US3587027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined potentiometer and switching structure
Assignee: Spectrol Electronics Corp
•
Filing: 1969-05-28
•
Granted: 1971-06-22
•
Expires: 1989-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A combined potentiometer and switching structure including wiper contacts fixed to a shaft and having contacting engagement with an annular resistor and a pair of switching rings. The wiper contacts are located coincident, or in phase relation. The switching rings are each provided with an interrupted area, such areas are located in an arc complemental to the arc of the resistor and are circumferentially spaced apart a distance not greater than the length of the resistor contacting surface whereby, during rotation of the shafts, circuits connected to the switch rings are opened at different positions with respect to the resistor wiping contact. An annular supporting ring formed of electrical insulation material and provided with a central rib projecting from the inner surface thereof serves as a convenient mounting for the switch rings.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul F Gerwitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/30; H01C10/32; H01C10/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
A combined potentiometer and switching structure comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in said casing, a resistor fixedly mounted in the casing and having an arcuate contact surface arranged concentrically of said shaft and extending less than 360*, a resistor wiper contact fixed to said shaft and movable along said contact surface from one end thereof to the other upon rotation of said shaft, a terminal connected to one end of said resister and a terminal connected to said wiper contact, an annular ring formed of dielectric material disposed in said casing, said ring having a central rib formed thereon, a pair of conducting switch rings mounted on said annular ring, each of said rings having a circular contacting surface arranged in concentric relation to said shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft and having a switch wiper contact means yielding engaging the contacting surfaces of said rings, said switch wiper contact means being located coincident with said resistor wiper contact, the contacting surface of each of said rings being formed with an interrupted area, said rings being fixedly mounted in said casing with said interrupted areas being spaced apart circumferentially a distance not greater than the circumferential extent of the contact surface of said resistor, a switching circuit including a wiper terminal connected to said switching wiper contact, and a terminal connected to one of said rings, a second switching circuit including said wiper contact terminal, and a terminal connected to the other of said rings, whereby one of said switching circuits is open at one position of said resistor wiper contact, and said other switching circuit is open at another position of said resistor wiping contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
A combined potentiometer and switching structure comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in said casing, a resistor fixedly mounted in the casing and having an arcuate contact surface arranged concentrically of said shaft and extending less than 360*, a resistor wiper contact fixed to said shaft and movable along said contact surface from one end thereof to the other upon rotation of said shaft, a terminal connected to one end of said resister and a terminal connected to said wiper contact, an annular ring formed of dielectric material disposed in said casing, said ring having a central rib formed thereon, a pair of conducting switch rings mounted on said annular ring, each of said rings having a circular contacting surface arranged in concentric relation to said shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft and having a switch wiper contact means yielding engaging the contacting surfaces of said rings, said switch wiper contact means being located coincident with said resistor wiper contact, the contacting surface of each of said rings being formed with an interrupted area, said rings being fixedly mounted in said casing with said interrupted areas being spaced apart circumferentially a distance not greater than the circumferential extent of the contact surface of said resistor, a switching circuit including a wiper terminal connected to said switching wiper contact, and a terminal connected to one of said rings, a second switching circuit including said wiper contact terminal, and a terminal connected to the other of said rings, whereby one of said switching circuits is open at one position of said resistor wiper contact, and said other switching circuit is open at another position of said resistor wiping contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combined potentiometer and switching structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interrupted areas in said switch rings consist of notches formed in the contacting surfaces of said rings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combined potentiometer and switching structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said switch wiper contact means consists of a one-piece contact engaging the contacting surfaces of both of said rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combined potentiometer and switching structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interrupted areas of said switch rings are located respectively complemental to the ends of the contact surface of said resistor.
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) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |