James Scott Hufford

US Patent:

39613020, Jun 1, 1976

Filed:

Nov 15, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/524089

Inventors:

James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H01C 1034

US Classification:

338174

Abstract:

A variable resistance control employs a substrate provided with a center aperture and a plurality of corner and intermediate locator means disposed about the periphery of the substrate. An adjusting; means constraining a contactor to rotate therewith is journaled in the aperture and the contactor wipingly engages a film type resistive path disposed on the surface of the subsrate. A first plurality of terminal members are disposed in the corner locator means of the substrate a first distance from the aperture. A second plurality of terminal members are disposed in a predetermined number of said intermediate locator means a second distance from the aperture at a distance closer than said first distance. At least one of the terminal members disposed in said intermediate locator means is in an interference path with a projection extending from the adjusting means to arrest rotation of the adjusting means.

US Patent:

56844077, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

Nov 24, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/157974

Inventors:

John Zdanys - Elkhart IN
James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN
Robert F. Gornick - Edwardsburg MI

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H03F 126

US Classification:

324714

Abstract:

A voltage follower is incorporated within a molded electrical connector interface of a position sensor in a way that does not detract from the dimensions or the performance of the finished sensor. The incorporation of the voltage follower into the housing of the variable resistor provides several advantages over the prior art, including: an immunity to sag; substantially reduced sensitivity to noisy contactors; and short lead length and low output impedance, both of which result in reduced interference from external source.

US Patent:

43529666, Oct 5, 1982

Filed:

Feb 29, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/125871

Inventors:

Jack A. English - Elkhart IN
James E. Greve - South Bend IN
James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN
Durward H. Priebe - Paso Rubles CA

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H01H 1500

US Classification:

200 16D

Abstract:

A slider consisting of a one or two piece body with resilient contact switch members projecting in opposite directions at spaced intervals along the length of the slider to be in contact with a collector plate on one side and a respective one of spaced contactors at the opposite side. A plurality of ribs or protuberances which are located in the line of movement of the switch members, causes resilient deformation of the switch members to hold the switch in position once it snap fits into one or another of its respective switch positions. The protuberances may be either projections formed integrally in a switch body or on the collector plates.

US Patent:

44306342, Feb 7, 1984

Filed:

Jan 18, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/340349

Inventors:

James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN
John Zdanys - Edwardsburg MI

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H01C 1032

US Classification:

338164

Abstract:

A rotary potentiometer (10) having an insert molded thermoplastic resin body (12) with an annular groove (14) disposed therein about a central post (19) having an aperture (16) therethrough. A resistive element (26) is disposed about the periphery of the groove (14), an actuator arm (20) is attached to one end of a metallic shaft (18) journalled in said aperture (16) in the central post (19), and a return spring (28) has one end (29) captured within a drop slot (13) at the perimeter of the groove and the other end (31) secured in slot (11) of the shaft (18) for returning the actuator arm (20) and drive arm (22) to their initial position. A drive arm (22) has a rake type contactor (33), the drive arm (22) being secured to the operating end of the shaft (18). A terminal coupling subassembly (65) is positioned within a receiving well (40 ) in the potentiometer body (12), and is captured within the body by securing a cover (80) over the receiving well (40). The plurality of terminals (60-62) in the coupling subassembly (65) have angled ends (72) for resilient contact with terminations of the resistive element (26) and terminal connection ends (55) molded within the potentiometer body (12).

US Patent:

39965490, Dec 7, 1976

Filed:

Oct 21, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/516749

Inventors:

James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN
Wayne A. Barden - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H01C 902

US Classification:

338127

Abstract:

A mechanical coupling device is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate jaws and integral arms defining a slot communicating with a cavity for connecting a shaft thereto. A tongue integral with the shaft is engaged by the jaws and suspended within the cavity, and the coupling device slides axially and laterally along the tongue and pivots along the arcuate jaws to eliminate end and side thrust of the shaft. A variable resistance control connected to the coupling device comprises a substrate closing one end of a housing and a rotatable driver disposed within the housing. A resistive path and a conductive collector path are disposed on the substrate along the same radius and a contactor comprising a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers symmetrically disposed near the periphery of the driver engages the resistive and collector paths.

US Patent:

39507220, Apr 13, 1976

Filed:

Jul 1, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/484599

Inventors:

James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN
John Zdanys - Edwardsburg MI

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H01C 902

US Classification:

338150

Abstract:

A variable resistance control employing a support plate and a resistance element having a pair of spaced resistance paths applied on a base and rotatably mounted on the support plate. A pair of terminals with integral contacts are secured to the support plate and are disposed intermediate the base and the support plate. The pair of resistive paths are concentrically disposed on a surface of the base and electrically connected to each other. Each of the contacts engages a respective one of the resistive paths. In the assembly of the control, terminals are initially joined by a bridging member and, after the terminals are secured to the support plate, the bridging member is severed from the terminals providing a pair of separate terminals with integral contacts.

US Patent:

40829251, Apr 4, 1978

Filed:

Mar 31, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/672468

Inventors:

James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

H01H 1954
G05G 500

US Classification:

200 11G

Abstract:

A multiposition rotary switch including a detent mechanism wherein a cam on the rotor acting through an arm resiliently deforms a portion of a side of the housing. A contactor constrained to rotate with the rotor wipably engages a plurality of contacts carried on a base in seriatim, each contact being defined by a portion of a conductor. The contacts can be arranged on the base to provide a variety of switching functions. An insulating material is adherently deposited on a predetermined location of at least one of the conductors carried by the base to provide a coded output. An annular bearing having a relatively large bearing area rotatably supports the rotor.

US Patent:

40907970, May 23, 1978

Filed:

Sep 16, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/723889

Inventors:

James N. Hufford - Elkhart IN
Wayne A. Barden - Elkhart IN

Assignee:

CTS Corporation - Elkhart IN

International Classification:

F16C 1106

US Classification:

403157

Abstract:

A mechanical coupling device is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate jaws and integral arms defining a slot communicating with a cavity for connecting a shaft thereto. A tongue integral with the shaft is engaged by the jaws and suspended within the cavity, and the coupling device slides axially and laterally along the tongue and pivots along the arcuate jaws to eliminate end and side thrust of the shaft. A variable resistance control connected to the coupling device comprises a substrate closing one end of a housing and a rotatable driver disposed within the housing. A resistive path and a conductive collector path are disposed on the substrate along the same radius and a contactor comprising a pair of diametrically opposed contact fingers symmetrically disposed near the periphery of the driver engages the resistive and collector paths.