Slide actuated audio volume control assembly

A volume control for in-wall building stereo systems. Specifically, there is a sliding switch coupled between a mounting bracket and a printed circuit board that has components mounted thereon including two multi-tap inductors or transformers. The in-wall mounted speaker volume control slide selector switch assembly. Specifically, the assembly has a sliding selector switch, for housing electrical components, having a shaft extending from the sliding selector switch, for sliding in a linear direction to control volume of the in-wall mounted speaker. Additionally, there is a transformer, for supplying power to the in-wall mounted speaker, having a plurality of transformer taps. Further, there is a printed circuit board, for electrically connecting and physically mounting the transformers and the sliding selector switch thereto. Also, there is a mounting bracket, for supporting the printed circuit board and the transformer and sliding selector switch. The mounting bracket has a slot, for receiving the shaft during linear actuation, and a mounting tab, for attaching the mounting bracket to the printed circuit board. Finally, there are a plurality of selector switch pin lead holes mounted in the printed circuit board for electrically and mechanically connecting pins from the transformer and sliding selector switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
1. Field of the Preferred Embodiment(S) 
This invention generally relates to volume controls for in-wall building 
stereo systems. Specifically, there is a sliding switch coupled between a 
mounting bracket and a printed circuit board that has components mounted 
thereon including two multi-tap inductors or transformers. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Various devices are well known for controlling the volume of speakers 
located in walls of buildings. The controls are typically mounted behind a 
control panel or a multi-gang control panel, or individual stand along 
volume control switch. 
Examples of patents related to the present invention are as follows, 
wherein each patent is herein incorporated by reference for related and 
supporting teachings: 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,971, is a multi-position wall mountable control switch 
with tactile feedback linear actuator. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,600, is a detent mechanism for sliding electric parts. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,849, is a detent mechanism for sliding electric parts. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,703, is a detenting and contact registration system for 
a linear DIP switch. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,866, is a binary encoding switch. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,909, is a slide selector matrix keyboard switch 
assembly with improved contact structure. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,461,252 is a multiposition slide switch. 
The foregoing patents reflect the state of the art of which the applicant 
is aware and are tendered with the view toward discharging applicants' 
acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be 
pertinent in the examination of this application. It is respectfully 
stipulated, however, that none of these patents teach or render obvious, 
singly or when considered in combination, applicants' claimed invention. 
PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIOR ART 
There are several problems that exist with the prior art that are addressed 
by the preferred embodiment. One problem is that rotary selector switches 
are typically made zinc die cast material with a threaded bushing around a 
rotary actuated switch shaft. The die cast bushing is ridged enough to 
support the entire switching assembly. The switching assembly typically 
includes the switch, a printed circuit board, a terminal block, and two 
transformers that make up most all of the weight. The switching assembly 
is mounted to a control panel by placing the bushing through a stamped 
bracket and thereby placing a threaded nut therearound. The design of this 
assembly has prevented the introduction of other styles of switches, 
including linear slide switches. Therefore, there is a need for a 
switching assembly design that will allow the introduction of other switch 
styles, including linear switches. 
Another problem was that there have not been any cost effect way of making 
a linear switch that would fit in a small foot print to accommodate the 
mounting of the assembly into a wall mounted unit. 
This and other problems will be solved by the preferred embodiments of the 
invention. A review of the specification, drawings, and claims will more 
clearly teach a skilled artisan of other problems that are solved by the 
preferred embodiments. 
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
It is a feature of the invention to provide a volume control for in-wall 
building stereo systems. Specifically, there is a sliding switch coupled 
between a mounting bracket and a printed circuit board that has components 
mounted thereon including two multi-tap inductors or transformers. 
It is a feature of the invention to provide an in-wall mounted speaker 
volume control slide selector switch assembly. Specifically, the assembly 
has a sliding selector switch, for housing electrical components, having a 
shaft extending from the sliding selector switch, for sliding in a linear 
direction to control volume of the in-wall mounted speaker. Additionally, 
there is a transformer, for supplying power to the in-wall mounted 
speaker, having a plurality of transformer taps. Further, there is a 
printed circuit board, for electrically connecting and physically mounting 
the transformers and the sliding selector switch thereto. Also, there is a 
mounting bracket, for supporting the printed circuit board and the 
transformer and sliding selector switch. The mounting bracket has a slot, 
for receiving the shaft during linear actuation, and a mounting tab, for 
attaching the mounting bracket to the printed circuit board. Finally, 
there are a plurality of selector switch pin lead holes mounted in the 
printed circuit board for electrically and mechanically connecting pins 
from the transformer and sliding selector switch. 
The invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather 
in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed. 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which 
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. Further, the abstract is 
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is 
measured by the claims, neither is it intended to be limiting as to the 
scope of the invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, there are two perspective views of a 
volume control slide selector switch assembly 10. In particular, there is 
a selector switch 12 for housing the sliding selector switch electrical 
and mechanical components (not shown), a sliding selector switch actuator 
shaft 14, a steel stamped mounting bracket 16 having a slide opening or 
slot 18, a mounting tab 20, a printed circuit board 22, transformers 24, 
transformer taps 26, and selector switch pin lead holes with pins (not 
shown) soldered thereon. The taps 26 are electrically connected to the 
slide selector switch 12 via traces (not shown) that are mounted on the 
printed circuit board 22. 
REMARKS ABOUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
One of ordinary skill in the arts of in-wall speaker volume controls will 
realize many advantages from using the preferred embodiment. In 
particular, the whole assembly 10 has the major component of the weight 
supported by the bracket 16. However, unlike the prior art designs, the 
bracket is attached to the printed circuit board 22 for the purpose of 
physically supported by transformer weight and relieving the shaft from 
supporting the weight. It is noted that the tabs 20 are designed for 
attaching the printed circuit board 22, which supports the transformers 
24, to the bracket 16. Where the bracket is then mounted to a control 
panel (not shown) by screws or other attachment means (not shown). 
Therefore, shaft 14 is now free to operate in most any style of operation, 
for example as illustrated by the sliding selector switch 12 and shaft 14, 
by providing more degrees of freedom than heretofore allowed. 
A skilled artisan will realize that there are many types of slide selector 
switches that can accomplish the intended function of the preferred 
embodiment. For example, two single channel selector switches that are 
ganged or tied together and operated as a single slide switch could also 
provide the intended multi-channel. 
A skilled artisan also realizes that the overall positioning of the various 
components illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 forms a small three dimensional 
foot print. This enables the placement of the assembly 10 into a typical 
in-wall mounting environment. 
VARIATIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
One of ordinary skill in the art of making in-wall speaker volume controls 
will realize that there are many different ways of accomplishing the 
preferred embodiment. For example, even though the preferred embodiment 
illustrates the printed circuit board 22 as being perpendicular to the 
bracket 16 it is contemplated to have any arrangement just so that the 
bracket receives most of the weight of the transformers. In particular, as 
illustrated in FIG. 3, there is a sectional side view of a potential 
design that has the switch shaft 14 in line with the switch housing 12, 
the PCB 22, and the transformers 14. 
Even though, the embodiment illustrates two tabs 20, any number will be 
sufficient just so the transformer weight is supported off of the switch 
shaft 14. 
Although a steel stamped mounting bracket 16 is illustrated, the bracket 16 
can be made of most any material and be in most any various shape. 
It has been illustrated the use of two transformers 24 for the purpose of 
two channel voltage control or selection. However, it is contemplated that 
similar function can be accomplished through the use of multiple resistor 
pairs in place of the transformers or even capacitors. Thus, controlling 
the volume of a speaker by way of controlling the voltage supplied 
thereto. 
While the invention has been taught with specific reference to these 
embodiments, someone skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be 
made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of 
the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all 
respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the 
invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by 
the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and 
range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.