Abstract: A glide bearing for guiding axial movement between inner and outer telescoping columns may include first and second spaced apart contact surfaces, and a resilient wall extending therebetween and having an outer convex surface defining an apex. A span between the apex and a plane defined between the first and second contact surfaces is greater than a width of a space between the outer surface of the inner column and the inner surface of the outer column. The glide bearing is configured to be disposed within the space with the first and second contact surfaces contacting the outer surface of the inner column, with the apex contacting the inner surface of the outer column and with the resilient wall deflecting inwardly toward the plane to accommodate the space in response to a force of the inner surface of the outer column acting against the apex.

Abstract: A glide bearing for guiding axial movement between inner and outer telescoping columns may include first and second spaced apart contact surfaces, and a resilient wall extending therebetween and having an outer convex surface defining an apex. A span between the apex and a plane defined between the first and second contact surfaces is greater than a width of a space between the outer surface of the inner column and the inner surface of the outer column. The glide bearing is configured to be disposed within the space with the first and second contact surfaces contacting the outer surface of the inner column, with the apex contacting the inner surface of the outer column and with the resilient wall deflecting inwardly toward the plane to accommodate the space in response to a force of the inner surface of the outer column acting against the apex.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a threaded insert having an internal threaded surface and an external threaded surface. The threaded surfaces have threads that are threaded in opposite directions. Thus, if the internal threaded surface is a right handed thread, then the external threaded surface will be a left handed thread. Through the use of the opposite direction threads the insert counteracts torque applied to a threaded fastener as it is inserted or removed. This results in a threaded insert that both resists over tightening of the fastener, and assists in the removal of the fastener from the insert.

Abstract: A potentiometer apparatus and method include a plurality of potentiometer components etched onto a substrate. A conductor layer can be printed and fired upon the substrate and over the array of potentiometer components. Thereafter, a thick film layer can be configured upon the substrate. Each potentiometer component can then be laser trimmed from among the plurality of potentiometer components in order to obtain a proper resistance and linearity for each potentiometer component thereof, thereby forming a potentiometer apparatus from each potentiometer among the potentiometer components. The resulting potentiometer apparatus thus constitutes an advanced thick-film (ATF) potentiometer.

Abstract: A strain gage sensor having improved operational aspects and lower production costs. The strain gage sensor includes two active resistors, two passive resistors, and a structure for minimizing strain experienced by the two passive resistors. The active and passive resistors are attached in a Wheatstone bridge configuration and are Piezoresistors. The active resistors and the strain minimizing structures are mounted on the backing plate. The backing plate or the strain minimizing structure includes alumina ceramic substrate. A voltage to current converter circuit is attached to the active and passive resistors and mounted to the backing plate. Multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits or multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits with voltage to current converter circuits are manufactured on a single backing plate and separated prior to use.