US4052923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical control devices
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-06-22
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrical control device comprises a base member, and an elongate support member mounted to be movable transversely of its length with respect to the base member. A tension spring biases the elongate member against movement in one direction transversely of its length and towards a null position. An elongate resistive member is supported by and extends along the length of the support member, and when the ends of the resistive member are connected to opposite respective poles of a voltage source a sensing electrode can be applied to the resistive member to tap off a voltage which is selectively variable by varying the position along the support member at which the sensing electrode is applied to the resistive member. The resistive member is so arranged with respect to the support member that application of the sensing electrode to the resistive member tends to bring about movement of the elongate member with respect to the base member in opposition to the bias established by the tension spring. A position pick-up has a first part connected to the support member and a second part connected to the base member, and the parts are arranged and connected to generate an electrical analog signal dependent on the position of the support member with respect to the base member. The device is also provided with means for generating a predetermined response when the support member is moved from the null position through an initiating threshold position against the bias established by the tension spring and for terminating the response when the support member is returned from beyond the initiating threshold position towards the null position through a termination threshold position.
Inventors
- 👤 James Myron Cohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:18
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H5/00; G10H5/002; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; G10H1/0553; G10H1/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
An electrical control device comprising a base member, an elongate support member mounted to be movable transversely of its length with respect to said base member, biasing means to bias the support member against movement away from a null position in one direction transversely of its length, and a potentiometer comprising an elongate resistive member supported by and extending along the length of the support member and a sensing electrode which can be applied to the resistive member at a position intermediate its ends when said ends are connected to opposite respective poles of a voltage source to tap off a voltage which is selectively variable by varying the position along the support member at which the sensing electrode is applied to the resistive member, said resistive member being so arranged with respect to said support member that application of the sensing electrode to the resistive member tends to bring about movement of said elongate member with respect to said base member in said one direction, in opposition to said biasing means, and the device also comprising position pick-up means having a first part connected to said support member and a second part connected to said base member, said parts being arranged and connected to generate an electrical analog signal dependent on the position of said support member with respect to said base member, and the device also being provided with means for generating a predetermined response when said support member is moved from said null position through an initiating threshold position against said biasing means and for terminating said predetermined response when said support member is ruturned from beyond said initiating threshold position towards said null position through a termination threshold position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
An electrical control device comprising a base member, an elongate support member mounted to be movable transversely of its length with respect to said base member, biasing means to bias the support member against movement away from a null position in one direction transversely of its length, and a potentiometer comprising an elongate resistive member supported by and extending along the length of the support member and a sensing electrode which can be applied to the resistive member at a position intermediate its ends when said ends are connected to opposite respective poles of a voltage source to tap off a voltage which is selectively variable by varying the position along the support member at which the sensing electrode is applied to the resistive member, said resistive member being so arranged with respect to said support member that application of the sensing electrode to the resistive member tends to bring about movement of said elongate member with respect to said base member in said one direction, in opposition to said biasing means, and the device also comprising position pick-up means having a first part connected to said support member and a second part connected to said base member, said parts being arranged and connected to generate an electrical analog signal dependent on the position of said support member with respect to said base member, and the device also being provided with means for generating a predetermined response when said support member is moved from said null position through an initiating threshold position against said biasing means and for terminating said predetermined response when said support member is ruturned from beyond said initiating threshold position towards said null position through a termination threshold position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position pick-up means are optical, one of said parts comprising light source means and the other of said parts comprising light sensor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for generating a predetermined response comprise second position pick-up means having a first part connected to said support member and a second part connected to said base member, said parts being arranged and connected to produce an analog signal, and trigger circuitry connected to receive said analog signal produced by said second position pick-up means and provide a digital response when the analog signal received thereby indicates that the support member has moved from before said termination threshold position through said initiating threshold position and to terminate said digital response when the analog signal received by the trigger circuitry indicates that the support member has moved from beyond said initiating threshold position through said termination threshold position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for generating a predetermined response comprise trigger circuitry connected to receive said analog signal and provide a digital response when the analog signal indicates that the support member has moved from before said termination threshold position through said initiating threshold position and to terminate said digital response when the analog signal indicates that the support member has moved from beyond said initiating threshold position through said termination threshold position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensing electrode comprises a strip of conductive material extending adjacent to but spaced from said resistive member, and said resistive member is flexible so that it can be pressed into electrical contact with said strip of conductive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said initiating threshold position is substantially the same as said termination threshold position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said initiating threshold position lies beyond said termination threshold position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
An electronic musical instrument, comprising a control device as claimed in claim 1, means connected to said sensing electrode to generate an electrical signal at a frequency dependent on the voltage tapped off from the resistive member by the sensing electrode, amplifying means connected to receive said electrical signal and operative to amplify said electrical signal if said predetermined response is generated, and amplitude modifying means connected to receive the amplified electrical signal from said amplifying means and modify its amplitude in dependence upon the voltage value of said analog signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said light source means comprise a light emitting diode and said light sensor means comprise a light dependent resistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second position pick-up means are optical, one of said parts comprising light source means and the other of said parts comprising light sensor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said light source means comprise a light emitting diode and said light sensor means comprise a photodiode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |