US4205296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rheostat trimmer
Assignee: Allen Bradley Co LLC
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Filing: 1978-10-10
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Granted: 1980-05-27
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Expires: 1998-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A rheostat (10) has a disk-shaped base (11) that is slidably mounted between a pair of spaced terminal pins (12, 13). A resistance track (14) is disposed on top of the base (11) and is connected to a collector track (15) that is disposed around the circumference of the base (11). A collector terminal pin (12) has contacts (12d) in sliding engagement with the collector track (15), and a wiper terminal pin (13) has an oblique contact surface formed by projections (13g) that slidably engage the resistance track (14). The terminal pins (12, 13) can be mounted on a supporting surface, so that as the base (11) is rotated, the resistance between the terminal pins (12, 13) is varied. The oblique contact surface on the wiper terminal pin (13) aids in maintaining a balanced current distribution in the resistance track (14).
Inventors
- 👤 Sydney W. Frey, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A variable resistor control, which comprises: a base having top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral side surface extending between and joined to the top and bottom surfaces to form top and bottom peripheral edges, respectively; a resistance track disposed on the top surface of the base with an arcuate portion spaced inwardly from the top peripheral edge of the base and with a termination portion extending outwardly from the arcuate portion to the top peripheral edge of the base; a collector track disposed on the base along its peripheral side surface, the collector track and the termination portion of the resistance track being electrically connected along the top peripheral edge of the base; and a pair of spaced terminal pins adapted to slidably support the base for rotation therebetween, the first terminal pin including a first contact that engages the collector track, and the second terminal pin including a second contact that engages the arcuate portion of the resistance track, whereby the base can be rotated relative to the terminal pins to vary the resistance that is electrically connected between the terminal pins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A variable resistor control, which comprises: a base having top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral side surface extending between and joined to the top and bottom surfaces to form top and bottom peripheral edges, respectively; a resistance track disposed on the top surface of the base with an arcuate portion spaced inwardly from the top peripheral edge of the base and with a termination portion extending outwardly from the arcuate portion to the top peripheral edge of the base; a collector track disposed on the base along its peripheral side surface, the collector track and the termination portion of the resistance track being electrically connected along the top peripheral edge of the base; and a pair of spaced terminal pins adapted to slidably support the base for rotation therebetween, the first terminal pin including a first contact that engages the collector track, and the second terminal pin including a second contact that engages the arcuate portion of the resistance track, whereby the base can be rotated relative to the terminal pins to vary the resistance that is electrically connected between the terminal pins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control of claim 1, wherein the base includes an aperture adapted to receive a rotatable drive member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
The control of claim 1 wherein: the base has an annular groove formed in its bottom surface; and wherein the terminal pins each have a knee adapted to project into the groove to slidably support the base for rotation, the wiper terminal pin having resilient wiper contact fingers that grip the base on its top side opposite the knee of the wiper terminal pin, and the collector terminal pin having an abutment that grips the base on its top side opposite the knee of the collector terminal pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control of claim 1, wherein the second contact includes an oblique contact surface that engages the resistance track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The control of claim 4, wherein: the arcuate portion of the resistance track has opposite ends that are separated by a gap; and wherein the oblique contact surface is adapted to extend across the gap from one end of the arcuate portion to the other as the base is rotated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control of claim 4, wherein the second contact has a plurality of contact fingers which are positioned side by side and which are of different lengths, each contact finger having a free end with a projection formed thereon that forms part of the oblique contact surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control of claim 1, wherein the collector track and the resistance track have portions extending along the top peripheral edge of the base which are overlaid one upon the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The control of claim 7, wherein the overlaying of the two tracks is on the top surface of the base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control of claim 7, wherein the overlaying of the two tracks is on the peripheral side surface of the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control of claim 7, wherein the overlaying of the two tracks is on both the top and peripheral side surfaces of the base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The control of claim 1, wherein the base is disk-shaped.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3375478A
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US3469311A
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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) | 1983-05-27 | 1983-11-26 | 1984-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-27 | 1987-11-26 | 1988-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-27 | 1991-11-26 | 1992-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |