US3597837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making trimmer potentiometers
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1968-11-12
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1988-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A potentiometer or variable resistor adapted to be fabricated in subminiature size, and the method of making the same. The potentiometer or resistor comprises a top assembly and bottom header, and an insulating shell or casing. The top plate assembly is comolded with a plastic bearing member for the adjustable shaft carrying the contact brush or wiper. The top plate is also comolded with the insulating brush block on the adjustable shaft. A plastic sleeve is positioned between the brush block and the adjusting shaft to secure the block in place, provide a frictionclutch drive for turning the brush block and contact wiper which will slip if the shaft is turned after the block strikes the stop at the end of its travel, and act as a cushion between the metallic shaft and the molded block when the potentiometer is subjected to relatively large temperature changes. Terminals are provided, in the bottom header, for the contact wiper and resistance element. The resistance element may be of any suitable type, such as wire-wound, carbon film, thick metal or metal oxide film or thin metal or metal oxide film.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Mack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/30; H01C10/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of making a potentiometer having an adjusting shaft, a contact brush turned by said shaft, a supporting member in which said shaft is journaled, and a brush block attached to said shaft and carrying said contact brush, said method comprising the steps of comolding the supporting member and brush block, and severing said block from said supporting member to free it for rotation with said adjusting shaft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of making a potentiometer having an adjusting shaft, a contact brush turned by said shaft, a supporting member in which said shaft is journaled, and a brush block attached to said shaft and carrying said contact brush, said method comprising the steps of comolding the supporting member and brush block, and severing said block from said supporting member to free it for rotation with said adjusting shaft.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of making a potentiometer or variable resistor having an insulating support member, an adjusting shaft, a bearing for said shaft, a contact brush, a resistor element engaged by said brush, and an insulating block attached to said shaft and carrying said contact brush, comprising the steps of comolding said support member, said bearing, and said insulating block, and severing said insulating block from said insulating support member to free it for rotation with said adjusting shaft.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of making a potentiometer or variable resistor having an insulating support member, an adjusting shaft, a bearing for said shaft, a contact brush, a resistor element engaged by said brush, and an insulating block attached to said shaft and carrying said contact brush, comprising the steps of comolding said support member, said bearing, and said insulating block, and severing said insulating block from said insulating support member to free it for rotation with said adjusting shaft.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of making a potentiometer or variable resistor having an adjusting shaft, a contact brush, an insulating block for supporting said contact brush, and a sleeve interposed between said shaft and said insulating block, comprising the step of molding said insulating block around said shaft and sleeve to form a friction-clutch drive connection between said shaft and said insulating block.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of making a potentiometer or variable resistor having an adjusting shaft, a contact brush, an insulating block for supporting said contact brush, and a sleeve interposed between said shaft and said insulating block, comprising the step of molding said insulating block around said shaft and sleeve to form a friction-clutch drive connection between said shaft and said insulating block.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
82 words
The method of making a potentiometer or variable resistor having an insulating casing, a resistor element, a contact brush engaging said resistor element, a rotatable brush block for supporting and positioning said contact brush, and a top plate carrying said brush block and contact brush, comprising the steps of comolding said top plate and said rotatable brush block, severing the brush block from said top plate, and securing said top plate on said casing with the contact brush engaging the resistor element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
82 words
The method of making a potentiometer or variable resistor having an insulating casing, a resistor element, a contact brush engaging said resistor element, a rotatable brush block for supporting and positioning said contact brush, and a top plate carrying said brush block and contact brush, comprising the steps of comolding said top plate and said rotatable brush block, severing the brush block from said top plate, and securing said top plate on said casing with the contact brush engaging the resistor element.
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) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |