US2580732A - Finger type circuit regulator - Google Patents

Description

Jan. l, 1952 A, M, COHEN FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 22, 1948 INVENTOR.

HET/901@ f7. COHE/l/ kl u Jan. 1, 1952 A. M. COHEN 2,580,732

FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR Filed June 22, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lum* 'IIHIIIIN .Will-m ..llllll Iil' w of@ INVENTOR- BY l Jan. 1, 1952 A. M. COHEN FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 22, 1948 vm w Patented Jan. l, 1952 FINGER TYPE CIRCUIT REGULATOR Arthur M. Cohen, New York, N. Y.

Application June 22, 1948, Serial No. 34,517

25 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel construction of a finger type circuit regulator.

Circuit regulators, and particularly those of the type known as voltage regulators, have in the past taken a large number of forms. The present invention relates to that type of regulator commonly known as the finger type by reason of the fact that it employs a plurality of movable lingers each normally urged into electrical connection with a corresponding Yfixed contact, the fingers being sequentially movable out of electrical engagement with their respective fixed contacts so as to vary the circuit constants of the circuit with which the regulator is associated. Finger type regulators as heretofore known have suffered from the disadvantage that they were either exceedingly large and heavy or else were highly susceptible to derangement and malfunctioning because of vibrations or the position in which they were placed. In addition, those nger regulators which were not of relatively massive proportions were extremely fragile and hence quite undependable. As a result, the utilization of finger type regulators has lagged considerably behind regulators of other types. This has been particularly true in military installations where dependability under all sorts of climatic conditions and under extreme vibratory conditions, such as are experienced in tanks and aircraft, is a prime requisite. In addition, size and weight considerations are of extreme importance particularly insofar as portable and aircraft installations are concerned. No finger type regulator has in the past been able to satisfy military requirements and the size and weight of prior art nger type regulators as used in industrial applications have made the units so expensive that they could not economically compete with alternative devices.

By means of an extensive redesign of finger type regulators, I have produced a unit which is of Vexceedingly small size yet which Willoperate accurately no matter in what position it may be placed nor to what accelerated forces it may :be subjected, and which exhibits outstanding Vresistance to vibration. My entire unit maybeencompassed in a housing 1% inches high, 1% inches long and 1% inches wide. The inherent accuracy of my device is so great, even when subjected to greatly diverse climatic conditions and to extreme vibratory action, that it has successfully passed all of the tests prescribed by the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Army Signal Corps for circuit regulators, and in passing them has performed better than non-finger type regulators formerly used for the same purpose. My device is the first finger type regulator capable of satisfying these requirements. Orders for substantial numbers of my regulators have already been made by the armed forces.

The greatly improved operation of my device is due to a number of specic design features which depart radically from similar prior art devices. This application relates specically to the mounting of the electromagnetically controlled armature, to its interconnection with the' member which sequentially lifts the movable ngers from their xed contacts, and to the positioning and connecting of a dashpot to the armature and the finger lifting member so that the action of the finger lifting member may be appropriately damped. Other novel features of my regulator shown but not claimed herein are claimed in my copending applications Ser. No. 157,948, iiled April 25, 1950, now Patent 2,550,779, issued May l, 1951, and entitled Electromagnetic Unit, which is a division of the instant application and Ser. No. 49,726, filed September 17, 1948, entitled Finger Type Circuit Regulator, Contact Assembly Therefor, and Method of Making Same.

To design a finger type regulator characterized by lightness, compactness, and inexpensiveness and at the same time accurate in all positions and when subjected to eXtreme vibratory influences required a complete rearrangement of the moving partsof the regulator, these parts including the armature and the finger lifting member. It was discovered that. for accurate control of the movable fingers, it was desirable that the finger lifting member be movable substantially in a straight line and that it engage the fingers by motion substantially at right angles thereto. It was further discovered that dashpot damping of these moving parts was an important factor in achieving proper operation. To mount the dashpot in line with the iinger lifting member would result in a unit of excessive size. Since the plunger moves in the dashpot with very small clearance, on the order of a few ten-thousandths of an inch, it is essential that the plunger be urged as closely as possible in its direction of movement, since any material deviation 'from that direction of movement would cause the plunger to tend to bind in its cylinder and hence not only destroy the damping effect but prevent the finger lifting member from moving at all. By the same token, if the finger lifting member were disposed in line with the armature, or, to put the matter another way, if the armature were movable in the same direction as the nger lifting member, the size of the unit would be materially increased.

Hence, in the design here disclosed, the armature is pivotally mounted on the electromagnet which constitutes the armature moving mecha-- nism and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the :linger lifting member to which it is pivotallyconnected. Springs are active onthenger lifting' member to bias it to a position 'out of engagement with the lingers, this feature.

being well known in prior art regulators, but inv the design here disclosed, the springsso orient.

the finger lifting member that it assumes a position substantially perpendicular toV the arma-` ture and to 'the ngers and maintainsitsangular relationship to the fingers and to the dash pot throughout its range of movement. The plunger of the dashpot is fastened to the nger lifting rmember, and throughiti to the armature, bymeansf of` an. angular connection 1 so that. as'. thev finger lifting.' member moves,y the angular connection moves the ip'lunger of. the., dashpot in itsv f permitted direction f. of movement, .this elirni hating any posibility of binding on the partil of the plunger in -itss cylinders.

The vprime object of Y the f. present invention is.. therefore,y toV deviseafnngertype i. regulator de.m signwhichewillpermit the.. regulator 'to take up `as smalliy aspace asvl` possiblel andi a .much smallerspace `than, any of .1 the similar prior@ artxdevices and; at the sametime tor cause' the` regulator tio-functionwithiaihigh-1degreelofi. accuracynnderi adverse-conditions;

Anothenprime-fobject of this-.invention is to devisey a'nA1 armature-linger lifting. member-dashpotarrangement which.' will permit the attainmentfof vthe -iirst mentioned prime object.

Another obj ect? of the present invention: is t devise val-inger-y type regulator structure-in which the biasing force applied to' the: finger lifting member by the springs attached: thereto rnay4l Fig. 4' is aside fragmentary View showing the armature? mountedL on the f electromagnet';

Fig.v 5-=i`s aview taken along the line 5.-5 of; Figi 4;

Eig.. (5i/'s` a cross-'sectional .view -taken 4alonggthei line'iG-Jiof Fig.' 5.;

Fig'. 7 isav top' View of theiarmatureandgthe mounting; member; therefor;

Fig; .8 is azcross-sectional view taken: along they linexfi-B'of Fig. 5;iand

Fig. 9.isfan explo'ded'iview'ofa second embodi mentof1v the present` invention differing from thelflr'st embodiment in manners not pertinent. to. the :present invention.

sulating material, from which connection prongs`V 4 depend,= so that" the; entireunit is adapted to. bepluggediinto a.-.suitablesocket. A metal plate y The regulator here: describedv` comprises.- aninsulating plate 2, formed of any suitablel in 6 is secured to the insulating base 2 as by means of eyelets 8, and a casing l0, shown in Fig. 1 in dot-dash lines, is adapted to be secured to the plate in any appropriate manner.

The contact assembly generally designated i2 comprises a plaque i4 at one end of which e. plurality of ixed contacts l5 are secured, these contacts in Figs. 1 3y being individually con nested by means of the leads i8 to the appropriate oneof the prongs li. Also secured to the plaque lll are a plurality'of resilient ngers Zii, one for each fixed contact I6. The fingers 2B in the form here disclosed are formed of a resilient material which is a good conductor ci eiectricity. The free ends 22 of the fingers 2t project outl beyond the plaque it and the fingers 20'. are normally urged into electrical connection with the xed contacts i6, thus defining movabie' contacts. A metal clamp 2f?. serves in the embodiment of Figs.. l-3 to secure the inner ends 1.0i". the ngers 20ste the plaque. ifi; Apair of mounting.. arms 225:- are secured to the.v plaque`v s.and,are'spaced from the plate Bfby means-.oiF sleeves 28, the. sleeves .beingI appropriately posi-ftioned bypassing over, screwsA 391 extending upwardly :from .the insulatingplate 2.

The` electromagnetY generally designatedl 32,

which 1 dennesi the armature.v moving mechanism oomprises'anenergizing coil Sli/woundxaround av .inagnetizable core' 36,- the upper. end. of the core.; beingsecured'fwithin,l the'zmagnetizableftop'. plate. 3S Vofthe eleotromagnet;B2i..` Magnetizable spacers to.' 'are'.a'lso' secured: at onetend to. the magnetic.

topplate te and at their.` other.: end have screw threaded projections i2 which'. passY throughapertures` t3 inithes magnetizable; bottom plate:

M: The core. Sii. extends downwardly through an'. aperture is. in the.. bottornf plate.' fit.

internally'4 threaded spacers 59 and 52 are positioned'below the-magnet'bottom plate Ml sov as. toireceivef the'. threaded projecting portions ..421 of.. the' magnetizable. spacers t9, thus main,m

taining tlfief electromagnet. 32l ini assembled posif tion; Thespa'cerstZ; are;v considerably, shorter'. thanlrthe spacers 5t, the'spacers 5.0.eXtending-'be-- tween .the :magnet bottom plate .te and 'the plate` S. and.5 being.` secured in position by.` means of, screws'. 5s extending. through .the insulating plate: 2 and. the-'spacers 52` bengi positioned.r between:- the: contact assembly.-` i2' and the. magnet'. top.. platey 38=s'o as tobe threadedly engageablewithk the: screws. to. In. this way; the;v contactzassembly. [.2 andi; the eltctrornagnet zare'secured.

inpositionl in the unit.'

The armature isdn.. theiorm .0.15a.;fl`a't-.fslieets of magnetizable material-,to the. upper surface` orf` which is securedfa-.exible vnon-magneticfsheet defining. the"` ai'rnature-mounting member s 53, the mountingmemberyxbeing in'turn secured to the magnet bottom plate.- itbetweensaid plate. 441v and the spacers 52.. The.;V armature;- mounting.

member'V 581is so constructed that the armaturefis pivotableabout an axis parallel to the plane ofthe lower surfaceof theimagnet bottomplate,

iifandparallel to a line` between the-axes of they spacers 52,.as will bedescribedlater more in detail.. `The' right hand portionv of thearmature 56; as viewed in Fig; 1, is' provided withan aper-g ture Sil-concentrically. arrangeable with the downwardly projecting portionof the core (i6-so that said. projecting portion isy receivable. therein.

The lefthand portion of the: armature: 5tv extends Leads` li E?, .whichzpass'through .apertures iS'fin the: bottom plateii connect'thecoiltd yto appropriate prongs out beyond the electromagnet 32, and it is to that left hand portion of the armature 56 that the armature mounting member 58 is fastened as by means of rivets 62. The spacers 50 are provided with shoulders 64 which are adapted to engage with the extreme right hand portions of the armature 56 so as to limit its pivotal motion in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l.

The finger lifting member 6'6 is in the form of a sheet of non-conducting material having an inclined lower edge 68. The member 66 is mounted substantially perpendicular to the extending free ends 22 of the fingers 28 and is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so that as the member 66 is moved downwardly, its inclined lower edge 68 will sequentially make contact with the fingers 20 and thus move them one after the other out of electrical connection with the fixed contacts I6.

The extreme left hand portion A'Hl of the armature mounting member 5B extends out beyond the armature 56 and is receivable in the aperture 'I2 in the finger lifting member 66 so as to be passable between the upper surface of said aperture 72 and the lug 14 formed therein. The portion i8 of the armature mounting member 58 is provided with an aperture 16 through which the lug 14 is receivable, and by means of this lug and aperture connection the nger lifting member 66 is connected to the armature 56 so as to be pivotable with respect thereto as the armature 56 is pivoted on the magnet bottom plate 44.

In order to ensure that the finger lifting member 66 maintains its proper position, so that the entire width of its inclined lower edge 68 will make contact with the ends 22 of the fingers 20, a pair of springs 80 are active thereon, one end of each of the springs being securable in apertures 82 in the member 66 and the other end'of the springs being securable in notches 84 in the frame portions 85 which may be integral extensions of the magnet top plate 38. The frame portions 85 are preferably made relatively narrow so that they may, if desired, be manually bendable so as to vary the tension which the springs 8D exert upon the nger lifting member 66.

The dashpot generally designated 88 comprises a cylinder 8|] in which a piston 92 is slidable. The dashpot 88 is secured to the unit by means of screws 84 which pass through other frame portions 96, also preferably integral extensions of the magnet top plate 38, these frame portions 96 being separated so as to provide access to the adjusting screw 98 which controls` the air escape from the dashpot 88 and hence determines the extent of its damping action. The plunger 92 of the dashpot 88 is secured to the finger lifting member 66 by engagement of the angular connection |00, here shown as of L- shape, in the aperture |0| of the member 66, in which it may be secured by solder |83.

The detailed construction and functioning of theA armature mounting may best be seen in Figs. 4 through 8. The magnet bottom plate 44, which is an end plate of the electromagnet 32, has a side |62 beyond which the left hand portion of the armature 56 projects. Centrally mounted adjacent the side |02 is a stop |64 having a shoulder |06 which projects out beyond the side |02 and below the plate |94, the stop |04 as here illustrated projecting downwardly from the magnet bottom end plate 44. The side |92 is provided with an inset portion |08 under the shoulder |06 and is also provided with inset portions Ile oneither side of the stop |04, the purpose of which inset portions |88 and ||0 will become` r the externally threaded projecting portions 42 of the spacers 4), the portions ||2 of the mounting member 58 receiving the projecting portions 42 within the apertures |4 and being securable between the magnet bottom end plate 44 and the spacers 52.

Integrally connected to the portions ||2 are strips I6 which are fastenable, by means of rivets 62, to the left hand end of the armature 56. The strips H6 are so positioned with respect to the portions ||2 that they pass over the inset portions H6 of the magnet bottom end plate 44.

Also a part of the magnet mounting member 58 are legs |25 which are adapted to be positioned over the portions |22 of the magnet end bottom plate 44 between the inset portions ||0 thereof. The legs |26 terminate in aligned edges |24 which, as will be seen most clearly from Fig. 8, constitute the axis about which the armature 56 pivots.

Connected to the left hand extremity of the strip-s ||6 is finger |26 optionally secured to the armature 56 by means of rivet |28 and terminating in an edge |35 preferably in line with the edges |24 of the legs |28. The end portion of the finger |26 is receivable beneath the shoulder |86 of the stop |84, that shoulder being separated from the bottom surface of the magnet bottom end plate 44 by a distance equal to the thickness of the nger |26. The armature 56 is provided with an aperture |32 through which the stop |64 is freely passable.

'I'he embodiment of Fig. 9 differs from that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in that the fixed contacts I6' vare individually bendable, are secured to the plaque i4 by means of a metal clamp 24', and are provided with a common lead I8. The plaque I4 is secured in the unit by the U-shaped mounting member 26' and the lingers 20 are individually secured to the plaque I4 by the eyelets |65 and are provided with individual leads |8 to the appropriate prongs 4.

By reason oi the pivotal connection between the finger moving member 66 and the armature 56 and because of the location and orientation l of the springs 88, the nger lifting member 86 ment with the *ingers 28, thus moving them one by one out of electrical connection with the corresponding xed contacts i8. As this takes place, the action of the springs 88 and the pivotal connection between the armature 56 and the iingerv lifting member 68 causes the member 66 tc main-v tain the same angular relation to the fingers and the stationary parts of the unit so that the entire width of the lower edge' 88 bears directly upon the fingers 26, thus increasing the accuracy 75 of the device. It will be clear that if the member agasog'grsar,

Glawereeto accurately :maintalnxtsjangular rela:-

tionship with the armature 5Saasthedatterpivots.

the entire@ widthi oft; the.: surface G81' would `onli7 bee-activeruponithe iingers. Zforgone-tposition: ofV the,` moving; partei.: and that as.; the. parts de: viate-.a from: that;Y position, the: edges: rather.l th an".

tha-entire; width:l of.the.;surfacer SB 1would7 bei eff fectvestomove: thefiingers, Suchi.a...differen=v` G Sandthefarmatule,should bexupsetf,

They member; te; will move,. `as `the armature; 55; pivots, substantially in the plane of itsgorienta:A tion; Ther; motionwillnotg be.; exactly in'` that plane? because;v oit the fact, that; the-f extending;

end 191:. ofzthetarmature 'mounting member 58, to

whiohLthea'nger; lifting member.; E5. directlyY However; by `reason ofthedmiteddesree of; pivoting of which; the;

connected; describescani arc;

armatureY 55;. isi-capable; the motion o-tthe finger lifting member t6 1 is.Y planar. for. all practicabpur-rv poses and is iny theplanein which thememberg- 66 is, oriented. Hence, engagement between thengers ZQf-and the lower surface;.31ofjthe mem: ber.v 66; is; direct-1 and: positivawith only, an: inf

iinitesimal and;l wholly.: inconsequential sliding: movement over the fingers 29. In addition, sincer thegmotionpof .thegmember-.t fis, in the same directiona's; theypermissible:motion of; the plunger 92 of the -da,shpotf 8.8-, the two. may be directly-conf nected zwithoutjany danger of-bindng in the dash-- pot 88;. The deviation of the motion ofthe mem.`

ber-Et fro1ntrueplanar motion is so` slightas to.

beimperceptible to. the plunger 92 .ofthe dashpot S8; particularlywhen the.y connector.- lod.. is even slightly resilient.

The,v magnet mounting'member4 58'. isi interposed between the armature 5t vandthe magnet bottom end plate de. so that: the armature; and,

the magnet end .plate areseparatedby thefthiclrnessL of thegmountng member 58., Since the legs..

1Z0-terminate shortoftheside EQ2 of themagnet bottornplate te; thev biasing tension .exerted byy the springs S will cause-the armature-Stigtopivot, about the edges. |25 off the legs., 12S.'V Since; thosev4 edges-are in line, theydene anaxissaboutwhich1 the; armature vis,pivotable. Ifv theelectromagnietV4 32 beeenergized,- thev armatureI Ewill becansed to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction as .Viewed irrlig. 1,-l this pivoting still taking placegaboutith'e the. unit, may be subjected. In the event that;

beoauseof a substantialchange in directionofj motion of theunit, Yas `when Ythe unitiscontainedx within .anaircraft making a high speed turn.theI armatureasis urged away from the :magnet-end.

plate M-the-actual pivoting action ofthe armar ture. 55.V may be exerted rabout ;the edge- |353: ofthe.; finger 126 as thai-,edge is'retainedin.position.by the shoulder 59S on the stop lil/ibut, sincethe edge I3!! iszpreferably in linewith the edges'lZe. of the legs 12B, thearmature rwill stillpivot;

about the same axis.

In assembing the unit, they armature'- 56 is.. rst secured toits mounting member; by means; of thefrivets B2l` and' |28; and the. portions I I2- of the mountingmember 58,are then.plaoed;in. position... on they-magnet.. end plate 44, the pro-A jectirlgrzprtons: 42, of 7 the., Spacers 40 being i 11er ceivedr. within: the.; apertures l la; Since.; theseapertures; l le' are considerably; larger.; than; thef projecting portionsfiZ ofthespacersi 40:, thegarma.: ture1mounting=memberyf .and withvit fthe. armar( ture 565:.isfslidablwithinLlirnits overfthe magnetrbottcmxplatez 451 The.; armature 56 is. therefore; adjusted untilitsfaperture llzis .rendered .concernd tric; with.. the. core, 5.8: of. thel electromagnet; 32.

Thismayfreadilyfbze accomplishedxby the '.-use=of.; al ring: gauge; dmensioned. torv t' between g. the;-`l exterior.V of"l the;`V core'` 35? andv the interior: of; thief;` aperture; Sr. When= proper rpositioning;l'iasrbeerr.. thus.- aoh-ievedf and. maintained;` the.I spacers 52.5

` mayathenffbe:.tightened thus xedly .securingirtheflaL armature Etf.t in; its; proper positiom, lube;I noted thatv any shifting offtheaarmature.5&1to: bring.v itcintoxpropery 'positionl with respect .'.to thee core 35 is accompanied-by: au.correspondingvshift:

of .the pivot axis abioutwhich theV armature 56m/ill pivot; since: the. axisfis dened Aby theedgesa, 124': and |301' of the legs IZ andthe finger I26iand.: said flegs f and" nger' are `.rigidly attached togandi, consequently; move withl the 1 armature Y et as :itzisimoved..

The i importance vof achieving proper: relationeshipbetween thearmature 5e andthe electro/a. magneti 32' is .apparent fromu the factv that-:the: magnetic ux fgenerated by; the coil 3d passes upf-- wardly; through the'coreid,A through the magnets. top-.plate 38" and thence throughthe magnetic#- spacers 49 to=themagnetfbottom plateallll; The. iuxthen tendston pass from the44 interior ofI the aperture it? in f the-magnetzbottom' plate t4 back. tothe core; Se, butthe f large air gap inhibits fthiszl flow. Most. ofthe: uxy passes to the armature .'ifandofftl'iey fiux. which doesgo to .the` armature- .Y imostiof it enters the armature near the pivot-2 point thereoffwlfiere the air gap is least; Eromv there, the-'flux jumps the air gap betweenthe-v` interior ofthe'iaperture inthe armature 5t' andthe core 36, sincethis air gap is considerablyv lessfthantheair gap between the interiorof'the aperture e6 and'thecore` 36. As thel armature pivots invacounter-clockwise direction; the-uxdistribution will changer. because of thezgreater proximity off'the extreme rightihand'end ofthe armatureA 551 to the magnet bottom plate 441' and b'ecause-f the projecting tip of? the core 3(5V receivablewithinV the apertureli. Ifv the aper ture-Sisproperly positioned with respect to thecorey 39, at straight line relationship betweenfthe magneti'mpulland the position assumed bythe: armature ffwill resulty over` a large proportionoffthe permissible movement ofthe armature 56.

The inse'tportions ile' ofy the side m2' of 'the magnet top plateI dll"v project inwardly beyond the pivotalaxisiof the armature 565 so thatzthe strips- H6 are permitted to'bend freely above the=plane^-= of' the lowersurface Vof the magnet bottom plate1 d'4 as the armature pivots. TheV pivotalactiony is: therefore frictionless andfunimpeded throughout the eiTectivemotion-of the armature.I

Byctheg.abovedescribed arrangement of lixed t andmovingi partsI I'have devised a linger typel regulatorxwhich-is capable ofi being encompassedY in ant. exceedingly small space, which: utilizesaV` minimum. number of` parts; which is: extremely.'- simpletoI assemble-andadjust; and which may be manufactured ata small fraction of: the costoff" prior.-v art: structures comparable inoperation. Theidevicevof my invention isl exceedingly accu.A rate-- andl capable of; operation over long periods. of 'time-and underfadverse conditionsforclmat'e,` placementgand. vibration: .without :loss/.of 'depende--Y ability. By the arrangement here described, a compact unit is developed the moving parts of which are so spatially and directionally related as to ensure a maximum of positive and predictable operation and a minimum of deviations from normal operation.

The unit is composed of a minimum number of parts, all easily fabricatable on a mass production basis to commercial tolerances and quickly and simply assemblable into the finished unit without requiring the use of any equipment more complicated than a conventional ring gauge.

It will be apparent that many deviations may be made in the details here disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as l defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said fixed contacts, a linger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers.

2. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one'direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, a dashpot comprising a fixed and a. movable element, said movable element being movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member, an angular connector between said member and said movable element, and Varmature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element of said dashpot is always urged in its proper plane of movement. 3. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement to move said member in the other direction, a lug and aperture pivotal interconnection between said armature and said member, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers.

A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable ngers normally urged into engagement with said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said ngers t0 sequentially move them-outlof engagement with said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular tol said,- plane of movement to move said member in the other direction, a lug and aperture pivotal interconnection between` said armature and said member, a dashpot vcomprising a fixed and a movable element, said movable element being movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member, an angular connector between said member and said movable element, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element of said dashpot is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

5. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said lfixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of en gagement with said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, and an electromagnetic device active on said armature to position the same and hence control the position of said fingers, said armature being pivotally mounted with respect to said electromagnetic device.

6. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a, plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said fixed contacts, a nger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said xed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connectedto saidmember to move it in the other direction, a dashpot comprising a iixed and a movable element,said movable element being movable in a direction parallel to the plane of lmovement of said member, andan angular connector between said member and said movable element, and an electromagnetic device active on said armature to position the same and hence control the posi'- tion of said fingers, said armature being pivotally mounted with respect to said electromagnetic de# vice, whereby the movable element of said dash# pot is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

7. A circuit regulator comprising an electro-` magnet,` an armature pivotally mounted on an end cf said electromagnet and having a portion extending to one side of said electromagnet, a plurality of fixed contacts fixedly mounted relative to said electromagnet, a plurality of movable iin-1' gers normally urged'into engagement with said fixed contacts, a finger lifting meinbel` pivotally attached to the extending portion of said armature and engageable with said fingers to sequentially `move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, and a spring active on said member to urge it in one direction, said member being normally in a plane substantially perpendicular to said armature and said spring being active in the plane of said member so that as said armature pivots on said electromagnet, said member substantially maintains its angular relationship to said fingers.

8. A circuit regulator comprising `an electromagnet, an armature pivotally mounted on an end of said electromagnet and Ahaving a portion extending `to one side of said electromagnet. a plurality of xed contacts iixedly mounted relative to said electromagnet, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said iixed contacts, a iinger lifting member pivotally vattached to the extending portion of said armature and engageable with said lingers to sequentially move them out of engagement `with said lfixed contacts, a spring active on said member to urge it in one direction, said member being normally in a plane substantially perpendicular to said armature and said spring being active in the plane of said member, a dashpot comprising a cylinder and a plunger, said plunger being movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member, and an L-shaped connector between said member and said plunger, whereby as said armature pivots on said electromagnet said member substantially maintains its angular relationship to said dashpot and hence the plunger is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

9. A circuit regulator comprising an electromagnet having a top and a bottom, `an armature pivotally mounted on the bottom of said electromagnet and having a portion extending to one side thereof, a plurality of fixed contacts fixedly mounted below the extending portion of said armature, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said xed contacts, a nger lifting member pivotally attached to the l2 of said member, and an L-shaped connector between said member and said plunger, whereby las said armature pivots on said electromagnet said member substantially maintains its angular relationship to said dashpot and hence the plunger is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

1l. A circuit;y regulator comprising an electromagnet having a top plate and a bottom, an armature pivotally mounted on the bottom of said 'i electromagnet and having a portion extending to "urged into engagement with said iixed contacts, a

ii-nger lifting member pivotally attached to the extending portion of said armature by means of a lugand aperture interconnection and engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said iixed contacts, said 4top plate having a portion extending above the yextending portion of said armature, a spring connected between said member and the extending extending portion of said armature and engageto move in one direction and to orient itself in f' that direction so that as said armature pivots on said electromagnet, said member substantially maintains its angular relationship to saidframe portion.

10. A circuit regulator comprising an electromagnet having a top and a bottom, an armature pivotally mounted on the bottom of said electromagnet and having a portion extending to one side thereof, a plurality of fixed contacts iixedly mounted below the extending portion of said armature, a plurality of movable ngers normally urged into engagement with said iixed contacts, a iinger lifting member pivotally attached to the extending ,portion of said armature and engagey able with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, a frame portion connected to said electromagnet and extending to one side thereof, a spring connected between said member and said frame portion and active,V upon said member to urge it to i move in one direction and to orient itself in that direction, a dashpot comprising a cylinder anda plunger positioned above the extending portion of i said armature, said plunger being movable in a direction parallel to the. direction of movement portion of said top plate and active upon said member to urge it to move in one direction and i Ato orient itself in that direction, a dashpot comprising a cylinder and a plunger mounted on the extending portion of said top plate and positioned between said top plate and the extending portion of said armature, said plunger being movable in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said member, and an L-shaped connector between said member and said plunger, whereby as said armature pivots on said electromagnet, said member substantially maintains its angular relationship to said dashpot and hence the plunger is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

12. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable fingers normally urged into engagement with said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them out of engagement with said fixed contacts, and an electromagnetic unit comprising an electromagnet, an armature mounting member, and an armature pivotally mounted thereon, said magnet comprising an end plate having a side and having a stop projecting from said plate adjacent said side, said armature comprising a portion adapted to overlie said end plate and a portion extending out past said side, said armature having an aperture in which said stop is receivable, and said mounting member being of resilient material secured to said end plate and to the extending portion of said armature, positioned between said plate and armature, and having an edge overlying said plate, said stop having a shoulder separated from said top plate by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of said mounting member, and a finger on said mounting member received beneath said shoulder and terminating in an edge, whereby said armature will frictionlessly pivot about said edges of said mounting member in any position of said units, said mounting member extending out past said armature and having an aperture therein, said linger lifting member hav- 13. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of iixed contacts, a plurality of movable iingers normally urged into engagement with said iixed contacts, a linger lifting member engageable with 13 said fingers to sequentilaly move them out of engagement with said xed contacts, and an electromagnetic unit comprising an electromagnet, an armature mounting member, and an armature pivotally mounted thereon, said magnet comprising an end plate having a side and having a stop projecting from said plate adjacent said side, said armature comprising a portion adapted to overlie said end plate and a portion extending vout past said side, said armature having an aperture in which said stop is receivable, and said mounting member being of resilient material secured to said end plate and to the extending portion of said armature, positioned between said plate and armature, and having an edge overlying said plate, said stop having a shoulder separated from said top plate by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of said mounting member, and a finger on said mounting member received beneath said shoulder and terminating in an edge, whereby said armature will frictionlessly pivot about said edges of said mounting member in any position of said unit, said mounting member extending out past said armature'and having an aperture therein, said finger lifting member having a projection receivable in the aperture of said mounting member so that said finger lifting member is pivotally mounted with respect to said armature.

14. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said xed contacts, a nger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers.

15. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said xed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, a dashpot comprising xed and a movable element, said movable element being movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member, an angular connector between said member and said movable element, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element of said dashpot is always urged in its proper plane of movement.

16. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement to move said member in the other direction, a. lug and aperture pivotal interconnection between said armature and said member, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers.

17. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said contacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement to move said member in the other direction, a lug and aperture pivotal interconnection between said armature and said member, a dashpot comprising a fixed and a movable element, said movable element being movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said member, an angular connector between said member and said movable element, and armature moving mechanism for positioning said armature and thus controlling the position of said fingers, whereby the movable element of said dashpot is always urge in its proper plane of movement 18. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of fingers movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said fixed contacts, said member being movable substantially in a single plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an armature substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, and an electromagnetic device active on said armature to position the same and hence control the position of said fingers, said armature being pivotally mounted with respect to said electromagnetic device. w

19. A circuit regulator comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of ngers movable into and out of engagement with said fixed contacts and normally urged in one direction with respect to said xed contacts, a ringer lifting member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said fixed contacts, said member be* ing movable substantially in a singie plane, a spring active on said member in a direction substantially parallel to said plane of movement so as to urge said member in one direction, an arma ture substantially perpendicular to said plane of movement and pivotally connected to said member to move it in the other direction, a dashpot comprising a fixed and a movable element, said movable feleinent 'zrbeing l movable 1 in :sa Vdirection 'iparalleitto?thezrplaner of., movement of i said memf aber;y and'f'anfiangular.connector betweenrsaidlmem- .berrand -:said movable .eleinent and. an electro magnetic .device active on Tsaidarmature ato po ,f

'Withrespect'tofsaid xedcontacts, a iingerliiting :member pivotally" attached to :the extending por tioni f "said armature 'and' engageable with .said fngers totsequentially `move ithem in an opposite .','direction'v With: respectto said fixed contacts, .and a1-spring active on saidmember to urge it in one vdirection, said'memberibeing normally in a plane f'substantially perpendicular to said armature and :said spring being. active in the plane of said meh iberrso'; that as4 said-armature pivots on said electromagnet'said A member. substantially maintains its; angular relationshipto said. fingers.

L21. A Ycircuit: regulator comprising an electro- :.:rna'gnei'canarmature',pivotally` mounted on an iendrof" saidfielectromagnet and. having'a portion `'extending lto one: side of 'said electromagnet, a `plurality of. fixed contactsxedly .mounted relaaptive 'toi'.said electromagnet, av plurality of fingers movable into andout of".engagement withsaid fixed contacts and" normally urged in one direc- Vr;tiorr`vvithy respect :to .said fixed contacts, a finger lifting member pivotally' attached to. the extendying'portion of' said armature and engageable with said ngersrto sequentially move them inY an oppoisitefdirection Withrespectto'said xed contacts, ifafspringr'active on'saidfmember to'urge it in one .zfdirection,':said member being normally in a plane -flsubstantially'r perpendicular toisaid armature and :saidspring'being active `in the plane of said inem- /.ber, sa :dashpot '.comprising 1a cylinder and a izplungerrisaid'plunger .beingmovable inV adirecutioniparallel to the'plane of 'f movement of said rmembenfand'an'.Lsshapedconnector between said -memberzandsai`d plungenwhereby'as said arma- .-tureipivots on'said electromagnet said member ".isubstantially vmaintains its angular Arelationship tosaid dashpotand hence the plunger is always @urged in itsproper'plane of movement.

