US3617979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linear motion potentiometer with gears and rack
Assignee: Stackpole Carbon Co
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Filing: 1970-10-05
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An elongated case is provided in one of its sidewalls with a longitudinal slot, through which extends slidable means movable lengthwise of the slot. A bridging contact inside the case is carried by the The slideable means also means in engagement with resistance and collector elements. The slideable means also carry a large gear that rotates a pinion. An exposed manually rotatable small gear meshes with the large gear and is likewise carried by the slidable means. Rack teeth extend along the case and engage the pinion so that when the small gear is turned by hand the slidable means will be moved lengthwise of the case to adjust the potentiometer.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold L Purdy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A linear motion potentiometer comprising an elongated case provided in one of its sidewalls with a longitudinal slot, resistance and collector elements disposed in the case lengthwise thereof, slidable means extending through said slot and movable lengthwise thereof, a bridging contact inside the case carried by said means in engagement with said elements, a large gear carried by said slidable means with its axis transverse to said slot, a pinion coaxial with the gear and rotatable thereby, a manually rotatable exposed small gear carried by said slidable means and meshing with the large gear, and a line of rack teeth extending along the case and engaged by said pinion, whereby when the small gear is turned said slidable means will be moved lengthwise of the case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A linear motion potentiometer comprising an elongated case provided in one of its sidewalls with a longitudinal slot, resistance and collector elements disposed in the case lengthwise thereof, slidable means extending through said slot and movable lengthwise thereof, a bridging contact inside the case carried by said means in engagement with said elements, a large gear carried by said slidable means with its axis transverse to said slot, a pinion coaxial with the gear and rotatable thereby, a manually rotatable exposed small gear carried by said slidable means and meshing with the large gear, and a line of rack teeth extending along the case and engaged by said pinion, whereby when the small gear is turned said slidable means will be moved lengthwise of the case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, including a pair of said pinions, the pinions being on opposite sides of said gear and rigidly connected therewith, and a line of rack teeth engaged by the second pinion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, in which the axis of the large gear is outside the case, and the large gear projects into the case slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim l, in which said slidable means are provided with openings containing said gears, and said small gear is located at the edge of the large gear farthest from the case and projects from said slidable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, in which said rack teeth are formed on a bracket attached to said case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 5, in which said pinion is located between said rack teeth and case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 5, in which said bracket has ends fitting over the ends of the case, and tongues extending inwardly from the bracket ends, the case having recesses in its ends receiving said tongues to lock the bracket on the case.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim l, in which a bracket is attached to said case and has a portion extending along the slotted side of the case but spaced therefrom, said bracket portion is provided with a slot parallel to the case slot, said gear projects out through the bracket slot, said rack teeth are formed on the bracket along a side of the bracket slot and project inwardly toward the case, and said pinion is located between said teeth and case.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 8, including a second line of rack teeth formed on the bracket at the side of its slot opposite the first-mentioned teeth, and a second pinion engaging the second line of teeth and coaxial with said gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A linear motion potentiometer According to claim 1, in which said slidable means include a knob outside the case provided with an opening therethrough, said small gear being rotatably mounted in said opening and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 1, in which said slidable means include a slide engaging said slotted case wall and supporting said contact, a carrier connected to the slide and supporting said large gear and pinion, and knob connected to the carrier and supporting said small gear.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 11, in which said slide and carrier and knob are connected together by friction and snap action means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A linear motion potentiometer according to claim 11, in which said knob is spaced from the carrier by thin legs.
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) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |