Abstract: A sliding element fixing structure for an electrical component comprising a sliding element formed of a metallic plate having tongues found in its base segment and a holding member to which the sliding element is fixed. The holding member has a flat surface and a bulged-out segment positioned and arranged below the flat surface. The base segment of the sliding element is mounted on the flat surface of the holding member with the end segments of the tongues engaging the lower part of the bulged-out segment which fixes the sliding element to the holding member.

Abstract: A potentiometer is disclosed that provides a user with tactile feel while making adjustments. The potentiometer includes a housing having a central bore with a rotor extending therein. A knob having a protrusion is operably connected to the rotor along with a wiper. A detent member having a lobe attachment segment and a fixed segment is operably connected to the housing. The lobe is deflected by the knob protrusion while the ring is compressed by forcing the lobe attachment segment towards said fixed segment. Furthermore, attached to the housing is a base plate carrying a resistive strip engaged by the wiper.

Abstract: A switchable load coil case is provided having a switch assembly connected to the load coil and incoming and outgoing wire pair. The switch assembly has a switch actuator disposed in a terminal housing cavity movable between loaded and bypass positions. The switch assembly has contacts which connect the load coil in series with the incoming and outgoing wire pair when the switch actuator is in the loaded position and connect the incoming and outgoing wire pair while bypassing the load coil when the switch actuator is in the bypass position.

Abstract: A rotary switch device and a tester incorporating the rotary switch device are provided. A dial is rotatably mounted in a casing. Brushes are provided for rotation about a rotation axis of the dial as the dial is rotated. Electrical contacts are brought into sliding contact with the brushes by rotation of the brushes. A click mechanism controls rotation of the dial in a clicking manner. The click mechanism has a waved-surface portion formed in one of the dial and the casing and arranged in a manner concentric with the dial, and at least one click spring portion formed in another of the dial and the casing, for clicking engagement with the waved-surface portion. The at least one click spring portion has a support portion protruding axially of the dial from a base surface of the one of the dial and the casing, and at least one spring portion extending from the support portion along the base surface in a manner concentric with the dial.

Abstract: An accelerator module comprises a printed circuit board having resistance elements mounted thereon, and an actuator pivotably mounted upon the printed circuit board and having a wiper member mounted upon a first end of the actuator. A rotary input shaft, connected to an accelerator pedal of an electric vehicle, has an input shaft arm fixedly mounted thereon, and the input shaft arm is pivotably connected to a second end of the actuator whereby the structural arrangement defines a mechanically advantaged linkage system whereby a predetermined pivotable movement of the rotary input shaft and its associated input shaft arm translates into an enhanced, enlarged, or magnified pivotable movement of the actuator and its associated wiper member for movement along the resistance elements of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A three-way switch is composed of a base, an amature member, at least three conductive pieces, and a diode. The base is provided with a receiving space for housing the amature member, the conductive pieces, and the diode. The amature member is fastened with a bridging conductive member such that the armature member is provided with a plurality of bridging portions and an insulation portion, which are in contact with the contact ends of the conductive pieces. The first and the third conductive pieces bring about a power input while the second conductive piece brings about a power output. The diode is connected with the first and the third conductive pieces.

Abstract: A miniature rotary electric switch having push-in wire terminals comprises a housing which is about 1 inch in length, 1 inch in width and 0.2 inches in thickness and which includes a plurality of wire receiving openings. A plurality of Z-shaped stationary contacts are positioned inside the housing and a rotatable contactor is disposed inside the housing for selectively contacting the stationary contacts. Each stationary contact is positioned to overlie at least a portion of one of the wire receiving openings for locking engagement with a wire to be inserted therethrough. Each stationary contact includes a locking tongue, a spring finger and an intermediate arm, the intermediate arm linking the locking tongue to the spring finger. The locking tongue is connected to the intermediate arm at a first bend and the intermediate arm is connected to the spring finger at a second bend.

Abstract: A rotary operation type electric device of the present invention includes: a rotary shaft; a rotary plate which is rotatable around the rotational axis; a connecting member for connecting the rotary shaft and the rotary plate, which retracts in an axial direction of the rotary shaft and does not retract in a rotary direction of the rotary plate; and an output terminal for outputting a signal in accordance with rotation of the rotary plate.

Abstract: A displacement detecting switch device is assembled with ultrasonic welding techniques, so that easiness of assembling work for it is further increased. The device comprises a switch body including a cover body and a base plate; an operation lever disposed pivotably outside of the switching body; and a movable plate disposed inside of the switch body and linked with the operation lever. There are disposed a first joint portion and a second joint portion formed by ultrasonic welding between the cover body and the base plate and between the operation lever and the movable plate, respectively.

Abstract: A micromechanical electrostatic relay has a base substrate with a base electrode and a base contact piece. The relay also has an armature substrate with an armature spring tongue that curves away from the base substrate, and an armature electrode and an armature contact piece. When a control voltage is applied between the two electrodes, the spring tongue unrolls on the base substrate and thus closes the contact. The curvature of the spring tongue in the quiescent condition is produced by a coating with a compressive strain layer. In order to avoid undesired transverse arcs of the spring tongue, the compressive strain layer is subdivided into strips by slots in a longitudinal direction of the spring tongue. A tensile stress layer applied in surface-wide fashion over the strips and slots reinforces the compensation effect.

Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its faces. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into contact with a stationary electrical contact bar that is coated with a noble metal. The spring contacts are configured such that when pressed by a cam the tips are caused to make contact with the stationary contact bar and then slide longitudinally so as the tip will pick up some of the noble metal coating from the contact bar. The tips are shaped with a traverse curve intersecting a longitudinal groove to thereby produce two points that make high unit stress contact with the stationary contact bar.

Abstract: A multifunctional switch stalk includes controls for both the front and rear wash and wiper functions. The multifunction switch stalk includes a handle having a shaft extending to an outer end of the handle. A rear control ring is rotatable on the shaft to actuate the rear wiper functions. The rear control ring may also actuate a rear window wash in either of two extreme rotational positions. A spring return returns the rear control ring from each rear window wash position upon release of the control ring by the operator. A control knob is mounted on an outer end of the shaft and is rotatable to selectively actuate the front windshield wiper functions. An axially compressible wash push button is mounted on the outer end of the control knob to selectively actuate a front windshield wash function.

Abstract: A rotary switch with three controlling positions in a circulating sequence of "Off", a small output, and a large output, includes a cover and a base connected with the cover. A rotor which is made of an electrically insulating material and provided with three cam parts along its circumferential periphery, is mounted in the base to rotate an electrically conductive plate with two side portions engaged with two of the cam parts. A first, second and third leaf spring respectively has a fixed end connected with an input wire, an input end of a diode, and an output wire of the switch and a free end extending toward the rotor. The fixed end of the third leaf spring is also connected with an output end of the diode. When the switch is set to the "Off" position, the first leaf spring contacts with the rotor, and the other two leaf springs contact with the conductive plate via the two side portions thereof.

Abstract: A rotary dimmer switch assembly for use with a vehicle push-pull switch controls at least one light dimming function. The rotary switch assembly comprises a stationary cam contact assembly, and a rotating carder assembly which carries a circuit element having an exposed circuit trace surface. The cam contact assembly is fixed to a circuit board and has a plurality of contact arms having one end biased against the circuit element circuit trace surfaces and the other end electrically connected to the circuit board. The cam contact assembly guides the rotation of the carrier assembly about the longitudinal axis of the push-pull switch. The circuit element rotates with the carrier assembly, which is rotated by rotation of a push-pull switching component, and the circuit trace surfaces sweep across the contact arms thereby controlling the light dimming function. A method of assembling the rotary potentiometer assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A switch system (10) is shown having housing members (12, 13) forming a cavity (14) in which an actuator arm (32) is pivotably mounted. Spring electrical contact members (36, 38) are mounted on the actuator arm and slide into and out of engagement with electrical contact segments (26a, 24a) respectively mounted on respective circuit boards (26, 24) as the actuator arm pivots. The actuator arm is formed with a hub portion (32a) received in bores (12b, 13b) of the housing. The hub in turn has a bore (32b) which is received on and keyed to the manual shaft of a vehicle transmission by opposing flat surfaces (32c). First and second annular spring seal elements (34) are received between respective sealing surfaces (12a, 32a) and (13a, 32a) to prevent ingress of debris into cavity (14). Housing member (12) is formed with a connector portion (16) having a generally cylindrical connector shroud (16a) which receives terminal pins (28) which are electrically connected to contact segments (26a, 24a).

Abstract: A wash/wiper switch control assembly having an integrally formed wash/wiper contact member. The wash/wiper contact member includes a plurality of wiper contact arms which are integrally formed with a central body portion and a wash contact arm which is also integrally formed with the central body portion. The wash/wiper contact member is secured to an actuator member via conventional staking techniques. By manufacturing the wash/wiper contact member as a single component, the overall cost of manufacturing a wash/wiper switch control assembly is reduced. The complexity of manufacturing the wash/wiper contact member is also reduced while the reliability is improved since only a single component part need be secured to the actuator member versus prior art arrangements in which a wash contact and a separate wiper contact are secured to separate component parts of a wash/wiper switch control assembly.

Abstract: In an electronic position encoder (or other panel control) of the type having a shaft-retracted position for storage and a shaft-extended position for adjustment, an anti-backlash coupling substantially eliminates backlash between a rotor and a shaft. The anti-backlash coupling includes a first wedge member fixedly coupled to the shaft and a second wedge member fixedly coupled to the rotor. The second wedge member is adapted to mate with the first wedge member when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: A contact piece for a rotary encoder is an unitary piece having a terminal, a thin plate spring, and a bent-back section on the tip of the thin plate spring. The bent-back section is bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees in the plane. The contact brush is located on the bent-back section. In one embodiment, the terminal, thin plate spring, bent-back section and contact brush are stamped from the same metal plate. In another embodiment, the terminal, thin plate spring and bent-back section are stamped from the same metal plate and a separate contact brush is connected to the bent-back section. The contact piece is pushed in from the bottom side of the rotary encoder housing, and the contact brush is set such that contact is made with an electrode pattern. When a rotating plate turns, a pulse having a low or high signal is generated. This configuration provides the rotary encoder with an adequately long span S, which can be precisely set and easily produced.

Abstract: A switch apparatus for use with a device. The switch apparatus includes a letter ring, associated with an operation member, that rotates together with a selection dial. The letter ring contains inscriptions, such as marks or figures thereon. A decorative plate includes a pointer to indicate the selected function. A rotation of the rotatable operation member causes a plurality of electrical conductors to change their ON/OFF electrical state. The plurality of electrical conductors form a code pattern representing a code that is interpreted by a control circuit to determine an operation mode selected by the rotational operation member. The switch apparatus further includes a push button that is depressed to, for example, activate a modification of the operation mode based upon the data of the code pattern of the code.

Abstract: An encoder for generating a position signal in accordance with a position of a conductive slider comprises a non-conductive substrate, a first conductive pattern formed on the substrate, and at least three second conductive patterns formed on the substrate. The second patterns are independent from the first pattern. Each of the second patterns has a lead wire extending to an edge of the substrate. The slider is slidable on the substrate, and produces a conductive state signal when it abuts against the first pattern and produces a non-conductive state signal when it abuts against the second pattern or the substrate. The position signal is generated in accordance with the conductive state signal and the non-conductive state signal. One of the second patterns is surrounded by the first pattern, and the lead wire extending therefrom passes between the other two second patterns and extends to the exterior of the first pattern.

Abstract: A switch substrate for a switching device that includes an electrical contact brush, the substrate formed with alternating conductive and insulating portions on its surface and having a groove formed between the conductive and insulating portions to eliminate insulating abrasion powder from the surface of the contact brush. The top of the conducting portions is higher than the bottom of the groove but can be above or below the surface of the insulating portions. To form such a substrate, a conductive layer having projections is formed and is engaged with a mold so that the projections are compressed. After the substrate is removed from the mold, the compressed projections extend to their actual height.

Abstract: A rotary adjustment device adapted for user rotation to adjust the position of an adjacent mechanism such as the linkage for actuating an electrical snap switch. The device has an outer annular cam with a central hub structure with a shaft defining surface adapted for being rotatably journalled. The hub is suspended from the cam by torsionally stiff web structure which is radially inner an outer pairs of oppositely disposed spokes which permit resilient deflection, when unwanted side loads are applied to the shaft for preventing disturbances of the cam once the user has selected a rotary position.

Abstract: A switching mechanism energizes a motor in response to selective actuation of switches in order to rotate an output shaft of the motor by an angle dependent upon the particular switch which is actuated. A base body connected to an output shaft of the motor carries slide terminals that slide on conductor paths of a stationary circuit board when the motor is energized. The conductor paths are connected to respective ones of the switches so that the motor is energized in response to the contact of a slide terminal with the conductor path associated with an actuated switch, and is de-energized when that slide terminal reaches an end edge portion of that conductor path. The end edge portions of the conductor paths are arranged substantially on the same circumference relative to the axis of rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A windshield wiper motor is provided with an auto-stopping switch having a first contact plate, a second contact plate, a third contact plate and a contact shoe for contacting with said third contact plate at all times and for contacting selectively with said first or second contact plate by sliding reciprocatively on a straight line in accordance with rotation of the final gear of reduction gear. It is possible to prevent the auto-stopping switch from chattering caused by snow gathered in the vicinity of a stopping position of a wiper blade in snowfall.

Abstract: A rotary switch has a case, a housing, and a rotor rotatably arranged in a chamber of the housing. The housing carries a pair of projections on both side walls and a pair of corner projections together with a pair of grooves defined in the bottom center thereof, while the case has a pair of bent legs in the center of which are defined holes to receive the side wall projections of the housing and the undersurface of which extend to form a pair of depending lugs which may be crimped inwardly into a pair of grooves defined in the housing. A contact member positioned between the rotor and the housing carries a plurality of contact fingers provided with contact projections having contact points one of which may be contacted, in accordance with the rotation of the rotor, on one of the terminal lead contacts spaced around the housing chamber caused by slidable touching on one of the contact projections by means of a cam pattern provided on a circuit board attached to the rotor.

Abstract: An electric data switch, e.g., a rotary switch, that selects data by moving contact portion along tracks of electrodes, in which a contact portion touches two or more electrodes simultaneously, and in which leads between terminals of the electrodes are arranged to avoid touching with the contact portion. This simplifies the switch, allowing it to be smaller and more durable.

Abstract: In a switch for detecting shift positions of an automatic transmission in which a movable contact piece is moved in a linked relationship with the shifting over of shift positions of the transmission so as to effect switching with each of stationary contact pieces corresponding to the shift positions, stationary contact pieces for monitoring are disposed in combination with the stationary contact pieces corresponding to the shift positions, thereby enabling predetermined combination signasl to be output. In the detection error checking of this invention, auxiliary contact points for monitoring are used together with a plurality of stationary contact points so that combinations of contact pieces are determined with a certain regularity which is monitored by a control unit so as to check detection results.

Abstract: A multiple position rotary switch is disclosed for incorporation into an electrical device. The switch comprises an annular cup that serves as a housing for the switch and which receives a knob for rotation therein. The knob is retained within the cup by a circuit board that is removably secured to the cup. The circuit board includes a first major surface having a switching circuit formed thereon and a second major surface. The circuit board is removably secured to the cup by a plurality of barbed ears which extend from the sidewall of the cup such that the first surface of the board is located between the knob and the second surface of the board. The cup includes an upstanding sidewall and a race against which the knob rotates. The race includes a plurality of protrusions which facilitate the retention of the knob in preselected positions as the knob is rotated. The knob comprises a cylindrical disk having on one surface a handle.

Abstract: A modular encoder and switch assembly includes a first module containing the rotor and contact elements of an electrical encoder, and a second module that contains a switch. The two modules are axially aligned and joined together in tandem. The encoder and the switch are actuated by a common shaft that is rotatable to actuate the encoder and movable axially to actuate the switch.

Abstract: A rotary switch, adapted to be secured to a panel, comprises a stator having a bearing flange provided with a cylindrical side wall and an underside; a circumferential groove provided in the side wall and an annular groove provided in the underside; and a rotor extending over the bearing flange and having a cylindrical side wall surrounding the cylindrical side wall of the bearing flange. The rotor is rotatably supported on and relative to the stator. There are further provided a stationary contact mounted in the stator; a movable contact carried by the rotor for displacement relative to the stationary contact upon turning of the rotor; and a first sealing ring received in the circumferential groove and projecting radially outwardly from the cylindrical side wall of the bearing flange. The first sealing ring sealingly and slidably engages the cylindrical side wall of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotary coding switch is disclosed which comprises a rotor or a rotor and a coding disk provided with coding recesses for actuating the contacts. Each contact spring is provided with a boss cooperating with associated coding recesses which, in the open state of the contact spring, engages one of the associated coding recesses under pretension of the contact spring, and which is moved to the position corresponding to the closed state of the contact spring via the boss being contacted by the surface of the rotor or the coding disk remaining between the coding recesses.

Abstract: A DIP rotary code switch provided with a plurality of terminals arranged on a circuit board embedded in a base includes a rotor, conductive patterns disposed, on the bottom surface of the rotor the rotor being rotatably mounted in a cavity formed by a housing and a base, a contact member holder having a center boss on the upper surface thereof which rotatably supports the rotor and having slots extending therethrough and a contact member provided with an apex head fitted respectively into a slot extending through the contact member holder, the apex head intermittently contacting conductive patterns of the rotor when rotated and the contact member having two legs fitted respectively into slits extending in a the base to be electrically connected to conductive elements arranged on the surface of the circuit board embedded in the base.

Abstract: An electrical switch suitable for a miniature apparatus such as a wristwatch comprises a resilient contact plate which is mounted on a member capable of rotating about an axis. The contact plate has two arms which extend radially from a rigid or mounted central portion. The outer ends of the arms are supported on a contact member, the arms being elastically deformed by the action of the contact forces. The two arms have different lengths and they are weakened in a different manner by apertures at their mounting location. Consequently, it is possible to achieve ideal compensation for the couples produced by the contact forces. In addition, an ideal deformation of the arms of the contact plate is obtained, as well as a well-defined position for the bearing points of the contacts.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a sealed rotary switch which is reliably operable even in a cold winter. The switch comprises a case having a bottomed cylindrical bore, a pair of stationary contacts exposed to the cylinderical bore, a rotatable contact rotatably received in the cylindrical bore of the case so as to be contactable with the stationary contacts, a shaft member having one end portion detachably connected to the rotatable contact and the other end portion projected outwardly from the cylindrical bore of the case, the one end portion being rotatably supported on the bottom of the bore, and a circular cover member having a central bore, the cover member being sealingly and detachably received in a mouth portion of the bore of the case while sealingly receiving the other end portion of the shaft member in the central bore thereof.

Abstract: An electrically lighted jump rope is disclosed with a flexible tube of light transmitting material and handles rotatably mounted thereon at each end. A tube fitting and handle fitting at each end are coupled together for rotation relative to each other about an axis of rotation extending axially of the tube. A battery is disposed in one of the handles and a lighting circuit including a plurality of LEDs extends into the tube. The battery is connected to the lighting circuit through brushes and slip rings on the tube and handle fittings.

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch having a housing formed of an electrically insulative material and including a plurality of fixed electrically conductive contacts therein. A rotatable contact is arranged to be rotated into a plurality of positions and includes electrically conductive means to electrically interconnect selected ones of the fixed contacts depending upon the rotational position of the contactor. A detent mechanism is located in the housing and comprises a generally planar, frame-like plate formed of a resilient material and having an opposed pair of elongated arms extending generally parallel to each other and interconnected adjacent their respective ends by cantilever arms. The cantilever arms form tapering cam surfaces which are adapted to engage diametrically opposed recesses in the rotatable contactor to establish the various rotational positions of the rotatable contactor. The decent plate is located within a recess in the housing.

Abstract: The rotary electrical switch 1 which is mounted on a circuit plate 7 furnished with a printed circuit comprises a switch wheel 4 which is rotatably supported on the circuit plate 7 and whereat a contact bridge 48 is inserted into a pocket 46. On rotation of the rotary switch 1, said contact bridge 48 connects and/or disconnects at least two conducting paths of the printed circuit. Shaped at the switch wheel 4 is a pivot pin 17 which penetrates the circuit plate 7 and which is secured by a base member 5 to the circuit plate 7 on the said's bottom side opposite to the printed circuit. The switch wheel 4 includes catch-type recesses 42, with a resilient switching element 32 engaging into each one recess depending on the position of rotation of the switch wheel 4. The base member 5 urges via the switch wheel 4 the contact lugs 48 resiliently against the circuit plate 7, additionally forms the catch-type element 40 and simultaneously couples the switch wheel 4 and the circuit plate 7.

Abstract: A single pole double throw rotary switch includes a non-conductive terminal board. A washer-like wiper element is rotatably secured to the terminal board by a tubular rivet. An outwardly extending portion of the wiper element selectively engages one of a pair of output terminals. When the wiper element occupies a midrange position, the rotary switch is electrically open. A non-conductive actuating member is rotatably mounted on the terminal board for positioning the wiper element.

Abstract: A protected switch unit is provided in a cassette tape recorder employing a single motor for driving a power transmission system for transferring a cassette holder and a power transmission system for loading and unloading the tape of the cassette loaded on the cassette tape recorder. The protected switch controls the motor for sequential cassette inserting operation and tape loading operation and for sequential tape unloading operation and cassette ejecting operation. A protective member for protecting the switch unit from dust is interposed between a circuit board having stationary contact terminals and a machine element of the power transmission system, carrying a movable contact terminal so as to seal the switch unit from dust.

Abstract: A connection member between a given number of n distinct parallel paths (V.sub.1 to V.sub.n) and a common path (V.sub.0) comprises, for establishing the 2.sup.n distinct combinations of connections between this common path and the n distinct paths, 2.sup.n-1 connection arms distributed along a circle around the central part of the member in 2.sup.n-1 positions among 2.sup.n possible positions. The 2.sup.n-1 positions are chosen such that the successive switching steps along a circular path of this member establish successively each of these 2.sup.n distinct combinations of possible connections between the common path and the n parallel paths.

Abstract: A contact assembly for a rotary switching unit incorporated in a vehicle suspension unit in which a pair of stamped and formed metal terminals are moulded in a plastics stator block of a stator with contact portions precisely flush with a contact face of the block and wire-connecting portions with wire-receiving slots protruding radially from the side of the block in alignment with wire-confining grooves formed in the block periphery. A rotor comprises a plastics disc heat staked to a support plate and carrying a brush arranged to wipe around the contact face of the block and make electrical contact with the flush contact portions.

Abstract: A rotary switch construction and method of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a surface unit having a substantially circular electrically conductive code pattern thereon, and electrically conductive wiper contact unit cooperating with the surface unit for making contact with a selected part of the pattern, and a rotary selector operatively associated with the units for selecting the desired part of the pattern that is to be contacted by the wiper contact unit, the wiper contact unit comprising a first pair of electrically connected wiper contacts disposed to respectively contact the pattern on a first substantially circular path thereof at points thereon that are disposed approximately 180.degree. from each other.

Abstract: A switch includes three blade contact terminals against which is biased a rotating printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is rotationally moveable with respect to the blade contacts and has conductive elements on a first side of the printed circuit board for selectively contacting the switching contacts in response to the relative rotation between the switching contacts and the printed circuit board. The conductor elements include a tab for extending around the edge of the printed circuit board to a second side of the printed circuit board so as to provide electrically connected regions on both first and second sides of the printed circuit board. An electrically conducting resilient contact abuts the second side of the printed circuit board and biases the printed circuit board against the switching contacts. The tab and resilient contact can be coupled to a ground potential.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a switching mechanism particularly intended for use in connection with a braking system of a vehicle. The switching mechanism includes a switch supported in a housing and having a movable element which cooperates with an actuating system coupled to the brake pedal. The switch is contained in a housing which is arranged to frictionally engage a brake pedal arm pivot yoke. The switch actuator arm is arranged to be coupled to the brake pedal arm on the vehicle. A friction clutch is provided between the switch actuator arm and the switch actuator to permit a driving but slippable connection between the two whereby the switch actuator arm can pivot to a greater angular extent than the switch actuator. Thus, the switch mechanism of the present invention is self-adjusting despite variations resulting from manufacturing and age variations in the brake pedal assembly.

Abstract: An electrical encoding device for generating a coded input to an electrical apparatus, which coded input can indicate direction and speed of movement of an actuator associated with an electrical encoding device. The device is cheaper to manufacture since the layout of certain aspects of the device is greatly simplified, the simplified layout of certain aspects of the device reducing cost of manufacture of the device. The device is designed to easily accommodate various encoding parameters so that it may be manufactured in a family-program fashion with families of the device being capable of addressing a range of encoding parameters.

Abstract: A rotary switch having a plurality of outputs energized according to a prearranged pattern during rotation of a shaft of the switch includes first and second switch boards spaced apart and having respective contact portions formed on the facing surfaces thereof. The contact portions of the first board include an arcuate collector and a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern, and the second board includes a plurality of fixed contacts arranged in a predetermined pattern. A slider is held rotatively between the switch boards and has two pairs of electrically-connected conductive arms with a respective pair of conductive arms extending towards the contact portions of each board. In this way, each of the fixed contacts can be connected electrically with the arcuate collector in a predetermined pattern as the slider is rotated.

Abstract: Two pairs of contact strips are mounted on the respective bridge members of an integral web portion of the molded field case of a power tool or other motor-driven device. The forward ends of the contact strips are cantilever mounted and automatically engage the respective terminals on the field, as the field is inserted into the field case and is secured therein. An annular wire harness is mounted on the rear bearing boss of the field case. Spaced contacts are carried by the wire harness and engage the respective ends of the first pair of contact strips. The respective ends of the second pair of contact strips are connected to terminals on the ends of the brush shunts. In a reversing embodiment, a third pair of contact strips is mounted on the bridge, and a rotatable reversing subassembly is mounted on the rear bearing boss in lieu of the wire harness.

Abstract: A small-sized rotary switch which comprises a switch base plate, fixed contacts formed on the base plate, a movable contact selectively engageable with one of the fixed contacts, a converter for holding the movable contact, a rotary shaft for rotating the converter, a cap adapted to accommodate all of the above-mentioned members therein and provided at the upper portion thereof with an aperture through which the rotary shaft extends, a stopper plate attached to the rotary shaft and disposed on the upper portion of the cap, the stopper plate being provided with an ear piece, and a variable stopper attached to the upper portion of the cap, with the stopper plate intervening therebetween, with an engagement projection being formed on either one of the cap and the variable stopper to engage the ear piece of the stopper plate.

Abstract: A rotary pulse switch is disclosed in which contact pairs each consisting of a movable contact and a fixed contact are disposed along a radial face of the rotor so as to be closer to the center than the outer circumferential edge of the rotor. In this way, the width of a case into which the contact pairs fit can be made only slightly larger than the diameter of the rotor. A contact operating member for pushing a movable contact extends from the side of an operating member disposed in the proximity of the outer circumferential surface of the rotor between the two contact pairs and at substantially the same height as a projection of the operating member. Thus, the height of the case can also be reduced.

Abstract: Rotary switch includes a dielectric rotor with die cast conductive circuit paths therein which connect various surface contacts thereon. Rotor comprises first and second dielectric disc members facing internal surfaces which are sandwiched together. Internal surface on first disc member has channels therein which communicate with opposed surface via four circles of holes through the disc member. Holes through second disc member communicate between internal surface thereof and two circular bus channels on opposed surface. Metal die cast into sandwiched disc members forms inner circuit paths and surface contacts. Finished rotor is placed in housing with fixed contacts which make contact with different sets of surface contacts as rotor is rotated incrementally relative to housing. Two fixed contacts remain in contact with respective bus channels regardless of incremental position of rotor.