:'122.:'A :circuit .regulator Icomprising an electromagnet having a top and a bottom, an'arma1 'turei'pivotally mounted kon the bottom of said felectromagnet and having `a portion extending' to yone iside thereof, raplurality 4of fixed contacts iixedlyfmounted i below the extending portion of saidfarmaturepa plurality of fingers movable into `randfout offengagement-with'said fixed contacts fand normally urge'din 'one direction with respec'ttovlsaid "hired/contacts, a nger lifting meini'berfpivotally"attached to the extending portion IT51? f'sai'd 4"armature 'and 'engageable with said f'ngers 'to lsequentially "move them in an op'- p'osite fdirection i with lrespect to 'said' fixed oon- -taetsfai'frame portion `connected to said electromagnet vand extending to 'one "side thereof, `:andaspringconnected' between said member and sa-iii ffraiiie*V port-ion and active i upon said Vniemiii ber .to urge.; it .to imove iin ione direction 'an'd i: to orient itselftinzthat .direction soithatasisaid armature pivots on '.,said ielectromagnet, :said member substantiallymaintains its: angularfrela-l tionship to saidirame portion.

.23u-A circuit regulator comprising :an` elecvtroinagnet'having a ,top anda bottom,z an, armature Ypivotally mounted on the bottom'ofssaid eleotroniagnetf and having a portion 'extending to one sidethereof, la plurality of nxed contacts iixedly'mounted below theextending'portion `on? :said "armature, a 'plurality .of lingers 'movable into andout'oflengagement with'said 'xed contacts*andznormallyurged in one'jdirectionV with: respect. to said lxed'contacts, ra .nn-

'ger lifting -member pivotaliyattached' to ythe'ex Vtendirigportion ofrsaid armature and engageable 'with said Ifingers to sequentiallylmove themtin an oppositeidirectionfwithL-respeot tosaid xed contacts, la frame portion iconne'eted lto :said eiectromagnet and extending 5to `oneiside therecoi`,.a springtconnected*between said member-fand said frame portionzand active upon'saidi member `tol urge it to; move in one directionfandto orient itself in thatl direction, 'Ja'dashpot comprising :a kcylinder and av .plungerfpositionedabove theizex- 'tending portion ofzsaidfarmature, said `plunger being movableinazdirection parallel'to the ldirection of movement of said member,and;-Jan:l. shaped; connector vbetiveen saidfmember and said plunger, '1 whereby i. as 'said armature 'ipivots ton said electromagnet .said :fmember lsubstantially 'maintains its:.angularrelationshipttof said dashpot andxhence therplungerisf always: urged. in'. its

proper plane of. movement.

24. A circuitv regulator 'comprising 'ra :plurality of fixed contacts, a'piurality'of iingersfmovable into and out of engagement with' said "xedfcontacts and' normally urged zin one. direction "with respectto'said xed contacts, 'a nger lifting member engageable with said "lingers t to "sequentiallymove them 'in an Loppositefolirectiori with respect to said fixedcontaots, and'an electromagnetic unit 'comprising an electromagnet,

' an armature mounting memben'andanarmature pivotally Amounted thereon, said magnet comprising'an 'end' plate having ai side andlhaving a stop projecting V'iromlsaidfplate adjacent said side, Vsaid armature "comprising a portion adapted to overiiefsaid'end plateand al portion extending out 'past' said side, i said? armature havingan aperture in which said stop'is receivable. and said mounting member -being 'of resilient lmaterial' securedto'said 'end lplateffand to the extending portion 'of said: armature, positioned between said plateand armature, Aand having'ian edge 'overlying said plate, "said stop having a shoulder separated from said top''plate'byal distance approximately equal tothe thickness fof said mounting fmember, y'and 'a linger on I#said mounting member received 'beneath said' shoulder and terminating in'anr edge, wherebyfsai'd'arm'avture will frictionlessly pivot about 'said fedges of said mountingmember in any positionof' said units, said mounting member extending out past Isaid armature and havingan'aperture therein, vsaid finger lifting member having aprojection receivable in the aperture of said mounting meinber sothat said finger lifting member is pivotally mounted with respect 'to said armature.

25. A circuit regulator'compi'ising'fa plurality 'of fixed contacts'aplurality of Afingers 'movable into and out of `engagementV with" said "fixed con- 'tactsand `'normally urged in one direction "with respect vto said vfixed contacts, affinger "lifting 17 member engageable with said fingers to sequentially move them in an opposite direction with respect to said xed contacts, and an electromagnetic unit comprising an electromagnet, an armature mounting member, and an armature pivotally mounted thereon, said magnet comn prising an end plate having a side and having a stop projecting from said plate adjacent said side, said armature comprising a portion adapted to overlie said end plate and a portion extending out past said side, said armature having an aperture in which said stop is receivable, and said mounting member being of resilient material secured to said end plate and to the extending portion of said armature. positioned between said plate and armature, and having an edge overlying said plate, said stop having a shoulder separated from said top plate by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of said mounting member, and a finger on said mounting member received beneath said shoulder and terminating in an edge, whereby said armature will frictionlessly pivot about said edges of said ARTHUR M. COHEN.

REFERENCES CITED IThe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 847,555 Craft Mar. 19, 1907 1,106,187 Bossu Aug. 4, 1914 2,338,250 Logan Jan. 4, 1944 2,351,901 Austin June 20, 1944 2,444,198 Hasselhorn June 29, 1948 2,458,247 Bryan Jan. 4, 1949 2,461,360 Vincent Feb. 8, 1949

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