Abstract: A resistance element comprises an insulating cylinder having a helical thread groove on the outer surface thereof. A resistive channel is supported by the groove and a multi-strand wiper is guided by a follower which rides in the root of the channel. The resistance material on the sides of the groove may be notched for purposes of calibration.

Abstract: A closed frame single turn potentiometer incorporating a helical coil spring wiper mounted within a rotor. The rotor has a molded-in cavity for containing the wiper and a resilient backing element. The substrate has an aperture therein permitting adjustment of the rotor from either side of the housing.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a housing one end of which is closed by an insulating board which carries associated resistive and highly conductive areas or tracks arranged to be bridged by a metallic wiper loosely fitted to a wiper carrier part of an actuator such as an actuating spindle which is rotatably supported by the housing from which the spindle may project and which is preferably also rotatably supported by the insulating board.

Abstract: A tandem electrical control comprises a plurality of variable resistance sections. Each resistance section comprises a resistance element and a collector member that are carried by a base, and a contactor member that is carried by a driver, the contactor member is rotatably supported within the respective housing and wipingly engages the respective resistance element and collector member. A tubular shaft controls the forward resistance section and is rotatably supported within a bore of a mounting bushing. An inner shaft controls the rearward variable resistance section and a switch and is rotatably supported within the tubular shaft. The bore of the mounting bushing, the outside diameter of the tubular shaft, the bore of the tubular shaft, and the inner shaft are each provided with a narrowing diameter shoulder in abutting engagement with the proximate one of the shoulders for preventing impact damage to the resistance assemblies from external forces axially applied to the shafts.

Abstract: A potentiometer and switch assembly wherein the potentiometer resistance is deposited on a circuit board. The control member of the assembly comprises a shaft having a rotor mounted thereon, attached to which is a wiper for contacting the resistance. The switch mechanism includes a cam shaft adapted to be engaged by the rotor whenever the control shaft is pushed. The cam shaft is positioned to the side of the rotor and is rotated through a predetermined angle each time the control shaft is pushed. Camming surfaces on the cam shaft contact one member of the switch contact pair to alternately cause that contact pair member to open and close the switch. The cam shaft may be arranged to contact a second switch contact pair which opens and closes oppositely to the first switch contact pair so that a three-way switching function may be effectuated.

Abstract: A variable resistance control has a resistance element, a collector, and a low noise contactor wipably engaging the resistance element and the collector. The contactor is provided with a pair of arms and a plurality of fingers extend outwardly from each of the arms. A contact extends from each of the fingers and wipably engages the resistance element. The contacts on one of the arms are spaced apart lengthwise of the resistance element from the contacts on the other arm for reducing contact noise.

Abstract: An electric slider comprises a plurality of independently springing, aligned, uniformly spaced contact elements mechanically and electrically connected to one another. Each contact element is of elongated C shape having a discontinuity at one of its short sides. Each contact element comprises a base portion at which the contact element is connected to an adjoining contact element, a contact portion and a springing portion connecting the contact portion with the base portion. The contact portion is of circular cross section and at least part of the springing portion along a long side of the contact element is of flattened cross section. The plane of the flattened cross section is so oriented that the springing portion has, in the direction perpendicular to the slider motion, a moment of inertia that is larger than that of a circular cross section and, in the direction determining the resilient pressure, has a moment of inertia that is smaller than that of a circular cross section.

Abstract: Bearing surfaces are provided for a shaft and a rotor carried by the shaft as both are rotated against the base of a cup shaped member which forms part of the housing for a variable resistance control.

Abstract: A wiper brush contact of miniature and microminiature size for use in potentiometers, variable resistors and the like, and including a plurality of densely arranged spring fingers projecting from a plate-like base portion in such angular offset relation to the plane of the base portion that the fingers are disposed in side-by-side closely spaced or even light contacting relationship but with the fingers being free to flex independently of one another to independently follow irregularities in cermet and metal film tracks of various types used in microminiature assemblies of the type contemplated; and with the base plate portion and spring contact fingers formed from a flat stamping with subsequent offsetting and orientation of the fingers relative to one another and to the base portion.

Abstract: A D.C. potential controller is provided for controlling the magnitude and polarity of a D.C. potential applied to a D.C. drive motor. The controller includes a supply device for producing a potential having a predetermined polarity and magnitude and including a first fixed terminal referenced to said predetermined polarity and potential and a second fixed terminal referenced to a reference potential. A regulating element is displaceable between first and second polarity selecting positions, and is further coordinately displaceable from either first or second polarity selecting positions through a third position.

Abstract: A housing having a central bore therein receives a rotor rotatably mounted therein and secured thereto having an enlarged round base portion. A thrust plate is mounted for limited axial reciprocation within a recessed opening in the housing concentric with the rotor and adjacent the rotor base. The rotor base and thrust plate are formed with cooperating detents and notches to provide indexing means for rotationally positioning the rotor. The internal recess of the housing and the exterior of the thrust plate are configured with matching shapes to prevent rotational movement therebetween, rotation of the rotor moving the detents from one pair of diametrically opposed notches to the next adjacent pair of said notches, while the thrust plate reciprocates against the action of a biasing means. The lower end of the rotor carries a contactor mounted for fixed rotation therewith and having a pair of downward extending arms.

Abstract: An electrical contact arm having an electrical contact engaging a collector path also has at least two electrical contacts engaging a resistance path, the resistance path having rows of discrete spots of a good electrically conductive material spaced along the resistance path, the number of rows being equal to the number of electrical contacts engaging the resistance path, and the spots of one row being staggered with respect to the spots of another row such that at least one of the electrical contacts engaging the resistance path will be in engagement with one of the spots as the contact arm moves along the collector and resistance paths.