Abstract: The direct connection potentiometer includes a block of electrically insulative material having two opposite faces and an edge about the perimeter of the faces. An electroresistive track is provided in an arc on the front face of the block, radially spaced from a ring-shaped conductive area provided on that face. Conductive strips extend from each end of the track, and from the ring-shaped conductive area to the perimeter of the front face, where each, spaced from the others, wraps around the edge of the block to its rear face. A rotatable cursor, i.e. a slide is mounted to the block centrally of the ring-shaped conductive area and connects the ring-shaped conductive area with a selected arcuately short portion of the electroresistive track.

Abstract: A device forming a potentiometer for varying the resistance of an electrical circuit, and a switch for changing the state of current conduction in the circuit. The switch has a casing fastened to the potentiometer, and the potentiometer has a casing and a plate joined together. The device has a rotatable component having a central protuberance extending through the plate. A first discoidal element is carried by the rotatable component and has a metallic cursor. A resistance track and a metallic collector are stationarily mounted on the plate. The cursor is continuously and simultaneously in contact with the resistance track and the collector. A second discoidal element is mounted in the switch casing for engagement by the protuberance and is releasably coupled to the rotatable component when the switch is coupled to the potentiometer. A fixed contact is mounted on the switch casing and a movable contactor arm is movable mounted on the switch casing.