US3585560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multistage potentiometer
Assignee: Friedrich Petrick GmbH
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Filing: 1969-10-24
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1989-10-24
Abstract
Abstract Several resistance strips carried alongside one another on the underside of a potentiometer plate are engageable by respective sliders driven by individual leadscrews which are normally decoupled from a driving gear train and can be selectively coupled thereto by pusher bars and brackets straddling the corresponding gears to shift them into an engaged position. The brackets are loosely mounted on their pusher bars and, like the latter, are provided with pairs of confronting lugs enveloped by the turns of a coil spring resiliently linking each bracket to its bar.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Schlesier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/30; H01C10/38; H01C10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A multistage potentiometer comprising a plate with a plurality of parallel resistance strips; a plurality of leadscrews respectively extending along said strips, each of said leadscrew being provided with a nut carrying a slider in contact with the respective strip; a train of individually axially shiftable gears in mesh with one another and in respective axial alignment with said leadscrews, said gears being normally disconnected from said leadscrews and being selectively engageable therewith upon an axial shifting into an off-normal position while maintaining their meshing relationship with the remainder of the gear train; a plurality of shifters, one for each gear, individually operable to couple the respective leadscrew to said gear train; and drive means for reversibly rotating said gear train.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A multistage potentiometer comprising a plate with a plurality of parallel resistance strips; a plurality of leadscrews respectively extending along said strips, each of said leadscrew being provided with a nut carrying a slider in contact with the respective strip; a train of individually axially shiftable gears in mesh with one another and in respective axial alignment with said leadscrews, said gears being normally disconnected from said leadscrews and being selectively engageable therewith upon an axial shifting into an off-normal position while maintaining their meshing relationship with the remainder of the gear train; a plurality of shifters, one for each gear, individually operable to couple the respective leadscrew to said gear train; and drive means for reversibly rotating said gear train.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said shifters comprises an axially displaceable pusher member, entraining means engaging the corresponding gear, and resilient means linking said entraining means with said member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 2 wherein said entraining means comprises a generally U-shaped bracket straddling said corresponding gear, said member being a flat bar slidably supporting said bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 3 wherein said bar is provided with stop means engageable with said bracket in a normal position of said bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 3 wherein said bracket and said bar are provided with respective pairs of confronting lugs lying alongside each other, said resilient means comprising a coil Spring with turns enveloping the juxtaposed lugs of said pairs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hubs fixed relatively to said plate, said gears being axially slidable on said hubs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 6 wherein said leadscrews axially traverse said hubs in coaxial relationship with said gears and are provided with extremities projecting beyond said hubs, said extremities and said gears being provided with coacting formations interengageable upon a partial removal of a gear from its hub.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 7 wherein said coating formations include a slotted inner annular shoulder on each gear and at least one radial projection on the corresponding leadscrew extremity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 8 wherein said shoulder surrounds said leadscrew extremity with clearance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A potentiometer as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a further gear in permanent mesh with one of said axially shiftable gears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |