Abstract: An operating device contains a cover plate having an opening, a rotatable operating element having an operating head on the cover plate, and a shaft running through the opening. Behind the cover plate and at a distance therefrom, there is a circuit board having an opening through which the shaft extends. The operating device includes a tube element which has a hollow-cylindrical base body that runs, between the cover plate and the shaft of the operating element, at least partially through the opening of the cover plate, and a radial inner side that forms, between the tube element and the shaft of the operating element, an inner flow channel that runs through the opening of the cover plate and past the opening of the circuit board, to protect the circuit board against extraneous substances which may enter the operating device through the opening of the cover plate.

Abstract: An operating device contains a cover plate having an opening, a rotatable operating element having an operating head on the cover plate, and a shaft running through the opening. Behind the cover plate and at a distance therefrom, there is a circuit board having an opening through which the shaft extends. The operating device includes a tube element which has a hollow-cylindrical base body that runs, between the cover plate and the shaft of the operating element, at least partially through the opening of the cover plate, and a radial inner side that forms, between the tube element and the shaft of the operating element, an inner flow channel that runs through the opening of the cover plate and past the opening of the circuit board, to protect the circuit board against extraneous substances which may enter the operating device through the opening of the cover plate.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity and/or contact switch includes a cover plate having an upper side and an underside. The upper side provides a sensitive area of the switch and the cover plate, at least in the region of the sensitive area, is at least partially non-conductive. A conductive sensor face is disposed at a distance from the underside of the cover plate. The dielectric system of this capacitive proximity and/or contact switch is formed of the cover plate, at least one non-conductive element facing towards the sensor face and at least one conductive element between the cover plate and the non-conductive element.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity and/or contact switch includes a cover plate having an upper side and an underside. The upper side provides a sensitive area of the switch and the cover plate, at least in the region of the sensitive area, is at least partially non-conductive. A conductive sensor face is disposed at a distance from the underside of the cover plate. The dielectric system of this capacitive proximity and/or contact switch is formed of the cover plate, at least one non-conductive element facing towards the sensor face and at least one conductive element between the cover plate and the non-conductive element.

Abstract: A variable resistor (102) for varying a resistance between first and second terminals (145, 150) includes a substrate (200) having formed thereon a resistor network (205) for providing the resistance, wherein the resistor network (205) is electrically coupled between the first and second terminals (145, 150). The variable resistor (102) further includes an elastomeric actuator (300) having opposing upper and lower surfaces (310, 305), wherein the lower surface (305) is conductive. The lower surface (305) electrically couples the first terminal (145) to successive portions of the resistor network (205) as an increasing force is applied to the upper surface (310) of the elastomeric actuator (300), in response to which the resistance between the first and second terminals (145, 150) varies.

Abstract: A housing assembly (100) for enclosing a battery (108) and electrical circuitry (107) comprises a housing element (105) formed to enclose the battery (108) and the electrical circuitry (107) and a battery door (110) for providing access to the battery (108) enclosed by the housing element (105), wherein the battery door (110) comprises mounting means (115) for pivotally mounting the battery door (110) to the housing element (105) such that the battery door (110) rotates between an open and a closed position. The housing assembly (100) further comprises a conductive element (125) mounted to the battery door (110) for engaging the housing element (105) to secure the battery door (110) in the closed position, wherein the conductive element (125) electrically contacts the battery (108) and the electrical circuitry (107) to provide battery power to the electrical circuitry (107) when the battery door (110) is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for assembling an antenna/receiver combination (305) comprises the step of forming a receiver (210) and an antenna (205) into printed circuit board material, wherein the antenna (205) is adjacent to and aligned with the receiver (210). Thereafter, the antenna (205) is electrically coupled to the receiver (210) while aligned therewith. A further step includes separating the antenna (205) and the receiver (210) from the printed circuit board material.

Abstract: A modular building block for electronic circuitry is provided with areas for mounting circuitry thereon. Posts of a particular geometric shape and receptacles of a complementary geometric shape are provided on the substrate. The posts and receptacles are coated with an electrically conductive material and connected to nodes within the circuit such that when blocks are interconnected, post within receptacle, the interconnection provides both physical and electrical connection. An alternate embodiment is disclosed having fingers and edge cards, configured such that the fingers of one block grasp the edge cards of another block, providing physical and electrical connection between the blocks.

Abstract: A lantern battery substitute, comprises an upper assembly including an approximately square upper plate with rounded corners and four edges and having a resilient snap latch situated at approximately the center of the upper plate projecting downward normal to the plane of the upper plate. Four battery retaining legs project downward, one at approximately a center of each of the four edges. The legs are wide enough and situated at a suitable distance from one another so that a standard D-sized battery cell will not readily pass between any two legs situated on adjacent edges. A lower assembly includes a lower plate which is parallel to the upper plate and a base for supporting the lower plate. The base has depth adequate to cause the battery pack to have an overall height approximating that of a lantern size battery. A latch receiving aperture is situated on the lower plate, for receiving and engaging the snap latch for securing the upper and lower assemblies together.

Abstract: An improved warning light blinker includes an upper housing member including an integral pedestal extending from an upper surface thereof, the upper housing member being transparent, the upper housing member also including an opening in a lower portion thereof. A lower housing member mates within the upper housing member through the opening. Battery captivating members for captivating a battery so as to substantially eliminate free air from contacting a substantial portion of a battery's outer surface area is provided. A flasher circuit periodically supplies electrical energy to a light bulb. A light dispersing lens is coupled to the pedestal. In the preferred apparatus one or more solar rechargeable batteries are situated within the battery captivating members. The pedestal includes a tapered channel which narrows close to an upper end thereof and a light bulb socket engages in an interference fit near the upper end.

Abstract: The invention is a pneumatically operated valve assembly for simultaneously (1) closing gas-transfer lines connected to a gas centrifuge or the like and (2) establishing a recycle path between two of the lines so closed. The valve assembly is especially designed to be compact, fast-acting, reliable, and comparatively inexpensive. It provides large reductions in capital costs for gas-centrifuge cascades.