Abstract: A pull-push switch has one or two stationary contacts and one U-shaped elastic movable contact with two legs which, when not deformed, are adapted to resiliently make into contact with the stationary contacts. A cam is securely mounted on an operating shaft which can be axially shifted between the pulled and pushed positions. The cam has a small-diameter cylindrical portion contiguous with a tapered intermediate portion which in turn is contiguous also with a large-diameter cylindrical portion. The legs of the elastic movable contact are so positioned that they are normally maintained in contact with the peripheral surface of the cam as it is shifted in unison with the operating shaft so that when the shaft is pushed or pulled, the legs of the elastic movable contact rest on the small-diameter cylindrical portion of the cam and subsequently make contact with the stationary contacts, whereby the switch is closed.

Abstract: An electrical contact arm is spring biased against electrical paths by a coil spring which is carried on a hub of a rotating member which also carries the electrical arm. An electrically conductive path is also carried by the rotating member to provide switching functions.

Abstract: In a multistage variable resistor consisting of rotary variable resistors stacked in a plurality of stages, the rod thereof being slideable in rotary and axial directions; a switch assembly for a multistage variable resistor having the central part of a dome movable contact movable by an actuator which is attached to the posterior end of the rod into contact with a stationary contact.

Abstract: An improved column mounted switch for vehicles and the like for controlling the windshield wipers and the windshield washer in an automobile or truck. One or more rotatable carriers are in electrical contact with a base member having electrical conductors. The rotatable carriers also have conductive member means which can enter into and pass out of electrically conductive relation with the electrical conductors to act as a switch having multiple functions. The carrier may comprise shaped portions of a conductive metal plate, with the shaped portions being embedded in an insulating plastic disc. Thus the shaped portions form a part of the smooth face of the disc which can smoothly rotate in contact with the electrical conductors of the base, while an added contact may be provided to the carrier by means of a conductive ring, as part of the conductive metal plate, exposed to the other side of the carrier for contact with other conductive member means.

Abstract: In an electronic component of rotary type comprising a bearing sheath which has a front portion and a rear portion and is to be fixedly mounted on a frame of an electric appliance, an operation shaft disposed in the bearing sheath, a substrate fixed at a rear part of the bearing sheath, a brush holder mounted on an end portion of the operation shaft in a manner to be rotated by rotation of the operation shaft, and at least one sliding contact brush mounted on the brush holder for sliding on a contacting member formed on a surface of the substrate, the improvement is that a central portion of the operation shaft is disposed in the bearing sheath and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the bearing sheath, and that the electronic component is free from irregular rotation during the rotation of the operation shaft.

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: A potentiometer providing a variable electrical resistance between input and output terminals for use in electronic circuits, as for volume control, light control, instrumentation control or the like. A potentiometer includes a housing assembly comprised of a cover assembled to a base. An electrical wiper is mounted to a rotor assembled to the cover and has a contact portion movable along a C-shaped resistive strip on the base. Stops limit the extremes of movement of the wiper with respect to the resistive strip. An annular seal disposed between the cover and a rotating portion of the rotor is effective to keep out dirt and other particulate matter from the potentiometer and provides continuous brake friction upon rotation of the rotor. In one form of the potentiometer, the housing assembly includes a body located between the cover and base and a switch mechanism is operably connected to the rotor to selectively locate an electrical contact in an on or off position.

Abstract: A foot pedal operated motor control is provided for controlling the speed of a motor. The entire motor control circuit is mounted in a foot pedal housing which circuit includes a generally disc shaped potentiometer having a rotatable and a stationary member with the movement of the rotatable member with respect to the stationary member determining the resistance of the potentiometer which controls the current to a motor whose speed is to be controlled. The disc shaped potentiometer has an opening therethrough. A foot pedal is pivotally mounted on the housing overlying the potentiometer and a helical member extends between the foot pedal on one end thereof and into the opening of the disc shaped potentiometer on the other end thereof.

Abstract: A thumbwheel actuated variable resistor device has a housing comprising a substrate carrying a resistor pattern and a cover with electrical terminals embedded therein and a thumbwheel in the space between the substrate and cover. The thumbwheel carries a pair of conductors which extend from opposite sides thereof to selectively engage portions of the resistor circuit and the terminals so that the resistance between the terminals depend on the thumbwheel position.

Abstract: A hand-operated remote control unit has a housing containing a rotary potentiometer whose shaft carries a pinion which is driven by a rack having a spring loaded push button attached thereto. An eccentric cam is mounted on the potentiometer shaft adjacent a microswitch in which the cam surface is in contact with the switch when the push button is in its unactuated position. When the push button is actuated, the cam rotates releasing the switch, and the rack and pinion varies the resistance of the potentiometer to vary the welding current. A plurality of hat section holders are positioned on different surfaces of the housing for mounting an adjustable ring-shaped clamp having bayonet extensions thereon which fit into the hat section holders. The adjustable ring-shaped clamp which has a set screw therein is adapted to be adjustably mounted on the handle of the welding torch. The adjustable clamp may be moved up and down to a desired position on the welding torch and the welding torch may be rotated 360.degree.

Abstract: A rotatable shaft for a combination switch and variable resistor is prevented from rotating by a shaft locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes cooperating grooves and a tab engaging the grooves. The shaft is axially moved to be put in a rotatable position.

Abstract: A speed control subassembly is made by providing a generally flat heat sink plate having a laterally-formed collector strip at its upper edge. A double-sided-adhesive insulator tape strip is stuck to the heat sink, this tape having a hole large enough to receive a thyristor chip so that the thyristor anode contacts the heat sink with solder paste therebetween. Two formed terminal strips extending in opposite directions are stuck to the tape so that one contacts the cathode and the other contacts the gate of the thyristor chip with solder paste therebetween. A chip capacitor is placed across the terminal strips with solder paste therebetween. A small force is applied to the capacitor and then heat is applied to the stack of parts to solder the parts together and to the heat sink and to set the adhesive resin. This subassembly is then placed into a trigger switch housing and connected to the contacts and variable resistor thereof to provide a trigger speed control switch for portable tools.

Abstract: A jogging switch mechanism is provided for a potentiometer which permits the potentiometer shaft to be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise and then, upon release, to return automatically to a very accurately centered neutral position. The neutral position may be an "off" position by positioning micro switches in the path of travel of the switch mechanism.

Abstract: A speed control subassembly is made by providing a generally flat heat sink plate having a laterally-formed collector strip at its upper edge. A double-sided-adhesive insulator tape strip is stuck to the heat sink, this tape having a hole large enough to receive a thyristor chip so that the thyristor anode contacts the heat sink with solder paste therebetween. Two formed terminal strips extending in opposite directions are stuck to the tape so that one contacts the cathode and the other contacts the gate of the thyristor chip with solder paste therebetween. A chip capacitor is placed across the terminal strips with solder paste therebetween. A small force is applied to the capacitor and then heat is applied to the stack of parts to solder the parts together and to the heat sink and to set the adhesive resin. This subassembly is then placed into a trigger switch housing and connected to the contacts and variable resistor thereof to provide a trigger speed control switch for portable tools.

Abstract: An apparatus having an accelerator element has a potentiometer including an inner portion movable relative to an outer portion thereof in response to movement of the accelerator element. Adjusting and support members are interconnected for adjusting the outer potentiometer portion relative to the inner portion.

Abstract: A toggle-type power regulator is adapted to shunt or open a power control circuit at opposite limit positions and has infinitely variable power control at all intermediate positions between the limit positions. A potentiometer incorporated in the control circuit comprises a pair of arcuate tracks of resistive and conductive material positioned on opposite faces of the control circuit substrate. Variable voltage output is achieved as the tracks are engaged or wiped by the opposed resilient contactors of a caliper which is connected for movement by the toggle. The regulator includes a one-piece dual blade switch assembly through which the toggle is yieldably held in the intermediate positions at which reduced power is supplied to the load.

Abstract: A potentiometer and switch combination suitable for use as a hearing aid volume control. A control cap positioned over the potentiometer body is provided with an integral cam which performs the function of switch actuation. Positive seal is provided by an O-ring formed from a flexible, resilient material. The body of the potentiometer holds the control cap in place by means of heat stakes over a lip on the housing and a post having a chevron at its upper end which mates with a recess in the control cap. The cap is positioned by heat staking to press the stiffly flexible, resilient material of the O-ring into frictional sealing relation with an abutting member and thereby seal the interior of the potentiometer housing. The sealing arrangement also introduces a torque which opposes the rotation of the control cap, thus providing positional stability and positive operating feel.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a housing one end of which is closed by an insulating board which carries associated resistive and highly conductive areas or tracks arranged to be bridged by a metallic wiper loosely fitted to a wiper carrier part of an actuator such as an actuating spindle which is rotatably supported by the housing from which the spindle may project and which is preferably also rotatably supported by the insulating board.

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.

Abstract: A potentiometer and switch assembly wherein the potentiometer resistance is deposited on a circuit board. The control member of the assembly comprises a shaft having a rotor mounted thereon, attached to which is a wiper for contacting the resistance. The switch mechanism includes a cam shaft adapted to be engaged by the rotor whenever the control shaft is pushed. The cam shaft is positioned to the side of the rotor and is rotated through a predetermined angle each time the control shaft is pushed. Camming surfaces on the cam shaft contact one member of the switch contact pair to alternately cause that contact pair member to open and close the switch. The cam shaft may be arranged to contact a second switch contact pair which opens and closes oppositely to the first switch contact pair so that a three-way switching function may be effectuated.

Abstract: A control box is provided having a control shaft which projects from the box and is adapted to be connected, directly or by linkage, to the accelerator pedal of a battery-operated motor vehicle. Connected to the inward end of the control shaft is the movable arm of a potentiometer which is moved angularly to change the circuit resistance when the accelerator pedal is depressed. Mounted on the control shaft are a pair of cams, the followers rollers of which actuate a pair of microswitches which control a solid-state control system which controls the current delivered by the battery to the traction motor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pivoted power controller in its limit positions engages a switch operating element to shunt or open a power control circuit through switch contacts mounted on a circuit board. A resistive element mounted in the same circuit board is engaged by a wiper on the controller during travel between its limit positions to vary the power supplied to a load. The resistance of the resistive element may be adjustably varied by a trimmer mounted on the circuit board adjacent one end of the resistive element.

Abstract: A potentiometer and switch combination including a rotatable control cap positioned over a potentiometer body to form a housing. The cap is provided with an annular flange which abuts an annular shoulder on the body, either the flange or the shoulder being formed from stiffly flexible, resilient material. The body holds the cap in place by means of a post having a chevron at its upper end which mates with a recess in the cap. The cap is positioned to deform the stiffly flexible, resilient material into frictional sealing relation with its abutting member and thereby seal the interior of the housing. The sealing arrangement also introduces a torque which opposes rotation of the cap. The switch includes a conductive strip held by the body, one portion of the strip forming a first contact and another portion forming a spring detent.

Abstract: An apparatus having an electrical power source and an accelerating element has pivotally actuated control means connected to the accelerating element.

Abstract: A power control device utilizing a circular control potentiometer having a rotatable control shaft may be adapted to a slide switch configuration by attaching a pinion gear to the shaft. A slide bar having a rack member for engagement with the pinion gear may then be utilized in place of the knob typically utilized with the shaft. The fins of the heat sink associated with the power control device advantageously act as guide channels for the slide bar. A cover member having a slot adapted to accept the slide bar handle fits over the slide bar and heat sink, acting as a retainer for the slide bar and providing a chimney effect for the heat sink.

Abstract: A change-over mechanism for a pushbutton radio tuner is disclosed. The mechanism has a tuning shaft which transmits rotational movement to a pinion shaft in engagement with a crown gear. The tuning shaft is slidably and rotatably mounted on a frame body. The sliding movement of the tuning shaft enables a switch to be changed-over while the rotational movement enables a tuning operation to be effected.

Abstract: A light dimmer product is provided having simpler construction and simpler assembly than prior art dimmers. Simplicity of construction is achieved by providing a printed circuit board and mounting all electrical leads from components to the board to permit a single soldering operation to solder all leads simultaneously. Simplicity of assembly is achieved by mounting portions other than current carrying portions to the mounting bracket of the dimmer product as a sub-assembly to be assembled to the housing. When assembled, the bracket support components by portions other than current carrying portions and the current carrying portions of these same components support the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board supports other components by their current carrying portions.

Abstract: Conductive and resistive tracks mounted on a circuit board are slidingly engaged by a bridging contact carried by the actuator arm of a controller that is operative to open or close switch contacts at the limit positions of its travel. The controller is pivotally supported in a non-conductive box within which the circuit board is releasably positioned. A manual control arm projects from the controller through a slot formed in a mounting plate covering the open end of the box.

Abstract: An electrical switch to be used with a variable resistor, rotary switch or the like, includes a switching member slidably mounted, as a friction clutch arrangement, on the same common operating shaft as operates the resistor or rotary switch. The switching member is rotated when the operating shaft rotates so that the switching is effected and at the same time the common shaft regulates a resistance value or the like. When the operating shaft is not being rotated, the switching member is maintained in a neutral position by springs.