Cts Corporation

Ronald L Stuckey

Arthur L Rozema

William L Kelver

David Larry Poole

Lewis L Seffernick

Ronald J Dedert

Robert M Vandenboom

Stephen W Burry

Eric B Taylor

Nelson T Clark

Mark N Grube

Dennis Raesner

Jack L Miller

Timothy L Hartigan

A pointing stick for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, there is a pointing stick that both directs a cursor and acts as the activation button for selecting items on the display screen by tapping on the pointing stick instead of clicking on a mouse button. Uniquely, the device is made of a shaft (,) having a longitudinal length oriented along a first axis (,) and having a top surface that is perpendicular to the first axis, there is a vertical force sensor (,or,), mounted on the top surface of the shaft, for sensing a vertical oriented force applied to the shaft along the first axis. Cap (,), has a cavity (,) with a top surface (,) therein, where the top surface of the shaft is positioned within the cavity and spaced from and juxtaposed to the top surface of the cavity. In one embodiment the vertical sensor includes first and second electrically conductive pads that are electrically isolated from each other. The vertical sensor also has a flexible conductive layer positioned next to the top surface of the cavity of the cap. Additionally, the vertical sensor has an electrically insulative spacer (,) shaped to position the first and second pads away from the flexible conductive layer. In a second embodiment, the vertical sensor comprises a pressure sensitive layer (,) located on the top surface of the shaft. Additionally, the alternative vertical sensor has a strain concentrator, shaped and positioned to concentrate a z-axis oriented force applied to the cap to effect the electrical conductivity of the pressure sensitive layer.

Pointing stick with top mounted z-axis sensor

Circuit module (10) having a row of connector pins (21) and being approximately 4 mm. thick or less, and including an electrical circuit (22) connected to the connector pins (21). In prior art designs, it has not been possible to utilize a large substrate having good heat dissipation properties and, at the same time, include an attached electrical device, without exceeding the allowed maximum dimensions of the module. The present invention solves the problem by recessing an edge (17) of the substrate (11), depositing spaced-apart conductor films (26a and 26b) in the recess (16) that electrically connect with the electrical circuit (22), and soldering (31a and and 31b) the electrical device (30) to the conductor films (26a and 26b). Principal uses for the invention include digital computers and similar complex electronic devices.

Process for producing a circuit module

Recessed circuit module

A variable resistance control comprising a variable resistance control portion and a stabilizer assembly portion. The variable resistance control portion is provided with a housing, a resistance element and a contactor supported within the housing with the contactor wipably engaging the resistance element, and an adjustment member operatively connected to the contactor and exposed on the exterior of the housing. The stabilizer assembly portion comprises a stabilizer having weight greater than the weight of the variable resistance portion and having a threaded bushing. An aperture extends through the stabilizer and the bushing and an extension shaft is rotatably received in the aperture with one end extending outwardly from the aperture cooperatively engaging the adjustable member. A U-shaped plate having a bight portion and a pair of arms secures the stabilizer to the housing. The bight portion is provided with an aperture within which the threaded bushing is received and the arms extend and crimpingly engage the housing. The stabilizer and the housing are each provided with coplanar engagement surfaces.

Variable resistance control

A variable resistance control of the rectilinear and multiturn type is provided with a contactor having a plurality of contactor paddles. The contactor paddles are wedge-shaped, are defined by a saw-tooth shaped shear line in a planar portion of the contactor, and are bent upwardly to provide flexing clearance between adjacent contactor paddles.

Variable resistance control with multiple paddle contactor and method of

A variable resistance control comprises a resilient nonconductive annular skirt sandwiched between a pair of substrates. The skirt has an arcuate section and a pair of posts interconnected by a bridge section. Each of the substrates comprises a circular portion carrying a resistance film and an extending portion provided with apertures and engaged by the posts. A driver is rotatably carried by the control and contactors are constrained to rotate with the driver wipingly engaging the resistance films. The apertures in the extending portions of the substrates are in line with the posts and the periphery of the bridge section substantially coincides with edges of the extending portions. Terminals are secured to the extending portions of the substrates and comprise a head and a tail. The head is received in an aperture and a pair of spaced fingers integral with the terminal are clinched into engagement with the head disposed between the spaced fingers.

Growing community of inventors

Monroe, IN, United States of America

Ronald L Stuckey