Abstract: A slide rheostat wherein a movable insulating plate and a leaf spring which are centrally provided with holes for receiving a lever of a slide piece receiver are made unitary by mounting a flat portion of the leaf spring on the movable insulating plate by outsert molding, the unitary movable insulating plate and leaf spring have the lever inserted therethrough. Resilient protuberant pieces are disposed at the four corners of the flat portion of the leaf spring and held in resilient contact with the upper surface of the slide piece receiver, and the movable insulating plate is held in resilient contact with the upper rear surface of a case through the action of the leaf spring.

Abstract: An electro-optical control comprising a housing, a source of light, a photocell, and an endless belt having a substantially planar run manually movable with a finger. The belt has portions of differing light penetrability. Members on the housing guide the belt in an endless path when the one run of the belt is manually moved. The photocell and the light source are positioned interior of and exterior of the belt. Thus, when the belt is moved, the amount of light from the light source which strikes the photocell is varied, controlling the photocell. The control can include a stop member secured to the belt, engageable with the housing to limit the movement of the belt. In an alternative embodiment, the control includes a light source, a pair of photocells positioned substantially side by side and first and second disc-shaped polarizing filters positioned between the light source and the photocells. One filter is manually rotatable.

Abstract: A secondary and/or piggy-back brake pedal transducer assembly adapted to be secured to a primary brake pedal, said secondary or piggy-back pedal being moveable with respect to the primary brake pedal responsive to foot pressure and including novel spring means and an integral lever controlled by that said spring means, said lever being deflectible to correspondingly deflect a plunger member of a connected potentiometer to thereby develop an electric signal proportionate to said foot pressure, said signal being translatable to corresponding electrical energization of an electric brake situated on a vehicle towed by the vehicle bearing said secondary or piggy-back brake assembly.

Abstract: A slide rheostat comprising a metal case whose lower surface is open and which is formed with a longitudinal slot in its upper surface portion, an insulating frame which includes an upper surface portion sufficiently larger in width and length than the slot and a pair of elastic engaging pieces slightly inclining outwardly of its end surface portions, an insulating substrate on which an elongate resistor and an elongate collector are formed, a slider which includes elastic metal members adapted to slide in contact with the resistor and the collector respectively, and an insulating slider carrier to which the slider is fastened. When the frame, the slider carrier and the insulating substrate are assembled with the case, the resistor and the collector are shielded from the slot of the case by the upper surface portion of the frame. The slide rheostat is installed on a mounting plate by snapping the elastic engaging pieces of the frame into a hole provided in the mounting plate.

Abstract: A variable resistor and switch assembly in which a variable resistor and a switch are constructed as a unit. The assembly has an insulating substrate, a resistor, a collector and stationary contacts which are formed on the substrate, and a carrier made of an electrically insulating material. The carrier includes a slider for making sliding contact with the resistor and the collector, a pair of contactors made of a resilient metallic material and making sliding contact with respective one of the pair of stationary contacts, and an operation member made of an electrically insulating material and adapted for breaking the conduction between the pair of contactors. As the operation member is actuated at any desired position of the slider, the conduction between the pair of contactors is broken to make the switch take the off state irrespective of the resistance value of the variable resistor.

Abstract: An electrical resistance element for a variable resistance device, such as a thick film resistance element, and a method of making the element and a device utilizing the element, such as a potentiometer, is described. The resistance element comprises a single resistance material for use as a resistance path for a contact wiper in a variable resistance device and has a selected series of generally transverse cuts made in at least one section of the resistance material of the element. The cut section(s) provides an increased current path length through the element whereby the total resistance of the element is increased. Also, the cut section(s) provides the resistance element with a resistance function which can be adjusted to vary over a wide range of resistance values depending on the length, width, and number of the cuts.

Abstract: An abrasion-resistant screen-printed potentiometer includes top and bottom resistive layers screen-printed on a substrate. The resistivity of the top layer is substantially greater than the resistivity of the bottom layer. A slide arm is in pressure contact with the top layer and is slidably movable thereacross.

Abstract: A potentiometer having in combination a non-electrical conducting substrate, a thin layer of resistance and collecting material on the substrate, a wiper movable thereon, providing communication between the resistance material and collecting material; the wiper and substrate contained in a durable housing with the wiper located on a carrier located above the substrate, supported by a shaft and rotationally fixed by a guide rail whereby axial force on the shaft casues a change in position of the wiper resulting in a change of resistance and voltage output which may be monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable resistor of the slide type incorporating a pair of resistor units carried on the same base plate and disposed in parallel with respect to each other. A plurality of conductive taps angle outwardly from a resistance member provided in each of the resistor units and a pair of sliders can be slidingly moved along and in contact with the series of the plurality of conductive taps in the pair of conductor units, respectively, but do not contact the resistance members directly.

Abstract: A slide-type potentiometer for speed control of electric motors under control of a foot-pedal actuator mechanism comprising an actuating rod reciprocatably movable in the longitudinal directions thereof, a spring member for urging the actuating rod in one of the longitudinal directions, a contact supporting member having an electrical contact secured thereto and mounted on the actuating rod so as to be movable in the longitudinal directions along with the actuating rod, a resistor element positioned such that the electrical contact member is slidably moved on the resistor element upon movement of the actuating rod, and a housing for enclosing the contact supporting member and the resistor element, the housing has a through-hole through which one end portion of the actuating rod extends outwardly.

Abstract: A variable impedance device wherein a plurality of elongate conductor leads extend longitudinally from an impedance element carried on an insulating substrate, and slide members are moved on the conductor leads, thereby to short-circuit or disconnect predetermined parts of the impedance element so as to obtain various impedance values.

Abstract: A layer resistor element for use in a variable resistor has two resistance layers disposed upon each other on an insulating substrate, the lower resistance layer being provided with two comb-like sets of separating slots extending from opposite sides to form a meander-like resistance path, the widths and lengths of the meander turns varying in accordance with a given non-linear resistance characteristic. The upper resistance layer which is of a material of higher resistivity than the lower resistance layer covers the lower layer partly or totally and extends beyond the lower layer at one side thereof where it provides a path for a slider of the variable resistor.

Abstract: This potentiometer has a pair of insulating standoffs integrally formed with the body of a model or toy incorporating the potentiometer. An insulated trough extends between the standoffs. A resistive element wound around an insulating core is disposed in the trough. A resilient contact element is slidably mounted engagement with the resistive element. Means extends through the body of the model or toy for sliding the resilient contact element along the resistive element. This potentiometer has major portions of its assembly formed in a molding operation used to form the body of the model or toy, and can be assembled by hand without the use of special tools.

Abstract: An electrical resistance element for use in variable resistance devices such as trimmers and potentiometers, having two or more resistance materials on a non-conducting base. The resistance materials are aligned along a path of travel of a movable wiper or contact to provide a series of variable linear resistances or a non-linear resistance. The interface between the resistance materials is arranged so that individual contact elements of the wiper traverse the interface at different times.

Abstract: A resistance transducer with a non-linear characteristic curve, which transmitter has a resistance track with a variable cross-section on an insulating carrier and a slider engaging on the resistance track. On the resistance track on the insulating carrier of a thick layer system at least one additional layer is applied by the same technology made of a conducting resistor substance, and shaped such that it forms a rib which extends in a direction of movement of the wiper, the rib tapering outwardly perpendicularly thereto, and the wiper transversely engages the rib to form an approximately point-like contact surface.

Abstract: A potentiometer including a resistance element positioned within the housing. The resistance element comprising a substrate and a resistive track deposited thereon has a collector element and three terminating pads electrically connected to each end of the resistance track and to the collector element. A slidable wiper is electrically connected to the collector element and contacts the resistance track to vary the resistance of the circuit. Clips are mounted on the resistance element to provide electrical connections between the terminating pads and terminal posts connecting the resistance element to an external circuit. The clips are formed of an S-shaped, resilient, electrically conductive element having lower and intermediate sections to resiliently clamp the resistance track, and an upper section with two bifurcated arms to engage the terminal post.

Abstract: An electronic amusement game incorporating manually operated control circuit devices. A control panel in the game housing is formed with slots through which operating handles of the devices project. A circular protective cover is rotatably mounted between the device and inside surface of the panel. The operating handle projects through a radial slot formed in the cover so that linear movement of the handle rotates the cover. In all positions of the handle the cover provides a shield beneath the panel slot.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable resistor of a simple construction having a driving mechanism, which can be assembled with ease and which allows contactors movable by an operation lever to be normally held in a predetermined position on a resistance element. The lever can be forcibly moved to vary the output of the resistor, and yet the lever will be returned automatically to its original position when the lever is released from the force exerted thereon.

Abstract: An elongate bar of electrically conductive material and having a generally U-shaped cross-section carries on the inner side of one of its legs a support with a resistance layer facing towards the other leg. A slider is guided between the two legs of the bar and has a contact spring, one contact tongue of the spring bearing on the resistance layer and another contact tongue bearing on the opposite, second leg of the bar forming a collector element. A nose formed on the slider engages a groove which exists between the resistance element and the bent free end of the one leg of the elongate bar, to guide the slider. A cover plate overlies the opening of the U-shaped cross-section of the elongate bar. An operating knob is disposed outside the cover plate and extends through a slot in the cover plate operatively to engage the slider.

Abstract: A variable resistor constructed from a minimum of parts, includes a housing having longitudinal grooves adapted to retain a base plate carrying a resistance element. The base plate can be inserted in one end of the grooves and slid forwardly until its leading edge abuts a stop on the housing. Latching portions carried by the housing and spaced rearwardly from the stop, engage behind step portions on the base plate to prevent it from sliding rearwardly from the housing.

Abstract: A potentiometer assembly for providing DC voltages for tuning the UHF channels of a varactor diode television tuner comprises a housing divided into a plurality of elongated compartments, each having a resistive element associated therewith. Each compartment is configured for slidably maintaining a replaceable contact-carrying carriage member disposed for engaging one of the resistive elements. A threaded shaft is removably associated with and longitudinally disposed within each of the compartments and is operable for driving a carriage member within its compartment to displace its associated contact member along the corresponding resistive element.

Abstract: A variable resistance slide control includes a housing having a front wall and having a side wall that is integral therewith. A dielectric base having a resistance element and a collector member mounted thereon is secured to the housing in spaced parallel relationship to the side wall. A contactor member engaging the resistance element and collector member is constrained to move with a slider that includes a handle portion projecting outwardly of the housing through an elongated slot which is defined by the front wall and the base. The slider includes a slider block portion with a guide groove therein interfitting with a longitudinal rail that is integral with the dielectric base, and the slider block portion slidably engages an inner surface of the side wall. A second rail is integral with the dielectric base and includes a guide surface that is slidably engageable with the slider block portion.

Abstract: A multiple slide resistor suitable for use as a tandem resistor in a stereo system is disclosed. The slide resistor comprises a housing having a slide slot in which a slide bar is arranged to slide along a guide rail. The resistance and collector elements of each resistor are mounted upon a conductive layer on one side of a base plate which forms a closure for the housing. A shielding wall is provided between the resistors for electrically isolating them. The wall is electrically connected to the conductive layer of the base plate so as to achieve a desired cross talk attenuation.

Abstract: A resistor having a high resistance and a resistor having a low resistance are arranged in parallel to each other in side by side relation. A pair of input terminals are fixed to both ends of the resistor of low resistance. A movable contact is provided in slidable contact with the resistor of high resistance moving along the edge of the resistor of low resistance which is in contact with an edge of the resistor of high resistance.

Abstract: A coupling between a linear motion drive shaft and a driven member, suitable for use in a linear motion potentiometer in which the driven member comprises a contact spring mounting block. An O-ring formed from a stiffly deformable, spring material is mounted on the drive shaft and held against a transverse wall on the driven member so as to absorb transverse and angular misalignments of the drive shaft and transmit to the driven member longitudinal drive shaft movements. The coupling exhibits low backlash when the motion of the drive shaft is reversed, and accommodates to both angular and transverse deviations of the shaft away from a linear drive orientation.

Abstract: An alumina body having a conductive coating with a smooth surface, is made up of a conductive layer and a cementing layer sandwiched between the conductive layer and the surface of the alumina. The thus coated alumina body can advantageously be used e.g. for a pickup stylus for a video disc playback system of the capacitance variation type.

Abstract: An electronic synthesizer instrument incorporates bass pedals for the notes of the musical scale, together with foot control apparatus adapted to select and modify the tone quality of sounds produced by operation of the bass pedals. The foot control apparatus includes push button switches which are operated by the toe of an operator's foot, and slide controls which are positioned by the operator's foot. At least some of the switches are preset switches for selecting and controlling multiple combinations of the functional units of the synthesizer. The control state of the instrument is at all times indicated by readily observable indicating lights.

Abstract: An insulating casing is formed with one open end and a longitudinal slot through one wall. A plug member is detachably fixed to the casing by means of interlocking projections and arms to close the open end of the casing. The plug member is formed with a shield plate which coextensively extends through the interior of the casing. A slider member is formed with a slot through which the shield plate slidably extends and an actuating handle extending through the longitudinal slot in the casing. A resistance plate is disposed between the slider and a wall of the casing opposite to the wall through which the longitudinal slot is formed. The resistance plate is formed with a resistance element with which a slider contact fixed to the slider member slidingly engages.

Abstract: A sliding resistor comprises a case bored with a groove in which a slider is slidably received, the slider having a sliding element formed of a leaf spring provided on the bottom plane for abutment against resistance elements mounted on a base plate. The case and slider are both molded, for example, from plastic material. The inner wall of the groove of the case has a cross section formed of a curved plane including a fractional circular portion or a polygonal plane except for the rectangular plane. The peripheral surface of the slider contacting with the inner wall of the groove has substantially the same form as that of the cross section of the inner wall of the groove of the case.

Abstract: A variable output function double bias potentiometer having first and second low resistance zones to provide two bias voltages and a high resistance zone with which output means are in contact to provide an output function which can be freely varied between the two bias voltages.

Abstract: Attenuation equalizer in the circuit of an adjustable four-terminal network for correcting the frequency-related attenuation curve of cables including a bridged T circuit containing ohmic resistances and having two fixed ohmic series resistance, preferably of equal resistance value, bridged by a bridging impedance, the bridging impedance being a series-resonant circuit having an inductance, a condenser and a variable parallel resistance wherein the shunt impedance is a parallel-resonant circuit having an inductance, a condenser and a variable series resistance, the latter being adjustable by means of a common traversing device.

Abstract: A slidable avriable resistor to be used in television receiver and in stereophonic set comprises a lower case member of an insulating material having a resistor member and a conductor on it disposed in lengthwise direction, a upper metallic cover having a long opening in lengthwise direction at the top of the cover, a slidable member of an insulating material with an arm projecting through the opening from the top of the slidable member having a brush extending from the lower side of the slidable member and sliding on the resistor and the conductor for electric conduction, and a flat rectangular plate of insulating material slidably disposed through a passage in the slidable body. By this construction should any metallic piece enter through the opening, the metallic piece is prevented from making contact with the resistor member or the conductor. Thus unexpected electric shock or damage can be prevented.

Abstract: A contact spring, suitable for use in a variable resistance device having a resistance strip and at least one collector strip adjacent the resistance strip. The contact spring is formed in a unitary construction from a single piece of sheet metal and includes electrically conductive cantilever spring members which depend from a base member and are adapted for sliding electrical contact with the resistance and collector strips. Stiffly flexible, resilient means, preferably in the form of additional cantilever spring members disposed in cruciform relation to the contact spring members, depend from the base member to back up each of the contact spring members by engaging an intermediate portion thereof to retard flexing of the contact spring members toward the base member. The resulting contact spring is quite simple in construction, yet produces a substantially greater contact force with the resistance and collector strips than is achieved by simple cantilever contact spring 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.