The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1996
Randall M Crippen, Chicago, IL (US);
Earl J Genz, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Daniel J Danek, Berwyn, IL (US);
Mario Orrico, Chicago, IL (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
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, and an actuator with a body member and a transverse cylindrical sleeve. An electrically conductive wiper is coupled to the actuator and contacts the variable resistance element, which varies with pivotal movement of the actuator. The body member is pivotably supported by an aperture of the housing about an axis of the cylindrical sleeve, and a spring member biases the actuator toward an initial position, wherein the actuator is pivotable against the bias of the spring to actuate the electrical switch and to provide the variable resistance by positioning the electrically conductive wiper along the variable resistance element. A guide surface within the housing guides the actuator and the electrically conductive wiper in fixed relation relative to the variable resistance element when the body member is pivoted within the housing. The cylindrical sleeve protrudes through an aperture of the housing, and is coupled to the movable member by a collar with a set screw without having to calibrate the variable resistor or the switch actuation timing.