Abstract: A potentiometer providing a variable electrical resistance between input and output terminals for use in electronic circuits, as for volume control, light control, instrumentation control or the like. A potentiometer includes a housing assembly comprised of a cover assembled to a base. An electrical wiper is mounted to a rotor assembled to the cover and has a contact portion movable along a C-shaped resistive strip on the base. Stops limit the extremes of movement of the wiper with respect to the resistive strip. An annular seal disposed between the cover and a rotating portion of the rotor is effective to keep out dirt and other particulate matter from the potentiometer and provides continuous brake friction upon rotation of the rotor. In one form of the potentiometer, the housing assembly includes a body located between the cover and base and a switch mechanism is operably connected to the rotor to selectively locate an electrical contact in an on or off position.

Abstract: A miniature variable resistor comprising an insulating substrate provided with a hole therethrough. A resistance pattern which is carried on a front surface of the insulating substrate in a manner to surround the hole, and a hollow rotor of insulating synthetic resin is provided with an operating portion and a slidable contact portion slidable on the front surface. A slide member is unitarily embedded in the rotor and which has elastic protuberant pieces protruding into the hollow portion of the rotor, and a shaft member which protrudes beyond the hole from a rear surface of the insulating substrate is fitted tightly in the hollow portion of the rotor.

Abstract: A variable resistance device includes a thick film electrical conductor affixed to the underside of a supporting substrate and extending circumferentially around a hole. A radially spaced, film-like resistor surrounds the electrical conductor. A knob has a disc bearing on the top side of the substrate and a pair of projections extending through the hole to journal the knob in the substrate and to mount a carrier adjacent the underside of the substrate. A wiper means is mounted on the upper surface of the carrier for engaging the electrical conductor and resistor to vary the resistance of the device responsive to rotation of the knob through a manipulative means.

Abstract: A component to be attached to a substrate or plate or other element including a hollow bushing having an extension for mounting directly to such other element. The extension is provided with a radially compressible shoulder portion engageable upon insertion into an aperture and a rod-like member to be seated firmly in the hollow bushing to prevent the relaxation and flexure of said bushing. In a preferred embodiment the rod-like member may be integrally molded with the component to be attached.

Abstract: An open frame single turn potentiometer with a helical coil spring wiper including a resilient member situated between the substrate and the rotor. The resilient member consists of an annular ring preferably having a "D-shaped" or hemispherically shaped cross section. This "D" ring member performs the function of providing a spring action between the substrate and the rotor; means for controlling torque; and means for adjusting to the build-up in tolerences between the various component elements of the trimmer, thereby achieving optimum electrical and mechanical performance.

Abstract: A semi-fixed type variable resistor for use in electrical and electronic equipment which includes an electrically insulating substrate, a semi-circular resistor member formed on the substrate, a slider member of similar semi-circular shape rotatably mounted on the substrate to slide over the resistor member, and a cover member rotatably mounted on the substrate and also serving as a knob for rotating the slider member. The cover member has a protrusion formed at the forward end portion of its shaft so as to be readily engaged with a sleeve portion of a conductive plate provided on the substrate for reduction in cost and improvement of reliability of the variable resistor.

Abstract: A variable resistance control includes a metallic structure plate that functions as a heat sink and that provides both a collector and terminals, a body that is molded onto the structure plate, a resistance element that is deposited onto the body and onto portions of the terminals, a contactor, and a driver. In one embodiment, additional miniaturization is made possible by bending a tab portion of the structure plate between two of the terminals to form a stop lug for limiting rotational movement of the driver.

Abstract: A three piece rotatable electrical contact component for printed circuit board applications, wherein a rotatable contact of the component engages electrical circuitry on a printed circuit board, is disclosed. The component consists of a generally circular contact element, a contact carrying rotor which is mounted to be rotatable in the printed circuit board, and to which said circular contact element is secured, and a ring-shaped stop member which snaps over the contact carrying rotor and is secured to the printed circuit board so as to be non-rotatable. The rotor, in addition, has a number of arcuate detent grooves formed around its periphery to provide a plurality of detent locations. The stop member has a flexible post that is located in a hole in the printed circuit board which is shaped so that rotational movement of the stop member is prevented, but so that the stop member is free to transversely flex and thereby cooperate with the detent grooves of the rotor to provide the desired detent action.

Abstract: A trimming potentiometer (10) has a circuit track pattern (12) disposed on a base (11) having three integrally formed legs (11d). The track pattern (12) includes a collector track (12a), a resistance track (12b) and a pair of termination tracks (12c) connected to opposite ends of the resistance track (12b). Terminals for the device are formed by extending the collector track (12a)and the pair of termination tracks (12c) down the middle leg (11d) and the opposite outside legs (11d), respectively. A multi-functional contact (13) is rotatably mounted on the base (11) and includes multiple fingers (13g) that contact the resistance tracks (12b), dimpled areas (13j, 13k) which form projecting surfaces that contact the collector track (12a), a stop tab (13l) at its upper extremity that limits rotation, and outwardly extending notched tabs (13m) for receiving a suitable drive member to adjust the setting of the potentiometer (10).

Abstract: A variable resistance control having a clutch to prevent overdriving of a contactor relative to a resistance element. A driving member is rotatably and coaxially secured to a driven member in fixed relationship with the contactor. Knurled clutch faces formed on the driving member and the driven member are configured to permit sliding movement between the clutch faces when the driven member has reached its limit of travel and rotation of the driving member is continued.

Abstract: An electrical control is provided with an insulated shaft extension. The insulated shaft extension is attached to a metal shaft rotatably supported in a bushing attached to the housing of the control. A hollow shaft portion of the insulated shaft extension is in concentric relationship with the metal shaft. Tabs are sheared from the hollow shaft portion to abut against a shoulder defined by a reduced diameter portion on the metal shaft. The metal shaft has a flat which mates with a flat formed in the hollow shaft portion to prevent relative rotation of the shafts. Deformable ribs extend along the flat in the hollow shaft portion to ensure engagement with the flat on the metal shaft.

Abstract: A variable resistance control employs a substrate provided with a center aperture and a plurality of corner and intermediate locator means disposed about the periphery of the substrate. An adjusting; means constraining a contactor to rotate therewith is journaled in the aperture and the contactor wipingly engages a film type resistive path disposed on the surface of the subsrate. A first plurality of terminal members are disposed in the corner locator means of the substrate a first distance from the aperture. A second plurality of terminal members are disposed in a predetermined number of said intermediate locator means a second distance from the aperture at a distance closer than said first distance. At least one of the terminal members disposed in said intermediate locator means is in an interference path with a projection extending from the adjusting means to arrest rotation of the adjusting means.

Abstract: A variable resistance control comprises a resistance element supported on an electrically conductive supporting plate. A driver connected to the supporting plate is provided with a knob and with an integral stabilizing and particle excluding skirt. The ratio of the diameter of the stabilizing skirt to the diameter of the knob is relatively high. The stabilizing skirt rotatably engages the resistance element and encloses a contactor carried by the driver and prevents foreign particles from engaging the contactor. Indicator means integral with the stabilizing skirt and projecting beyond a truncated portion of the knob visually indicate the angular position of the contactor. The indicator means also engages a stop integral with the supporting plate and extending between the legs of the resistance element to arrest rotation of the contactor. Terminals provided with staggered ears are secured to the legs of the resistance element.