Abstract: The wiper or movable contact of an electrical potentiometer employs fingers of an oval-like transverse cross section to increase the useful service life of the potentiometer in application such as a throttle position sensor where the potentiometer may be subjected to mechanical vibration, repeated random shock loading, constant movement, etc.

Abstract: A sliding contact includes a sliding contact piece having a contact segment and fixed to a snap member extending perpendicularly to the contact segment. The snap member has at least two snap portions formed in alignment perpendicular to the contact segments including one adjacent the contact segments which is adapted to be concentrically fitted onto a mounting projection of a slider and another apart from the contact segments which is adapted to keep the angle of the contact segments to the slider. Also, there is a connecting contact with at least two holding arms for nipping therebetween a substrate on both sides thereof, at least one of the holding arms having a projection to be inserted in a hole or recess preliminarily formed in the substrate. After the projection is received in the hole or recess, it is fixed by a conductive anchoring material such as solder, so that the connecting contact may be fixedly attached to the substrate.

Abstract: A potentiometer has a substantially rectilinear slide spring (2) which rests on a defined inclined support surface (4) of the spring carrier (1), being supported, in one direction, at the front edge (7) of this support surface and, in the other direction, projecting into a recess (5) of the spring carrier serving as a thrust bearing for the vertical force. The slide spring (2) is anchored firmly on the spring carrier by means of a tongue (12) bent upwardly and by a post (13) of the spring carrier.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor driven cam carried in a housing. A switch blade carried in the housing is responsive to the cam to selectively activate one of a pair of switch circuits, each of which provide a different operating level for an appliance function, e.g. several different heat levels in an automatic dryer. Each switch circuit includes a contact, a contact support spring, and an electrical feed-through which connects to a terminal strap on the exterior of the housing. A resistor that is an integral part of one of the switch circuits provides the level differentiation between the circuits. In one embodiment a carbonaceous organic resistor chip replaces the circuit contact. In another embodiment an inorganic ceramic resistor slug replaces the circuit feed-through.

Abstract: A variable resistor whose resistance is adjustable by rotating a rotor relative to an insulating substrate defining an arcuate resistive element. The rotor is formed of an insulating resin and includes an inner skirt and an outer skirt extending from a bottom surface thereof. The inner skirt contacts a surface position of the insulating substrate inwardly of the arcuate resistive element and the outer skirt outwardly thereof. A metallic slider is integrated with the rotor by insert molding. The slider comprises a base portion formed of at least two overlapping metal plates, and arms defining contacts at distal ends thereof for slidable contact with the resistive element on the insulating substrate. The arms are folded along lines parallel to a straight line extending through the contacts at the ends thereof and the center of the insulating substrate to cause the contacts to project toward the substrate.

Abstract: A sensor circuit on a face of a ceramic substrate providing reliable continuous monitoring of fluid pressure in a closed chamber, said circuit being used in combination with a wiper arm having two or more contacting points that passes over and maintains continuous electrical contact with conductor contact pads of the circuit and converts the position of the contacting points of the wiper arm to predetermined resistance values which are converted into fluid pressures in a closed chamber, for example, to record the oil pressure in an automobile crankcase.

Abstract: A contact for a rotary action variable resistor is formed of a length of wire coiled into a flattened, substantially annular spiral, with a wiper element provided by a radial protuberance on the spiral. A first embodiment has a protuberance along each of a first pair of diametrically-opposed radii. The spiral is eccentrically mounted on a substantially circular support plate, with one protuberance extending close to the peripheral edge thereof, and the other protuberance closer to the center of the plate. The spiral is attached to the plate along a second pair of diametrically-opposed radii approximately 90 degrees displaced from the first pair. The spiral is sloped so that the distance between the plate and the spiral gradually increases from the attachment radii to the protuberances. The protuberance near the edge of the plate is a resistive element wiper, and the protuberance nearer the center is the collector wiper.

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: Tap or current collector for rotary or linear potentiometers, displacement pick-ups, variable resistances, brushes/collector junctions of electric motors, etc., wherein the tapping part on which the slider elements as such are mounted and which performs a relative movement with respect to the tapped path or collector carries the slider elements having individual resilient and freely movable slider fingers, at least in the contact area proper, and which are mounted on a mounting block in such a manner, relative to the sense of displacement, that irrespective of the sense in which the tap moves at any time, one of the slider elements is always pushed, and the other one is always pulled so that even the influences on the tapped or transmitted electric signal of dynamical effects developed by high accelerations are compensated.

Abstract: A click mechanism of slide volume control ensures judgement of a center stop position of a lever by a difference in the click touches and allows many stop positions of the lever by providing holes on both sides of the lever inserting hole of the upper surface plate of the frame and providing convex portions on the ends of elastic arms of a plate spring which engage the holes.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer is provided with a switch, preferably as a final control element for the control of electrical machinery. An enclosed, prefabricated rotary potentiometer component with its own casing is inserted in a cup-shaped upper casing that is open on one side. Switching contact supports are housed in the upper casing by means of peripheral wall sections. These contact supports are actuated by a cam actuating member that is mounted on a fulcrum pin so as to permit play and simultaneously also effect rotation and retention of the potentiometer component in the upper casing.

Abstract: A slider for resistor or slip conductors. The slider includes a generally U-shaped slider support having a center portion and two legs, leaf springs attached to each one of the legs and extending into the interior of the U-shaped slider support, and contact means guided by the leaf springs and kept in engagement with the resistor or slip conductor. In accordance with the invention, one of the leaf springs supports the contact means, and the other leaf spring resiliently engages the first leaf spring on the side remote from the resistor or slip conductor.

Abstract: A voltage dividing resistor device comprises a pair of electrode terminals applied with a voltage, a plurality of resistor bodies coupled between the pair of electrode terminals, an electrode terminal through which a divided voltage is obtained from an intermediate point located among the plurality of resistor bodies, and at least one conductor part formed to overlap with a part of at least one of the plurality of resistor bodies. An effective length of the resistor body which has a part thereof overlapping with the conductor part, is shortened by a length of the conductor part. The length of the conductor part is set depending on the divided voltage which is to be obtained.

Abstract: Wipers for sliding electrical contact have a form with gradual and progressive reduction in width and therfore decreasing stiffness and mass as they proceed towards the tip. This form results in higher resonant vibrational frequencies, enabling a wiper to follow the contact surface in high speed motion with less contact force. The lower contact force in turn produces less wiper distortion and consequently less hysteresis and wear.

Abstract: A method for testing the correct position of a wiper of an electric potentiometer and an electric potentiometer for performing the method are proposed. The electric potentiometer includes a wiper lever with brush wipers, which upon a rotational movement about a pivot shaft brush over two work sections of an electrically conductive layer applied to a carrier plate. One of the work sections communicates on one side with a connection layer and on the other with a grounded connection layer, which the other work section communicates with a pickup connection layer. Respective testing faces are provided in the extension of the permissible movement paths of the brush wipers on the work sections, these testing faces being embodied as electrically non-conductive and in a testing position of the wiper lever being crossed by the wiper lever.

Abstract: A rotary operation type miniaturized electronic component for use in video and audio electronic appliances, etc., including a casing formed with an opening and a rotary member. In the electronic component, a metal plate is integrally molded with the casing at a bottom face of the casing and then, is cut so as to form two conductive plates, two terminals for external takeoff, and two legs for mounting the casing on a printed circuit board, while a metal sheet is integrally molded with the rotary member and then, is cut so as to form two rotary sliders. Thus, it becomes possible to perform automatic soldering of the electronic component to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A multi-position return to center potentiometer having a multiple detent configuration wherein the center detent position is a dimple and other detent positions provide a resistance to rotation that is greater during rotation away from center than rotation toward the center allowing the use of a small return to center spring.

Abstract: An arcuate film resistor is defined on an insulating substrate. During use, a high voltage is impressed across end terminals connected to the arcuate film resistor. A central electrode is located on the insulated substrate at a point which is surrounded by the film resistor. The central electrode is formed of a non-film resistor material and has superior adherability to the substrate. A disk-shaped film resistor is deposited at the center of the central electrode and second ring-like film resistor is formed around the outer periphery of the central electrode. A rotatable slider has a first contact positioned over the disk-shaped film resistor and a second contact which slides along the arcuate film resistor. A portion of the voltage from the arcuate film resistor can thus be transferred to the central electrode. The disk-shaped film resistor located on the central electrode improves the contact between the slider at the central electrode.

Abstract: A single-turn miniature potentiometer includes a first substrate having an annular conductive track formed thereon and a second substrate facing the first and having an annular resistive track formed thereon. An insulating layer is placed between the two substrates and has an opening provided therein for receiving a disk-like rotor which bears an electrically conductive wiper for simultaneously contacting both the conductive and resistive tracks. Electrical connections are made between the resistive and conductive tracks by means of external U-shaped clips.

Abstract: A slider arrangement comprises an insulator member, and two sliders each made of a resilient metal matel plate embedded in the insulator member and each having slender contacts exposed from the insulator mold member. The slender contacts of each of the sliders forms a pair of contact sets adapted to slide in contact with a resistive element and a collector member respectively, the pair of contact sets of one slider being located between the pair of contact sets of the other slider. A method of producing the above-mentioned slider arrangement comprises the steps of embedding a resilient metal plate having sliders into an insulator member, with contact forming portions of the sliders exposed, cutting off portions bridging the sliders and the contacts formed at the contact forming portions while holding the metal plate by the insulator member, and bending each of the contacts to its proper position.

Abstract: A thick film variable resistance assembly, such as for a cathode ray tube, having an improved contactor knob.

Abstract: A variable resistor including an insulating substrate carrying a resistor layer and a rotatable slider has an insulating spacer separating the slider from the insulating substrate by an appropriate distance. The insulating spacer is formed of a synthetic resin molded directly on one surface of the slider and is integrally secured to the slider by having portions of the resin extending through holes formed in the slider. Thus, the number of overall components of the resistor is reduced to facilitate assembly and make management of the components easier.

Abstract: A variable resistance device including a non-conducting base, a resistance supported by the base and forming a track surface, and an electrical terminal connected to the resistance. Also included in the device is a wiper assembly mounted for movement relative to the resistance and comprising a carrier, an elongated conductive spring member having one end secured to the carrier, a conductive coupling element bonded to an opposite end of the spring member and a corrosion resistant contact bonded to the coupling element and disposed to traverse the track surface during movement of the wiper assembly relative thereto.

Abstract: A slidewire wiper contact has a wiper arm mounted at one end on a rotatable shaft while the other end of the arm carries an electrically conductive support extending past the end of the arm. A free end of the electrically conductive support has attached thereto a plurality of substantially constant outer diameter coils of electrically conductive wire. The coils are arranged in a continuous spiral while the electrically conductive support is attached thereto by a low resistance connection extending along a line on an outer surface of the coils. Electrical connection means are attached to the electrically conductive support for movement therewith during rotation of the wiper arm to maintain an electrical connection to the conductive support.

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.

Abstract: An electrical resistance element for a variable resistance device, such as a thick film resistance element, and a method of making the element and a device utilizing the element, such as a potentiometer, is described. The resistance element comprises a single resistance material for use as a resistance path for a contact wiper in a variable resistance device and has a selected series of generally transverse cuts made in at least one section of the resistance material of the element. The cut section(s) provides an increased current path length through the element whereby the total resistance of the element is increased. Also, the cut section(s) provides the resistance element with a resistance function which can be adjusted to vary over a wide range of resistance values depending on the length, width, and number of the cuts.

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.

Abstract: A variable resistance device includes a thick film electrical conductor affixed to the underside of a supporting substrate and extending circumferentially around a hole. A radially spaced, film-like resistor surrounds the electrical conductor. A knob has a disc bearing on the top side of the substrate and a pair of projections extending through the hole to journal the knob in the substrate and to mount a carrier adjacent the underside of the substrate. A wiper means is mounted on the upper surface of the carrier for engaging the electrical conductor and resistor to vary the resistance of the device responsive to rotation of the knob through a manipulative means.

Abstract: A variable impedance device wherein a plurality of elongate conductor leads extend longitudinally from an impedance element carried on an insulating substrate, and slide members are moved on the conductor leads, thereby to short-circuit or disconnect predetermined parts of the impedance element so as to obtain various impedance values.

Abstract: This potentiometer has a pair of insulating standoffs integrally formed with the body of a model or toy incorporating the potentiometer. An insulated trough extends between the standoffs. A resistive element wound around an insulating core is disposed in the trough. A resilient contact element is slidably mounted engagement with the resistive element. Means extends through the body of the model or toy for sliding the resilient contact element along the resistive element. This potentiometer has major portions of its assembly formed in a molding operation used to form the body of the model or toy, and can be assembled by hand without the use of special tools.

Abstract: A wiper for a potentiometer or other device having a surface with which sliding electrical contact is to be made in which the wiper includes a plurality of spring fingers formed from resilient sheet material or wire are supported in cantilever fashion from ends thereof remote from the contact ends and are encased over a portion of the lengths thereof from the supported ends in a covering of an elastomer which damps vibration of the fingers to prevent resonant oscillations thereof thus increasing the possible speed of operation of the instrument as well as its useful life.

Abstract: An open frame single turn potentiometer with a helical coil spring wiper including a resilient member situated between the substrate and the rotor. The resilient member consists of an annular ring preferably having a "D-shaped" or hemispherically shaped cross section. This "D" ring member performs the function of providing a spring action between the substrate and the rotor; means for controlling torque; and means for adjusting to the build-up in tolerences between the various component elements of the trimmer, thereby achieving optimum electrical and mechanical performance.

Abstract: A resistance transducer with a non-linear characteristic curve, which transmitter has a resistance track with a variable cross-section on an insulating carrier and a slider engaging on the resistance track. On the resistance track on the insulating carrier of a thick layer system at least one additional layer is applied by the same technology made of a conducting resistor substance, and shaped such that it forms a rib which extends in a direction of movement of the wiper, the rib tapering outwardly perpendicularly thereto, and the wiper transversely engages the rib to form an approximately point-like contact surface.

Abstract: Mechanism and method for mounting at least a pair of wiper contact springs to a rotor such that the angular relationship between the two wiper contact springs may be very closely controlled. In one embodiment a first contact spring is permanently attached to a rotor, while a second contact spring is initially attached to the rotor by heat staking one end about a pivot point and placing the other end in a latch which holds the spring in place but permits it to be pivoted to some extent as desired. The rotor is then tested to determine the exact angular displacement between these contact springs. If the measured displacement is different from that desired, the second contact spring is pivoted to a corrected position and then cemented in place. Extension to more than a pair of contact springs is obvious.

Abstract: A total assembly system combining the fabrication of multiwire contact springs into a wiper contact with the assembly of the wiper contact so fabricated into a potentiometer rotor blank. A radius-truncated cone projection acts as a reducer of the heat power required to make a multiwire weld. By allowing the radius truncated cone projection to be pressed into the wires to achieve the weld, the interference nubs, heat staking, epoxy and ultrasonic staking operations required in the prior art are eliminated. The wiper contact is itself assembled to and retained by the rotor blank in an integrated process by means of a mechanical interference fit.

Abstract: A trimming potentiometer (10) has a circuit track pattern (12) disposed on a base (11) having three integrally formed legs (11d). The track pattern (12) includes a collector track (12a), a resistance track (12b) and a pair of termination tracks (12c) connected to opposite ends of the resistance track (12b). Terminals for the device are formed by extending the collector track (12a)and the pair of termination tracks (12c) down the middle leg (11d) and the opposite outside legs (11d), respectively. A multi-functional contact (13) is rotatably mounted on the base (11) and includes multiple fingers (13g) that contact the resistance tracks (12b), dimpled areas (13j, 13k) which form projecting surfaces that contact the collector track (12a), a stop tab (13l) at its upper extremity that limits rotation, and outwardly extending notched tabs (13m) for receiving a suitable drive member to adjust the setting of the potentiometer (10).

Abstract: A position indicator of potentiometer type includes two parallel wires, each having first and second ends, and a movable, rotatable contact cylinder around which the wires pass round at least one turn. The potential contact is made via the first end of a first wire and the second end of a second wire, whereas the potentiometer current is arranged, when in use, via a second end of said first wire and a first end of said second wire, the two being coupled through the contact cylinder.

Abstract: A single turn potentiometer is constructed as either an open frame or a housed unit. Both units incorporate a helical coil spring wiper mounted within a rotor and supported by a hollow resilient pad. In the open-frame unit, the rotor includes a shaft which extends through a corresponding hole on a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate cooperates with the rotor and includes a deposited cermet resistance element and a circular collector ring. A stop arrangement is built into the rotor in the open-frame unit. The closed-frame unit includes a housing having a moulded-in stop for cooperation with a similar stop for cooperation with a similar stop on the rotor. In the open-frame unit, the shaft which protrudes through the hole in the substrate is of split configuration and is spread by an insert to hold the rotor to the substrate in riveting fashion. The closed-frame unit employs a peened-over portion of the housing which is used to constrain the assembly.

Abstract: A resistance element comprises an insulating cylinder having a helical thread groove on the outer surface thereof. A resistive channel is supported by the groove and a multi-strand wiper is guided by a follower which rides in the root of the channel. The resistance material on the sides of the groove may be notched for purposes of calibration.

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.

Abstract: An elongate bar of electrically conductive material and having a generally U-shaped cross-section carries on the inner side of one of its legs a support with a resistance layer facing towards the other leg. A slider is guided between the two legs of the bar and has a contact spring, one contact tongue of the spring bearing on the resistance layer and another contact tongue bearing on the opposite, second leg of the bar forming a collector element. A nose formed on the slider engages a groove which exists between the resistance element and the bent free end of the one leg of the elongate bar, to guide the slider. A cover plate overlies the opening of the U-shaped cross-section of the elongate bar. An operating knob is disposed outside the cover plate and extends through a slot in the cover plate operatively to engage the slider.

Abstract: A closed frame single turn potentiometer incorporating a helical coil spring wiper mounted within a rotor. The rotor has a molded-in cavity for containing the wiper and a resilient backing element. The substrate has an aperture therein permitting adjustment of the rotor from either side of the housing.

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 includes a conductive member and a resistive member both enclosed in a flexible fluid-filled bag so that depression of a point on the bag causes the conductive member to touch a point on the resistive member. Latching means are provided to latch the bag in its depressed position at any point and two forms of visual indication are provided for displaying the resistance values selected.

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: A contact device for trimmer potentiometer including a helical coil spring wiper embedded in a cavity in an insulative body so that movement of the helical coil spring wiper is prevented as the contact device is moved along the potentiometer substrate. The insulative body may alternatively be provided with thin walls surrounding the cavity containing the helical coil spring wiper to permit the contact device to absorb backlash, while still preventing any relative movement of the helical coil spring wiper.

Abstract: An electrical control unit operable as a rheostat or a potentiometer comprising an electrical circuit portion of a resistive electrically conducting material formed on a support in a spiral configuration, a spindle mounted for rotation about the center of the spiral, an arm non-rotatably engaged on the spindle but slidable relatively to the spindle radially with respect to the axis thereof, an electrical contact carried on the arm to move radially therewith, to make contact with said circuit portion, and a spiral guide means aligned with the circuit portion spiral and co-operable with the arm to guide said arm radially, so that the electrical contact follows the circuit portion spiral to alter the effective electrical resistance thereof in use.

Abstract: A variable resistance control has a resistance element, a collector, and a low noise contactor wipably engaging the resistance element and the collector. The contactor is provided with a pair of arms and a plurality of fingers extend outwardly from each of the arms. A contact extends from each of the fingers and wipably engages the resistance element. The contacts on one of the arms are spaced apart lengthwise of the resistance element from the contacts on the other arm for reducing contact noise.

Abstract: An electric slider comprises a plurality of independently springing, aligned, uniformly spaced contact elements mechanically and electrically connected to one another. Each contact element is of elongated C shape having a discontinuity at one of its short sides. Each contact element comprises a base portion at which the contact element is connected to an adjoining contact element, a contact portion and a springing portion connecting the contact portion with the base portion. The contact portion is of circular cross section and at least part of the springing portion along a long side of the contact element is of flattened cross section. The plane of the flattened cross section is so oriented that the springing portion has, in the direction perpendicular to the slider motion, a moment of inertia that is larger than that of a circular cross section and, in the direction determining the resilient pressure, has a moment of inertia that is smaller than that of a circular cross section.

Abstract: A wiper for a potentiometer or other device having a surface with which sliding electrical contact is to be made in which the wiper includes a plurality of spring fingers formed from resilient sheet material or wire are supported in cantilever fashion from ends thereof remote from the contact ends and are encased over a portion of the lengths thereof from the supported ends in a covering of an elastomer which damps vibration of the fingers to prevent resonant oscillations thereof thus increasing the possible speed of operation of the instrument as well as its useful life.