Abstract: A pointing device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, the device has a base with an end of a shaft mounted therein. Resistors and conductive pads are mounted on the base. A cable is provided with several electrical conductors and an interposer is mounted between the cable and the base for electrically connecting the resistors and the pads to the conductors. The interposer provides an electrical path between the resistors and the conductors. The interposer can be a conductive film adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive having vias filled with a conductive epoxy.

Abstract: A resistor network has a substrate with top and side surfaces. Resistors are located on the side surfaces. Several side conductors are located on the side surface and are electrically connected to the resistors. Several top conductors are located on the top surface and are electrically connected to the side conductors. Each top conductor has a cavity. A solder sphere is partially located in the cavity and is electrically and mechanically connected to the top conductor by reflowed solder paste. A cover coat covers the side conductors and the resistors. The resistor network provides a high density of resistors per unit area.

Abstract: A voltage follower is incorporated within a molded electrical connector interface of a position sensor in a way that does not detract from the dimensions or the performance of the finished sensor. The incorporation of the voltage follower into the housing of the variable resistor provides several advantages over the prior art, including: an immunity to sag; substantially reduced sensitivity to noisy contactors; and short lead length and low output impedance, both of which result in reduced interference from external source.

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).

Abstract: A slider consisting of a one or two piece body with resilient contact switch members projecting in opposite directions at spaced intervals along the length of the slider to be in contact with a collector plate on one side and a respective one of spaced contactors at the opposite side. A plurality of ribs or protuberances which are located in the line of movement of the switch members, causes resilient deformation of the switch members to hold the switch in position once it snap fits into one or another of its respective switch positions. The protuberances may be either projections formed integrally in a switch body or on the collector plates.

Abstract: A piezoelectric crystal comprising an elongated bar-shaped crystal having a pair of parallel spaced lead wires depending orthogonally from nodal points on one surface of the crystal and an elongated bar-shaped base in spaced relationship to the crystal and supporting the lead wires. The base is provided with conical shape holes with the larger diameter ends thereof proximal to the crystal, and sealing and securing means locate the hermetical seal between the lead wires and the base distal from the crystal enabling the lead wires to vibrate freely within the conical holes of the base. The length of the lead wires between the crystal and the point of attachment to the base is one-quarter wave length to return to the crystal a maximum percentage of the vibrational energy transmitted into the lead wires from the crystal thereby minimizing energy dissipation of the crystal while maintaining both a minimum distance between the crystal and the base and providing a minimum package size for the crystal.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling device is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate jaws and integral arms defining a slot communicating with a cavity for connecting a shaft thereto. A tongue integral with the shaft is engaged by the jaws and suspended within the cavity, and the coupling device slides axially and laterally along the tongue and pivots along the arcuate jaws to eliminate end and side thrust of the shaft. A variable resistance control connected to the coupling device comprises a substrate closing one end of a housing and a rotatable driver disposed within the housing. A resistive path and a conductive collector path are disposed on the substrate along the same radius and a contactor comprising a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers symmetrically disposed near the periphery of the driver engages the resistive and collector paths.

Abstract: A multiposition rotary switch including a detent mechanism wherein a cam on the rotor acting through an arm resiliently deforms a portion of a side of the housing. A contactor constrained to rotate with the rotor wipably engages a plurality of contacts carried on a base in seriatim, each contact being defined by a portion of a conductor. The contacts can be arranged on the base to provide a variety of switching functions. An insulating material is adherently deposited on a predetermined location of at least one of the conductors carried by the base to provide a coded output. An annular bearing having a relatively large bearing area rotatably supports the rotor.

Abstract: A variable resistance control employing a support plate and a resistance element having a pair of spaced resistance paths applied on a base and rotatably mounted on the support plate. A pair of terminals with integral contacts are secured to the support plate and are disposed intermediate the base and the support plate. The pair of resistive paths are concentrically disposed on a surface of the base and electrically connected to each other. Each of the contacts engages a respective one of the resistive paths. In the assembly of the control, terminals are initially joined by a bridging member and, after the terminals are secured to the support plate, the bridging member is severed from the terminals providing a pair of separate terminals with integral contacts.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer having a piezoelectric element secured to a conical diaphragm with the piezoelectric element forming part of a relaxation oscillator circuit. The piezoelectric element performs the dual function of firstly developing acoustic energy and transferring such energy to the diaphragm and secondly functioning as an electronic component in the oscillator circuit by operating as a frequency determining capacitor in such circuit. The diaphragm and the piezoelectric element are enclosed in a housing. Portions of the housing are deformed and penetrate the base of the diaphragm for securing the diaphragm to the housing. A post integral with the housing extends inwardly from the base toward the apex of the diaphragm and one end of the post is disposed adjacent the apex to prevent collapse of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling device is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate jaws and integral arms defining a slot communicating with a cavity for connecting a shaft thereto. A tongue integral with the shaft is engaged by the jaws and suspended within the cavity, and the coupling device slides axially and laterally along the tongue and pivots along the arcuate jaws to eliminate end and side thrust of the shaft. A variable resistance control connected to the coupling device comprises a substrate closing one end of a housing and a rotatable driver disposed within the housing. A resistive path and a conductive collector path are disposed on the substrate along the same radius and a contactor comprising a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers symmetrically disposed near the periphery of the driver engages the resistive and collector paths.

Abstract: A variable resistance control employs a substrate provided with a center aperture and a plurality of corner and intermediate locator means disposed about the periphery of the substrate. An adjusting; means constraining a contactor to rotate therewith is journaled in the aperture and the contactor wipingly engages a film type resistive path disposed on the surface of the subsrate. A first plurality of terminal members are disposed in the corner locator means of the substrate a first distance from the aperture. A second plurality of terminal members are disposed in a predetermined number of said intermediate locator means a second distance from the aperture at a distance closer than said first distance. At least one of the terminal members disposed in said intermediate locator means is in an interference path with a projection extending from the adjusting means to arrest rotation of the adjusting means.

Abstract: A variable resistance control employing a support plate and a resistance element having a pair of spaced resistance paths applied on a base and rotatably mounted on the support plate. A pair of terminals with integral contacts are secured to the support plate and are disposed intermediate the base and the support plate. The pair of resistive paths are concentrically disposed on a surface of the base and electrically connected to each other. Each of the contacts engages a respective one of the resistive paths. In the assembly of the control, terminals are initially joined by a bridging member and, after the terminals are secured to the support plate, the bridging member is severed from the terminals providing a pair of separate terminals with integral contacts.