Trimmer potentiometer with resistive overlay

Claim 2

In a trimmer potentiometer having a resistive element which extends between and overlies portions of a pair of spaced terminal pads and a wiper contact which slidably engages the resistive element, the improvement therein comprising the provision of means connected to the wiper contact and disposed to travel a path parallel to the resistive element, and the provision of a portion of each of the terminal pads which extend laterally from the overlay portions and in interference relationship with said means for engagement therewith as soon as the wiper contact engages the respective overlay portion of the resistive element, thereby shunting out said overlay portions.

Claim 3

The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises a second wiper contact resiliently movable relative to said wiper contact to contact said terminal pads independently of the level of said overlay.

Claim 4

A trimmer potentiometer comprising: a base, a resistor assembly carried on the base including a substrate, first, second and third spaced terminal pads carried on said substrate, a resistive element carried on said substrate and including portions overlying and extending above portions of said first and second terminals pads, and an elongate conductive strip extending from said third terminal pad and carried on said substrate substantially parallel to said resistive element, said first and second terminal pads each including a second portion thereof which extends laterally from the portions covered by said resistive element; and a wiper mounted for movement along said resistive element, said wiper comprising a plurality of electrically connected spring contacts including a first spring contact for slidably engaging said conductive strip, a second spring contact for slidably engaging said resistive element and a third spring contact for slidably engaging one of said second portions of said terminal pads as said second spring contact engages the corresponding raised overlay portion of said resistive element.

Claim 5

A trimmer potentiometer comprising: a base, a resistor assembly carried on the base including a substrate, first, second and third spaced terminal pads carried on said substrate, a resistive element carried on said substrate and including portions overlying and extending above portions of said first and second terminals pads, and an elongate conductive strip extending from said third terminal pad and carried on said substrate substantially parallel to said resistive element, said first and second terminal pads each including a second portion thereof which extends laterally from the portions covered by said resistive element; and a wiper mounted for movement along said resistive element, said wiper comprising a plurality of electrically connected spring contacts including a first spring contact for slidably engaging said conductive strip, a second spring contact for slidably engaging said resistive element and a third spring contact for slidably engaging one of said second portions of said terminal pads as said second spring contact engages the corresponding raised overlay portion of said resistive element.

Claim 6

The trimmer potentiometer according to claim 3, wherein said second portions of first and second terminal pads extend on both sides of said overlay portions and said wiper includes a third spring contact, said second and third spring contacts spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said resistive element and move along respective paths which are in interference relationship to said second portions of said terminal pads.