With Housing Patents (Class 338/199)
  • Publication number: 20140375418
    Abstract: A protection assembly with an operating knob (1) for an electrical potentiometer comprises a substantially tubular housing (2) defining a longitudinal axis (L), an electrical adjustment device (3) held within the housing (2) and having an adjustment shaft (4) rotating about the longitudinal axis (L) and an internal variable resistor interacting with a longitudinal end (5) of the shaft (4), an operating knob (6) attached to the other end (7) of the shaft (4), limit stop means (8) for restricting the rotation of the shaft (4) within a predetermined maximum angle of rotation (a). The knob (6) comprises an annular anchoring member (9), which is designed to be removably coupled to the housing (2) and an operating member (10) coupled to the shaft (4) and rotating relative to the anchoring member (9). The anchoring member (9) and the operating member (10) have mutually facing cylindrical surfaces (11, 12), with said limit stop means (8) interposed therebetween to limit the infiltration of external impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Marco Pizzato, Simone Zonta
  • Publication number: 20110303041
    Abstract: A throttle twist grip controller assembly includes a rotatable hand grip, a throttle housing coupled to the hand grip, and a ring potentiometer assembly located in the throttle housing. In one embodiment, the ring potentiometer assembly is fitted and supported on a sleeve associated with the throttle housing. A ring rotor is seated in the ring potentiometer assembly, surrounds the sleeve of the throttle housing, and includes at least a first tab which couples the rotor to the hand grip for rotation with the hand grip. A second tab on the rotor holds a potentiometer conductor. A spring is fitted and supported on the sleeve of the throttle housing. One end of the spring is coupled to the hand grip and the other end is coupled to the throttle housing for returning the hand grip to idle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Wen Feng Cheng, Yuan Pin Chen
  • Publication number: 20110277742
    Abstract: A potentiometer for a household cooking appliance including a gas valve having a valve stem. The potentiometer includes a circuit board having a contact, a wiper rotor that is rotatable with respect to the circuit board and having an opening corresponding to an axis of rotation of the wiper rotor, the opening of the wiper rotor for engaging the valve stem of the gas valve, the wiper rotor including a wiper electrically contacting the contact of the circuit board, a housing coupled to the circuit board and enclosing the wiper rotor between the housing and the circuit board, and a first interior edge and a second interior edge formed in each of the circuit board, the wiper rotor, and the housing and defining a channel extending from an outer edge of the potentiometer to the opening of the wiper rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Freeman, Phil Springer
  • Patent number: 7284317
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a printed circuit board (PCB) with an embedded resistor, in which a resistor with a desired shape and volume is precisely formed using a resistor paste so that resistance values according to a position of the PCB are uniform, thereby a laser trimming process is omitted or minimally utilized. The method has advantages in that a production time of the PCB is shortened and productivity is improved because an operation condition is rapidly set without being greatly affected by the position precision of a printing device. Other advantages of the method are that the resistor paste with a relatively uniform thickness is secured through a screen printing process, thereby easily forming the resistor and improving resistance tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-Hyun Cho, Jang-Kyu Kang, Byung-Kook Sun, Jong-Kuk Hong, Seok-Kyu Lee, Jin-Yong Ahn
  • Patent number: 7213327
    Abstract: A method for fabricating the embedded thin film resistors of a printed circuit board is provided. The embedded thin film resistors are formed using a resistor layer built in the printed circuit board. Compared with conventional discrete resistors, embedded thin film resistors contribute to a smaller printed circuit board as the space for installing conventional resistors is saved, and better signal transmission speed and quality as the capacitive reactance effect caused by two connectors of the conventional resistors is avoided. The method for fabricating the embedded thin film resistors provided by the invention can be conducted using the process and equipment for conventional printed circuit boards and thereby saving the investment on new types of equipment. The method can be applied in the mass production of printed circuit boards and thereby reduce the manufacturing cost significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Sung-Ling Su, Zhiqiang Xu
  • Patent number: 7002448
    Abstract: A control drive according to the related art does not have a potentiometer that allows a position of the motor or the driven wheel to be registered. The control drive (1) according to the invention allows a position of the motor or the driven wheel to be registered using a potentiometer (25) and a defined home position to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reeb, Bernd Diebold, Hans-Peter Schemel
  • Patent number: 6853290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to switch or volume control assemblies, in particular to switch or volume control assemblies to be mounted in e.g. hearing aids, said assembly comprising a movable member, such as a wheel-like member positioned between at least two detachable parts defining the exterior of a housing, the movable member having a part extending out of the housing, the movable member engaging a contact member so as to move the contact member with the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sonion Roskilde A/S
    Inventors: Martin Bondo Jorgensen, Karsten Videbæk
  • Patent number: 6778063
    Abstract: An angular position sensor determines the angular orientation of a rotatable shaft. The device includes a rotor rotatable with the shaft. A first housing receives the rotor and a second housing at least partially surrounds the first housing. A flexible member between the first housing and the second housing permits vibration of the first housing while the second housing remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 6617958
    Abstract: An optical potentiometer comprised of a specialized circuit board and a movable reflector device capable of traveling left and right stably on the specialized circuit board. The movable reflector device has a reflecting mirror suitably disposed in alignment with a light wave transmitter on the specialized circuit board that enables the reflection of light waves emitted by the light wave transmitter to the area of a point detecting light wave receiver. The light waves are thereafter amplified and filtered to predetermined settings by an amplifier and a filter on the specialized circuit board and, furthermore, stored in an memory bank as reference values that facilitate a controller to calculate the actual distance traveled by the movable reflector device through a comparison of the predetermined settings with the standard excursion range in the controller, which then drives an digital variable resistor to output a resistance value that corresponds to the distance traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi-Ting Hwan
  • Patent number: 6587029
    Abstract: A high-voltage variable resistor includes a circuit section contained in an insulating casing, a snap-in terminal inserted in a terminal base portion of the casing and connected to an output portion of the circuit section, and an output connecting electrode inserted in the terminal base portion from a direction orthogonal to the snap-in terminal and press-fitted in and connected to the snap-in terminal. The terminal base portion of the casing has an insertion groove for guiding and inserting the snap-in terminal, an insertion hole for guiding and inserting the output connecting electrode, and a relief groove formed on a side face of the insertion groove intersecting the insertion hole. The insertion groove, the insertion hole, and the relief groove are simultaneously formed by a metal mold of the structure to be pierced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6489724
    Abstract: A dimmer switch assembly includes a housing for supporting and enclosing the assembly components. A dimmer adjusting element is mounted on the housing and has a movable portion for movement in first and second directions. An elongated flexible triggering member has a first longitudinal end coupled to the movable portion of the dimmer adjusting element and a second longitudinal end provided in a socket defined by the housing. First and second detectors are spaced from and arranged opposite to one another. The elongated member is interposed between the detectors such that movement of the dimmer adjusting element in the first direction flexes the elongated member toward to activate the first detector, and movement of the dimmer adjusting element in the second direction flexes the elongated member toward to activate the second detector. The detectors have signals associated respectively therewith which are generated by the detectors when the detectors are activated by the triggering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Russell Smith, Gurdev Singh Bains, Paul Michael Jarry
  • Patent number: 6420957
    Abstract: An electric component capable of attaining connection of two kinds of connection conductors thereto and electrically connecting an electrode arranged on a front surface of a circuit board and a terminal fitment to each other without soldering. A terminal fitment (129) is integrally formed by subjecting a metal plate to machining. The terminal fitment 19 includes a first conductor holding section 129A, a second conductor holding section 129B and a contact terminal section 129C. The contact terminal section 129C is constructed to as to exhibit elastic or resilient force sufficient to force a contact portion 129s against the contact electrode E2 while being kept arranged between the first conductor holding section 129A and the front surface of the circuit board 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., LTD
    Inventor: Susumu Harada
  • Patent number: 6259351
    Abstract: The present invention presents an electrical control box which provides a common platform for either a sliding switch or a toggling switch. The present invention uses the same PC board for both types of operation. A common wrap around heat sink provides a large surface area for dissipating heat. The present invention allows a triac to be mounted in close proximity on the circuit board of the electrical control box rather than toward the front surface of the electrical control box so as to simplify assembly. Screws for attaching to external wiring are mounted on the back body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Dejan Radosavljevic, Michael R. Bryndzia, Andrea Burke
  • Patent number: 6204749
    Abstract: A variable resistor for increased assembly efficiency and decreased influence by environmental changes is disclosed. The variable resistor includes a closed end main casing, an external terminal held in the main casing and connected to the insulating substrate, a side receiver movably held in the casing, a shaft for moving the slider receiver, and a cover for closing an opening of the casing. The shaft is supported by a bearing formed on the cover to protrude from the cover and is further provided with a fall-preventive means. The terminal and substrate are both connected on the opening side of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kanji Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6037855
