Abstract: A device for detecting the position of movable operating table components that has a multilayer sensor film that is attached to a first operating table component; a slider that is mounted on a second operating table component which is movable relative to the first operating table component, the slider being equipped with a pressure piece that elastically compresses the multilayer sensor film; and -n electrical circuit, which generates a signal in accordance with the position of the pressure piece on the sensor film.

Abstract: A resistive sheet includes a flexible cover sheet, a wiring part provided on the bottom face of the cover sheet, and ring, circular-arc, or spiral resistive layer connected to the wiring part. This resistive layer has an uneven bottom face. The resistive sheet also includes a spacer layer whose bottom face is disposed at a position lower than the resistive layer. The wiring part is sandwiched between the bottom face of the cover sheet and the spacer layer.

Abstract: Magnetically-activated contactless potentiometers with a resistive trace and a conductive trace contained within a channel formed of non-conductive material are described. A gap between the resistive trace and the conductive trace is provided, and the conductive trace is either magnetic/ferromagnetic or is provided with a magnetic/ferromagnetic material. In use, a magnetic force is applied to the potentiometer opposite the resistive trace from the conductive trace, thus attracting the conductive trace to physically and electrically connect with the resistive trace at the location of the magnetic force. This magnetically-induced contact between the conductive trace and the resistive trace produces a resistive feedback from the point of contact and allows for changing the resistance of the potentiometer by laterally moving the magnetic force along the length of the potentiometer.

Abstract: A system and method for a deflectable resistor. The deflectable resistor has a first layer of conductive material and a second layer of conductive material on a top surface of a substrate, said first layer of conductive material having a resistance that changes predictably. The change of resistance of the first layer of conductive material reflects an amount of deflection of the respective layer. A dielectric is placed over the first and second layers of conductive material. A third layer of conductive material is placed thereon. The dielectric material electrically insulates the first and second layers from the third layer.

Abstract: An electrical switch has spaced, facing coupler and carrier layers with a set of electrodes formed on the facing surfaces thereof. There is an aperture in the coupler layer. A conductive armature is disposed in the space between the coupler and carrier, aligned with the aperture. The coupler is a magnet and the armature is made of magnetic material so the armature is normally held in engagement with the coupler. A user can press on any part of the armature through the aperture to cause a first portion of the armature to break away from the armature and contact the electrodes on the carrier while a second portion of the armature remains in contact with the coupler. The electrodes are arranged to provide an output which is dependent upon the location of contact with the armature.

Abstract: A curved disc joystick or pad with improved performance, reliability and durability can be used as a cursor pointing device for computers, remote controls, video games, consumer electronics, industrial controllers, automotive and other applications. A conductive spring or sheath connects to a conductive curved rubber transducer which can be deflected to make contact with conductors on a printed circuit board, providing electrical outputs to a microprocessor or other device. A ribbed locking extension may be added to automate the assembly process. In addition, a collar may be provided to produce a controllable product, both in terms of manufacturing and performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricated variable resistance control including a substrate having formed thereon an electrical resistance path and an electrical conductive path, and a movable contact electrically bridging the electrical resistance path and the electrical conductive path. Disposed along the electrical conductive path is a non-conductive lubricant material. The electrical conductive path includes one or more protruding ridges spaced along one surface of the electrical resistance path. The ridges are formed of an electrically resistive material and they serve to help insure that the control device does not suffer from current interruptions.

Abstract: A linear potentiometer with a sandwich type construction. A pair of conductive strips are carried on a pair of non-conductive flexible plastic substrates which are affixed to a spacer to form a sealed unit. Each substrate includes a pair of tabs which cooperate with the tabs on the other substrate to define a pair of terminal receiving slots for connecting the potentiometer in an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A boat leveling systems with a pair of trim tabs pivotal between a horizontal position and a downwardly inclined position. Each trim tab is actuatably between the horizontal and inclined positions by a separate fluid motor which includes a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and a rod connected to the piston. The position of each trim tab is indicated by apparatus which includes a linear potentiometer attached to the rod of the associated fluid motor, the potentiometer having a flexible plastic envelope and a pair of normally spaced-apart conductive strips sealed in the envelope, a ball and spring carried by the cylinder for contacting the envelope and forcing the strips into electrical contact with each other, and a resistance measuring device connected in circuit with the potentiometer and to provide a readout in degrees of the downward angle from horizontal of the trim tab.

Abstract: A slide rheostat having a light-emitting device for permitting a person to check the position of the knob of the rheostat in the nighttime or in the dark. The rheostat includes a transparent upper baseplate, a transparent lower baseplate, a laminated sheet including a pressure-sensitive contact member, a transparent sliding body that reciprocates, the knob being formed on the sliding body, an indicator portion having a transparent region, and a pressure-applying member. The light-emitting device is disposed below the lower baseplate rather than on the knob carried by the sliding body. When the light-emitting device is lit, the emitted light is transmitted through the lower baseplate, the laminated sheet, the upper baseplate, and the transparent region of the indicator portion that has a scale thereon. Part of the light directly reaches the outside through this transparent region, while the other part arrives at the outside after passing through the knob.

Abstract: A sealed position transducer which is self-wiping and which is readily adaptable for providing both linear and nonlinear electrical outputs. The transducer includes a housing, a resistive element received in the housing, and a flexible membrane, having a conductive portion formed thereon facing the resistive element, disposed over the resistive element and attached to the housing to seal the interior of the housing from the environment. An object whose position is to be sensed or measured is mounted on or connected to a carriage which movably engages a guide track formed as part of the housing. The carriage includes a roller which causes the conductive portion of the membrane to be deflected into contact with a portion of the resistive element.In one embodiment, where a linear relationship between resistance and distance is desired, a resistive element having a known, constant resistance per unit length is used.