Electric slider

In a variable resistor including at least one slider having a plurality of uniformly spaced, independently springing, aligned resilient contact elements and a resistor track contacted by the contact elements;

• the improvement wherein the imaginary line connecting the locations of contact between each contact element and the resistor track forms an angle of 90.degree. .+-. 15.degree. with the direction of motion of said slider and wherein each contact element is of elongated C shape having opposite first and second long sides and opposite first and second short sides, said each contact element having a discontinuity at one of the short sides;
• each contact element having
• a. a base portion constituted essentially by said first long side;
• b. a springing portion adjoining said base portion and constituted essentially by said second short side and said second long side;
• the cross section of said springing portion having a flat configuration along at least one part of said second long side;
• the length dimension of said flat configuration being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the direction of a springing motion of said second long side towards and away from said first long side;
• c. means defining a depression on an outwardly oriented side of said springing portion along said part of flat cross section;
• said depression having an arcuate course extending in the length dimension of said part of flat cross section;
• d. a contact portion adjoining said springing portion and constituted by one part of said first short side;
• said contact portion including a location of contact for engaging the conductor;
• the cross section of said contact portion being circular at least in the zone of said contact location;
• and
• e. connecting means for electrically and mechanically coupling each contact element to an adjacent contact element at said base portion for immobilizing the contact elements with respect to one another at their base portion.