purely mechanical mode of operation for microelectronic equipment, e.g. volume control in hearing aids, consisting of a housing formed by a fixed base portion in which a shaft is fixedly mounted and a timing wheel is rotatably mounted around the shaft, the timing wheel having the form of a downward facing open cylinder and being fixedly connected to a casing whci forms an external handle. The inner cylinder surface of the timing wheel is provided with grooves engaging with a protrusion of a circular carrier rotatably mounted around the shaft. A U-shaped contact spring has members which are individually imparted an oscillating movement between contact pairs A-B-C and A-D-E, respectively, by the turn of the timing wheel in one or the other direction via the carrier which can only move over a pre-determined circular section, so as to generate digital pulse trains.