Abstract: A quick-tacking ice-cream scoop apparatus, including a heating element, for heating a scoop of the apparatus, for accompanying insertion of the scoop into ice-cream, and a mechanism for operating the heating upon pressing the scoop on the ice-cream.

Abstract: An accelerator module for an electric vehicle has a pivotal actuator upon which is mounted a wiping element for wiping engagement with variable and constant resistance elements formed upon a printed circuit board mounted within a housing. A normally-open switch mechanism is also mounted upon the printed circuit board, and in order to delay the closure of the normally-open switch mechanism from its OPEN state to its CLOSED state, the actuator is provided with a spring-biased overtravel plunger mechanism which engages a push-button element of the switch mechanism so as to retain the switch in its OPEN state until the actuator has been moved a predetermined distance corresponding to a predetermined amount of depression of the accelerator pedal of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A variable resistor comprises a slider body, a contact arm which is provided to project from the slider body, a contact part which is formed by bending the contact arm, an arcuate spring arm having a projection for engaging with an engaging portion of a rotor gear, and a stopper which is formed by bending a stopper member provided to project from the slider body. The arcuate spring arm has an inboard structure connected with the slider body at both ends thereof. The projection engages with the engaging portion of the rotor gear, so that the slider body is rotated following rotation of the rotor gear. When the rotor gear is further rotated in such a state that the stopper comes into contact with a case side stopper which is formed on a case thereby inhibiting the slider body from rotation, the engagement between the engaging portion and the projection is released. Thus, the slider body is prevented from overrotation.

Abstract: A potentiometric position transducer comprises a resistive track movably mounted within a housing. A portion of the resistive track is between two fixed electrical contact points. A third electrical contact is moveable over such portion, corresponding to the position or setting of an exterior device, such as the throttle of an internal combustion engine. Drive means are provided to move the resistive track, to repeatedly substitute new portions of the resistive track between the two fixed contact points. Wear is spread over the entire resistive track.

Abstract: In a potentiometer applied to the EGR system in automobiles, a relative motion between a printed circuit card and a holder, through which the card is slidably inserted, is blocked to prevent unwanted wear of a resistor on the printed circuit card when the potentiometer is subjected to vibrations from the EGR valve that may occur when the valve is on the verge of being opening, i.e., when the measured value is in the minimum range. The relative motion is prevented either by inserting an elastic member between the holder and the printed circuit card; by forming the spring seat of the holder--which is always urged by a spring toward the shaft and also restricted by a stopper--inclined with respect to the holder's sliding direction so that the holder is applied with an uneven spring load and is inclined to firmly hold the card with its ends; or by installing a spring between the upper end of the shaft and the facing end of the holder to absorb the vibration.

Abstract: A sliding operation type electric part comprising a first slider holder, to the upper surface of which a slider is secured by burying a part thereof so that it extends on the surface thereof, and a second slider holder, to the lower surface of which a slider is secured by burying a part thereof so that it extends on the surface thereof, is disclosed, in which the first and the second slider holder are united in one body through linking means and the sliders are so disposed that they are slidingly in contact with conductive patterns.

Abstract: Linear potentiometers are commonly used as position sensors on various mechanical devices. Such potentiometers are frequently subjected to extreme vibratory excitation, which is known to cause premature failure. The subject potentiometer includes a housing having interior walls defining a cavity. First and second guide slots are linearly disposed along the cavity walls parallel to the housing. A wiper block is positioned and is axially movable within the cavity. The wiper block includes first and second slide rails linearly disposed along the wiper block and extending outwardly from the wiper block at a location sufficient to project into respective ones of the guide slots. Each of the first and second slide rails has a plurality of tapered engaging portions positioned adjacent respective surfaces of the guide slots.

Abstract: A variable resistor including a resistance element, a housing supporting the element, and rotary means including a shaft located within the housing. Means are provided to restrain rotational movement of the rotary means except upon application of a relatively large magnitude predetermined force. The restraining means includes a resilient member and a second member operable to develop a frictional force to prevent undesired rotation of the rotary means.