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a rotary electric component having a groove for adjustment with a screw-driver. In the rotary electric component, a rotor having a screw-driver groove and a through hole, with an electrically conductive pattern being formed on the underside thereof, is mounted rotatably on a support shaft which is inserted into the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Honma
  • Patent number: 5990586
    Abstract: Feedback potentiometer-type servoactuator uses the ring gear of a planetary gear system to drive the wiper across a resistive arc of less than 360.degree. where the actuator has a travel of multiple turns. The ring gear is supported by spaced struts in the actuator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Seitz Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur J. Milano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5917402
    Abstract: A resistor pattern of an insulating substrate is printed with reference to a first contact portion and a second contact portion, and the insulating substrate is attached to a holder such the first and second contact portions of the insulating substrate are brought into contact with second contact portions of the holder to position the insulating substrate. Therefore, an error between the relative positions of a slider piece and a resistor pattern is decreased, and variations in resistance change characteristic are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Ebata
  • Patent number: 5781099
    Abstract: A miniature trimmer resistor has a resistor carrier with resistive path deposited thereon and solder contacts electrically connected to the resistive path. The resistor carrier and solder contacts are formed by means of a single film of electrically insulating material. This film is covered or coated with electrically conductive material in the region of the solder contacts and printed with a resistive enamel in the region of the resistive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Wilhelm Ruf KG
    Inventors: Thomas Joschika, Werner Till
  • Patent number: 5043695
    Abstract: A miniature electronic device includes a housing attached to a substrate by a plurality of terminal leads, each of which has a first end embedded or molded into the housing near the top surface thereof, and a second end bent around a side wall of the housing to engage the bottom surface of the substrate. The bottom surface of the substrate has a plurality of metallized areas, each of which is electrically connected to a component on the upper surface of the substrate. The second end of each lead is soldered or welded to a metallized area. The connection of the leads to the metallized areas secures the housing to the substrate, with the leads also providing the structure for the electrical and mechanical connection of the substrate (and the components thereon) to a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Simon, Thanh V. Nguyen, Chin-Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 4931710
    Abstract: A low voltage direct current motorized servoactuator having an output gear position feedback potentiometer with a ring gear received initially loosely on the potentiometer shaft and in engagement with the output gear. A collar keyed hinged to the potentiometer shaft, but axially movable thereon, permits the output gear to be positioned independently of the potentiometer for calibration without disengaging the ring gear. With the output gear in the desired position, the potentiometer shaft is rotated until the potentiometer reads the desired percentage of its full scale resistance or voltage output; and, the collar is then moved axially to a press fit with the ring gear to lock the calibration and thereafter to rotate the potentiometer shaft with rotation of the ring gear. The motor drive pinion is a worm formed of material having a minor fraction (18%) of chloro-fluorinated polymer and a lesser fraction (2%) of lubricant, balance polyimide plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis DeVara, Andrew A. Kenny
  • Patent number: 4841626
    Abstract: A process for producing nonlinear resistance tracks on a supporting base uld be carried out in such a way that constant transitions are provided between the nonlinear resistance sub-ranges. For this purpose the supporting base is moved under a coating device at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the base strips provided whereby this coating device applies several strips of resistance paste onto the supporting base in the wet condition so that they are close to each other. The resistance pastes have different resistance values according to the set non-linear resistance pattern. The base strips are cut out of the supporting base at right angles to its direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Preh, Elecktrofeinmechanische Werke, Jakob Preh, Nachf. GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Franz Griebel
  • Patent number: 4816801
    Abstract: It should be possible to adjust without difficulty the moment of friction curring during rotation on a variable resistor. A bolt (11) is provided for this purpose for holding a rotating part (13) axially in position with a base component (2). A tap (24) is brought into contact with a resistance track (5) rotating in the base component (2) in a radial direction to the axis of rotation (14). The bolt (11) can at the same time be used for securing the variable resistor (1) and as the electrical connection for the tap (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke, Jakob Preh, Nachf. GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gerhard Spiller
  • Patent number: 4803380
    Abstract: A cover and support plate arrangement for a wall mounted device, such as a wall switch, display, dimmer, etc., for mounting to a wall box embedded in the wall and having overall surface dimensions greater than that of the wall box. The cover plate is juxtaposed over the front surface of the support plate and is spaced therefrom to provide an air gap between the cover plate and the support plate creating a chimney through which air currents may flow. The device includes an electric circuit having a heat generating device, such as a triac, which is thermally connected to the support plate and in series electrically with a controlled load. The cover plate casts a shadow along vertical sides of the support plate such that the vertical sides of the support plate are visible only when viewed at extreme angles with respect to an imaginary line perpendicular to the plane of the support plate or the wall in which the device is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot G. Jacoby, Jr., Michael J. D'Aleo, David G. Luchaco, Joel S. Spira, Richard A. Wagner, Stephen J. Yuhasz, David H. Dowler
  • Patent number: 4750090
    Abstract: A multi-slider electrical assembly comprises a metal case having a channel-shaped cross-section mounted on a substrate. The case has parallel slits, and guide blocks are spaced apart in parallel within the case for guiding a plurality of sliders extending through the slits. The case has an engage projection and semi-projections on each side thereof formed at each corner on its side walls. The engage projections are bent in contact with metal layers on the bottom surface of the substrate, and the semi-projections bear on grounding layers on the upper surface of the substrate, in order to hold the substrate therebetween without crushing it and to provide a good ground for the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Abe
  • Patent number: 4715220
    Abstract: In a throttle valve opening sensor including a substrate provided with a throttle valve opening detecting portion, a rotor adapted to be rotated in association with rotation of a throttle valve, a housing for rotatably supporting the rotor and incorporating the substrate, a packing mounted in the housing for sealing the substrate, and a contact mounted on the rotor and adapted to slide on the opening detecting portion; the improvement comprises a substrate pressing portion formed at the packing for inwardly pressing the substrate, an O-ring projecting portion formed at the packing on the outer peripheral side of the substrate pressing portion and tightly contacting with the housing, and a cover provided outside the packing for inwardly pressing the substrate pressing portion and the projecting portion of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo KK
    Inventors: Kenji Eitoku, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4712084
    Abstract: A potentiometer has a case, a housing, a base and a rotor rotatably arranged in the chamber of housing. The housing is provided with a pair of projections on both side walls thereof and two pair of corner projections at four corners thereof respectively while the case has a pair of bent long legs in which holes are defined to receive the side wall projections of the housing and a pair of bent short walls are arranged to cover the top of the housing. The case may be pushed down upon the housing with the pair of bent long legs thereof being slid down into vertical grooves arranged between the corner projections of the housing until the side wall projections of the housing are slidingly snapped into the holes of the case and thus, the case and the housing may be assembled in one operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Copal Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Okazaki, Masahiko Igarashi, Tsuneo Horie
  • Patent number: 4703649
    Abstract: A throttle valve opening sensor for detecting an opening and a specific opening of a throttle valve, comprising a substrate having a partially sectoral printed pattern formed by an opening detecting portion and a specific opening detecting portion for the throttle valve, a rotor adapted to be rotated in association with rotation of the throttle valve, a housing for rotatably supporting the rotor and having a substrate receiving hole for receiving the substrate, a packing installed in the housing for sealing the substrate, a cover mounted on the outside of the packing for fixing the substrate through the packing to the housing, first and second contacts mounted on the rotor and adapted to slide on the opening detecting portion and the specific opening detecting portion, a plurality of terminals installed in the housing and connected to lead wires for power supply and signal output, and a plurality of conductive elastic members for electrically connecting the terminals to the opening detecting portion and the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo KK
    Inventors: Kenji Eitoku, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4698613
    Abstract: A click mechanism of slide volume control ensures judgement of a center stop position of a lever by a difference in the click touches and allows many stop positions of the lever by providing holes on both sides of the lever inserting hole of the upper surface plate of the frame and providing convex portions on the ends of elastic arms of a plate spring which engage the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutae Okuya
  • Patent number: 4695820
    Abstract: In electrical control apparatus having a first member disposed in an opening in a second member, the first and second members being adapted and arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, a safety device for covering the open portions of the opening as the first member moves relative to the opening. A primary shield is located adjacent to and overlaps the opening. The primary shield is operatively associated with the first member for movement in response to relative movement of the first member. The primary shield has a shape adapted to permit unrestrained movement of the first member while overlapping the open portions of the opening to cover those portions for all positions of the first member in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. D'Aleo, Mark Smaich
  • Patent number: 4682142
    Abstract: A rotary potentiometer is provided with a switch, preferably as a final control element for the control of electrical machinery. An enclosed, prefabricated rotary potentiometer component with its own casing is inserted in a cup-shaped upper casing that is open on one side. Switching contact supports are housed in the upper casing by means of peripheral wall sections. These contact supports are actuated by a cam actuating member that is mounted on a fulcrum pin so as to permit play and simultaneously also effect rotation and retention of the potentiometer component in the upper casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: BSG-Schalttechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Lohner, Fritz Prestel
  • Patent number: 4680570
    Abstract: A linear potentiometer, which is used for measuring the relative movement between component parts of a processing machine, particularly an injection molding machine, wherein the covering band of the linear potentiometer, which band covers a longitudinal slit in the upper surface of a tubular housing for a resistance element, is guided through the potentiometer slide per se by means of through openings with a slight upward curvature. As a result, the prerequisites are met that the entire potentiometer slide, including its guide ribs, its slide body and its anchoring plate for a joint, can be formed as an integral cast shaped part made of a high-polymer material. With this type of a slide embodiment, the accuracy of measurement can be kept at a sufficiently high level over long periods of time, even under conditions of extremely sever strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventor: Karl Hehl
  • Patent number: 4672356
    Abstract: A potentiometer chamber on the intake pipe wall of an internal combustion engine for containing an electrical potentiometer. The potentiometer chamber comprises a limiting wall, formed by the intake pipe wall, a sidewall extends thereto from which serves as lateral limits of the chamber. A partition made by injection molding from plastic, into which are embedded electrical contacts extends from the sidewall and a lid is placed on the partition. Therefore the limiting wall, the sidewall, the partition, and the lid form the chamber that encloses a potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Biermann, Erwin Nagele, Peter Romann
  • Patent number: 4654626
    Abstract: A dimmer switch which includes a rotary potentiometer mounted on a board secured to, and projecting normal from, a switch arm support bracket. The support bracket is secured to a face plate. A cover housing cooperates with the face plate to enclose the bracket and board and any circuit components, including the potentiometer, which are mounted on the board. A switch arm assembly carries trunnion studs pivotally supported in receiving trunnion sleeves forming part of the support bracket, and the switch arm assembly further includes a pivot lever projecting through an aperture in the face plate, and a toggle end to which is adjustably secured an arcuate gear segment. A projecting operating shaft of the rotary potentiometer carries a gear drivingly engaged by the gear segment on the switch arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: TBG Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Carsello
  • Patent number: 4626823
    Abstract: In an electronic device, of the type having an electronic component carried on a substrate, a housing to enclose the component, and terminal leads attached to the substrate, the housing is attached to the substrate by means of crimped tabs formed on extensions of the terminal leads. The extensions are directly generally perpendicularly to the substrate, and they terminate in inwardly-bent tabs which engage the housing in slots provided in the top surface of the housing. The tabs are crimped downwardly into the slots to lock the housing onto the substrate. An O-ring may optionally be retained in the housing, whereby the crimping of the tabs compresses the O-ring against the substrate to provide a substantially hermetic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4616164
    Abstract: A feedback potentiometer type servoactuator having a plastic housing shell with small high RPM low voltage motor and non-metallic gear reduction train for driving an output shaft. The shell and cover plate provide structural support for gear journalling and the cover plate has an electrically resistive plastic strip baked onto the inside of the cover. Contacts mounted on the output gear for movement therewith wipe the resistive strip to provide variable resistance for an output shaft position feedback signal. The motor pinion and first stage reduction gears are made of urethane thermoplastic elastomer, the second stage gears of acetal plastic and the final gears are formed of 30% glass fiber filled polyester plastic for providing quiet running and long gear life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew A. Kenny, Daniel C. Stahly, Dennis DeVera
  • Patent number: 4528545
    Abstract: A multi-position return to center potentiometer having a multiple detent configuration wherein the center detent position is a dimple and other detent positions provide a resistance to rotation that is greater during rotation away from center than rotation toward the center allowing the use of a small return to center spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Warren R. Lang
  • Patent number: 4503417
    Abstract: A leak tight position sensor or transducer (10) comprising a housing (12) having a cavity (32) with an opening (14) in one side and an aperture (16, 26) in each end of the housing (12). Located within the cavity (32) is a drive block (34) having bushing (36) with a threaded aperture (37) receiving the threaded end (42) of a shaft (40) made of a permanent magnet material. The threaded end (42) of the magnetic shaft (40) has a flat (44) and the other end (46) of the shaft is journalled in an aperture (16) of the housing (12). A metallic contactor (38) attached to the drive block (34) wipably engages an electrical circuit (54) printed on the interior surface (52) of a ceramic substrate (50) proportioned to seal the housing opening (14). Electrical wires (60) inserted through openings (58) in the substrate (50) are soldered to the circuit (54) and not only complete electrical connection and securement of the wires (60) to the circuit (54), but seal the openings (58) in the ceramic substrate (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Bleeke, James E. Greve
  • Patent number: 4492950
    Abstract: A thick film variable resistance assembly, such as for a cathode ray tube, having an improved contactor knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: American Plasticraft Company
    Inventor: Stephen S. Simovits, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4479107
    Abstract: A potentiometric linear position sensor including a housing (10) made of extruded aluminum which may be cut to preferred lengths (15). The sensor includes a Kapton film substrate (32) having first a uniform coating of resistive material (34) disposed thereon, and then distinct islands formed by laser sculpting. Conductive material (50, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58), screen printed upon the resistive material before or after the laser sculpting, is connected to terminal means (62, 68, 70) for the respective electrical elements (48, 51, 55). The flexible Kapton film substrate (32) is inserted endwise into the housing (10) with the side edges of the substrate curled upwardly and captured within longitudinal housing slots (28, 29) disposed along opposite housing walls (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: William F. Bleeke
  • Patent number: 4479106
    Abstract: A rotary electric component such as a semifixed variable resistor comprises an insulating substrate having a shaft hole and a slot communicating with the shaft hole, a resistor mounted on the insulating substrate surrounding the shaft hole, a pair of electrodes mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the resistor at ends thereof, the electrodes being positioned one on each side of the slot and prevented by the latter from shortcircuiting therebetween, a pair of terminals mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the electrodes, respectively, a shaft rotatably mounted in the shaft hole and having a movable contact held in sliding contact with the resistor, and a body of synthetic resin filled in the slot. The body of synthetic resin is fixedly mounted on the insulating substrate and may include a support spacer disposed around the shaft hole and a protective cover covering attachment end portions of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shimizu, Junichi Imura, Shoichi Henmi
  • Patent number: 4477795
    Abstract: A rotary electric component such as a semifixed variable resistor comprises an insulating substrate having a shaft hole, a resistor mounted on the insulating substrate surrounding the shaft hole, a pair of electrodes mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the resistor at ends thereof, a pair of terminals mounted on the insulating substrate and connected to the electrodes, respectively, a shaft rotatably mounted in the shaft hole and having a movable contact held in sliding contact with the resistor, a cover mounted on the shaft over the insulating substrate and covering the movable contact, the cover having a skirt spaced from the insulating substrate by a gap, and a body of synthetic resin mounted on the insulating substrate and a portion formed as a dust wall covering the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Henmi, Junichi Imura, Isao Moriya
  • Patent number: 4465994
    Abstract: The potentiometer is completely enclosed by a housing made of insulating material, of which material also the axle is made, so that the wiper is completely insulated. The potentiometer is dust-proof sealed and can either be adjusted manually or automatically with a screwdriver, or an additional axle can be inserted. The potentiometer can be mounted directly to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Iskra-Sozd Elektrokovinske Industrije n.sol.o
    Inventor: Tomaz Rehberger
  • Patent number: 4430634
    Abstract: A rotary potentiometer (10) having an insert molded thermoplastic resin body (12) with an annular groove (14) disposed therein about a central post (19) having an aperture (16) therethrough. A resistive element (26) is disposed about the periphery of the groove (14), an actuator arm (20) is attached to one end of a metallic shaft (18) journalled in said aperture (16) in the central post (19), and a return spring (28) has one end (29) captured within a drop slot (13) at the perimeter of the groove and the other end (31) secured in slot (11) of the shaft (18) for returning the actuator arm (20) and drive arm (22) to their initial position. A drive arm (22) has a rake type contactor (33), the drive arm (22) being secured to the operating end of the shaft (18). A terminal coupling subassembly (65) is positioned within a receiving well (40 ) in the potentiometer body (12), and is captured within the body by securing a cover (80) over the receiving well (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Hufford, John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4427966
    Abstract: A ratcheting mechanism for a multiturn variable resistance device, of the worm screw-actuated type, has mutually engageable stopping members on the rotor and in the housing, limiting rotor travel beyond first and second limits. The stopping member in the housing has an inclined surface on one side which pivotally lifts the rotor against the force of the electrical contact spring (carried on one side of the rotor in contact with a resistive element), when the rotor reaches the first limit of travel. The pivoting action compresses the contact spring while allowing the spur gears on the rotor momentarily to disengage from the worm gear. This disengagement releases the spring, which then urges the rotor back into a gear-engaging position. The rotor is provided with at least one axially-shortened spur gear tooth positioned so as to be engageable with the worm gear when the rotor is at the second limit of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Gratzinger, Lawrence Kucharski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4400686
    Abstract: A rotary variable electrical resistance device comprises a housing; a spindle, arranged for rotation in the housing to adjust the setting of the device, and arranged to be rigidly secured to the end of a rotatably supported shaft serving as an extension of the spindle or whose angular rotation is to be monitored by the device and such that the shaft effectively supports the resistance device. The housing is restrained from rotation by a member such as a pin on a disc secured to a support by a ring shaped member and engaging an opening or recess in a flange secured to the housing. Clearance between the members allows the device to be displaced to follow displacement of the shaft resulting from play in bearings supporting the shaft or misalignment or bending of the shaft and obviates the necessity for the expensive and bulky flexible couplings of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Colvern Limited
    Inventor: Arnold Pitcher
  • Patent number: 4400687
    Abstract: A housing for use with a variable resistor consisting of a spiral resistance element, a rotary shaft, a conductive slide plate and a top is disclosed. The housing includes a cylindrical body for supporting on its inner surface the resistance element, a first cylindrical panel engaged with one open end of the cylindrical body to close the open end and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, a second cylindrical panel engaged with the other open end of the cylindrical body and rotatably supporting the rotary shaft, at least one pair of resilient engaging projections extended from at least one of the first and second cylindrical panels along the axis of the cylindrical body, and engaging recesses formed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical body at predetermined positions and respectively engaging with the resilient engaging projections when the first and second cylindrical panels are engaged with the cylindrical body to make up the housing for the variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Sakae Tsushin Kogyo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Eitaro Shimoda, Kiyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4369424
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 4365231
    Abstract: A variable resistor device with a lock mechanism in which a push on the operating rod thereof causes it to be locked in its inserted state and another push causes it to restore to its original position. According to the present invention, even if a plurality of such devices are mounted on one operating panel with the operating rods crowdedly projecting, there is substantially no possibility that the user inadvertently manipulates two or three adjacent rods at a time. Further the push stroke of the operating rod can be optionally set with ease, and even if the push stroke is set large, the overall length of the device can be made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matsuo Nishioka
  • Patent number: 4364733
    Abstract: A trimmer for a motorboat with a drive mechanism mounted to be rotatably movable in a gimbal ring by way of horizontal pins is disclosed. The trimmer comprises a revolving part and a fixed part arranged within a horizontal pin. The fixed part is connected for rotation with the pin and the revolving part is connected for rotation with the gimbal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke A.G.
    Inventor: Ludwig Lohner
  • Patent number: 4363018
    Abstract: In an electronic component of rotary type comprising a bearing sheath which has a front portion and a rear portion and is to be fixedly mounted on a frame of an electric appliance, an operation shaft disposed in the bearing sheath, a substrate fixed at a rear part of the bearing sheath, a brush holder mounted on an end portion of the operation shaft in a manner to be rotated by rotation of the operation shaft, and at least one sliding contact brush mounted on the brush holder for sliding on a contacting member formed on a surface of the substrate, the improvement is that a central portion of the operation shaft is disposed in the bearing sheath and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the bearing sheath, and that the electronic component is free from irregular rotation during the rotation of the operation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsui, Masayoshi Kakumu