US3574929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adustable resistors and method
Assignee: Bourns Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-02
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of making adjustable resistors including three-terminal resistors (potentiometers) in which a set of long flat conductors is fed from a source in parallel array through a molding machine which in a step-by-step operation forms on and around the conductors a series of spaced-apart insulative resistor bodies in which portions of the conductors are exposed for contact or for welding on of resistance elements, the conductors being severed between the resistor bodies and formed into or left in place as electrical terminals. In some forms, resistor body covers are similarly formed on a metal strip, and individually mated with resistor bodies.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D Michik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C1/00; H01C1/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49082; Y10T29/49105; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/49222; Y10T29/49799
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a plurality of wires disposed in generally parallel spaced-apart relationship; a plurality of variable resistor housing parts of molded insulation disposed in spaced-apart relationship along and molded about said wires; each of said housing parts having an interior floor; each of said wires extending through portions of said housing parts and having a surface area thereof exposed at the floor of each of said housing parts, and each of said wires arranged and adapted to be severed to provide a respective terminal for each of said variable resistor housing parts; whereby said wires and molded housing parts may be intermittently drawn through operation stations in a step-bystep movement for performance of manufacturing operations thereon, to reduce the expense of manufacturing variable resistors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a plurality of wires disposed in generally parallel spaced-apart relationship; a plurality of variable resistor housing parts of molded insulation disposed in spaced-apart relationship along and molded about said wires; each of said housing parts having an interior floor; each of said wires extending through portions of said housing parts and having a surface area thereof exposed at the floor of each of said housing parts, and each of said wires arranged and adapted to be severed to provide a respective terminal for each of said variable resistor housing parts; whereby said wires and molded housing parts may be intermittently drawn through operation stations in a step-bystep movement for performance of manufacturing operations thereon, to reduce the expense of manufacturing variable resistors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1, in which said housing parts are of circular cuplike conformation and in which each of the said housing parts bears a resistance element connected between the said exposed surface areas of two of said wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2, including a variable resistor cover member for each of said housing parts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1, each of said housing parts being of elongate rectangular configuration and said wires arranged generally lengthwise of said housing parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
An article of manufacture as defined in claim 4, in which each of said housing parts has an elongate floor, and in which a first of said wires is exposed at one end of said floor and a second one of said wires is exposed at the other end of said floor, and in which each of a number of said housing parts bears an elongate resistance element on said floor connected at respective ends with said first and second wires where the latter are exposed at said floor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of manufacturing a series of variable resistors, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of wires in spaced-apart generally parallel disposition; intermittently advancing the wires past a plurality of stations; at one of the stations, molding a variable resistor housing part about a reach of said wires to embed the wires in said part, and during the molding operation forcing a portion of at least one of the wires to lie and become exposed at a surface of the housing part, whereby to form an interconnected series of spaced-apart resistor housing parts spaced along said wires; at another of tHe stations, applying a resistive element to a portion of the said housing part between exposed portions of two of the wires as each part is at the latter station, whereby to provide each of the housing parts with a resistance element while the housing parts are interconnected each to others to avoid individual manual handling of the housing parts; and at another of the stations, severing the wires extending between the housing parts, to provide electric terminals which are firmly secured to the housing parts.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of manufacturing a series of variable resistors, comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of wires in spaced-apart generally parallel disposition; intermittently advancing the wires past a plurality of stations; at one of the stations, molding a variable resistor housing part about a reach of said wires to embed the wires in said part, and during the molding operation forcing a portion of at least one of the wires to lie and become exposed at a surface of the housing part, whereby to form an interconnected series of spaced-apart resistor housing parts spaced along said wires; at another of tHe stations, applying a resistive element to a portion of the said housing part between exposed portions of two of the wires as each part is at the latter station, whereby to provide each of the housing parts with a resistance element while the housing parts are interconnected each to others to avoid individual manual handling of the housing parts; and at another of the stations, severing the wires extending between the housing parts, to provide electric terminals which are firmly secured to the housing parts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 6, including the intermediate step of applying, at an intermediate station, adherent conductive material to areas of the housing parts adjacent exposed portions of said wires, whereby to improve electrical connections to the exposed wires.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |