Abstract: Provided is a tuner device including: a box-shaped metal tuner case; a plurality of connectors which are attached to one surface of the tuner case; a plurality of connection pins for signal transmission, the pins being provided on the other surface of the tuner case; and at least one foot electrode which is provided in the vicinity of the connection pins and is grounded.

Abstract: A clasp is configured to permanently interlock around a flexible strip of material and includes first and second interlocking members. At least one interlocking member includes a Bluetooth communication device. Each interlocking member can include a plurality of hooks and a corresponding plurality of recesses, where the recesses of one interlocking member receive the hooks of the other interlocking member to secure a band within the clasp between the interlocking members. The recesses can be completely internal to the clasp to prevent external tampering. Each of the interlocking members can include various protrusions and ribs that compress and secure the band within the clasp, so as to prevent movement of the band between the interlocking members when interlocked.

Abstract: Medicinal container bags are presented. Bags can include openers capable of sealing an opening of the bag. Disclosed bags further comprise electronic assemblies configured to detect opening or closing events as the openers move along the rims of the bag opening. The assemblies can compile usage data based on opener movement, and then provide the data to remote monitoring systems.

Abstract: A zipper without electrical components that generates a distinctive sound when the zipper is opened or closed is disclosed herein. The zipper comprises a slider, a first and a second track. The slider comprises a plurality of tone bars and a plurality of audio openings. The first track comprises a plurality of zipper teeth. The second track comprises a plurality of zipper teeth. Each zipper tooth of the plurality of zipper teeth of the first track and the second track comprises at least one raised portion. The slider is configured to generate a musical sound when the slider is slid over the first track and the second track.

Abstract: A switch has a normally-closed fixed contact unit, a common contact unit, a pressing member, and a movable contact that is attached to the pressing member, and that slides on the normally-closed fixed contact unit and the common contact unit. A conductive region and an insulating region are formed on a sliding surface of the movable contact in the normally-closed fixed contact unit in order toward a pressing direction of the pressing member. A conductive region and an insulating region are formed on a sliding surface of the movable contact in the common contact unit in order toward the pressing direction. The movable contact slides from the conductive regions to the insulating regions to switch from a closed state to an opened state.

Abstract: A contactless volume control device with adjustable gain and multi-output is configured as a contactless structure with a magnetic slider and a plurality of magnet sensors. The magnetic field of the magnetic slider is sensed by the plurality of magnet sensors to generate a plurality of sensed signals, which allows an output module to provide a data table to show the position of the magnetic slider and the corresponding output voltage thereof according to the sensed signals. Furthermore, the output module is capable of storing multiple variable data to produce different outputs so as to achieve the objective of gain adjusting. Additionally, a processing unit built in the output module has a plurality of output ends so as to output multiple signals. And the magnetic slider and the plurality of magnet sensors have advantages of simple structure, easy manufacture and low cost.

Abstract: A sealed switch apparatus and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. A sealed switch apparatus may include a sealed contact structure and a switch mechanism operable to apply a force to the switch mechanism to trigger a switch event. The sealed contact structure may include a sealing layer operative to seal electrical contacts disposed within the contact structure from external debris and to transfer the force applied from the switch mechanism to at least one of the electrical contacts. The transferred force may deflect that electrical contact to interact with another one of the electrical contacts, and the deflection may provide tactile feedback to a user.

Abstract: A slide switch includes a housing, a plurality of fixed electrodes, and a slider. The housing includes a first face provided with an accommodating recessed part and a second face configured to be attached to an attaching board. The fixed electrodes are provided in the accommodating recessed part. Each of the fixed electrodes has an external terminal exposed on the second face. The slider has a movable electrode configured to be electrically conducted to the fixed electrodes, and is movably provided in the accommodating recessed part so as to switch an electrical conducted state of the movable electrode and the fixed electrodes.

Abstract: A switch unit for detecting movement of a target object in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction includes a first movable body arranged to move in the first direction together with the movement of the target object in the first direction, a first substrate provided with a first detecting unit for detecting a position of the first movable body in the first direction, a second movable body arranged to move in the second direction together with the movement of the target object in the second direction, and a second substrate provided with a second detecting unit for detecting a position of the second movable body in the second direction.

Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.

Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.

Abstract: A switch arrangement for electric currents, has a switch housing; a switching element slidably received in the switch housing; a foil, having electrically conductive pathways for carrying the electric currents, attached to the housing; and at least two contacts that are to be short-circuited and/or opened. At least one of the contacts is formed by a section of the pathway of the foil. The switching element is movable to short-circuit or open the at least two contacts and has a travel path of ?0.5 mm.

Abstract: Slide switch assemblies with structural enhancements are provided for use in electronic devices. Slide switch assemblies in accordance with embodiments the invention can include a button, an engagement member, and switch box. The engagement member couples the button to the switch box and translates any movement of the button to the switch box. The switch box is mounted offset with respect to the button because another component such as, for example, a display screen occupies the space that would have been a better mounting position for the switch box. To compensate for the offset, and the added torsion that is applied to the engagement member during button movement events, the engagement member is structurally enhanced.

Abstract: An electrical sliding contact switch comprises a contact transmitter element with a first and a second rigidly interconnected sliding contact, which are pressed against a corresponding surface designed for a common sliding section by respective contact areas in the same direction, while there is an insulated segment and a contact segment for each sliding contact within the common sliding section respectively, whereby one insulated segment is slid over by a contact area of sliding contact, when the corresponding other sliding contact is sliding over its contact segment with its contact area, whereby a notch is arranged within the insulating segment which is slid over by a contact area of a sliding contact in case the other sliding contact is sliding over its contact segment.

Abstract: A sliding electrical switch comprising a first slider which is able to establish a first electrical switching channel, a first actuator for the first slider, a second slider which is able to establish a second electrical switching channel, a second actuator for the second slider, and a common return spring which is a compression spring which is mounted axially compressed between the first and second sliders and which simultaneously stresses each of the two sliders towards its idle axial position.

Abstract: An electrical switch and a circuit breaker are presented herein. The electrical switch includes a graded resistance block comprising a first end having a first electrical resistivity and a second end having an electrical resistivity greater than the first electrical resistivity. The electrical switch further includes a fixed contact electrically coupled to the first end of the graded resistance block, and a sliding contact configured to slide over the graded resistance block. In addition to the components of the electrical switch, the circuit breaker also includes a forcing mechanism to slide the sliding contact over the graded resistance block from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A purpose is to provide a slide switch so that the installation space is reduced, and the size and weight of the switch can be reduced with the reduction of the sized of components. Electric wire connecting terminals which include wire connecting parts to be press-contact to electric wires orderly accommodated in an electric wire arranging part of a switch case and fixed contacts which are formed integrally with the wire connecting parts are fixed to the electric wire arranging part so that the fixed contacts covers the electric wires accommodated in the electric wire arranging part. A slider which is supported on the switch case slidably along the arrangement direction of the fixed contacts is arranged on the electric wire arranging part so that a movable connector on the slider is laid over the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a substrate with first and second electrodes connected to the circuit to be protected. The circuit protection device also includes a heater element between the first and second electrodes. A sliding contact is connected by a sensing element to the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element, thereby bridging and providing a conductive path between each. A spring element is held in tension by, and exerts a force parallel to a length of the substrate against, the sliding contact. Upon detection of an activation condition, the sensing element releases the sliding contact and the force exerted by the spring element moves the sliding contact to another location on the substrate at which the sliding contact no longer provides a conductive path between the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element.

Abstract: A slide operation apparatus capable of ensuring the operability of a knob and improving the visibility of scales on a panel surface of an electronic instrument, without the need of increasing a widthwise space required for mounting the slide operation apparatus on the panel surface. Scales indicating positions in slide movement direction are marked on the panel surface of the electronic instrument on which slide operation apparatuses are mounted. Each slide operation apparatus has a knob adapted to be operated to make a reciprocating slide movement on the panel surface. The knob has its mounting portion whose width is smaller than that of a plate portion and whose left and right end surfaces are receded inwardly from those of the plate portion. The knob has a bottom-side narrow-width portion in which a facing surface is narrower in width in slide movement direction than a finger-operated surface.

Abstract: A housing with a sliding switch with at least three positions and a sliding element that partially projects through an opening in the housing as provided. In order to protect the sliding element against accidental activation, on both sides of the opening, parallel to the direction of movement of the sliding switch, there are flanks.

Abstract: A switch which can prevent detraction of insulation of fixed contacts and facilitate design, manufacturing and assembling works and can be miniaturized is disclosed. In a power window switch, an earth fixed contact 6e is provided at the center and a manual-up fixed contact, an automatic-up fixed contact, a manual-down fixed contact, and an automatic-down fixed contact are arranged in the right-and-left direction are provided as fixed contact on a board along which movable contacts provided to a movable piece are slid by reciprocating motion of the movable piece in the right-and-left direction. The manual-up/down fixed contacts are nearer to the earth fixed contact than the automatic-up/down fixed contacts. The earth fixed contact is designed so that side portions of the earth fixed contact which are near to the manual-up/down fixed contacts are concaved with respect to side portions near to the automatic-up/down fixed contacts.

Abstract: A side key assembly is mounted on a housing (60) which comprises a sidewall (610). A socket (62) is formed in the sidewall (610) of the housing. The side key assembly includes a button (70), two switches (80) and the socket. The button includes an operating portion (710), two touching blocks (740) and at least one elastic arm (750). The operating portion is slidingly received in the socket. One end of the at least one elastic arm connects with the operating portion while the other end is firmly fixed on the housing. Each switch includes a contact portion. Each contact portion is positioned adjacent to a corresponding touching block. Each switch is turned on when the corresponding touching block is moved to touch the contact portion thereof.

Abstract: A sliding button mechanism includes a housing, a button, a connecting member, two resilient elements, and a printed circuit board. The housing defines a sliding slot. The button is slidably received in the sliding slot. The connecting member is secured on the button. Two resilient elements are disposed between the housing and the button provides a resilient force to the button. The printed circuit board is secured in the housing and includes at least two contact areas. The connecting member continuously and simultaneously connects to the two contact areas to achieve a continuous adjustment function.

Abstract: A slider of a moving portion slides on a sliding surface of a guide portion according to a selected range of an automatic transmission. A plurality of through holes are provided on the sliding surface. A detecting portion detects the range of the transmission based on the position of the moving portion. Particles on the sliding surface are scraped by a slider of the moving portion. The scraped particles drop into the holes to prevent a slider from being stuck.

Abstract: A mobile handset having a static preventing device comprises a handset body having components such as a PCB, a detachable battery, a locking member for securing the battery to or for releasing the battery from the handset body, a conductive contact plate located by the locking member, a ground provided at the battery for discharging static electricity, and a switching path from the conductive contact plate to the ground, wherein the switching path is operative when the battery is secured to or released from the handset body.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides for switchable electrical power at an electrical receptacle connected to a commercial power supply in order to eliminate idle power drain. A switchable electrical power outlet adapter is provided. A switchable electrical power outlet is provided. Each includes a receptacle socket configured for receipt of a plug of an electric appliance; a control circuit disposed within the housing, the control circuit configured to selectively terminate electrical connectivity between the electrical receptacle and the electrical appliance; and a switch disposed upon the housing and electrically connected to the control circuit, the switch having an ON state and an OFF state. The OFF state of the switch is visually represented on the housing of the switchable electrical power outlet adapter as GREEN to encourage greater use of the switchable electrical power outlet adapter and greater energy efficiency.

Abstract: Switching device (D) disposed on an electrically powered vehicle, able to switch, by rectilinear displacement of a contact means (52) by means of a drive means (60), indiscriminately in the two directions, between a first state in which the said contact means (52) establishes an electrical connection between a first individual terminal (I1) and a common terminal (Co) and a second state in which the said contact means (52) establishes an electrical connection between a second individual terminal (I2) and the said common terminal (Co), the said switching device (D) being characterised in that the said individual terminals (I1, I2), the said common terminal (Co) and the said contact means (52) are disposed within one single insulator (14).

Abstract: A slide switch (100) comprises a housing (1), a plurality of stationary contacts (2) embedded in the housing, a slide member (4) moveably contained in the housing, a moveable contact (3) fixed to the slide member, and a cover (5) attached to the housing. The housing comprises a bottom surface (10) and a plurality of side surfaces (11) therearound, and said bottom surface and side surfaces cooperatively define a cavity. The moveable contact is fixed to said slide member to be connected to and disconnected from said stationary contacts. Each end of the housing defines a pair of protrusions (131) at upper portions of two lateral sides thereof, and therefore a channel is formed between said two protrusions. A pair of recesses (133) is defined below the protrusions respectively, and the recesses are recessed into the side surface of the end/channel.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for electronic devices. The systems and methods provide for a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board enclosed in a housing of an electronic device. The circuit board may include an aperture. An actuating pin of the switch may extend through the aperture towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin in the aperture on the circuit board. The external actuator may extend out through an opening in the housing for providing a user with access to the switch.

Abstract: A case is defining a chamber. A slider is disposed in the chamber and being movable between a first position and a second position. A first contact member is disposed in the chamber and being movable in conjunction with the slider. A second contact member is disposed in the chamber. An urging member is disposed in the chamber. A projection portion is adapted to be fitted with a first recess portion. When the slider is located in the first position, the first contact member comes in contact with the second contact member and the projection portion is not fitted with the first recess portion. When the slider is in the second position, the first contact member is separated from the second contact member, the projection portion is fitted with the first recess portion, and the urging member urges the slider toward the first position.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for generating an alert signal when a fastener for closing and opening a clothing item is open. The apparatus comprises a first unit for detecting that the fastener is open; a second unit for detecting that the clothing item is worn; and an alert mechanism for generating an alert signal when the first unit detects that the fastener is open and the second unit detects that the clothing item is worn.

Abstract: A sliding mechanism (100) for use in a portable electronic device (500) is provided. The sliding mechanism includes a first plate (10), a second plate (20), a plurality of limiting structures (17), and a linkage module (30). The second plate is longitudinally slidably connected with the first plate. The limiting structures are secured on/to the first plate for limiting a position of the second plate with respect to the first plate. The linkage module is positioned between the first plate and the second plate and connects the first plate and the second plate. The linkage module particularly includes an elastic unit (34). The elastic unit is able to store spring energy that can be used to drive the linkage module. Specifically, such spring energy enables the second plate to automatically slide along the first plate after the second plate is manually moved an initial amount.

Abstract: A faceplate structure for a load control device comprises a bezel, an operating knob extending through an elongated rectangular opening of the bezel, and a sliding cover plate disposed behind the bezel. The bezel defines side walls and is adapted to be fixed to the load control device. The elongated rectangular opening extends along a vertical axis of the bezel. The operating knob is operable to vertically move along the length of the elongated opening. The cover plate is slidably coupled to the side walls of the bezel. The shaft of the operating knob is coupled to the cover plate, such that the cover plate is vertically movable with respect to the bezel. The cover plate covers the rear of the opening in all positions to which the cover plate can be moved by the operating knob.

Abstract: A slide switch (100) comprises a housing (1), a plurality of stationary contacts (2) embedded in the housing, a slide member (4) moveably contained in the housing, a moveable contact (3) fixed to the slide member, and a cover (5) attached to the housing. The housing comprises a bottom surface (10) and a plurality of side surfaces (11) therearound, and said bottom surface and side surfaces cooperatively define a cavity. The moveable contact is fixed to said slide member to be connected to and disconnected from said stationary contacts. Each end of the housing defines a pair of protrusions (131) at upper portions of two lateral sides thereof, and therefore a channel is formed between said two protrusions. A pair of recesses (133) is defined below the protrusions respectively, and the recesses are recessed into the side surface of the end/channel.

Abstract: A movable contact holder includes a rod-shaped portion which is formed in such a manner as to extend in a direction which is at substantially right angles to a traveling direction of a movable unit and is substantially parallel to a sliding plane of a movable contact, and the movable contact includes a folded-back piece portion which is folded back in such a manner as to extend along a circumferential side surface of the rod-shaped portion and is formed in such a manner as to be elastically deformable, whereby when a folded-back side surface of the folded-back piece portion turns around the circumferential side surface of the rod-shaped portion, the movable contact is assembled to the movable contact holder.

Abstract: A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch on a printed circuit board in which a ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces and alternatingly connects the switch traces to two outputs to generate distinct analog voltage outputs. A logic gate determines when both outputs are at the same voltage corresponding to the contactor engaged between two adjacent switch traces and generates a wake-up command signal.

Abstract: A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch output by providing an interruption in a conductive ground or switch trace on a printed circuit board in which the ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces to generate distinct analog voltage outputs when each switch trace is connected to the ground trace by the contactor. Interruption of the switch trace output and/or the ground trace changes the state of the output which defines a wake-up command.

Abstract: A slide switch assembly comprises a housing and a slider having traveling contacts which define exposed contact faces. An accommodation section is formed in the housing to receive the slider and allow the slider to be moved slideably therein. A printed circuit board having fixed contact plates is attached to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is assembled with the housing such that the fixed contact plates are in opposition to the traveling contacts and adapted to make electrical contact with the traveling contacts in response to sliding movement of the slider. Preferably, the printed circuit board includes a printed conduction pattern, and the fixed contact plates include fixation bases adapted to be soldered to the conduction pattern and a bent contact portion extending therefrom. The accommodation section is most preferably defined by a partition wall having openings such that the contact portions of the fixed contact plates are positioned to be exposed through the openings.

Abstract: A non-fused electrical slide switch. A handle assembly is operatively connected to a base, between on and off positions, and movable relative to a cover. The base has two pair of raised landings rising above four contact strips. Each pair of raised landings are disposed between one load and one line contact strip of the four contact strips and between the one load contact strip and partitions of the base, respectively. A shoe assembly includes a pair of contact shoes and at least one pair of springs biasing the pair of contact shoes. Depending portions of each contact shoe are in direct contact with associated load and line contact strips allowing electrical communication therebetween. The two pair of raised landings prevent arcing as the handle assembly traverses the on/off positions by raising the depending portions of each contact shoe immediately after they leave contact with the associated load and line contact strips.

Abstract: To enable to facilitate integration and part control by reducing a number of parts and a number of integrating steps and restrain electric contact performance from being deteriorated by preventing play, in a slide switch including a pole board (3) having a fixed contact and a movable board (11) made of a resin fixedly supporting a base portion (21) of a movable contact (19) and capable of sliding contact portions (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e), at a front end of the movable contact (19) relative to the fixed contact by moving along the pole board (3), the base portion (21) of the movable contact (19) is formed in a shape of a flat plate, the base portion (21) of the movable contact (19) is fixed to the movable board (11) by insert-molding of the resin and the movable contact (19) is inclinedly supported by the movable board (11).

Abstract: An electrical switch includes an operating member carrying moving contacts which face, in opposite directions, two rows of fixed contacts. The operating member moves the moving contacts into and out of contact with the fixed contacts. Each moving contact may have opposite ends for contacting two adjacent fixed contacts on a corresponding side of the operating member. Springs provided between the moving contacts and corresponding side of the operating member bias the contact ends into contact with the corresponding rows of fixed contacts.

Abstract: A slide switch includes a glider constrained by a housing which is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Dual contact springs on the bottom of the glider interact with two rows of contacts on the PCB, with each contact spring making contact between adjacent contacts in the same row as the contact spring. In the preferred embodiment, the switch is a dual pole five-throw position switch which in conjunction with the circuit on the PCB, provides speed control for a fan with four speed settings and an OFF setting. If n number of contact springs and k number of contacts are in each row, an n-pole k-l throw linear switch is possible.

Abstract: Switch with a fixed set of contacts and a movable set of contacts. The fixed set of contacts comprises at least one pair of fixed contacts arranged a distance apart and each having an auxiliary contact part and a main contact part. The movable set of contacts comprises at least one auxiliary contact element and a main contact element, which, when the switch is closed, are in contact, under mechanical pre-stress, with the surface of the auxiliary contact part and of the main contact part of the pair of fixed contacts and bridge the distance between the free end edges thereof facing one another, the various features being such that when the switch is closed the auxiliary contact element and the main contact element make contact more or less simultaneously with the auxiliary and with the main contact parts of the pair of fixed contacts.

Abstract: In a hand mixer (1) having two mains terminals (10, 11) and having interference suppression means (16) for a motor (27) and having a switching means configuration (130) which includes speed switching means (60) for switching the speed of the motor (27) to different lower speed values and start means (61) for starting the motor (27) at a higher speed, the two mains terminals (10, 11) and the speed switching means (60) and the start means (61) and preferably also the interference suppression means are connected mechanically and electrically to form a module (9), all the electrical connections between said parts of the module (9) being realized on the module (9).

Abstract: A trigger assembly for an electric power tool, comprising a base and a trigger supported by the base. The base has a housing having first and second compartments separated by a partition with an aperture. A main switch is provided in the first compartment, having first and second contacts switching on and off the motor. A slider is provided in the first compartment and is movable by or with the trigger, and includes a sliding contact. The base includes an electronic control circuit mounted on a circuit board in the second.

Abstract: A doze alerting device includes a casing, an earplug and an electronic operating circuit. The earplug is insertable into either the left or right ear of a user to locate the casing at a desired angular position. The circuit incorporates an audio generator for generating a doze-alert audio signal and a gravity switch for triggering the generator. The switch has first and second contacts closing to trigger the generator, with the second contact being movable under the influence of gravity along a path towards and away from the first contact. The path is fixed relative to the casing so that the switch provides a trigger signal when the casing moves from a first angular position corresponding to an upright position of the head when the user is looking straight ahead to a second angular position corresponding to a dipped position of the head when the user starts to doze.

Abstract: A sliding electrical switch (10) for use in a garment (32) has two spaced elongate flexible surfaces (16, 18), at least one electrical contact on each surface (22a, b, c, d, e, f), and a slider (20) slidable along the surfaces to cause electrical connection between the contacts. There may be a number of spaced contacts (22a, b, c, d, e, f), the slider (20) acting as a selector switch; or there may be two continuous spaced contacts (96, 98), movement of the slider (90) providing a variation in resistance. The slider can be a bead (20) running on cords (16, 18) attached to the edges of spaced pieces of fabric (14, 18); or a buckle (42) sliding on a strip (50); or a zip fastener traveller (66), adjacent teeth (64) of the zip being electrically connected (68); or a bead (90) running on lengths (82, 84) of flexible tubing with internally conductive strips (96, 98).

Abstract: To enable to provide an inhibitor switch capable of maintaining an accurate ON/OFF state for a long period of time regardless of wear of a moving contact and having high durability.

Abstract: A reciprocal switch includes a shell with a stopper located therein, a connecting unit located on two sides of the stopper for generating circuit signals, two conducting units having movable contacts located on two sides of the stopper and engaged with an elastic element, and a displacement unit located between the two conducting units and exposed outside the shell. The displacement unit may be moved when subject to an external force to move the conducting units moving to either side to press the connecting unit on one side to generate circuit signals.

Abstract: A sliding electrical switch (10) for use in a garment (32) has two spaced elongate flexible surfaces (16, 18), at least one electrical contact on each surface (22a, b, c, d, e, f), and a slider (20) slidable along the surfaces to cause electrical connection between the contacts. There may be a number of spaced contacts (22a, b, c, d, e, f), the slider (20) acting as a selector switch; or there may be two continuous spaced contacts (96, 98), movement of the slider (90) providing a variation in resistance. The slider can be a bead (20) running on cords (16, 18) attached to the edges of spaced pieces of fabric (14, 18); or a buckle (42) sliding on a strip (50); or a zip fastener traveller (66), adjacent teeth (64) of the zip being electrically connected (68); or a bead (90) running on lengths (82, 84) of flexible tubing with internally conductive strips (96, 98).