Abstract: A switching unit for a microphone includes a slider-mounting member, a slider mounted slidably on the slider-mounting member and having an operating element, and a slider-positioning mechanism mounted on the slider-mounting member and defining an elongated slot for extension of the operating element therethrough. The slider-positioning mechanism includes a resistance-providing member and two retaining members. The operating element is in sliding contact with the resistance-providing member such that the resistance-providing member provides a resistance to the operating element when the slider is disposed at a non-retaining position. The operating element is retained releasably by one of the retaining members when the slider is moved to a retaining position.

Abstract: A microphone includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, and a variable resistance switch. The switch includes a resistance member having opposite first and second ends connected to respective ones of the terminals. A conductive member has one end connected to a respective one of the terminals. A slide member includes a wiper that is simultaneously and constantly in sliding contact with the resistance member and the conductive member so as to complete a circuit through the terminals, the conductive member, and the resistance member. The wiper is slidable over the conductive member and the resistance member so as to linearly vary the resistance in the circuit.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for an electrical slide switch that has a detenting or clicking action is disclosed. The switch mechanism provides such detenting action in a mechanism that has a switch lever that moves through an arcuate path of movement and provides a uniform resistance to movement through the entire range of movement of the switch lever.

Abstract: A variable resistance control device and switch has a base, made of insulating material, a rheostat, mounted to the base, and a switch, mounted to the base. The rheostat includes a variable resistor trace, positioned on the base, a collector trace, positioned on the base next to and insulated from the variable resistor trace. The rheostat includes an actuator, slidably coupled to the base, for sliding over a length of both the variable resistor trace and the collector trace to make electrical contact therebetween. The rheostat also includes a first set of contacts, that are 1) electrically coupled during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically isolated during operation of the switch; and a second set of contacts, that are 1) electrically isolated during operation of the rheostat, and are 2) electrically coupled during the operation of the switch.

Abstract: An electric tool rheostatic device in a switching arrangement is provided for regulating the speed of an electric motor in an electric tool. A circuit board for receiving electronic components is disposed in a switch housing. A potentiometer disposed within the switch housing includes a potentiometer slider operatively connected with a manually-operated actuating member and a resistance track that is constituted by a chip resistance element produced independently of the circuit board according to surface mounted device technology and mounted on the circuit board independently of the potentiometer slider. Upon assembly of the switching arrangement the potentiometer slide is adjustably located on the resistance track by the manually-operated actuating member for controlling resistance.

Abstract: A unitary jack assembly to facilitate monitoring, testing, maintenance, and installation of audio and visual systems as well as telecommunication systems which utilize coaxial cables for signal transmission. The jack assembly comprises a unitary housing having two coaxial jacks extending outwardly from the front thereof which are electrically connected to two corresponding coaxial connectors extending outwardly from the rear of the housing. A third coaxial jack extends outwardly from the front of the housing and is electrically connected to one of the other two coaxial jacks. A switch is carried within the jack assembly housing and is normally electrically connected to the first and second coaxial jacks and is further adapted to ground the signal in one of the jacks when the other jack has an electrical plug inserted therein.

Abstract: A dual function rotary assembly (100) functions as a potentiometer and a momentary switch. The dual function assembly (100) includes a rotary shaft (106) that when rotated to a predetermined position, such as its final rotational position, may be pulled to provide a momentary contact between two switching terminals (116, 126).

Abstract: A wall box dimmer has a face plate having a pair of integral stand-offs extending rearwardly therefrom upon which is mounted a mounting strap. A circuit board is mounted on the rearward ends of the stand-offs. A back box is selectively removably secured to the mounting strap and covers the circuit board and circuit components.

Abstract: A settable resistor has a resistance path array (4) to which is allocated a contact piece (9) which is guidable in the longitudinal direction (13) over the resistance path array and has an adjusting device for the position of the contact piece. In order not to restrict the free displacement travel of the contact piece with a simple construction independent of the setting of the adjusting device, so that a high resolution is achieved particularly for application in the hand switch of a power tool with speed control regardless of a set maximum value, the contact piece (9) is additionally adjustable transverse to the longitudinal direction (13of the resistance path array (4) by means of the adjusting device (11).

Abstract: An electrical device that includes a variable resistor and a switch mechanism. The variable resistor has a control element disposed to be moved linearly to change the electrical resistance of the device according to the position of the control element. A switch is positioned adjacent the variable resistor and the switch includes a movable contact holder having a first electrical contact mounted thereon. A second electrical contact is positioned in the switch such that movement of the contact holder selectively brings the first electrical contact into contact with the second electrical contact. An actuator moves the movable contact holder when the control element is at one extremity of a linear movement.

Abstract: In electrical control apparatus having a first member disposed in an opening in a second member, the first and second members being adapted and arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, a safety device for covering the open portions of the opening as the first member moves relative to the opening. A primary shield is located adjacent to and overlaps the opening. The primary shield is operatively associated with the first member for movement in response to relative movement of the first member. The primary shield has a shape adapted to permit unrestrained movement of the first member while overlapping the open portions of the opening to cover those portions for all positions of the first member in the opening.

Abstract: In a switch, for example, for a device such as a drill, a key switches an ectrical switching bridge at the beginning of the key displacement. A variable resistor is adjusted depending on the travel of the key, thereby controlling device speed. In order to achieve an adjustment of the key end stop, a slide displaceable in the transverse direction is mounted on the key, which slide has a stop edge projecting in the longitudinal direction. A stop border is provided on the switch cover and configured relative to the travel of the slide so that the distance between the stop edge and the stop border varies according to the displaced position of the slide, thereby enabling operator control of the device speed.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated pressure transducer has a wiper assembly which is movable from an off position through a range of positions wherein the transducer has a varying voltage output. The pressure transducer comprises a high thermal conductivity substrate which forms a base for a potentiometer element and a resistance path coated onto the substrate. The resistance path includes a first area of low resistance material and a second area of high resistance material which meet in a chevron shaped transition zone. An insulating material coated onto the substrate defines the off position for the transducer.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises, in addition to its switching mechanism or mechanisms, a potentiometer including a potentiometer plate and a slider which is advantageously moved/simultaneously with the actuation of the switching mechanisms. The switch requires terminal elements not only for the switching mechanism or mechanisms but also for this potentiometer. Consequently, an electrical connection must be provided within the switch between the inner ends of the terminal elements and the potentiometer plate. In accordance with the invention, the potentiometer plate is connected to the terminal elements by slip-in attachment which not only ensures a safe hold but also effects the electrical contact. To this end, the potentiometer plate is inserted into slot-shaped seats of the terminal elements, which are prevented from being unduly enlarged by suitable means.

Abstract: A switch for controlling the current to a load combining an ON-OFF switch in series with a variable resistor. Switch has a housing which includes an actuator guided along a dimension of the housing. An opening through the actuator permits a portion of the regulator switch to pass through the actuator for operation. The actuator also includes a cam surface for operating the ON-OFF switch.

Abstract: A variable resistor and switch assembly in which a variable resistor and a switch are constructed as a unit. The assembly has an insulating substrate, a resistor, a collector and stationary contacts which are formed on the substrate, and a carrier made of an electrically insulating material. The carrier includes a slider for making sliding contact with the resistor and the collector, a pair of contactors made of a resilient metallic material and making sliding contact with respective one of the pair of stationary contacts, and an operation member made of an electrically insulating material and adapted for breaking the conduction between the pair of contactors. As the operation member is actuated at any desired position of the slider, the conduction between the pair of contactors is broken to make the switch take the off state irrespective of the resistance value of the variable resistor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved anticipator construction for a space heating and/or cooling thermostat in which a heat conductor is positioned in contact with the anticipator resistor heater with a portion thereof in heat exchange relationship to the bimetallic switch actuator of the thermostat. The preferred embodiment includes an elongated resistive heater having a non-linear resistance along its length with a moveable contact mounted within the thermostat for providing a fixed adjustability in the resistance of the resistive heater. The non-linear resistance of the resistive heater compensates, at least partly, for the exponential heat release response with variation in resistance of the resistive heater, thereby providing an expanded range of applications of the thermostat.

Abstract: An in-line switch is provided for an electrical circuit where the in-line switch can be connected in the circuit through pairs of spaced stabs on opposite sides of the switch housing which can penetrate a conventional line cord and make electrical contact to conductors of the cord. A single pair of stabs can also be used. The in-line switch is totally enclosed by an insulation housing. An internal molded articulated structure is contained within the housing to support all switch components including a conductive chassis, an elongated linearly adjustable potentiometer, a sliding operating member, and power switch contact members. The articulated housing then receives the sliding member which actuates the potentiometer in order to operate the switch contacts and/or to dim load devices in series with the switch. The switch members are identical in construction and consist of flexible leaf members having contacts at one end thereof and stab elements at the other end thereof.