Did You Know...
...that two musicians were responsible for the invention of color print film? Fascinated by photography, Leopold Godowsky and Leopold Mannes worked together to produce an easy-to-use, practical color film. They worked full time as music teachers and gave concerts while experimenting during their off hours in Mannes' kitchen. Their success earned them full-time, well-paying jobs at Kodak and their efforts resulted in Kodachrome film, which was introduced in 1935.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8013712 | Overvoltage protection An overvoltage protection device includes a slide-in protective member and at least one non-linear resistance element in the slide-in protective member. A cable is connected to the at least one non-linear resistance element by solder, and a sliding member is biased ... | 09/06/2011 |
| 7213961 | Low voltage luminaire assembly A low-voltage luminaire assembly is provided with a transformer and a lamp holder, one or more of which have quick-release connections. Methods for installing and servicing the luminaire assembly are also provided. The luminaire assembly may also have a plurality of... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7133033 | Actuator for a switch An actuator for a switch, the actuator being movable between on and off positions against an adjustable resilient bias to provide a first signal when said actuator is in said on position and a second signal when said actuator is in said off position. ... | 11/07/2006 |
| 7105755 | Rotary encoder and method of manufacturing substrate thereof A two-phase rotary encoder is provided which includes a substrate for the encoder which is double-faced and has a copper-foil-bonded substrate etched thereon, a first ring-shaped electrode pattern and a second ring-shaped electrode pattern formed concentrically arou... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7016511 | Remote magnetic activation of hearing devices A magnetic switch assembly for hearing devices designed for remote activation by the user is highly miniaturized with a self-contained latching mechanism. The switch is activated and deactivated by the user via a hand-held magnet placed in proximity to the hearing d... | 03/21/2006 |
| 6973731 | Encoder Disclosed is an encoder including a rotary member and a fixed member. The fixed member is provided with an electrode having A-channel, B-channel and C-channel patterns, the rotary member is provided with contacts which are to be opposed to the electrode. A-C state s... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6918316 | Adjustable pedal assembly An adjustable pedal assembly includes a mounting arrangement (1) for attachment to a vehicle structure (37), an accelerator pedal (6), a brake pedal (7), and a clutch pedal (8). The pedals (6, 7, 8) are pivotally supported w... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6853290 | Switch/volume control assembly The present invention relates to switch or volume control assemblies, in particular to switch or volume control assemblies to be mounted in e.g. hearing aids, said assembly comprising a movable member, such as a wheel-like member positioned between at least two deta... | 02/08/2005 |
| 6696915 | Knob combined a rheostat and a pushbutton A knob having a button for a rheostat includes a base, at least one arcuate contacts, a hub, a pushbutton cap with a conductive arc corresponding to the arcuate contacts and a biasing member mounted in the pushbutton cap. The biasing member can be mounted... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6380502 | Detented slide switch mechanism A switch mechanism for an electrical slide switch that has a detenting or clicking action is disclosed. The switch mechanism provides such detenting action in a mechanism that has a switch lever that moves through an arcuate path of movement and provides ... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6184776 | Accelerator module for electric vehicle An accelerator module for an electric vehicle has a pivotal actuator upon which is mounted a wiping element for wiping engagement with variable and constant resistance elements formed upon a printed circuit board mounted within a housing. A normally-open ... | 02/06/2001 |
| 5959525 | Variable resistance slide control device with a switch A variable resistance control device and switch has a base, made of insulating material, a rheostat, mounted to the base, and a switch, mounted to the base. The rheostat includes a variable resistor trace, positioned on the base, a collector trace, positi... | 09/28/1999 |
| 5939973 | Rotary variable resistor with switch A rotary variable resistor with switch having a switch mechanism, in particular, a rotary variable resistor with switch corresponding to an ultrathin rotary variable resistor. Such a rotary variable resistor having a switch mechanism has dimensions, espec... | 08/17/1999 |
| 5920048 | Electrical switch and variable resistance module for vehicle brake pedal or accelerator and method of operation A method and apparatus for actuating an electrical switch and providing a variable electrical resistance usable to sense displacement of a movable member. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving the electrical switch, a variable resistance element,... | 07/06/1999 |
| 5900682 | Pull chain switch circuit device capable of stepless control of brightness of lighting fixtures of ceiling fan A pull chain switch circuit device for a stepless control of brightness of lighting fixtures of a ceiling fan is composed of a central control unit, a voltage stabilizing and rectifying unit, a pull chain switch, a protective unit, a zero crossing loop, a... | 05/04/1999 |
| 5838222 | Multiturn potentiometer An improved multiturn potentiometer consists of a rotor assembly including a wiper in electrical contact with an output terminal and an annular resistance strip. The annular resistance strip is electrically connected to a source of potential through one o... | 11/17/1998 |
| 5824979 | Accelerator module An accelerator module comprises a printed circuit board having resistance elements mounted thereon, and an actuator pivotably mounted upon the printed circuit board and having a wiper member mounted upon a first end of the actuator. A rotary input shaft, ... | 10/20/1998 |
| 5606303 | Flexible printed circuit sleep switch for electronic device A notebook computer or other electronic device has a flexible cable interconnecting electronic circuitry in a base with electronic circuitry in a cover. A flexible potentiometer is coupled to said flexible cable in a location which bends when said cover i... | 02/25/1997 |
| 5546067 | Rotary potentiometer assembly for a push-pull switch A rotary dimmer switch assembly for use with a vehicle push-pull switch controls at least one light dimming function. The rotary switch assembly comprises a stationary cam contact assembly, and a rotating carder assembly which carries a circuit element ha... | 08/13/1996 |
| 5453728 | Rheostatic device in a switching arrangement for electric tools An electric tool rheostatic device in a switching arrangement is provided for regulating the speed of an electric motor in an electric tool. A circuit board for receiving electronic components is disposed in a switch housing. A potentiometer disposed with... | 09/26/1995 |
| 5264821 | Rotary, push-pull headlight switch with ceramic coated metal substrate rheostat and cam actuated dome light bypass switch A rotary, push-pull switch (20) for use in an automobile has a rotating ceramic coated metal substrate rheostat (48) and a supplemental switch (52) which opens and closes a dome light bypass circuit. The supplemental switch (52) is mounted internally to t... | 11/23/1993 |
| 5150095 | Multi-position rotary switch with position sensor A rotary switch for controlling electrical circuitry in ranges, ovens, etc., to be manually adjusted for control of function cycles. Included with the manually operated function selector are means for determining the position of the function selector prov... | 09/22/1992 |
| 5144278 | Variable impedance device and circuit for sensing adjustment thereof A circuit and apparatus for sensing the adjustment of a variable impedance device includes an elongated switching element having an alternating series of conductive and non-conductive areas. The conductive areas are electrically connected. As the device i... | 09/01/1992 |
| 5107243 | Lever switch A lever switch for a vehicle windshield wiper having a base for attaching to a steering column, a rotational shaft rotatably connected to the base, a first switch knob connected to the rotational shaft, and a second switch knob rotatable mounted around a ... | 04/21/1992 |
| 5084692 | Rotary assembly combined with an electrical switch A dual function rotary assembly (100) functions as a potentiometer and a momentary switch. The dual function assembly (100) includes a rotary shaft (106) that when rotated to a predetermined position, such as its final rotational position, may be pulled t... | 01/28/1992 |
| 5075604 | Variable resistance switch A variable resistance switch includes first and second flexible contact arms engageable by a pair of cam followers operable sequentially by an actuator movable in a first and an opposite direction. The actuator also carries a wiper movable therewith over ... | 12/24/1991 |
| 4983946 | Variable resistor with switching mechanism A variable resistor having a switching function includes a base plate, a first electrode formed on the base plate, a second electrode formed on the base plate, a third electrode formed on the base plate, and a fourth electrode formed on the base plate sim... | 01/08/1991 |
| 4903003 | Variable resistor with a switch A variable resistor with a switch which minimizes appearances of an arc and prevents incomplete contact between contacts of the switch originating from such an arc. The variable resistor with a switch includes a torsion coil spring having one end connecte... | 02/20/1990 |
| 4827241 | Combined, in-line spacer and switch, particularly for a vehicle's headlight A composite headlight switch with buzzer circuit for use in a vehicle with, for example, a dome light, the dome light switch being located in line with the remaining switch elements in a front area of the overall switch structure, which front area was pre... | 05/02/1989 |
| 4803458 | Control switch and potentiometer for hearing aids and the like A control switch and potentiometer assembly for use in an in-the-canal type hearing air comprising a miniature single pole, single or double throw, push-pull control switch and rotary potentiometer. The components of the control switch and potentiometer a... | 02/07/1989 |
| 4763101 | Locking slide switch A locking slide switch is adapted to set a resistor depending on the length f travel. A key body has a row of teeth with which a pinion meshes. A locking push-button is provided on the shaft of the pinion. In order to make locking from both sides possible,... | 08/09/1988 |
| 4742188 | Sliding electrical control A sliding electrical control provides a method for controlling the power to electrical systems, such as lamps, motors, etc. from more than one location. The control is designed to be mounted on one side of a plate and operated from the other side. It thus... | 05/03/1988 |
| 4725809 | Variable resistor and switch An electrical device that includes a variable resistor and a switch mechanism. The variable resistor has a control element disposed to be moved linearly to change the electrical resistance of the device according to the position of the control element. A ... | 02/16/1988 |
| 4698613 | Click mechanism of slide volume control A click mechanism of slide volume control ensures judgement of a center stop position of a lever by a difference in the click touches and allows many stop positions of the lever by providing holes on both sides of the lever inserting hole of the upper sur... | 10/06/1987 |
| 4695820 | Safety device for apparatus having relatively movable members In electrical control apparatus having a first member disposed in an opening in a second member, the first and second members being adapted and arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, a safety device for covering the open portions of th... | 09/22/1987 |
| 4692805 | Devices used for varying the resistance of electrical circuits and the conduction of current in electrical circuits A device forming a potentiometer for varying the resistance of an electrical circuit, and a switch for changing the state of current conduction in the circuit. The switch has a casing fastened to the potentiometer, and the potentiometer has a casing and a... | 09/08/1987 |
| 4682142 | Rotary potentiometer with switch A rotary potentiometer is provided with a switch, preferably as a final control element for the control of electrical machinery. An enclosed, prefabricated rotary potentiometer component with its own casing is inserted in a cup-shaped upper casing that is... | 07/21/1987 |
| 4660019 | Switch with speed control In a switch, for example, for a device such as a drill, a key switches an ectrical switching bridge at the beginning of the key displacement. A variable resistor is adjusted depending on the travel of the key, thereby controlling device speed. In order to... | 04/21/1987 |
| 4654626 | Dimmer switch A dimmer switch which includes a rotary potentiometer mounted on a board secured to, and projecting normal from, a switch arm support bracket. The support bracket is secured to a face plate. A cover housing cooperates with the face plate to enclose the br... | 03/31/1987 |
| 4647897 | Potentiometer having switching function A potentiometer which provides the function of an on/off switch includes a center conductor connected to a conductive ring and a resistive element concentrically disposed about the conductive ring. The resistive element includes a pair of termination pads... | 03/03/1987 |
