US3748626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniaturized potentiometer
Assignee: FR L ELECTRO RESISTANCE SOC
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Filing: 1972-08-08
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1992-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A rotary-contact potentiometer which is primarily intended to be employed in miniaturized hybrid circuits. It comprises a metallic casing which contains the rotary slider and its actuating member and a circular resistive track deposited on an insulating support. The casing has an open structure and is provided on one of its faces with a circular opening for guiding and centering the slider-actuating member. The opposite face to said opening is the external face of the insulating support of the resistive track. Three metallized zones are formed on said face of the insulating support for fixing the potentiometer and establishing electrical connections between the potentiometer and the electric circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 J Maurice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/005; H01C1/00; H01C1/02; H01C1/024; H01C1/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A rotary-contact potentiometer which is primarily intended to be employed in miniaturized hybrid electric circuits and comprises a metallic casing which contains the rotary slider and its actuating member and a circular resistive track deposited on an insulating support, wherein the casing has an open structure and is provided on one of its faces with a circular opening for guiding and centering the slider-actuating member and wherein the face opposite to said opening is the external face of the insulating support of the resistive track, three metallized zones which are separate from each other being formed on said face of the insulating support for fixing the potentiometer in position and establishing electrical connections between the potentiometer and the electric circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A rotary-contact potentiometer which is primarily intended to be employed in miniaturized hybrid electric circuits and comprises a metallic casing which contains the rotary slider and its actuating member and a circular resistive track deposited on an insulating support, wherein the casing has an open structure and is provided on one of its faces with a circular opening for guiding and centering the slider-actuating member and wherein the face opposite to said opening is the external face of the insulating support of the resistive track, three metallized zones which are separate from each other being formed on said face of the insulating support for fixing the potentiometer in position and establishing electrical connections between the potentiometer and the electric circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A potentiometer according to claim 1, wherein at least a number of the following components : casing, slider and slider-actuating member are constituted by sheet-metal elements which are cut-out, bent and/or die-stamped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A potentiometer according to claim 2, wherein the casing is provided with a plurality of lugs which are folded-back towards the interior of said casing parallel to the face in which the circular opening is formed and applied both against the external face of the insulating support of the resistive track and against the internal face thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A potentiometer according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the lugs of the casing is applied against the external face of the insulating support, covers one of the three metallized zones of said insulating support and constitutes one of the output terminals of the potentiometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A potentiometer according to claim 4, wherein the two other metallized zones are connected to the extremities of the circular resistive track by means of two conductive members which constitute the two other output terminals of the potentiometer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A potentiometer according to claim 1, wherein the slider-actuating member is provided with a circular peripheral projection for guiding and centering which pivots within the circular opening of the casing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A potentiometer according to claim 6, wherein the slider-actuating member has two lugs providing a mechanical coupling with the slider, said lugs being cut from a diametrical slot of sAid slider and bent-back towards the interior of the casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A potentiometer according to claim 7, wherein the slider has a diametrical slot into which penetrate the coupling lugs of the actuating member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A potentiometer according to claim 8, wherein the slider is constituted by a plate carrying a resilient tongue provided with contact fingers, said plate being counter-braced against its actuating member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A potentiometer according to claim 6, wherein the slider-actuating member is provided with a projecting lug abuttingly applied against a boss carried by the casing in order that the rotation of the slider may be limited angularly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A potentiometer according to claim 6, wherein the slider-actuating member has a diametrical slot so as to permit of its actuation by means of a tool such as a screwdriver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A potentiometer according to claim 1, wherein said potentiometer is covered with a protective elastic cap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
Miniaturized hybrid electric circuits comprising at least one rotary-contact potentiometer according to claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3111640A
Cited
US3581265A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |