Contact Rotates Between Circularly Arranged Elements Or Taps Patents (Class 338/127)
  • Patent number: 5592141
    Abstract: A miniature potentiometer including a casing (10) molded on a first sub-assembly comprising a support (11), an electro-resistive track (12) with extensions (13) linked to terminals (14),(15) extending outwardly from the casing, and a collector plate (16) having a collector plate terminal (14) extending outwardly therefrom. A second sub-assembly is housed in the casing (10) and includes a wiper (18) integral with a wiper-holder (19). The first and second sub-assemblies are attached to one another by an electrically conductive shaft (21).The wiper (18) comprises a first part defined by an annular plate (29) to which the wiper-holder (19) is molded. The first part also includes an opening (31) and through-holes (32) which allow plastic material to flow therethrough. The wiper (18) further comprises a second part (33), extending radially out from the annular plate (29) and having resilient arms (35,36) with protuberances (35a,36a) for frictionally engaging the resistive track (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Navarra de Componentes Electronicos, S.A.
    Inventor: Jesus C. Castellano Aldave
  • Patent number: 4359277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera with the main circuit boards and the sub-circuit boards comprising electrical circuit constructions having resistance-conductor laminated constructions so designed that the insulating support on which a resistance material layer and a conductor material layer are laminated are processed by means of selective etching. This is done in such a manner that the resistance members are constituted with the resistance material layer while the conductor parts such as wiring, terminals and so on are constituted with the conductor material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Shimizu, Junji Omi, Kunio Watanabe, Masanori Uchidoi, Hiroshi Aizawa
  • Patent number: 4352084
    Abstract: A compact configuration of resistive elements, plural circularly-arranged fixed contacts upon, or mountable upon, a printed circuit board (PCB), to comprise a rotary variable resistor.In one embodiment, fixed contacts are disposed upon one side of a PCB, in which through-conductors connect to a resistor pattern upon a separate ceramic substrate.In another embodiment, fixed contacts occupy the central area, and resistors and interconnecting conductors surround the same; all on one side of a ceramic substrate.Mutually insulated spring wipers connect to the fixed contacts to allow rotary variation of resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: EECO Incorporated
    Inventors: William B. Graves, James F. Walsh
  • Patent number: 4284972
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a service reminder when a vehicle has accumulated a predetermined mileage comprises a potentiometer operated by the highest order number wheel of the vehicle odometer to provide an output voltage which changes incrementally with each indexing motion of that number wheel. An electrical detector responsive to the potentiometer output energizes a signal lamp when the output reaches a voltage in a predetermined range representing a desired service interval. An electrical connector in circuit with the potentiometer can be disconnected to change the potentiometer voltage to a value outside the predetermined range to allow the service reminder circuit to turn off the indicator lamp when the indicated service has been performed. The apparatus is adapted to operate in conjunction with an electronic engine control module which can be programmed to detect the predetermined value of the potentiometer output and to operate a signal lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Randolph K. Chiu, Douglas A. Stiff, Francis G. Cox
  • Patent number: 4146322
    Abstract: The control part of the slide member in contact with electrodes of a variable resistance with resistance members and a plural number of electrodes is made larger than the insulation part between two adjacent electrodes so as to secure the conductivity between the electrodes and the slide member. The form of the slide member and the space provided between each electrode part with respect to other such parts satisfy a predetermined mathematical relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Shimizu, Junji Omi, Kunio Watanabe, Masanori Uchidoi, Hiroshi Aizawa
  • Patent number: 4050050
    Abstract: A potentiometer assembly particularly suited for supplying tuning voltages for all of the bands of signals capable of receipt by a television receiver or the like, includes three segments of resistive material arranged in a circle on a support member. Each of the segments corresponds to a different band of frequencies to which the television receiver may be tuned. Band selection is effected by comparable conductive segments on the support member.In one embodiment, a single wiper is used to sweep all of the resistive segments to supply the desired tuning voltage output. A cam arrangement is used to adjust the detented position of the wiper relative to the support member to effect fine tuning at each position. Other embodiments utilize individually adjustable wipers for each station or detent position of the tuner, with each wiper being preset to effect the fine tuning at the detented position of the potentiometer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Company of America
    Inventors: Mutsuo Nakanishi, Hans Schmidt
  • Patent number: 3996549
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Hufford, Wayne A. Barden
  • Patent number: 3944962
    Abstract: A variable-resistance attenuator having first and second resistive layers deposited upon an insulating substrate. Input and output terminals are electrically connected at spaced intervals to one of the resistive layers and a common terminal is electrically connected to the remaining one of the resistive layers. A pair of contacts are adapted to make slidable electrical engagement, each with an associated one of the resistive layers. Conductive bridging means mechanically and electrically connect the sliding contacts. Mechanical means are provided for simultaneous movement of the sliding contacts to change the resistance in a smooth and continuous fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hisashi Honda